Edgetech 4600 Reference Manual

4 Little Brook Road

West Wareham, MA 02576

Tel: [phone]



Fax: [phone]

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar



Reference Manual

Document No. 0012885

Email: [e-mail] REV G
Website: http://www.edgetech.com FEB 2013

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

The information, figures and specifications in this manual are proprietary
and are issued in strict confidence on condition that they not be copied,
reprinted or disclosed to a third party either wholly or in part without the
prior written consent of EdgeTech. Any reproduction of EdgeTech supplied
software or file sharing is strictly prohibited.

©

Copyright 2010 by EdgeTech. All rights reserved.

Full SpectrumTM is a trademark of EdgeTech.

Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.

Kevlar® is a registered trademark of the DuPont Company.

Intel® and Pentium® are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

Novagard G624® is a trademark of Novagard Solutions, Inc.

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Warning—Read This First!

All personnel involved with the installation, operation or maintenance of the
equipment described in this manual should read and understand the
warnings and recommendations provided below.

Static Sensitive Devices

This equipment contains devices that are extremely sensitive to static
electrical charges. Therefore extreme care should be taken when handling
them as static electricity may be present on the body and clothing. Normal
handling precautions involve the use of anti-static protection materials and
grounding straps for personnel.

Radiation

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy.
Therefore if the equipment is not installed properly, it may cause
interference with radio communications. The equipment has not been tested
for compliance with the appropriate FCC rules designed to provide
reasonable protection against such interference when operated in a
commercial environment. Therefore when operating the equipment in a
residential area, the user may be required to take whatever measures are
needed and incur any expenses necessary to eliminate interference; it is the
user's responsibility to verify that the system complies with the applicable
FCC emission limits.

High Voltages

High voltages are present in the sonar head, power amplifier, topside
processor, and deck cable. Always use caution when removing the
electronics from these devices.

Improper Line Voltage

Operation with improper line voltage may cause serious damage to the
equipment. Always ensure that the proper line voltage is used.

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Preface

We, the employees at EdgeTech, would like to thank you for purchasing a
4600 Swath Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar System. At EdgeTech it is our
policy to provide high quality, cost effective products and support services
that meet or exceed your requirements, to deliver them on time and to
continuously look for ways to improve them. We take pride in the products
we manufacture and want you to be entirely satisfied with your equipment.

The information contained in this manual provides the user with a
description of the setup, operation, care, and maintenance of the EdgeTech
4600 Swath Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar System. Although this manual
encompasses the latest operational features of the 4600 System, some
features of the system may be periodically upgraded. Therefore the
information in this manual is subject to change and should be used for
reference only.

i

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Warnings, Cautions and Notes

Where applicable, warnings, cautions and notes are provided in this manual
as follows:

WARNING

Identifies a potential hazard that could cause personal injury or
death to yourself or to others.

CAUTION

Identifies a potential hazard that could be damaging to
equipment or could result in the loss of data.

NOTE

Note: Recommendations or general information that is particular

to the material being presented or a referral to another part of
this manual or to another manual.

ii

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Liability

EdgeTech has made every effort to document in this manual the 4600 Swath
Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar System accurately and completely.
However, EdgeTech assumes no liability for errors or for any damages that
result from the use of this manual or the equipment it documents. EdgeTech
reserves the right to upgrade features of this equipment and to make
changes to this manual without notice at any time.

iii

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Warranty

All equipment manufactured by EdgeTech is warranted against defective
components and workmanship for a period of one year after shipment.
Warranty repair will be done by EdgeTech, free of charge. Shipping costs are
to be borne by the customer. Malfunction due to improper use is not covered
in the warranty and EdgeTech disclaims any liability for consequential
damage resulting from defects in the performance of the equipment. No
product is warranted as being fit for a particular purpose and there is no
warranty of merchantability. This warranty applies only if:

i. The items are used solely under the operating conditions and in the

manner recommended in Seller’s instruction manual, specifications, or
other literature.

ii. The items have not been misused or abused in any manner or repairs

attempted thereon.

iii. Written notice of the failure within the warranty period is forwarded to

Seller and the directions received for properly identifying items
returned under warranty are followed.

iv. The return notice authorizes Seller to examine and disassemble

returned products to the extent Seller deems necessary to ascertain
the cause for failure.

