Simrad SP60 User Manual

Operator manual

Simrad SP60
Low frequency fishery sonar

www.simrad.com

M A X I M I Z I N G Y O U R P E R F O R M A N C E A T S E A

850-164575 / Rev.D

Low frequency fishery sonar

SP60

Operator manual

WARNING

The sonar must never be powered up when the ship is
in dry dock. The transducer will be damaged if it
transmits in open air. To prevent inadvertent use of the
sonar, pull out the mains plug on the Sonar Processor
Unit whenever the vessel is in dry dock.

About this document

Rev Date Written by Checked by Approved by

Rev.D

25.11.04 RBr SØJ OBG

Changed to reflect new software version 1.2.X.

© 2004 Simrad AS
ISBN 82-8066-008-9
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be

reproduced or otherwise copied without prior permission from Simrad AS.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior notice.

Simrad AS shall not be liable for errors contained herein, or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this
document.

Simrad AS
Strandpromenaden 50
Box 111
N-3191 Horten

Telephone: [phone]
Facsim il e: [phone]

M A X I M I Z I N G Y O U R P E R F O R M A N C E A T S E A

Sections

1 System description

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the SP60, and defines the main
units. Refer to page 1.

2 Display modes

This chapter defines the available operational display modes. Refer to page

13.

3 Sonar Operating Panel

The main functions of the SP60 is controlled by a dedicated keyboard; the
operating panel. The controls and functions of this unit is described. Refer
to page 23.

4Operation

This chapter provides the basic knowledge on how to operate the SP60
sonar. Refer to page 36.

Operator manual

5 Menu description

Operation of the SP60 sonar is also menu based. and the menus will
automatically adjust to your current operational modes. This chapter
explains all the menus, and referes directly to the relevant parameters. Refer
to page 56.

6 Parameters

All the operational functions of the SP60 sonar are controlled by the
parameters accessed from the menu system. In this chapter, all the
parameters are described and explaind. They are listed in alphabetical
order. Refer to page 83.

7 Maintenance

This chapter explains how to perform the on-board maintenance on the
SP60 sonar. Refer to page 153.

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I

Simrad SP60

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 1......................................

Introduction 1..................................................

System overview 2..............................................

Main units 2..............................................

Wheelhouse units 2........................................

Sonar room units 3.........................................

System diagram 4...............................................

Options 6......................................................

General 6................................................

Triple- or multiple-frequency 6...............................

Scientific output 6.........................................

Functional description 7..........................................

Introduction 7.............................................

Functional principles 7......................................

Stabilization system 9......................................

Reception 9...............................................

Transmission 10............................................

Peripheral equipment 12...........................................

DISPLAY MODES 13.............................................

Introduction 13..................................................

Bow Up 14......................................................

North Up 15.....................................................

True Motion 16..................................................

180° / Audio 17..................................................

270° / Vertical 18.................................................

Bow Up / Vertical 19..............................................

True Motion / Vertical 20..........................................

Dual 1 21.......................................................

Dual 2 22.......................................................

SONAR OPERATING PANEL 23..................................

Introduction 23.............................................

Main switch 24.............................................

Symbol 25................................................

Mode 27..................................................

Gain 28...................................................

Range 29..................................................

Cursor 30.................................................

Train 32..................................................

II

850-164575 / Rev.D

Operator manual

Tilt 34....................................................

Various 35.................................................

OPERATION 36..................................................

Introduction 36..................................................

What this chapter contains 36.................................

Maintaining the sonar 37...........................................

Maintenance procedures 37...................................

Important when docking the vessel 37...........................

Start and stop procedures 38........................................

Start procedure 38..........................................

Stop procedure 39...........................................

Dry-docking safety measures 40...............................

Menu operation 41................................................

Introduction 41.............................................

Screen presentations 42......................................

Menu structure 44..........................................

Menu buttons 45............................................

Selecting a new parameter value 46.............................

Stored parameters 48........................................

Visual aids 49...................................................

Common information on the display 49.........................

