Simrad EQ44, Manual Manual

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EQ44/54 Echosounder operation Chapter 3-1
3. Echosounder operation
The echosounder function of the EQXX determines the distance
between its transducer and underwater objects such as fish, lake
bottom or sea bed. It does this by utilizing the fact that an ultrasonic
wave transmitted through water travels at a nearly constant speed
of 1500 meters (4800 feet) per second. When a sound wave strikes
an underwater object such as fish or sea bottom, part of the sound
wave is reflected back toward the source. Thus by calculating the
time difference between the transmission of a sound wave and the
reception of the reflected sound wave, the depth to the object can be
determined.
The entire process begins in the display unit. Transmitter power is
sent to the transducer as a short pulse of electrical energy. The elec-
trical signal produced by the transmitter is converted into an ultra-
sonic signal by the transducer and transmitted into the water. Any
reflected signals from intervening objects (such as a fish school)
are received by the transducer and converted back into an electri-
cal signal. It is then amplified in the amplifier section, and finally,
displayed on the screen.
The picture displayed is made up of a series of vertical scan lines
(pings), one for each transmission. Each line represents a ‘snapshot’
of what has occurred beneath the boat. The series of snapshots are
accumulated side by side across the screen, and the resulting con-
tours of the bottom and fish between the bottom and surface are
displayed.
Selecting echosounder displays
The EQXX provides various types of echosounder displays: standard
echogram, A-scope, bottom expansion (zoom), VRM expansion and
shift presentation. Each display has its special advantages. Select
the appropriate setup for the echosounder display in the presentation
“Setup” (see section 4.7), and “Echosounder setup” (see section 10.1)
displays, considering current sea area and target fish.