The warranties expressed herein are exclusive. There are no other
warranties, either expressed or implied, beyond those set forth herein, and
Seller does not assume any other obligation or liability in connection with the
sale or use of said products. Any product or service repaired under this
warranty shall be warranted for the remaining portion of the original
warranty period only.

Equipment not manufactured by EdgeTech is supported only to the extent of
the original manufacturer’s warranties.

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Warning

This equipment contains static sensitive devices that are extremely sensitive
to static electrical charges, which may be developed on the body and the
clothing. Extreme care should be taken when handling these devices both in
and out of the circuit board. Normal handling precautions involve the use of
anti-static protection materials and grounding straps for personnel.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and
if not installed properly may cause interference to radio communications. It
has not been tested to compliance to the appropriate FCC rules designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when operated in a
commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area
may cause interference, in which case the user, at his own expense, will be
required to take whatever measures needed to correct the interference. It is
the user’s responsibility to verify that the system complies with the
applicable FCC emission limits.

High Voltage may be present in the Sonar Head, power amplifier and the
topside processor. Use caution when the electronics are removed from their
containers for servicing.

Operation with improper line voltage could cause serious damage to the

equipment.

v

Software Service Agreement

EdgeTech provides software services free of charge for one year
following the purchase of an EdgeTech system. A Software Service
Agreement (SSA), which is available for an annual fee, covers these
services after the first year. The services are listed below.

The SSA does not address customer specified modifications or
enhancements. These services may be ordered separately.
Furthermore, EdgeTech software upgrades are meant for the sole use
of EdgeTech customers that have purchased a system within a year or
have an existing SSA. Any reproduction of EdgeTech supplied software
or file sharing is strictly prohibited.

Software Updates and Enhancements

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

EdgeTech customers with a SSA automatically receive regular new software
releases with all modifications and enhancements along with user's manual
changes. New software releases consist of the following:

• Software enhancements that are not on the price list

• Software fixes and changes

• Product integration

• Documentation updates to on-line help

• Tests for compatibility with other modules

Software patches consist of software that has undergone the following:

• Minor software enhancements

• Software fixes and changes

Software Performance Report

EdgeTech customers may submit reports using a Software Performance
Report (SPR) form. SPR forms are available from EdgeTech. This report may
be related to a problem or to an inquiry, or it may be a specific request for a
software enhancement. EdgeTech will attend to the SPR at a priority level
appropriate to the seriousness of the problem and to the availability of a
work-around.

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

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Software Telephone, Facsimile and E-mail Support

The SSA entitles EdgeTech customers to contact EdgeTech Customer Service
by telephone, facsimile or e-mail to report a difficulty, to discuss a problem
or to receive advice on the best way to perform a task. When contacted,
EdgeTech Customer Service will do the following:

• Respond within 24 hours

• Immediately attend to serious problems affecting

operations

• Attempt to find an immediate work-around

Software Service Agreement Fee

The SSA covers one year and is renewable upon expiration. For the SSA
annual fee, please contact EdgeTech directly. For contact information refer

to the Customer Service Section on page “x” of this manual.

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Returned Material Authorization

If it is necessary to return the equipment for service, a Returned Material
Authorization (RMA) number is required prior to returning any equipment to
EdgeTech. This is to assist EdgeTech in recognizing the returned equipment
when it arrives at EdgeTech’s receiving dock, and to assist customer service
representatives in tracking the returned equipment while it is at EdgeTech’s
facilities. The material should be shipped to the address provided in the in

Customer Service Section, located on page x of this manual. Please refer to

the RMA number on all documents and correspondence as well.

All returned material must be shipped pre-paid. Freight collect shipments will
not be accepted.

The following steps apply only to material being returned from outside the

Continental United States. Follow them carefully to prevent delays and
additional costs.

1. All shipments must be accompanied by three copies of your proforma
invoice, showing the value of the material and the reason for its return,
if the reason is for repair, it must be clearly stated in order to come
through customs faster and without duties being charged. Whenever
possible, please send copies of original export shipping documents with
the consignment.

