Syqwest StrataBox Installation Operation & Maintenance

SYQWEST INCORPORATED

High Resolution Echo Sounders and Acoustic Systems

For Precision Seafloor Exploration

StrataBox™ Marine
Geophysical Instrument

• Installation

• Operation

• Maintenance

ver 08.25.06a

222 Metro Center Blvd. * Warwick, Rhode Island 02886

Tel: [phone] * FAX: [phone]

Website http://www.syqwestinc.com/ Email: mailto:[e-mail]

List of new features included in Versions 3.0.4.1 or greater

Stratabox Data Aquisition New Features:

1) Bottom Detection Threshhold Adjustment. Select from Edit pull-down menu. The
Detection Threshold value is provided to allow the user to vary the echo reply level that
is recognized by the Bottom digitizing function as a valid bottom echo. The scale for
Detection Threshold is 0 through 9. 0 (minimum detection) will only allow the digitizer
to lock onto the strongest returns (i.e. dark colors such as red in the OCEAN pallet). 9
(maximum detection) will allow it to lock onto the weaker returns ( i.e. lighter colors such
as green in the OCEAN pallet). In shallow water and soft sediment survey conditions a
higher value is required to consistently digitize on the bottom without saturating the first
few meters of strata penetration. Recommended user default setting for Detection
Threshold is 0, which should work under most conditions. Increase incrementally to 9
only as required.

2) User selectable Gate Limits. Select from Edit pull-down menu. Bottom Gate Limits
are provided to help the user ensure that the data captured reflects the correct digitized
bottom depth when conditions are difficult. The Stratabox is intended for use in shallow
water. Unfortunately, using low frequency sonar is best for strata penetration but it also
makes for significant surface reverberation and multiple echo issues. By using the
Bottom Gate Limits the user can ensure that the digitizer does not lock on a transmit
reverberation or a 2nd echo return. The Bottom Gate Limit values for Shallow and Deep
limits are entered in the selected units (Feet or Meters) and the "Enable Gate Limits"
check box allows the Gate Limits to be Enabled or Disabled. Please note they only work
in manual range and gain mode (not for use in auto mode). When Manual Gate Limits are
enabled their selected values will show up in the lower right corner of the screen as GLS
(Gate Limit Shallow) and GLD (Gate Limit Deep). Also, once enabled if the actual
bottom moves out of the selected window you will no longer be able to digitize (you will
get -.- for depth). When the Gate Limits are disabled a message is displayed to alert the
user that they have been disabled and should be re-checked.

3) User selectable Sound Velocity control. Select from Edit pull-down menu under "User
Preferences". Select 1400-1600m/s in 1m/s increments or 4590-5250ft/s in 1 ft/s
increments.

4) User selectable Transducer Draft offset. Select from Edit pull-down menu under
"Configure Sonar Port".

5) Direct SEG-Y (.seg) and classic (.odc) data storage. Select via the Start Recording
button. Creates a new file or files on the specified hard disk for capturing acquisition
data. If the Record Format in the User Preferences menu is set to "Classic (*.odc)" then
the data recording will start immediately if the sensor is pinging or as soon as the start
ping command is sent to the sensor if it is in idle mode. If the Record Format in the User
Preferences menu is set to "Classic and SEGY (*.odc & *.seg)" then a dialog box is
presented to the user. The user can enter the desired SEGY Header information as

described in the box. There is also a selection for a single file or multiple files. In most
cases multiple files should be selected to ensure that the files are not very large in size.
This helps when transferring the files to another media and also mitigates the risk of file
corruption. The user can select the appropriate file size for the "new" file break to occur.

6) Direct SEG-Y Zoom data storage. Selected when SEGY header information is entered,
the "Save a SEGY Zoom file" check box allows for the independent storage of Zoom
data when a Zoom mode is enabled. If this box is NOT checked, only Normal data is
stored when recording is enabled. The SEGY storage of Zoom data provides higher
resolution (in proportion to the Zoom and Normal window Depth Ranges) data in the area
of interest. Recording commences when the OK button is depressed in the "Record
SEGY Header Information" window.

7) Long and Lat and depth window "mouse over display".

Stratabox Playback New Features:

1) Playback now supports SEG-Y formats.

