Echotrac MKIII Operator's Manual 4.06
Page 29 of 48
January 21, 2019
Chart annotation is accepted from the data acquisition system via Com 1’s serial input line. The format should
conform to the specifications set forth in section
7.2 Serial Data Input / Chart Annotation
5.2.5.2
Com 1-2-3-4 Baud
Each port’s individual baud rate can be varied using the corresponding Com “X” baud parameter.
5.2.5.3
Remote – Com2
Com 2 is reserved for connection to the Echotrac Remote Display Unit (RDU). Choices are:
1) Off
2) On
Two-way communications between the Echotrac and RDU enables the operator at a remote location to both
monitor the recorded depth.
5.2.5.4
NMEA In – Com3
Enabling Com 3 (selecting “NMEA In” in the display) instructs the MKIII to look for a NMEA string on the input of
the serial port. The Echotrac will read either the GGA or the GLL sentences. It is recommended to set the GPS to
output only one of the sentences at a 1 Hz update rate. Outputting too much data to the Echotrac might interfere
with the output of serial data. The two choices are:
1) Nmea In
2) Off
Selecting NMEA In causes the MKIII to print the latest Lat./Long available from the connected GPS receiver at
each manual Fix mark and output the NMEA sentence out through the Ethernet port.
5.2.5.5
Heave – Com 4
The dedicated Heave input port, Com 4, looks for heave data in the TSS1 (27 ASCII character) format. Choices are:
1) Heave
2) Off
Selecting
Heave
enables the serial port and causes a thick black line to be printed near the top of the chart. Upon
reading a value on Com4, the “Raw” heave value is printed graphically about the dashed line.
TSS1 is the default string in the TSS line of motion sensors and an optional format from most other motion sensor
manufacturers. The string contains heave, roll, pitch, and both vertical and horizontal acceleration values. Only
the value for heave is used in the MKIII to correct for the effects of transducer vertical displacement.
5.2.6 Diagnostic Menu
Functions designed to assist the operator in testing
the operation of the instrument or that of connected
systems, are grouped in the Diagnostic Menu.
5.2.6.1
Simulator
Enabling the simulator puts an artificially synthesized
return into the digitizer, resulting in a return being
printed on the Chart. The depth of the simulated return
can be varied using the RxGain controls. This function
is particularly useful when interfacing the MKIII to data
acquisition systems or during training of new operators.
It enables many of the features of the system to be
demonstrated without ever leaving the office.
Summary of Contents for Echotrac MKIII
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