YSI SonTek RiverSurveyor, System Manual

Page: 50 / 194

SonTek/YSI Inc
RiverSurveyor System Manual (May 1, 2007)
38
3.5.4. How do I set up an Echo Sounder in RiverSurveyor?
Before establishing communication with your echo sounder through the RiverSurveyor program:
•
Make sure the echo sounder is operating correctly (see echo sounder manual for details).
•
Make sure your echo sounder is using the appropriate communications settings. Typical se-
rial communication settings for an echo sounder are:
- Baud rate – 9600
- Data bits – 8
- Stop bits – 1
•
Keep in mind that both the ADP and echo sounder are acoustic instruments. Both emit and
receive similar types of signals. For this reason, there is a possibility of interference be-
tween the acoustic signals of the two instruments. Because RiverSurveyor is usually used in
shallow waters (less than 200 m), and because echo sounders use a single narrow beam,
simply increasing the physical distance between the two instruments will greatly minimize
the possibility of interference. For example, if the ADP is near the bow, place the echo
sounder near the stern.
You can now connect your echo sounder serial cable to your computer. Remember which serial
port you use, as you will need this information in the
RiverSurveyor program.
The echo sounder input into the RiverSurveyor is set up via the
Systems
dialog box (
Figure
3-15
). The
Systems
dialog box can be displayed by selecting
Communications|Systems
or by
clicking the
Systems
icon on the toolbar. See §
7.3.3
for an overview of the
Systems
dialog box.
In the
Systems
dialog box (
Figure 3-15
), select the serial (
Com
) port and
Baud Rate
for your echo
sounder. If the
Automatic Verification
is on (box checked), the RiverSurveyor program will auto-
matically search for a valid echo sounder data string (either SDDPT or SDDBT are acceptable)
as soon as the communications settings are entered. If
Automatic Verification
is off, click the
Click here to check link in the
Status
column after entering your communications settings. If
valid echo sounder data are not found on the serial port, the
Status
column will change to Invalid
– click here for information . Click the link for information as to the possible reasons for the
problem (see Troubleshooting §
9.4
– Echo Sounder Conditions ).
Figure 3-15. Systems dialog box in RiverSurveyor (Echo Sounder)