Simrad 301 DP User Manual

WinFrog Device Group: Output
Device Name/Model: Simrad 301 DP

KONGSBERG SIMRAD AS

DYRMYRGATA 35, P.O. BOX 483
3601 KONGSBERG NORWAY
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail] ad.com

Device Manufacturer:

Device Data String(s)
Output to WinFrog:
WinFrog Data String(s)
Output to Device:

http://www.kongsberg-simrad.com/
KONGSBERG SIMRAD INC.

7250 LANGTRY STREET
HOUSTON TX 77040-6625, U.S.A.
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

N/A
Binary (Hex to BCD conversion)

WinFrog .raw Data Record Type(s): Type: 450

DEVICE DESCRIPTION:

Kongsberg Simrad Dynamic Positioning (SDP) control systems integrate control of the
vessel’s propulsion systems via inputs from positioning systems, gyrocompasses, wind

speed and direction monitoring equipment, and any other sensors which can assist with
the automatic positioning of the vessel.

Commands to the thrusters can be based on two main types of systems. The first
version has conventional cabling of signals to and from thrusters, while the second
version has dual net communication. These commands control the dynamic positioning
system, thruster control, power management and other vessel control systems.

Many of Kongsberg’s Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems are based on common
hardware and software. Following is a list of current WinFrog drivers having outputs to
Simrad DP systems:

• SIMRAD 301 DP

• SIMRAD 701 DP

• SIMRAD 702 WP

• SIMRAD SDP21 WP

• SIMRAD SDP24

• SIMRAD SDP600

Kongsberg Simrad personnel configure the Simrad 301 system for inputs and outputs.
Different Simrad 301 systems may accept completely different input/output data strings.

WinFrog User’s Guide - Appendix C - Output/Simrad 301 DP Page 1 of 7

Prior to interfacing to these devices, the WinFrog operator should verify the system
configuration of the Simrad 301 unit installed on the vessel.

DEVICE CONFIGURATION INSTRUCTIONS (WinFrog Suggested):

Baud Rate: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Parity: None

WINFROG I/O DEVICES > CONFIG OPTIONS:

The SIMRAD301 DP device is added to WinFrog from the OUTPUT device types. The
DP OUTPUT data item is added along with the SIMRAD301 DP device. The following
dialog box appears for configuring output data via the Configure > I/O Devices >
Configuration command. This dialog box can also be accessed if you highlight the
SIMRAD301 DP device, right-click in the I/O Devices Window, and choose Configure
Device.

Survey Line:

Enter in the survey line segments, of the active survey line, in the Start and End
boxes; then select the Send Segments checkbox. When the OK button is clicked to
exit the dialog box, the survey line segments are sent to the DP system. The device
must be added to a vehicle before any data transfer occurs.

The data being sent is binary (BCD) and is shown in the Configuration Details
section of this document. As the data is binary, the only way to check how many line
segments (or nodes) are being sent to the DP is by checking incoming data at the
DP system. From tests without using the DP system, WinFrog may send only line
nodes >0 (not equal to zero) to the DP system. The maximum accepted by the
Simrad 301 is not known and therefore a maximum of 10 segments should be sent.
Refer to Configuration Details section for more information on the raw data logging
and data output strings associated with the SIMRAD301 DP driver.

WinFrog User’s Guide - Appendix C - Output/Simrad 301 DP Page 2 of 7

The above procedure must be repeated every time you wish to send Line Segments
to the DP system. The vessel position is sent continuously to the DP system at 1 Hz.

Data Checks:

Prior to attempting to send the specified line nodes, several checks are
performed, including the validity of the segments selected. The tests are as
follows:

• Is there a valid line selected for the respective vehicle?

• Is the start segment >= 0, the first node in any line? This should be

checked with the Simrad 301 as in-house tests show that the start
segment may have to be >= 1.

• Is the end segment > the start segment?

• Is the start segment > the last line node?

• Is the end segment > the last line node?

• Is the span of the segments selected greater than the maximum allowed

(by the software) of 10. Note that presently this driver works with 11 line
segments or 12 line segment waypoints or nodes.

If the answer to any of the above is negative, the waypoint download is aborted.

Download Status:

No status is displayed in the I/O Devices Window during the transfer of data from
WinFrog to the Simrad 301. What is shown is the binary data being output, as
displayed below.

Note that the SimGps and SimGyro devices are added to show the output of
data.

WinFrog User’s Guide - Appendix C - Output/Simrad 301 DP Page 3 of 7