Valeport MIDAS Surveyor Operation Manual

VALEPORT LIMITED

MIDAS Surveyor

Operation Manual

Document Ref: 0420805

Date: October 2003

This confidential document was prepared by the staff of Valeport Limited, the Company, and is the property of the Company, which also owns the copyright therein. All rights conferred by the law of the copyright and by virtue of international copyright conventions are reserved to the Company. This document must not be copied, reprinted or reproduced in any material form, either wholly or in part, and the contents of this document, and any method or technique available therefrom, must not be disclosed to any other person whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Company.

Valeport Limited, Tel: +44 (0)1803 869292 St. Peter’s Quay, Fax: +44 (0)1803 869293 Totnes, e-mail: sales@valeport.co.uk Devon, TQ9 5EW, Web: www.valeport.co.uk UK

As part of our policy of continuous development, we reserve the right to alter, without prior notice, all specifications, designs, prices and conditions of supply for all our equipment.

MIDAS Surveyor Operating Manual Page 1 0420805d.doc

CHAPTER DESCRIPTION PAGE

1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

2 SPECIFICATION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 MIDAS Surveyor ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Transducers ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.2.1 High frequency ................................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.2.2 Low frequency .................................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.3 GPS ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.3.1 12 Channel GPS ............................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.3.2 16 Channel GPS ............................................................................................................................................................... 6

2.3.3 Optional IALA Marine Beacon Receiver ............................................................................................................................ 6

2.4 Connectors ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

3 SYSTEM INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................................................ 7

3.1 Transducers ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

3.2 Antennae .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

3.3 Batteries ................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

3.4 Memory .................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

3.5 Other inputs .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9

3.5.1 Remote Event Marker ....................................................................................................................................................... 9

3.5.2 Differential GPS Correction ............................................................................................................................................... 9

3.5.3 Tidal Correction ................................................................................................................................................................ 9

3.5.4 Heave Correction .............................................................................................................................................................. 9

3.5.5 Sound Velocity ................................................................................................................................................................ 10

3.5.6 Gyrocompass / Auxiliary ................................................................................................................................................. 10

3.5.7 Data Output .................................................................................................................................................................... 10

4 OPERATION .................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Run mode........................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

4.2 System Setup ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13

4.2.1 Help ................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

4.2.2 Navigation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13

4.2.3 Logging Setup ................................................................................................................................................................ 14

4.2.3.1 Log On/Off .............................................................................................................................................................. 14

4.2.3.2 Log Pause .............................................................................................................................................................. 14

4.2.3.3 Set Ident No. ........................................................................................................................................................... 15

4.2.3.4 Log Parameters ...................................................................................................................................................... 15

4.2.3.5 Sound Velocity Interval ........................................................................................................................................... 15

4.2.3.6 Tide Interval ............................................................................................................................................................ 16

4.2.3.7 Auxiliary Interval ..................................................................................................................................................... 16

4.2.4 RS232 Com Ports ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

4.2.5 Output Setup .................................................................................................................................................................. 17

4.2.6 Display setup .................................................................................................................................................................. 19

4.2.6.1 LCD delay ............................................................................................................................................................... 19

4.2.6.2 Grid Lat/Long .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

4.2.6.3 Display Input Number ............................................................................................................................................. 19

4.2.6.4 Contrast .................................................................................................................................................................. 19

4.2.6.5 Back Light ............................................................................................................................................................... 19

4.2.7 Geodetic Setup ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

4.2.7.1 Defaults .................................................................................................................................................................. 21

4.2.7.2 Changing Grid and Spheroid Parameters................................................................................................................ 21

4.2.8 Echosounder Setup ........................................................................................................................................................ 21

4.2.8.1 Internal/External Echosounder ................................................................................................................................ 21

4.2.8.2 E/S Velocity ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

4.2.8.3 Draft........................................................................................................................................................................ 22

4.2.8.4 Metres/Feet ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

4.2.8.5 Gating ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22

4.2.8.6 Single/Dual Frequency ............................................................................................................................................ 22

4.2.8.7 Vertical Scale .......................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2.8.8 Horizontal Scale ...................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2.8.9 Raw & Corrected .................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2.9 GPS Setup ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2.9.1 GPS Type ............................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2.9.2 GPS Reset .............................................................................................................................................................. 23