2. If the value of the equipment is over $1000, the following Shipper's
oath must be sent with the invoice. This oath can be typed on the
invoice, or on a separate letterhead.

"I, ______________________________, declare that the articles
herein specified are the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United
States; that they were exported from the United States from the port of
_____________________, on or about _______________; that they
are returned without having been advanced in value or improved in
condition by any process of manufacture or any other means; and that
no drawback, or allowance has been paid or admitted hereof."

Signed ______________________________

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

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3. If there is more than one item per consignment, a packing list must
accompany the shipment. It is acceptable to combine the proforma
invoice and packing list as long as the contents of each carton are
clearly numbered and identified on the invoice.

4. Small items can be shipped prepaid directly to EdgeTech by FedEx,
DHL, UPS, Airborne, etc.

5. If the equipment is the property of EdgeTech (formerly EG&G Marine
Instruments Division) please insure for full value.

6. Fax one invoice, packing list, and a copy of the airway bill to EdgeTech
upon shipment.

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Customer Service

Customer service personnel at EdgeTech are always eager to hear from
users of our products. Your feedback is welcome and is a valuable source of
information which we use to continually improve these products. Therefore
we encourage you to contact customer service to offer any suggestions or to
request technical support.

For product service or support, please contact:

EdgeTech
4 Little Brook Road
West Wareham, MA 02576

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

For more information please go to www.edgetech.com or email

[e-mail].

x

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Table of Contents



Preface .................................................................................................................... i

Warnings, Cautions and Notes ................................................................................... ii

Liability .................................................................................................................. iii

Warranty ................................................................................................................ iv

Warning ................................................................................................................. v

Software Service Agreement...................................................................................... vi

Software Updates and Enhancements ....................................................................... vi

Software Performance Report.................................................................................. vi

Software Telephone, Facsimile and E-mail Support .................................................... vii

Software Service Agreement Fee ............................................................................ vii

Returned Material Authorization ............................................................................... viii

Customer Service ..................................................................................................... x

1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Company Background ................................................................................... 1

1.2 Product Overview ......................................................................................... 1

1.3 Supplied Components ................................................................................... 2

1.4 Optional Equipment ...................................................................................... 3

1.5 Software Description .................................................................................... 6

2. System Description ......................................................................................... 7

2.1 The 4600 Sonar Head ...................................................................................... 7

2.1.1 Sonar Processor ......................................................................................... 8

2.1.2 Sonar Arrays ......................................................................................... 8

2.1.3 Sound Velocity Sensor ............................................................................ 8

2.1.4 Nose and Tail Cones ............................................................................... 8

2.1.5 Mounting Bracket ................................................................................... 9

2.2 The 4600 Topside Processing Unit .................................................................. 9

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

2.2.1 The 4600 Topside Sonar Interface ............................................................... 9

2.2.2 The 4600 Topside Processor ...................................................................... 10

2.3 Deck Cable ............................................................................................... 10

2.4 Product Specifications ................................................................................. 11

3. System Formats and Connections .................................................................... 13

3.1 Data Formats ............................................................................................ 13

3.2 System Connections and Data Flow .............................................................. 14

3.2.1 Ethernet LAN Connections ........................................................................ 14

3.2.2 COM Ports .............................................................................................. 14

3.2.3 Hardware Data Flow ................................................................................ 14

3.2.4 Sonar Data Flow ...................................................................................... 17

4. System Assembly and Installation ................................................................... 19

4.1 Unpacking and Inspecting ........................................................................... 19

4.2 Sonar Head Assembly ................................................................................. 19

4.3 Positioning the Topside Processing Unit ......................................................... 23

4.4 Topside Connections ................................................................................... 23

4.5 Sonar Head Installation .............................................................................. 25

4.6.1 Over-the-Bow Deployment ........................................................................ 25

4.6.2 Over-the-Side Deployment ........................................................................ 26

4.6 Care and Maintenance ................................................................................ 27

5. Principles of Operation ................................................................................... 29

5.1 Confirming Supporting Data is Present .......................................................... 29

5.2 DISCOVER 4600 ........................................................................................ 33

5.2.1 Other Features in DISCOVER 4600 ......................................................... 45

5.2.2 Engineering Displays ............................................................................ 59

5.3 Third Party Software .................................................................................. 64

5.3.1 HYPACK .............................................................................................. 64

6. Frequently Asked Questions? .......................................................................... 65

Appendix A ............................................................................................................. 1