Moving the boundary lines 49.................................

Cosmetics 50....................................................

Installation of options 53...........................................

On-line help 55..................................................

MENU DESCRIPTIONS 56.......................................

Introduction 56..................................................

Active menus 57.................................................

Overview 57...............................................

Horizontal 58..............................................

Vertical 59................................................

Display 60................................................

Setup 61..................................................

Objects 62.................................................

Temporary menus 63..............................................

Cosmetics 64..............................................

Store/Recall 65.............................................

System test 66.............................................

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III

Simrad SP60

Sort Modes 68.............................................

Pop-up menus 69.................................................

View pop-up 70............................................

Object pop-up 72...........................................

View menus 74..................................................

GeoView 75...............................................

VerticalView 76............................................

CatchView 77..............................................

Messages 78.....................................................

Message categories 78.......................................

Warnings 79...............................................

Operator alarms 80..........................................

System alarms 81...........................................

Errors 82..................................................

PARAMETERS 83.................................................

About parameter dialogues and help 83...............................

Alphabetical list 84...............................................

About 85..................................................

AGC (Automatic Gain Control) 86.............................

Audio Volume 87...........................................

Bearing (Horizontal) 88......................................

Bearing (Display) 90........................................

Bearing (Vertical) 91........................................

Colour Threshold 92........................................

Colours 93................................................

Data Source 94.............................................

Dead Reckoning 95.........................................

Default Setting 96..........................................

Direction Indicator 97.......................................

Display Gain 98............................................

Edit Gear (Purse) 99.........................................

Edit Gear (Trawl) 100........................................

Edit School 102.............................................

Expansion 103..............................................

External Synchronization 104..................................

Fish Alarm 105..............................................

Frequency 106..............................................

Gain 107...................................................

Gear 108...................................................

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850-164575 / Rev.D

Operator manual

Heading 109................................................

Inspect Object 110...........................................

Language 11 1...............................................

Menu 112..................................................

Message Bar 113............................................

Mode 114..................................................

Mode Buttons 115...........................................

Movements 116.............................................

Palette 117.................................................

Panel Backlight 118..........................................

PP Filter 119...............................................

Pulse Form 120.............................................

Range 122..................................................

Range (Catch View) 123......................................

RCG (Reverberation Controlled Gain) 124........................

Recall 125..................................................

Recall Mode 125............................................

Ruler 126..................................................

Scale 127..................................................

School 128.................................................

Scientific Output (Option) 129.................................

Search Sector 130............................................

Search Step 131.............................................

Sector 132..................................................

Slant Range/True Range 133...................................

Speed 134..................................................

Stabilizer 135...............................................

Start Range / Stop Range 136..................................

Status 137..................................................

Store 138..................................................

Store Mode 138.............................................

Target Track 139.............................................

Tilt 140....................................................

Time and Date 141...........................................

Track History 142............................................

Track Window 143...........................................

Transducer 144..............................................

TVG (Time Variable Gain) 145.................................

Tx Power 146...............................................

Units 147..................................................

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V

Simrad SP60

User Setting 148.............................................

Wind Direction 149..........................................

Wind Speed 150.............................................

Zoom 151..................................................

Zoom Scale 152.............................................

ON-BOARD MAINTENANCE 153..................................

Introduction 153..................................................

Wheelhouse units 154..............................................

Cleaning 154...............................................

Dust filter 154..............................................

Transceiver Unit 156...............................................

Dust filter 156..............................................

Replacing fuses 156..........................................

Hull unit 157.....................................................

General 157................................................

SP60 Hull unit familiarization 158..............................

Docking the vessel 159.......................................

Cleaning the transducer 161....................................

Hoist motor overload protection 162.............................

Emergency hoisting and lowering 163............................

Air bleeding 164.............................................

Lubrication 165.............................................

VI

850-164575 / Rev.D

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Introduction

The Simrad SP60 sonar is a long range omnidirectional low
frequency sonar, designed for small and medium sized fishing
vessels, preferably for purse seiners. The standard frequency is
26 kHz (triple and multiple frequencies as option), and the beam
can be electronically tilted from +10 to –60 degrees.