2) Playback slider bar.

3) Long and Lat and Depth window cursor "mouse over display".

4) .odc to SEG-Y (.seg) file converter. Select from Tools pull-down menu.

5) .odc to SEG-Y (.seg) multi-file batch converter. Select from Tools pull-down menu.
Useful for Stratabox customers who have many .odc files to convert.

Important Notes regarding Stratabox operation – Please Read!

Please be advised that the serial connection to the computer is critical for correct Stratabox
operation. The best serial connection is a 9-pin connector found standard on older
computers/laptops. Next best is what we recommend for users who have a modern laptop
running Windows XP and no 9-pin serial connector (only USB) is to use a PCMCIA adapter
to serial such as those made by Quatech. We use the Quatech Model QSP-100. It has been
proven to work very well for this application.

USB to serial adapters generally aren’t good for seamless bidirectional serial communication
and we try to discourage their use. Some customers have had some success using better
quality USB to serial adapters but overall most customers have had bad (or no) luck with
them.

Also, please be advised that the Stratabox data cable with built in RS422 (Stratabox end) to
RS232 (computer end) converter needs to be a direct connection to a COM port to insure
consistent two-way communication. Do not split this connection. For users who require a
longer than the supplied 10 foot length for the data cable please contact us for additional
information.

Stratabox Firmware Flash update instructions

It is recommended you print these for reference while completing your firmware update.

1. Uninstall the old versions of Stratabox software.

2. Install the new version of Stratabox software provided to your PC.

3. Connect the Stratabox power and data cable to the Stratabox. Do not power it on.

4. Using Windows Explorer go to the C:\Program Files\SyQwest\StrataBox\Firmware\10kHz
directory and copy the StrataFW.hex file and place it into the “Stratabox” directory.

5. Then power on your Stratabox, the software will then prompt you. New firmware detected do
you wish to proceed with the update? Click the yes button and it will update the flash memory
device on the DSP.

6. When the update is completed cycle power on the Stratabox and you should see a flashing green
light.

7. Turn on the Stratabox software and click Help, About and it should show the following:
Software 3.0.8.1
Firmware 48

Stratabox 3510 Firmware Flash update instructions

It is recommended you print these for reference while completing your firmware update.

1. Uninstall the old versions of Stratabox software.

2. Install the new version of Stratabox software provided.

3. Connect the Stratabox 3510 with power applied to the Stratabox with data cable to the com port
you assigned and connect the data cable to the 10kHz data cable connector.

4. Using Windows Explorer go to the C:\Program Files\SyQwest\StrataBox\Firmware\10kHz
directory and copy the StrataFW.hex file and place it in the Stratabox directory.

5. Then Turn on your Stratabox 3510 power switch to the 10kHz position the software will then
prompt you. New firmware detected do you wish to proceed with the update? Click the yes button
and it will update the flash memory device on the DSP.

6. When the update is completed cycle power on the Stratabox 3510 and you should see a flashing
green light.

7. Turn on the Stratabox software and click Help About and it should say Firmware 48 Software

3.0.8.0.

8. Connect the Stratabox 3510 with power applied to the Stratabox with data cable to the com port
you assigned and connect the data cable to the 3.5kHz data cable connector.

9. Using Windows Explorer go to the C:\Program Files\SyQwest\StrataBox\Firmware\3.5kHz
directory and copy the StrataFW.hex file and place it in the Stratabox directory.

10. Then Turn on your Stratabox 3510 power switch to the 3.5kHz position the software will then
prompt you. New firmware detected do you wish to proceed with the update? Click the yes button
and it will update the flash memory device on the DSP.

11. When the update is completed cycle power on the Stratabox 3510 and you should see a flashing
green light.

12. Turn on the Stratabox software and click Help About and it should say Firmware 48 Software

3.0.8.0.

Basic SrataBox – Hypack

Instructions for configuring Stratabox to use with survey software and laptop PC

1. Install PCMCIA 4 port serial card. Recommend Quatech QSP-100. Windows will

assign COM ports for connectors A through D. Typically it will be COM 5 through

8 where COM 5 is A, COM 6 is B etc.