Configuring the COM Ports ...................................................................................... 1

A.1 One Sensor .................................................................................................. 1

A.2 Two Sensors ................................................................................................ 8

A.3 Three Sensors ............................................................................................ 11

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Appendix B ............................................................................................................. 1

Performing a Rub Test ........................................................................................... 1

Appendix C ............................................................................................................. 1

Hardware Data Flow Diagram .................................................................................. 1

Sonar Interface Box Connections ............................................................................. 2

Bow Mount Example .............................................................................................. 3

Side Mount Example .............................................................................................. 4

Terminated Deck Cable Wiring Diagram .................................................................... 5

Non-Terminated Deck Cable Wiring Diagram ............................................................. 6

Acoustic Centers (Standard Body Type) .................................................................... 7

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

EdgeTech’s 4600 Reference Manual

1. Introduction

1.1 Company Background

EdgeTech, formerly EG&G Marine Instruments, traces its history in underwater data
acquisition and processing back to 1966. EdgeTech has designed, developed and
manufactured products, instruments and systems for the acquisition of underwater data,
including marine, estuarine and coastal applications for over 40 years. It has responded
to the needs of the scientific, Naval and offshore communities by providing equipment,
such as sub-bottom profilers, side scan sonar, acoustic releases, current meters, and
positioning systems, which have become standards in the industry. Equally as
significant, is the company's ability to anticipate and respond to future needs through an
active research and development program. Current efforts are focused on the application
of cutting edge chirp, DSP, and acoustic technology.

1.2 Product Overview

EdgeTech’s 4600 is a combined, fully-integrated, swath bathymetry and side scan sonar
system. The 4600 uses eight receive element transducers and one discrete transmit
element to produce real-time, high-resolution, 3D maps of the seafloor, while also
providing co-registered simultaneous side scan and bathymetric data. The high number
of channels enables good rejection of multi-path effects, reverberation, and acoustic
noise.

Figure 1: 4600 Topside Processing Unit (Left) and 4600 Sonar Head (Right)

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4600

4600 Swath Bathymetry

The 4600 operates at one of two frequencies, 230 kHz or 540 kHz, depending on the
model. The sonar electronics and arrays are mounted onto a streamline body that is
deployed over-the-bow (-or side) of a survey vessel. Sonar data is transferred from the
transceiver to the processing unit on board, via an Ethernet network interface.

Default configuration for the 4600 includes an integrated sound velocity sensor and a
built-in bottom tracker. The system can interface with standard DFPS/RTK systems,
MRUs, SVPs, CTDs, Altimeters, and Gyros. Simple to use acquisition software is
provided by EdgeTech and an approved post processing software.

and Side Scan Sonar

At this point, the only hydrographic surveying and post processing software that has
been approved by EdgeTech to interface with the 4600 software is HYPACK

®

. EdgeTech
has worked exclusively with this company to provide a user friendly interface for the
4600 System. The 4600 Topside Processing Unit comes standard with HYPACK
installed, unless the customer has specified otherwise upon time of purchase.

1.3 Supplied Components

 4600 Swath Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar System with 20 m (65 ft) Deck

Cable (please refer to the Cable Drawing on page A3 of the Appendix).

 Sound Velocity Profiler (SVP, located in the nose section of the Sonar Head)
 4600 Topside Processing Unit – 4600 Interface and Topside Processor with

DISCOVER 4600 Side Scan and Bathymetry Acquisition Software

 HYPACK
 System Restore Software (DVD)
 (2) 21 in LCD Monitors
 HP Keyboard and Mouse
 (2) Power Cables
 Spares Kit
 Manuals

®

Survey and Post-Processing Software

®

pre-

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1.4 Optional Equipment

 4600 Mounting Pole (see drawing in Figure 2 on Page 4)
 Crescent VS111 Series Hemisphere GPS (Figure 3, Page 5)
 SMC IMU Sensor (Figure 4, Page 5)
 HP 25 in LCD Monitor
 Samsung 25 in LCD Monitor