4.2.9.3 GPS RTCM baud .................................................................................................................................................... 23

4.2.9.4 Antenna Offset ........................................................................................................................................................ 24

4.2.9.5 Heading Source ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.2.10 Sensor Setup .................................................................................................................................................................. 24

4.2.10.1 Velocity Sensor ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.2.10.2 Tide Height Setup ................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.2.10.3 Heave Sensor ......................................................................................................................................................... 25

4.2.10.4 Gyro/Aux Setup ...................................................................................................................................................... 25

4.2.10.5 Set PIC Op Modes.................................................................................................................................................. 25

4.2.11 Time Setup ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26

4.2.11.1 1/2 Hour Time Zones .............................................................................................................................................. 26

4.2.11.2 Set Time ................................................................................................................................................................. 26

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CHAPTER DESCRIPTION PAGE

4.2.12 Beep, Relay, etc. ............................................................................................................................................................ 27

4.2.12.1 Beep ....................................................................................................................................................................... 27

4.2.12.2 Relay ...................................................................................................................................................................... 27

4.2.12.3 External Power ....................................................................................................................................................... 27

4.2.13 Utilities ............................................................................................................................................................................ 28

4.2.13.1 Simulate Mode ....................................................................................................................................................... 28

4.2.13.2 Set All Default ......................................................................................................................................................... 28

4.2.13.3 Emulate PC Keyboard ............................................................................................................................................ 28

4.2.13.4 Setup Marine Beacon Frequency ........................................................................................................................... 29

4.2.13.5 Echo External RTCM .............................................................................................................................................. 29

4.2.14 Command Mode ............................................................................................................................................................. 29

4.2.15 Power Off ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29

5 SURVEYLOG SOFTWARE ............................................................................................................................................................ 30

5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 30

5.2 Installation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 30

5.3 Establishing Communications ................................................................................................................................................. 31

5.4 File Management & Data Upload ............................................................................................................................................ 32

5.5 Translating Data ..................................................................................................................................................................... 33

5.6 Viewing Data Files .................................................................................................................................................................. 34

5.6.1 ASCII Data Files ............................................................................................................................................................. 34

5.6.1.1 ASCII File Data Format ........................................................................................................................................... 35

5.6.2 Discarding Erroneous Depth Data................................................................................................................................... 36

5.6.3 Valeport Format Files ..................................................................................................................................................... 36

5.6.4 XYZ Format Files ............................................................................................................................................................ 38

5.7 About ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

6 WIRING SCHEDULES ................................................................................................................................................................... 40

7 EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED ................................................................................................................................................................ 46

8 GUARANTEE CERTIFICATE ......................................................................................................................................................... 47

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1 INTRODUCTION

This manual describes the operation of the Valeport MIDAS Surveyor GPS Echosounder, and its associated PC software

SurveyLog.

The MIDAS Surveyor is a hydrographic survey system, logging a time series of position and depth data. Real time data

is displayed on the integral graphics LCD screen and output in a variety of industry standard formats, and all logged data

may subsequently be uploaded to PC. More advanced features of the MIDAS Surveyor include the ability to take

corrective data from external instruments, including Valeport tide gauges & sound velocity sensors, together with heave

sensors and gyrocompasses. Additionally, a second echosounder transducer may also be used.

The system logs data asynchronously. That is to say, it will log all incoming data regardless of the update rate or exact

timing of each data channel, and will log each data input in sequence. The onboard microprocessor applies an accurate

time stamp to each data point, ensuring that a complete time series record of each data input can be generated, together

with interpolated position and depth information. Any corrective data received from a heave sensor or tide gauge can be

applied in real time to the depth data, and the user may choose whether to log or output either the corrected or

uncorrected data.

The instrument may be supplied with or without an integral GPS receiver. Valeport offer a choice of two industry

standard GPS receivers – an Ashtech A12 twelve channel DGPS receiver or a high accuracy Ashtech DG16 sixteen

channel DGPS receiver. Both receivers feature SBAS differential correction as standard, and the DG16 also features

Marine Beacon differential correction. The scope of this manual does not include a detailed discussion of the SBAS

(Satellite Based Augmentation System) systems, but they can be simply described as a free differential GPS correction,

transmitted from geostationary satellites. There are currently three SBAS systems active in different geographical areas:

WAAS in North America, EGNOS in Europe and the Middle East, and MSAS in the Far East. The accuracy of the

differential corrections obtained from the SBAS systems varies depending on the receiver’s position within the footprint,

but can typically be relied upon to give overall accuracy levels in the region of 1 – 5m, depending on receiver type.

