jotron Tron S-VDR CAPSULE User Manual

www.jotron.com

Tron S-VDR CAPSULE

USERS MANUAL

2 82310_UM_ SVDR_E

EC Declaration of Conformity, available at www.jotron.com

Abbreviations and definitions

BAUD
Transmission rate unit of measurement for binary coded data (bit per second).

BIT
Short form of Binary Digit. The smallest element of data in a binary-coded
value.

BITE
Built in test equipment

bps
Bits Per Second.

CHARACTER STRING
Continuous characters (other than spaces) in a message.

CHECKSUM
The value sent with a binary-coded message to be checked at the receiving end to
verify the integrity of the message.

COSPAS

COsmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov (Space System for the
Search of Vessels in Distress)

CLOCK
A precisely spaced, stable train of pulses generated within an electronic system
to synchronize the timing of digital operations within the system.

DEFAULT
A condition that the navigator assumes automatically if no other condition is
initiated by the operator.

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EPIRB
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

FRM
Final Recording Medium

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, which consists of or- biting
satellites, a network of ground control stations, and user positioning and
navigation equipment. The system has 24 satellites plus 3 active spare satellites
in six orbital planes about 20,200 kilometers above the earth.

GPS
Global Position System

GPS SYSTEM TIME
Time corrected to Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and used as the time
standard by the user segment of the GPS system.

IEC
International Electro-technical Commission.

IMO
International Maritime Organization

INTERFACE
Electronic circuits that permit the passage of data between different types of
devices; For example, the speed and heading interface circuit permits data from a
speed log and compass to pass to the navigator processor.

ITU
International Telecommunication Union.

LED
Light Emitting Diode.

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LUT
Local User Terminal (Ground Station)

MCC
Mission Control Center

PROCESSOR
The processor circuit card in the console that controls system operations and
computes the positioning/navigation solutions.

RCC
Rescue Coordination Center

SARSAT
Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System

SOFTWARE
Values programmed and preloaded into memory. The values represent a
permanent set of instructions for running the automatic functions (computations)
of the navigator.

S-VDR
Simplified Voyage Data Recorder

VHF
Very High Frequency -A set of frequencies in the MHz region.

VSWR
Voltage standing wave ratio

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Amendment Record

AMENDMENT

NO.

INCORP.

BY

DATE PAGE(S) VERSION REASON

FOR CHANGE

1 ES 14.02.06 44 pages A Kontroll med

dokumenter.doc

2 ES 21.03.06 37 B Chapter 6.1

Self-test

3 ES 13.11.06 28 C IP info
4 ES 18.04.07 Total: 44 D New company

name

5 ES 01.10.07 28,29,33,

37,38

E Changed text

Changed fuses

6
7
8
9

10

11
12
13
14
15

6 82310_UM_ SVDR_E

The information in this book has been carefully checked and is believed to be
accurate. However, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.

CAUTION!

This equipment contains CMOS integrated circuits. Observe handling
precautions to avoid static discharges which may damage these devices.

Jotron AS reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any
products or modules described herein to improve reliability, function or design.

Jotron AS does not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of
the described product. Jotron AS is a prime manufacturer of safety equipment
designed for rescue of human lives and their property. For safety equipment to
be effective in line with the design parameters it is important that they are
handled, stowed and maintained in compliance with the manufacturers
instructions.

Jotron AS Cannot be held responsible for any damage caused due to incorrect
use of the equipment or breach of laid down procedures or for failure of any
specific component or other parts of the equipment.

Jotron AS does not take any responsibility for improper
disassembling/assembling of the equipment. We strongly recommend all service
to be done by authorized Jotron agents. In addition to normal service, Jotron AS
agents have the necessary equipment and education to test the operational
functions of the beacon.