Great emphasis has been placed on giving the best possible
presentations on a high resolution colour display. The processor
unit is controlled by Microsoft’s Windows XP operating
system, which result in a flexible choice of display modes for a
large range of user applications.

The signal processing and beamforming is performed in a fast
digital signal processing system using the full dynamic range of
the signals. In addition to the traditional single frequency
transceiver system, the SP60 sonar contains an advanced
frequency modulated filter system (FM).

System description

The spherical multi-element transducer allows the
omni-directional sonar beam to be tilted electronically down to

-60 degrees. This allows you to automatically track schools of
fish, and to observe the whole water volume around the vessel.
A stabilization system is included for electronic pitch and roll
compensation.

Topics

 System overview, page 2
 System diagram, page 4
 Options, page 6
 Functional description, page 7
 Peripheral equipment, page 12

Important notice

Windows, Windows NT and Windows XP are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.

850-164575 / Rev.D

1

Simrad SP60

System overview

Main units

The Simrad SP60 sonar consists of the following units:
 Wheelhouse units:

- Display monitor

- Sonar Operating Panel

- Sonar Processor Unit

- Sonar Interface Unit

- Loudspeaker

 Sonar room units:

- Transceiver Unit

- Hull Unit

Wheelhouse units

The Display Monitor is a high-resolution colour LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display). In addition to the sonar picture, the monitor
can also display the user menu for the interactive operation. In
order to ease the situation comprehension, certain colours have
been chosen to better the distinction between the various
elements in the scene.

The Operating Panel contains all necessary control functions
for operating the sonar. The controls are arranged in function
groups, which gives a clear and easy operation. Note that all
sonar operation also may be made from the trackball, or from an
optional standard mouse.

The Sonar Processor Unit contains a ruggedized computer,
which runs the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
The software has been modified by Simrad to suit the SP60
sonar requirements. The unit holds a CD R/WR unit to be used
for future software upgrades.

The Sonar Interface Unit provides interface for all auxiliary
equipment; log, gyro, GPS, echo sounder, trawl systems, purse
seine systems etc. One signal cable is used for the
communication with the Transceiver Unit in the sonar room.

The Loudspeaker reproduces the audio of the echoes for the
selected audio channel.

Note that SP60 sonars shipped before August 2003 use a
different Sonar Processor Unit; the APC10. These sonars do not
have the Sonar Interface Unit fitted. All interfaces to peripheral
equipment are then handled by the APC10.

2

850-164575 / Rev.D

System description

Sonar room units

The Transceiver Unit is located in the sonar room, close to the
Hull Unit. One signal cable is used for communication with the
Sonar Interface Unit in the wheelhouse. The transceiver
performs the signal processing and the digital beamforming of
the 128 transmitters and 128 receiver channels, which are
located on the four identical transceiver boards.

The Hull Unit is designed to be lowered 1.0 meters below the
ship’s hull. The transducer can also be lowered to any selectable
middle position. Note that in case of voltage failure, the Hull
Unit can be manually raised or lowered by means of a hand
crank.

The spherical 128-elements transducer allows the sonar beam
to to give full 360 degrees coverage of the water volume down
to -60 degrees.

The sensor for the electronic stabilization of the sonar beams is
housed in the Motor Control Unit, which is mounted on the Hull
Unit.

Warning If the transducer hits larger obje cts or bottom,

the transducer shaft may be bent, or in worst
caseitcanbebrokenoff.Abrokentransducer
shaft will cause water leakage in the top of the
shaft. To prevent larger leakages in such a case,
do not
position. To prevent serious damages it is
therefore of great importance to have a good
pump and warning system in the sonar room.