Valeport has developed its own single beam echosounder system, which utilises advanced Digital Signal Processing

techniques to give high levels of accuracy and consistent performance. The system is integral to the MIDAS Surveyor,

which thus requires only a standard analogue transducer to be connected. The system has two channels as standard,

optimised for 210kHz and 33kHz transducers respectively. The user may choose to use either or both of these channels,

using Valeport’s standard supply transducers or their own choice. Alternatively, the MIDAS Surveyor can accept digital

transducer inputs, or single / dual channel data from any standard third party echosounder system.

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2 SPECIFICATION

2.1 MIDAS SURVEYOR

Materials Injection moulded ABS case, sealed to IP67, with automatic pressure balancing valve.

Dimensions 50 x 40 x 20cm

Weight 15kg

Display 240 x 128 pixel graphics LCD screen.

Power Accepts 12 – 24vDC external input for running or charging. Draws approximately 200mA at 12v.

Batteries Internal 8.4Ah sealed lead acid batteries, charging automatically when external power is applied.

Memory 16Mbyte FLASH memory (holds approximately 30 hours’ data). Optional 32Mbyte FLASH memory.

2.2 TRANSDUCERS

2.2.1 HIGH FREQUENCY

Frequency 210kHz (200kHz option)

Accuracy greater of ±0.01m or ±0.02% reading.

Resolution 0.01m

Range 0.3 to 100m

Beam Width 7.5°

Sample Rate 6Hz

Dimensions 12cmØ

Cable Length 10m

2.2.2 LOW FREQUENCY

Frequency 33kHz (30kHz option)

Accuracy greater of ±0.01m or ±0.02% reading.

Resolution 0.01m

Range 0.3 to 100m

Beam Width 16.5°

Sample Rate 6Hz

Dimensions 25cmØ

Cable Length 10m

2.3 GPS

2.3.1 12 CHANNEL GPS

Type Ashtech A12 DGPS receiver module.

Differential Onboard SBAS Correction

Accuracy ±2m (CEP), ±4m (95%) with SBAS correction

Update Rate 1Hz

Antenna Combined GPS / SBAS plane antenna (IP67), 5m cable

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2.3.2 16 CHANNEL GPS

Type Ashtech DG16 DGPS receiver module.

Differential SBAS & IALA Marine Beacon

Accuracy ±1.8m (CEP), ±3.8m (95%) with SBAS correction

±0.9m (CEP), ±1.6m (95%) with IALA Beacon correction

(system selects better differential correction value automatically)

Update Rate 1Hz

Antenna Combined GPS / SBAS / Beacon helical antenna (IP67), 5m cable

2.3.3 OPTIONAL IALA MARINE BEACON RECEIVER

If fitted with the standard 12 Channel GPS receiver, the MIDAS Surveyor may also be optionally supplied with an

external combined IALA Marine Beacon Antenna and Receiver:

Type CSI SBA-1 IALA Beacon Receiver

Frequency 283.5 – 325kHz

Control Manual or Automatic (set through MIDAS Surveyor)

2.4 CONNECTORS

11 9 7 5 3 1

24681012

1 GPS antenna

2 LF Echosounder transducer

3 HF Echosounder transducer

4 External DC input (Red = Charging, Green = Full)

5 Heave Sensor data Input (RS232)

6 RS232 data output

7 Tide Gauge data input (RS232)

8 External Echosounder data input

9 Sound Velocity data input (RS232)

10 External GPS or external Differential input (RS232)

11 Auxiliary / Gyrocompass data Input (RS232)

12 Remote Fix Marker

The instrument display panel is fitted with 12 LED’s that correspond to the above connectors.

The LED’s will light when valid data (or power) is received / output on the relevant channel.

Note that External GPS/Diff LED (number 10) will also light when SBAS correction is acquired in

the internal GPS receiver.