2. Connect Interface cable to 4 port cable and equipment as shown in Figure 4-1.

3. In Stratabox software, select EDIT from taskbar then “Configure Sonar Port”. Select

COM port Windows assigned for connector A.

4. In Stratabox software, select EDIT from taskbar then “Configure NMEA I/O”.

Select COM port Windows assigned for connector B. Select Baud rate, Data bits,

Stop bits and parity to match your GPS. Select NMEA DBT output string for

Stratabox.

5. Connect your GPS receiver to Interface Connector # 2.

6. In survey software (Hypack, Hydropro etc), select COM port Windows assigned for

connector C as GPS input.

7. In survey software, select COM port Windows assigned for connector D as your

echosounder input.

NOTES: For Hypack use syqwest.dll driver. For Hydropro, use generic echosounder

driver and configure to accept NMEA DBT strings.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION............................................................................................................1-1

1.2 ABOUT THIS MANUAL ...............................................................................................................1-1

1.3 ECHO SOUNDING PRINCIPLES ....................................................................................................1-2

1.3.1 Underwater Acoustics........................................................................................................1-2

1.3.1.1 Decibels..........................................................................................................................1-2

1.3.1.2 Sound Propagation.........................................................................................................1-2

1.4 SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................................1-7

1.4.1 StrataBox Sensor Specifications ........................................................................................1-7

2.0 INSTALLATION...............................................................................................................................2-1

2.1 - STRATABOX SYSTEM INSTALLATION OVERVIEW ...................................................................2-1

2.1.1 - Getting Started................................................................................................................2-2

2.1.2 - Installing the StrataBox Electronics................................................................................2-3

2.1.3 - Installing the StrataBox Transducer................................................................................2-5

2.1.4 - Electrical Connections...................................................................................................2-11

2.2 - STRATABOX PC SOFTWARE INSTALLATION .........................................................................2-14

3.0 OPERATION .....................................................................................................................................3-1

3.1 STRATABOX PC SOFTWARE ......................................................................................................3-1

3.1.1 - The Main Window............................................................................................................3-1

3.1.2 – The Menu Bar .................................................................................................................3-5

3.1.2.1 – The File Menu.............................................................................................................3-5

3.1.2.2 – The Edit Menu ..........................................................................................................3-11

3.1.2.3 – The View Menu ........................................................................................................3-11

3.1.2.4 – The Help Menu .........................................................................................................3-13

4.0 MAINTENANCE...............................................................................................................................4-1

4.1 – POST (POWER ON SELF TEST) ...............................................................................................4-1

4.2 – LED INDICATOR......................................................................................................................4-1

4.3 – FIRMWARE UPDATE ................................................................................................................4-1

4.3.1 – Connection......................................................................................................................4-2

4.3.2 – Firmware Update File ....................................................................................................4-2

4.3.3 – StrataBox PC Software Firmware Update......................................................................4-2

4.4 – TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................................4-3

4.4.1 – StrataBox Sensor Troubleshooting .................................................................................4-3

4.4.2 – StrataBox PC Software Troubleshooting........................................................................4-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS I

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Absorption Coefficient Versus Frequency..........................................................................1-3

Figure 1-2 Acoustic Beam Pattern.........................................................................................................1-6

Figure 2-1 System Interconnect Diagram..............................................................................................2-2

Figure 2-2 Bulkhead Mounting the Sensor Unit...................................................................................2-5

Figure 2-3 Transducer Mounting Ring..................................................................................................2-7

Figure 2-4 Over The Side Transducer Mounting..................................................................................2-8

Figure 2-5 StrataBox Sensor Unit Connections...................................................................................2-11

Figure 2-6 StrataBox Sensor Power Connector..................................................................................2-12

Figure 2-7 StrataBox Sensor Data Connector.....................................................................................2-13

Figure 2-8 StrataBox Sensor Transducer Connector.........................................................................2-13

Figure 2-9 Printer Port.........................................................................................................................2-14

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 2-1 Basic Equipment.....................................................................................................................2-2

Table 2-2 Accessories and Options......................................................................................................... 2-3

Table 2-3 Portable Transducer Installation Parts ................................................................................2-7

Table 2-4 StrataBox System Cables .....................................................................................................2-11