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LIST OF CONTENTS

1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION 9

1.1 EPIRB MODULE 9

1.1.1 System description 10

1.1.2 Signal detection 10

1.1.3 Distress location determination 11

1.1.4 Added value in the EPIRB 13

1.1.5 EPIRB registration 14

1.2 S-VDR SERVER MODULE 15

2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 16

3 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION 18

3.1 GENERAL 18

3.1.1 Capsule housing 19

3.1.2 S-VDR Server module 19

3.1.3 EPIRB module 20

3.1.4 Battery module 21

3.1.5 Automatic release bracket, FBR-3 21

3.1.6 S-VDR Data and Power connections 22

3.1.6.1 S-VDR Data and Power connector, capsule 22

3.1.6.2 S-VDR Data and Power connector, bracket 23

3.1.7 Wiring table S-VDR Data and Power connection 24
4 INSTALLATION 25

4.1 MOUNTING BRACKET FBR-3 25

4.2 MOUNTING THE FBR-3 26

4.3 MOUNTING OF THE CAPSULE INTO THE FBR-3 26

4.4 REPLACEMENT AND MOUNTING OF THE HYDROSTATIC RELEASE MECHANISM 27

4.5 JUNCTION BOX 28
5 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 31

5.1 FBR-3 FLOAT FREE BRACKET 31

5.2 MANUAL OPERATION OF EPIRB MODULE 31

5.3 AUTOMATIC OPERATION OF EPIRB MODULE 32

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5.4 TESTING THE EPIRB MODULE 32

5.5 OPERATION OF THE S-VDR MODULE 34

5.5.1 Operating software 34

5.6 CHANGE OF BATTERY 35

5.6.1 MSC Circ. 1039 35

5.6.2 Battery disposal 36

5.6.2.1 Incineration 36

5.6.2.2 Land filling 36

5.6.2.3 Recycling 36
6 MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING 37

6.1 EPIRB MODULE / BATTERY MODULE 37

6.2 TESTING EPIRB MODULE 37

6.2.1 Self-test with sea water contacts activated 37

6.2.2 Self-test with sea water contacts deactivated 37

6.3 MAINTENANCE OF EPIRB 38

6.3.1 EPIRB module error messages 40

6.4 TEST OF GPS RECEIVER WITHOUT TRANSMITTERS ACTIVATED 41

6.5 S-VDR MODULE 41

7 NOTES: 42

8 SERVICE AGENTS 43

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1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Main parts of the Capsule (Tron S-VDR CAPSULE) are the
EPIRB (EPIRB module) and the S-VDR Server module. The
Capsule is developed to meet the regulations and rules for use on
ships, vessels and life rafts in the maritime service. The Capsule
meets the following specifications for S-VDR and 406MHz EPIRB
for use in search and rescue operations at sea:

• IEC 61996 ed.2

• IEC 61097-2 ed2

• IEC 60945

• C/S T.001

• IMO MSC.163 (78)

• IMO A.810 (19)

• MED 96/98/EC

1.1 EPIRB MODULE

The Capsule is buoyant, and is designed to automatically release and to
automatically activate the EPIRB in case of an emergency where the
Capsule and its bracket is submerged into the sea. The EPIRB can also
be manually operated. One mounting bracket is available to mount it as
an automatic and manual EPIRB. The purpose of the EPIRB is to give
a primary alarm to the search and rescue authorities. The EPIRB gives
an immediate alarm when activated, transmitting the ID of the ship in
distress. The EPIRB will at the same time transmit the position of the
ship. Care must be taken not to activate the EPIRB unless in an
emergency situation, in such cases the user will be held responsible.
For periodic testing a test function is implemented. During the test
cycle the EPIRB does a self-test off the transmitters and the battery
status. No emergency signal is transmitted during the self-test. The
battery of the EPIRB will last for at least 168 hours from activation.

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1.1.1 System description

The COSPAS/SARSAT system was introduced in 1982 as a
worldwide search and rescue system with the help of satellites
covering the earth’s surface. Since the introduction of the system
more than 11200 persons have been rescued by the
COSPAS/SARSAT system. Currently the system consists of 8
different satellites in a polar orbit Constellation. These satellites
cover the entire earth’s surface and receive the emergency signal
from the 406MHz transmitter within the EPIRB. In addition several
geostationary satellites are equipped with a 406MHz transponder.
These satellites are not able to locate the Capsule but will give an
early warning to the rescue forces, minimizing the time from an
emergency occurs till the rescue forces are at the site. Each
emergency EPIRB in the system is programmed with its own
unique code, therefore it is vital that the ships data that is given to
the dealer you obtained your Tron S-VDR CAPSULE, is correct. If
the EPIRB is programmed with serial protocol, it is important that
the EPIRB is registered in the database for each country. This
database is normally located in the same country that the ship is
registered.

