4 | Preface
I Preface
The Rudder Feedback Unit is a high quality, ruggedized, easy to install rudder feedback unit.
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Thoroughly read this instruction manual before installation and operation of the equipment.
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We recommend to keep this manual nearby the equipment to ensure ready access to it.
I.1 Revision History
Revision No.
Description
Date
V1.0
First issue
2 March 2016
I.2 Glossary
The glossary contains a list of definitions and a list of abbreviations.
I.2.1 Definitions
The meaning of standard definitions as used in this manual are explained in Table 1: Definitions on page 4.
Redundant
A device that is equipped with multiple part of the same type, for example a double pow-
er supply. This equipment will continue to function when one of the redundant part fails.
Heading users
Navigation equipment that uses heading/course information for functioning.
Hardware
The physical parts of the AlphaLine instrument.
LEDs
Light-emitting diodes. These are used for signaling statuses of hardware and software
signals to the user.
Central alarm system /
Bridge watch monitoring
System that is connected to all vital systems on a ship and that is able to give a central-
ized indication of the (alarm)status of all connected systems.
NMEA protocol
Protocol standard for transmitting and receiving of asynchronous serial data sentences.
Talker
Device which transmits data. This is usually called transmitter or TX.
Listener
Device which receives data. This is usually called receiver or RX.
ISO GND
Isolated Ground. This is a ground connection to be used for reference signal. It is differ-
ent from EARTH and should normally not be connected to EARTH.
Grounding point/stud
Point on the chassis of the AlphaLine instrument which should be connected to the ship's
mass.
Printed Circuit Board
A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect
electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets,
laminated onto a non-conductive substrate.
(Galvanic) isolated
Electrical separation of two circuits. There is no current flowing directly from one circuit
to another. Electrical energy and/or information can still be exchanged between the sec-
tions by other means, such as by induction or by optical means (like transformers or opto
couplers).
CAN bus
Controller Area Network. This is a network based serial bus system used for exchanging
information. It is the advanced version of RS485/422 serial buses.
Reverse polarity protection
This is a part of the power supply hardware that prevents any damage to the equipment
when the power supply is connected to the wrong polarity.
ROT signal
Rate Of Turn (ROT) signal indicates the course change of a ship in degrees per minute.
This signal can be analog using voltage or current, or can be an NMEA data signal.
Heading/bearing repeaters
Navigation type of instruments displaying the heading/course of a ship.