TABLE OF CONTENTS II

STRATABOX ™

Operations and Maintenance Manual

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General Information

The StrataBox™ is a portable, low power, high-resolution, and water-resistant marine sediment imaging
instrument capable of delivering 6 cm of marine sediment strata resolution with bottom penetration of up
to 40 meters. It is designed exclusively for inshore and coastal geophysical marine survey up to 150
meters of water depth and operates at 10 kHz. Included with the StrataBox™ product is the following:

•

StrataBox™ Sensor Unit

•

StrataBox™ Transducer Assembly

•

StrataBox™ Installation CD

•

StrataBox™ Manual

StrataBox™ Sensor Unit provides all of the transmit/receive electronics, and all of the signal processing
functions. It is powered from a 10-30VDC source and consumes 8 watts of power. It interfaces to the
Host PC via a single COM port. The mechanical case for the Electronics Unit is Water Resistant to the
EN60529 IP65 Specification and is also UV Stable and Chemical Resistant.

The StrataBox™ Transducer Assembly is a Line-in-Cone type transducer with an anodized aluminum
ring attached. The ring provides a means to affix the transducer to the appropriate mounting hardware.
The transducer itself provides 300 Watts of Low Frequency energy for bottom penetration of up to 40
meters (sediment dependent). It is lightweight and well suited for portable applications.

The StrataBox™ Installation CD will install the PC software used to configure, control, and acquire data
from the StrataBox Sensor device. It will also include this manual in PDF format and any Release Notes
that have been generated.

A hardcopy of the StrataBox™ Manual is also included so that the user may learn to install, operate, and
maintain the StrataBox™ Equipment and Accessories. The manual also includes a section on acoustic
theory.

The StrataBox PC software was designed for use with the Windows 98 operating system, but should
operate under Windows 95/ME/NT/2000/XP also. We recommend the software be used on a PC with a
processor speed of at least 266 MHz. The software requires at least 1 available Serial Port for connection
to the StrataBox instrument, and optionally, additional Serial Ports for NMEA Navigation/GPS Input,
NMEA Depth Out, and External Annotation. The software features Navigation Input, External
Annotation, Data Storage, Zoom Modes, Thermal Printer output, Automatic/Manual Eventing, and more.
The StrataBox software interface is divided into two fields. The Controls field is located on the left and
contains navigation/depth information, configuration buttons, and system status. The Data field is
located on the right and contains the actual acoustic echo data.

1.2 About This Manual

This manual contains important information regarding acoustic theory, installation, operation and
maintenance of your new equipment. The user should take sufficient time to read the entire manual and
to understand the full functionality of the StrataBox Sensor and PC Software.

The manual is organized into four chapters:

1) An introduction (this section), which provides a system overview and basic outline of echosounding
acoustics.

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Operations And Maintenance Manual

2) Installation, which provides details on how to properly mount all of the StrataBox System
components. Details on installing the StrataBox PC Software package are included also.

3) Operational instructions describing how to operate the StrataBox Sensor unit and the StrataBox PC
Software.

4) Maintenance, which provides information on replaceable parts and troubleshooting guidelines.

The user should pay attention to notes that are displayed in a gray box. These notes contain important
information regarding installation and use of the StrataBox System. An example is given below:

NOTE: Important operation and installation information is provided in gray boxes

throughout the manual.

1.3 Echo Sounding Principles

Basic echo sounding principles that should be understood by all operators of hydrographic equipment are
provided in this section.

1.3.1 Underwater Acoustics

1.3.1.1 Decibels

The scale most often used to describe a measurement unit of sound is the decibel (abbreviated “dB”). The
decibel system was selected for a number of reasons. First, it is a logarithmic system, which is useful for
dealing with large changes in measured quantities. Decibel units make multiplication and division simple
because they are reduced to an addition and a subtraction operation respectively. Secondly, for
underwater acoustics, the primary concern is ratios of power levels and signal levels rather than absolute
numeric values.

Transducer calibration values are typically provided in units of decibels, including source level, receive
sensitivity and directivity index. These transducer calibration values are outlined later in this section.
These quantities are used to predict performance levels of a given transducer used with a sonar system.