1.1.2 Signal detection

When the EPIRB is activated (manually or automatically) it
transmits on the frequencies 121.5MHz and 406.028MHz.A
homing signal is emitted on 121.5MHz and a burst is transmitted
on 406.028MHz every 50 second after activation. This burst
contains all necessary information about the ships in distress. After
the EPIRB is activated, the next passing satellite will detect the
transmitted signal and relay it to an antenna at a ground station,
called a LUT (Local User Terminal). For the 121.5MHz signal the
satellite must be within line of sight of both the EPIRB and a

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ground station. The ground station or LUT has a 2500 km satellite
reception radius centered at the LUT. In areas without LUT
coverage (mostly less populated areas in the southern hemisphere),
signals from the 121.5MHz transmitter will not be detected by the
satellites, only by passing aircraft’s. From the year 2006,no new
satellites will be launched including 121.5MHz receiver, and from
the year 2009,satellitedetection of the 121.5MHz EPIRB is
terminated. This is not the case with the 406MHz transmitter,
because the satellites have a memory unit, which stores the signals
for relay to the next available LUT giving it a truly global
coverage. Once the signal is received by the LUT, it is processed
for location and sent to a Mission Control Center (MCC).The MCC
sorts the alert data according to geographic search and rescue
regions and distributes the information to the appropriate Rescue
Co-ordination Center (RCC), or if outside the national search and
rescue area, to the appropriate MCC that covers the area that the
distress signal was detected. The RCC in turn takes the necessary
action to initiate search and rescue activities.

1.1.3 Distress location determination

The location of the distress signal is determined by taking
measurements of the doppler shift of the EPIRB frequency when
the satellite first approach and then pass the EPIRB. The actual
frequency is heard at the time of closest approach (TCA). Knowing
the position of the satellite and using the received doppler signal
information, it is possible to determine the location of the Capsule
from the satellite at the TCA. At the LUT, actually two positions
are calculated. One is the actual position (A) and the other is the
mirror image (B) position [FIG.1.1.3]. A second satellite pass
confirms the correct location (A).With the 406MHzsystem the real
solution can be determined on the first pass with a reliability of
nearly 90% and down to an accuracy of less than 5 km (3.1 miles).

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Figure 1.1.3 COSPAS/SARSAT Signal detection system

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1.1.4 Added value in the EPIRB

The EPIRB module has been designed to operate with the
COSPAS-SARSAT system and will enhance further the lifesaving
capabilities of conventional beacons. An integrated 12 channel GPS
module accepts continuous positional information from the
standard GPS system using 27 satellites providing an accuracy of
approximately 100m.Upon activation of the Capsule in an
emergency situation the positional information is incorporated into
the distress message transmitted to LUT.
The main advantage with integrated GPS in the EPIRB is the rapid
response and positional accuracy providing vital information during
a rescue operation practically eliminating valuable time spent
searching for the distressed. Whenever a distress message
transmitted by the EPIRB is detected by a polar orbit satellite
(LEOSAR) the delayed alert remains the same as for non-GPS
integrated EPIRB`s (max.90 min.), but the position accuracy is
improved considerably from a radius of 5 km. to amazing 100m.
Whenever a distress message transmitted by the EPIRB is detected
by geostationary satellite (GEOSAR) the alert is immediate (max.5
min.), still providing the accurate position of 100m. Please note
that the positional accuracy delay is depending on the actual
protocol used and programmed into the EPIRB and the location of
the emergency. The information is based on the capacity of the
LEOSAR/GEOSAR COSPAS-SARSAT system.

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1.1.5 EPIRB registration

Normally the MCC will contact the vessel or the contact person
registered in a shipping register and/or an EPIRB register (Ships
owner, family member etc.) before alerting the RCC. This is to
determine if the alarm from the EPIRB for some reason is a false
alarm, and an expensive rescue operation can be avoided.
Because of this it is important that the ships data is correct in the
shipping register or in the EPIRB database. The Capsule purchased
in some countries will have a registration form attached to it, it is
important that this registration form is completed by the owner and
returned to the place the Capsule was purchased or to the address
specified on the registration form.
Other countries use the already available shipping register to obtain
the necessary information for a vessel in distress, in these countries
the ship is already registered and no registration form is necessary,
however it is vital that the coding of the EPIRB is kept up to date
with data on the ship (nationality, call.sign, etc.), to minimize the
time from an alarm to the start of the search and rescue operation.

Reprogramming the EPIRB can be done at authorized Jotron AS
agents in more than 250 different places throughout the world. If
you are a resident of the United States, you must register this
beacon with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) using the registration card included with the unit. Fill out
the form and send it to: SARSAT Beacon Registry, NOAA­SARSAT, E/SP3, FB4, Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland,
MD 20746-4304 Vessel owners shall advise NOAA in writing
upon change of vessel or EPIRB ownership. Transfer of EPIRB to
another vessel, or any other change in registration information,
NOAA will provide registrants with proof of registration and
change of registration postcards.