Note: Dual frequency transducers with a single cable may use either port

}

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3 SYSTEM INSTALLATION

3.1 TRANSDUCERS

Valeport standard transducers are supplied with a mounting bracket and clamps to allow easy attachment to the

operator’s vessel. The system is designed to be used in an “over the side” configuration, and the transducer may be

fitted to either the front or side of the vessel, away from sources of disturbance such as propellers.

210kHz Transducer:

• Feed the signal cable through the bracket, so that the transducer fits inside the cone.

• Fix the transducer to the bracket using the 6 x M6 screws provided.

33kHz Transducer

• Feed the signal cable through the bracket, and align the plate to the top of the transducer.

• Fix the transducer to the bracket using the 3 x M8 screws and nuts provided.

Combined Transducer

• Feed the signal cable through the bracket, and align the plate to the top of the transducer.

• Fix the transducer to the bracket using the 4 x M8 screws and nuts provided.

All Transducers

• Loosen the fixing clamp sufficiently to allow the loop end to be placed over the bracket. Tighten the nuts with a

13mm spanner until the bracket is securely held.

• The transducer may now be fitted to a suitable vertical pole on the vessel. The fixing clamp will accept a pole up to

50mm diameter.

• Loosen or remove the final four M6 nuts and the clamp plate, and place the clamp around the pole.

• Refit the clamp plate and tighten the nuts to hold the transducer securely in place. Ensure that the transducer is

completely submerged, and is pointing as near as possible vertically downwards. If anything, the transducer should

point a degree or two forward of vertical, to help eliminate any cavitation effects at higher speed. The combined

transducer should be fitted with the sloped edge facing forwards.

• The distance of the transducer face below the water surface should be measured; this is applied to the echosounder

data to give a true depth reading, rather than just the distance below the transducer (see Section 4.2.9.3).

• The signal cable from the transducer should be terminated in the connection box provided, according to the wiring

information given in Section 6. The system is supplied in this manner to allow the cable to be easily routed around

the boat, or to allow the user to operate the instrument with alternative, possibly permanently installed transducers.

• The transducer fixing pole may be stabilised with wires running fore and aft.

• Finally, connect the transducer cable to the main MIDAS Surveyor unit. There are two connectors for echosounder

transducers – one for the high frequency (210kHz) transducer, and one for the low frequency (33kHz) transducer,

but either port can be used. Note that the pins are connected in parallel within the unit, so that a dual frequency

transducer with a single cable (if correctly wired as per Section 6) can be fitted to either connector.

Note that the instrument is initially nominally set up for a sound velocity of 1500m/s. The user may wish to alter this

according to measured sound velocity data, or by using a bar check method. The Valeport SoundBar 2 Digital Bar

Checker may be used to provide appropriate sound velocity and draft settings, or a more traditional bar check procedure

may be carried out. Please refer to Sections 4.2.9.2 and 4.2.9.3 for details of how to alter these instrument settings.

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3.2 ANTENNAE

The GPS antenna is supplied with a mounting spar.

• Pass the antenna cable through the spar, and screw the spar into the base of the antenna.

• Loosen the fixing clamp sufficiently to allow the loop end to be placed over the spar. Tighten the nuts with a 13mm

spanner until the bracket is securely held.

• The antenna may now be fitted to a suitable vertical pole on the vessel. The fixing clamp will accept a pole up to

50mm diameter. This should be fitted vertically above the transducer, in an open area with as clear a view of the

sky as possible.

• Connect the antenna cable to the GPS Antenna connector on the main MIDAS Surveyor unit.

• If the optional marine beacon receiver/antenna unit is supplied, this should be mounted as close as possible to the

main GPS antenna. A similar spar and clamping method will be used as for the main GPS Antenna. Connect this

cable to the External GPS / Differential input connector on the main MIDAS Surveyor unit.

3.3 BATTERIES

The system is fitted with 4 x 2.1Ah sealed lead acid batteries. These are shipped from Valeport fully charged, but the

user would be wise to recharge them before relying on them in a field deployment.

The system is designed so that it will always draw its operating power from these internal batteries. The system is

supplied with an external DC input lead, which should be used to charge the batteries. A DC input of 12 – 24vDC is

acceptable. The batteries will be trickle charged whether the unit is turned on or off; when off, the batteries should fully

recharge in approximately 8 hours

Power consumption of the unit will depend on exact configuration, including the number of transducers used, and

whether the LCD backlight is used. At worst, a fully charged set of batteries should last in excess of 24 hours without

recharging.