Note: Optional equipment must be specified upon time of purchase

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4600

Optional Mounting Pole Example:

Cable Path Protected by Fairing

Max Cable Length = 20 m (65 ft)

Bow of Survey Vessel

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Ø 10 cm (4 in)

1.02 m (3 ft)
10 cm (4 in)

Waterline

Tail Section

Figure 2: Mounting Pole Concept Drawing

2.1 m (7 ft)

0.9 m (3 ft)
Standard

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Optional Dual-Headed GPS System

Figure 3: Crescent VS111 Series Hemisphere GPS

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

Optional Motion Reference Unit

Figure 4: SMC IMU Sensor

Please contact EdgeTech for further product and purchasing information.

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1.5 Software Description

 EdgeTech’s DISCOVER 4600 Bathymetry and Side Scan Software Acquisition

package provides a way to control, store, and display the bathymetry and
side scan sonar data. The data is presented on a color waterfall display and is
stored in JSF formats on the hard disk of the Topside Processor. (See
Chapter 5, Section 2 for more information about Discover 4600)

 HYPACK

all of the necessary tools needed to design their survey, collect data, process
it, reduce it, and generate final products.

Note: The 4600 Topside Processing Unit comes standard with pre-installed
third party software (currently only HYPACK is available), unless the customer
has specified otherwise upon time of purchase.

®

Hydrographic Survey Software package provides the end user with

4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

2. System Description

The complete 4600 system consists of a Swath Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar Head and
a Topside Processing Unit. This section describes the two main components that make up
the 4600 system and lists its specifications.

2.1 The 4600 Sonar Head

The 4600 Swath Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar Head comes standard with a Sonar
Processor, Port and Starboard Sonar Arrays, a Sound Velocity Sensor (SVS), a Nose and
Tail Cone, and a Mounting Bracket with handles. A Mounting Pole may be purchased
separately to secure the 4600 System to a survey vessel. These components are
demonstrated in Figure 5.

Mounting Bracket

Tail Cone

Sonar

Processor

Sonar Arrays

(Port and Stbd)

Figure 5: 4600 Sonar Head Components

Note: Please become familiar with these terms in Figure 5, as they will be referenced

throughout the rest of this manual.

Mounting Pole

(Sold Separately)

Sound Velocity

Sensor (SVS)

Nose Cone

Sections 2.1.1 through 2.1.5 give a detailed description of the standard components
illustrated in Figure 5.

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4600 Swath Bathymetry

and Side Scan Sonar

2.1.1 Sonar Processor

The 4600 Sonar Processor has a built in PC running Windows XP as its operating
system. The main firmware installed on the embedded PC is an application called

sonar.exe. This firmware controls the sonar’s hardware and performs specific

functions such as the signal processing and time synchronization of the acquired
data.

2.1.2 Sonar Arrays

The 4600 operates at one of two frequencies, 230 kHz or 540 kHz, and utilizes two
arrays (port and starboard) to map the seafloor. Each 4600 hydrophone array is
constructed using 9 independent longitudinal PZT elements. One of these is used
only for the transmit function, while the remaining 8 elements make up an
approximately half wavelength spaced array of sensors for its receiver.

The 8 independent elements are connected to 8 independent receive channels that
are used to estimate the amplitude and phase measurements. Selected sub­elements of each array are used to form the side scan display data.

2.1.3 Sound Velocity Sensor

The 4600 Sonar Head has a flooded section in the front that is used to house an OEM
version of the AML SV-Xchange sound velocity sensor (SVS) with a 33 mm (1.3 in) x
246 mm (9.5 in) sensor providing a response time of 47 μs, a resolution of 0.001
m/s, and a theoretical accuracy of ±0.025 m/s. A closer look at the SVS is
presented in Figure 6.

SVS

Figure 6: SVS in Nose of Sonar Head

2.1.4 Nose and Tail Cones

The 4600 Nose and Tail Cones supply a streamline body for efficient underwater
maneuvers. The cones also serve as protection for the SVS at the front and the
array and deck cable connections at the rear.

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4600