Related topics

 System diagram, page 4

raise the transducer shaft to the upper

850-164575 / Rev.D

3

Simrad SP60

System diagram

A simplified SP60 system diagram is shown.
(A) = Colour display
(B) = Operating Panel
(C)=SonarProcessorUnit
(D) = Sonar Interface Unit
(E) = Loudspeaker
(F) = Multiple interface lines to peripheral equipment
(G) = Transceiver Unit
(H) = Hull Unit
(1) = Wheelhouse
(2) = Sonar room

4

850-164575 / Rev.D

System description

850-164575 / Rev.D

5

Simrad SP60

Options

General

The standard SP60 sonar is a single 26 kHz version with beam
stabilization.

The beam stabilization was an optional function until 1 January

2003. After that date, the function was included with the
standard sonar delivery.

The options described below are pre-programmed into the
standard software version, and a code word is required to make
the actual option available. Simrad offers a 1 month free test
period for certain options. Note that the Scientific Output
function is not available for such a test period.

For a permanent installation of a chosen option, a new code
word will be released from Simrad when the option is ordered.

Triple- or multiple-frequency

In addition to the standard 26 kHz frequency, options are
available for triple and multiple frequencies.

 In the triple-frequency version, you can select between 24

kHz, 26 kHz and 28 kHz.

 In the multiple-frequency version you can select from 11

frequenciesfrom20to30kHzin1kHzsteps.

These selections are particulary useful when it is necessary to
suppress interference from other sonars.

Scientific output

The Scientific Output is designed for research purposes. When
activated, the following data are available on an Ethernet (LAN)
output:

 Beam data
 Target data
 Own ship data
 Gear data

The scientific output option may also include software for a
Scientific Data Logger.

Note that this option is not available for a free test period.

Related topics

 Code words, procedure, page 53

6

850-164575 / Rev.D

Functional description

Introduction

The basic principles of the SP60 sonar are unique because of the
128 separate transmitter and receiver channels with their
transducer elements spread around on the spherical transducer
array.

The transmission, reception and data processing are under
computer control, and the powerful capabilities of the sonar are
the results of sophisticated digital signal processing software
and state of the art hardware.

Functional principles

When the Omni beam is tilted, the t otal beam picture can be
compared with folding an umbrella, which means that all beams
in 360 degrees around the vessel have the same tilt angle.

System description

Omni beam
principle

The beam can be tilted from +10 up to -60 degrees down.
In addition to seeing the target from above, it is also possible to

see the target from the side, by using the vertical slice
presentation. In this case the beam covers a continuous vertical
beam from 0 to -60 degrees in one transmission.

850-164575 / Rev.D

This vertical slice, which is presented by the white audio line in
the horizontal picture, can be selected to any bearing by the
manual training control. The combination of the Omni mode
and the vertical slice will give an optimal visualization of the
catch situation.

7

Simrad SP60

60 degrees vertical
slice

Omni/Vertical
combination

In addition to the Omni picture, the vertical slice is especially
useful for visualizing the vertical distribution of a school of fish.
In that way, it is not necessary to go over the target to see the
distribution on the echo sounder, which often results in a
spreading of the school.

8

850-164575 / Rev.D

Stabilization
system

System description

Stabilization system

When the beam stabilizer is activated, both horizontal and
vertical beams will be stabilized electronically for roll and pitch
movements up to 20 degrees. The beam direction will then
change continuously according to the vessel’s movements, and
secure an optimal contact with the targets even in rough seas.

Reception

A great effort has been made to reduce unwanted noise to get a
clean and stable echo presentation. To achieve this goal the
sonar receiver has the following filtering possibilities:

FM Correlation filter

In addition to the traditional single frequency transmitting
method, the SP60 sonar is equipped with an FM correlation
mode.

In FM mode each transmission pulse contains up to eight
different frequencies, and the receiver makes a spectrum
analysis and compares the received echoes with the transmitted
frequency code. This provides a filtering effect, which
efficiently reduces interference, noise and reverberation. In
addition to giving a clean and stable echo presentation, this will
normally also increases the sonar’s detection range

Frequency selection (Option)

The optional triple- and multiple frequency selections can be
used for suppression of interference from other sonars.