1.3.1.2 Sound Propagation

The sea, together with its boundaries, forms a remarkably complex medium for the propagation of sound.
Figure 1-2 shows the interaction of a transmitted sound source and the water. Both signal loss and
interference result from interactions with boundaries and components within the water column, causing
the source to be delayed, distorted and weakened. The main components affecting sound propagation are
spreading loss and attenuation loss.

Spreading Loss
As a transmitted pulse of sound leaves the transducer, it spreads out in all directions. At the transmission

point, the sonar puts a fixed amount of energy into the water. As the pulse travels away from the
transducer, it occupies a greater and greater volume. This effect is called spherical spreading. The
general rule is that the intensity of the sound falls off as the square of the distance traveled. In respect to
typical acoustic measurements, this mathematically becomes a loss of 6 decibels for each doubling of the
distance.

INTRODUCTION 1-2

©2006 SyQwest Incorporated

STRATABOX ™

Operations and Maintenance Manual

For echo sounders, the distance actually traveled is two times the distance to the seafloor from the source
transducer (from the transmission source, to the bottom and back again). This results in a significant
source of signal loss for the system receiving the sound pulse, which must be compensated for at the
receiver. Typically a Time Varied Gain (TVG) amplifier is used to correct for spherical spreading loss in
an acoustic receiver. A TVG amplifier works by applying an increasing amount of gain to the return
signal as time of travel increases.

Attenuation Loss
Attenuation of sound energy in the oceans comes from three factors: absorption, scattering (or

reverberation) and bottom loss. Sound absorption takes place at two levels; one, absorption in the actual
seawater medium, and two, absorption into the seafloor. Primary causes of absorption are viscosity and
thermal conductivity in the molecules of water as the sound travels. At the molecular level, absorption is
primarily related to frequency. At high frequencies- 500 kHz, for example, a loss of 0.14 dB/meter
occurs in seawater, while at 50 kHz the loss is only 0.014 dB/meter. This is a major concern when
selecting a transducer required to meet specified depth criteria. A graph showing the attenuation loss
versus frequency is shown in

Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1 Absorption Coefficient Versus Frequency

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Operations And Maintenance Manual

Sound reflected off the seafloor usually suffers a significant loss in intensity. Part of this loss is due to
scattering (reflection) but most of it results from the portion of sound entering the new medium and
traveling into the seafloor until it is completely absorbed. The amount of energy lost by this effect varies
greatly and depends on bottom type, sound frequency, and the angle at which the sound intersects the
seafloor. Total losses can vary from 10 dB to 40 dB, with hard bottoms (packed sand, rock outcrops)
causing little loss, and soft bottoms causing a significant amount of energy loss (muddy, silt-like
sediments). Therefore, it is necessary when designing an echo sounder to compensate for this wide range
in signal variation.

Another form of attenuation is scattering, also called reverberation, which results when sound reflects off
components in the water column. Some of these reflectors include boundaries (sea surface and bottom),
bubbles, biological material, suspended particulate and water type boundaries such as thermoclines. As
the sound pulse travels from the transducer, it will reflect off these objects in many different directions.
The larger the area of the reflector compared to the wavelength of the transmitted sound, the more
effective it is as a scatterer. During the scattering process, part of the sound is reflected back to the
surface, and the rest is scattered in all directions. This will cause a reduction in the acoustic energy that
can travel to the seafloor and back to the transducer. For echosounding, this causes a reduced signal
strength, which complicates location of the bottom. In the extreme case, scatterers will cause such a good
reflection it looks like the bottom to the echo sounder and corrections must be made by the user to
properly determine the digitized bottom value.

Bottom reverberation occurs whenever a sound pulse strikes the ocean bottom. In deep water this
condition normally does not cause serious problem, but in shallow water reverberation can happen
multiple times, causing high background signal levels (i.e. the sound travels from the surface to the
bottom and back again many times).

Noise Sources

Background noise can cause interference with the reception of the desired acoustic echo return from the
seafloor. Unlike reverberation, however, noise does not result from the transmitted pulse but from active
producers of noise located at the ship or in the water. Noise can be classified as self produced or ambient
noise.

Self-noise

Self-noise is produced by noisy ship components, electrical circuitry, and water turbulence around the
transducer, including noise caused by water flow and cavitation.

Machinery noise and other sonar systems are the main components of ship produced self-noise. The
dominant source of machinery noise is the ship power plant, including the main engine, generators, and
propellers. The only way to reduce the effect of these noise makers is in proper selection of the
transducer frequency for the echo sounder, and to locate the transducer as far away as possible from the
noise sources. Typically, these sources are of lower frequencies than the echo sounder, but some
mechanical and electrical equipment will produce sound in the ultrasonic region (above 15 kHz) which
can detrimentally affect the performance of a system.

In general echosounding, flow noise, cavitation, and sonar circuitry are more important than other noise
sources. Flow noise results when there is a difference in the relative motion between the transducer and
water surrounding it. As flow increases, friction between an object and water increases, resulting in
increased turbulence and, thus, increasing noise due to varying static pressure in the water. Flow noise is
directly related to the speed of the ship and, on an improperly mounted transducer, there is usually a
certain speed threshold that will cause the echo sounder to start picking up unwanted noise. Increased
flow noise over time can usually be attributed to growth of marine animals and plants on the bottom of
the ship.

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©2006 SyQwest Incorporated

STRATABOX ™

Operations and Maintenance Manual

Cavitation is a result of the pressure on the face of the transducer reducing to a level that permits the
water to boil (i.e. turn from a liquid to a gas). This is directly related to the flow around the transducer as
described above. Cavitation is also related to the depth, source level, and frequency of the transducer
being used. As the depth of the transducer increases, static pressure increases to levels that will prevent
cavitation from occurring. If the transducer is mounted properly, with flow noise and cavitation levels
considered, this phenomenon should never affect an echo sounder.

Cavitation may also occur on a ship’s propeller. As the speed of the water increases over the surface of
the propeller, turbulence causes changes in the static pressure of the water. At this point, if the pressure is
low enough, boiling will occur. This process releases a large quantity of bubbles into the water, causing
noise that can affect the performance of an echo sounder. Care should be taken to mount a transducer as
far as possible from this noise source.

Ambient Noise

Ambient noise is always present in the ocean. This noise is caused by both natural or human-made
events. For echosounding principles, ambient noise sources that are significant include hydrodynamic
boundaries, ocean traffic and biological transmitters.

Hydrodynamic noise results from natural phenomenon such as wind, waves, rain or currents. The levels
produced vary greatly, but are largely related to the sea state level. In severe storms, hydrodynamic noise
can reach levels that make reception of a transmitted signal very difficult, if not impossible.

Ocean traffic noise is dependent on the number of ships, the distance from noise sources, and the current
propagation conditions due to thermoclines and sea state. Ocean traffic generally produces acoustic noise
that is not within the frequency bandwidth of most navigational echo sounders, except when ships pass
very near to the receiving transducer.

Biological noise producers include marine life such as shrimp, fish, and mammals. Mechanical
movements of crustaceans, with their hard shells, may produce significant noise when in large schools.
Likewise, certain fish species produce noise by reflecting noise off their swim bladder.

Transducer Properties

Properties of a chosen transducer affect sonar performance which directly relates to depth measurements.
The source level, directivity index, and beam width of a transducer have a relationship with how the sonar
system performs under different conditions.

Source Level

Sound is created by a transducer from a mechanical vibration of the ceramic material of which underwater
transducers are made. The movement of the transducer face creates alternating regions of high and low
pressure, resulting in an acoustic wave. The amount of energy transmitted into the water column is
defined as the acoustic source level. A source level is expressed in units of decibels that describe the
intensity of sound relative to a reference intensity at one unit distance from the sound source. For the
user, a source level is useful for selecting a transducer for a particular use.

The amount of movement on the face of the transducer is linearly related to the voltage difference created
across the ceramics of the transducer. Normally it would seem desirable to put as much power into the
water as possible to achieve maximum depth performance. Cavitation, however, which results from high
source levels and small transducer depths below the sea surface, is generally the limiting factor when
driving a transducer. The electrical and mechanical design of the transducer, which has a maximum
recommended input power level, must also be considered.

©2006 SyQwest Incorporated

INTRODUCTION 1-5