850-164575 / Rev.D

9

Simrad SP60

However, the sound absorption in salt water increases with the
frequency, thus giving the lower frequencies a longer detection
range.

Related topics

 Frequency options, page 6

AGC (Automatic Gain Control)

This control will automatically adjust the gain in the
preamplifiers depending on the strength of the incoming echo
signals. The strength of the filter can be selected in the menu.

Note that the AGC senses the echo strength in five fixed
directions, and use this as a basis for adjusting all the receiver
beams.

RCG (Reverberation Controlled Gain)

The RCG filter senses the noise level (reverberation, propeller
noise, etc.), and adjusts the gain individually for each of the 64
receiver beams in order to eliminate noise on the display. The
strength of the filter can be selected in the menu. With
maximum strenght is selected, the RCG will effectively reduce
the bottom in shallow water, while variations on the bottom will
be displayed.

Note that scattered fish can be perceived as reverberation. The
RCG filter must therefore be used with care if scattered schools
are to be detected.

PP Filter

The SP60 sonar is equipped with a ping-to-ping filter to give a
clean and steady presentation by reducing the interference and
noise. This filter compares the echoes from a selected amount of
transmissions (pings), and an echo has to be present in the
selected amount of pings in order to be presented on the display.

Note that in rough seas, when the beam easily can miss the
target in several pings, the PP filter must be used with care.

TVG (Time Variable Gain)

The TVG function controls the gain of the receiver so that a
school with a given size and density is presented with
approximately the same strength on the display, inside the
regulated TVG range. This can also be seen as a filter, because it
reduces the noise close to the vessel.

The regulated strength of the TVG can be selected in the menu.

Transmission

The transmitting is controlled by the signal processor in the
Transceiver Unit. The parameters you have chosen are used.

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850-164575 / Rev.D

System description

There are 128 separate transmitters in the unit distributed on
four transceiver circuit boards. Each transmitter is individually
addressed and controlled from the signal processor. The
controlled parameters include power output and time delay for
each transducer element in order to form a beam with the
selected tilt angle.

When the stabilisation system is active, the tilt angle for each
beam will automatically be corrected relative to the vessel’s
pitch and roll movements.

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11

Simrad SP60

Peripheral equipment

The SP60 sonar requires connection to a speed log and a course
gyro. An inaccurate log or gyro input will cause inaccurate
indication of the vessel and target movements.

In addition to log and gyro, the following peripheral equipment
can be connected to the sonar.

 A (D)GPS may be connected to the SP60 sonar to establish

the vessels position and provide cursor and marker latitude
and longitude.

 Simrad echo sounders (EQ, ES and EK Series) provides a

bottom plot on the catch data page.

 Simrad PI32 Net Monitoring system provides the net depth in

digits and bars on the catch data presentation.

 Simrad trawl instrumentation; FS 900, FS 3300 or ITI

- FS 900 and FS 3300: The trawl will be displayed in
correct depth.

- ITI: The trawl will be displayed in correct size, depth,
distance and bearing.

 A Current meter system will indicate the current speed and

direction for up to three different depths in the sonar picture.

 A radio buoy system (GPS type) will provide the

geographical position of the buoy(s) in the sonar picture.

For connection of any of this peripheral equipment, contact your
local dealer.

12

850-164575 / Rev.D

DISPLAY MODES

Introduction

This chapter describes the SP60 display modes. The various
modes represent the graphical presentation of sonar data. Nine
different display modes are generated to present the best
possible presentation and flexible choices for a large range of
user applications.

Topics

 Bow Up, page 14
 North Up, page 15
 True Motion, page 16
 180



/ Audio, page 17

Display modes



 270
 Bow Up / Vertical, page 19
 True Motion / Vertical, page 20
 Dual 1, page 21
 Dual 2, page 22

/ Vertical, page 18

Display mode selection is made on the second menu button in
the main menu. The four first display modes shown can also
easily be selected with the four Mode buttons on the Sonar
Operating Panel.

Note that the descriptive order of the display modes in this
chapter has been chosen only to simplify the descriptions. In
operational conditions, the order of the display modes depends
on the selected gear (seine net, bottom trawl or pelagic trawl)
This is because different initial display modes are used for easy
selection by the four Mode buttons on the Sonar Operating
Panel. The order of these display modes can easily be changed
in the Sort Mode menu.

All the display modes in the following chapters are shown
without echoes.

850-164575 / Rev.D

Related topics

 Mode buttons, page 27
 Sort Modes, page 68

13

Simrad SP60

Bow Up

When Bow Up mode is selected, the vessel symbol is stationary
on the screen with the bow pointing upwards. The echo
presentation covers 360 degrees around the vessel, and all
echoes are updated for every ping. The distance from the vessel
symbol to the outer echo ring is equal to the selected range.

14

The movement of the echoes across the screen are controlled by
a combination of the vessel’s course and speed and the target’s
own movements.

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

850-164575 / Rev.D

North Up

Display modes

When the North Up mode is selected, true north is always up
on the screen. The vessel symbol is stationary with the bow
pointing in the vessle’s course direction. The movement of the
echoes across the screen are controlled by a combination of the
vessel’s course and speed and the target’s own movements.

850-164575 / Rev.D

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

15

Simrad SP60

True Motion

When the True Motion mode is selected, the picture is locked
to a geographical position, where the vessel moves around the
screen according to its present course and speed. All echoes are
always presented in their correct position relative to the vessel,
and their movements on the screen will be a true representation
of the movements of the targets through the water.

16

When the vessel symbol reaches the edge of the screen, it will
automatically be moved back to the centre, or to a position
determined by the Off Centre button. This position is reset to
the screen centre whenever the mode is changed. When you
select Target Track, the target will automatically be moved to
the screen centre.

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

850-164575 / Rev.D

180° / Audio

Display modes

When the 180° / Audio mode is selected, the upper half of the
screen shows a 180 degrees bow-up presentation, while the
lower part is used for a recording of the audio channel.

The audio channel is shown with a continuous white line in the
horizontal picture, and it can be trained in any direction. The
recorded echoes are a direct replica of the echoes under the
white audio line. As the audio channel is recorded over a period
of time, this mode is especially useful for detection of weak
echoes mixed with reverberation or noise.

The information recorded by the audio channel is always stored
in the computer, even if another mode is selected. That means
that this recording will always be presented when selecting the
180° / Audio mode. Note that the vessel symbol can be moved
to any position in the horizontal view with the cursor and Off
Centre button.

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

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17

Simrad SP60

270° / Vertical

The 270° / Vertical mode is specially designed for purse
seining. The vertical half slice is displayed in the lower left
corner for normal setting with the net on the starboard side. If
the net is set on the port side, the 60 degrees vertical slice will
be displayed in the lower right hand corner.

18

With this presentation, it is easy to keep the best contact with a
school in both the vertical and horizontal presentation, and to
determine its size distribution. The position of the school
relative to the bottom is another important information provided
by this presentation. The Catch data presentation for purse
seining is shown on the right hand side. It shows all the net data
relative to the target and the bottom, as well as all available
target data.

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

850-164575 / Rev.D

Bow Up / Vertical

When the Bow Up / Vertical mode is selected, the picture is
divided into three sections; where the left side is a bow-up
presentation similar to the bow-up presentation previously
described.

Display modes

850-164575 / Rev.D

The upper part on the right hand side is a catch data
presentation, while the lower part is a 60 degree vertical slice
presentation.

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

19

Simrad SP60

True Motion / Vertical

When the True Motion / Vertical mode is selected, the picture
is divided into three sections; where the left side is a True
motion presentation similar to the true motion presentation
previously described.

20

The upper part on the right-hand side is a Catch data
presentation, while the lower part is a 60 degrees Vertical slice
presentation.

Related topics

 Cosmetics, page 50

850-164575 / Rev.D