Typical Power consumption is:

Main system, including GPS (12 channel) and LCD screen 90mA @ 12v

Single transducer 45mA @ 12v

Second transducer 15mA @ 12v

Backlight (user variable, but typically) 50mA @ 12v

Total 200mA @ 12v

8.4Ah / 0.2A continuous drain = 42 hours.

Assume 75% efficiency (worst case) = 25½ hours.

Note that certain system features such as the internal clock and data logging parameters depend on the batteries being

connected. The instrument will automatically shut down with warning if the power drains too low, preserving enough life

to maintain these functions. However, if the batteries are disconnected, or the instrument is left unused and discharged

for a long time, the user may need to re-enter such setup functions before next use. Refer to the appropriate sections of the

manual.

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3.4 MEMORY

The unit is fitted with 16Mbyte FLASH memory (32Mbyte optional). The instrument will log data at up to 0.5Mbyte per

hour, so the memory will last for a nominal 32 hours (or 64 hours). The FLASH memory is non-volatile, so no data will be

lost even if the instrument batteries are completely run down.

3.5 OTHER INPUTS

3.5.1 REMOTE EVENT MARKER

The MIDAS Surveyor is fitted with a Marker button to allow the user to mark specific points during the survey. This cable

should be fitted to the appropriate connector. The mark may be made either by pressing the button on the remote

marker cable during operation, or by pressing the F3 key on the instrument panel. Note that the addition of a mark to the

record is indicated by a beep from the instrument, and by the display of a vertical line on the graphical trace. Marking will

only occur while the instrument logging function is turned ON.

3.5.2 DIFFERENTIAL GPS CORRECTION

The instrument is supplied with either a 12 or 16 channel SBAS enabled DGPS receiver. If the user has an alternative

GPS or Differential receiver, it should be connected to the appropriate connector on the MIDAS Surveyor (wired as per

Section 6). If an external differential source is used, the unit will automatically assume that it is better than the standard

SBAS correction, and will use it instead. If a full external GPS input is used, the internal GPS receiver should be

disabled, as described in Section 4.2.10.1.

3.5.3 TIDAL CORRECTION

The depth of water under the boat will naturally vary with the tide cycle. The MIDAS Surveyor has been designed to take

in data from an external source, typically a Valeport Model 740 tide gauge radio receiver. This data is logged within the

unit as it is received (typically at 1 or 5 minute intervals), and may be used to provide a real time correction of the water

depth as measured by the echosounder.

The tide gauge receiver unit should be connected to the Surveyor using the standard RS232 input lead (wired as

described in Section 6). The tidal data correction function should be enabled / disabled in the MIDAS Surveyor, as

described in Section 4.2.11.2.

3.5.4 HEAVE CORRECTION

Wave activity and boat motion may cause the depth of water below the echosounder transducer to change rapidly. This

effect may be eliminated by using a Heave sensor to measure the rapid changes in vertical position of the transducer. If

the vessel is fitted with such a sensor, its output may be logged by the MIDAS Surveyor and used to correct the depth

readings in real time.

The Heave Sensor should be connected to the Surveyor using the standard RS232 input lead (wired as described in

Section 6). The heave correction function should be enabled / disabled in the MIDAS Surveyor, as described in Section

4.2.11.3.

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3.5.5 SOUND VELOCITY

Variation of sound velocity is one of the most critical sources of error in the use of echosounders. The sound velocity

may change significantly in both vertical and horizontal aspects of the survey area, and it is important that consideration

is paid to this to give the best results possible.

The system is supplied setup to use a nominal sound velocity of 1500m/s. It is not possible to change this value whilst

the system is running, but it may be changed when the unit is in standby mode. Details of how to do this are given in

Section 4.2.9.3. It is possible however for the MIDAS Surveyor to log sound velocity data whilst a survey is in progress,

and this may be used to provide data correction during post processing (the SurveyLog software makes no provision for

this). The instrument will accept two types of Valeport sound velocity input – either a continuous input from a fixed

miniSVS sensor that will measure sound velocity variations in a horizontal plane, or irregular input strings from a

SoundBar digital bar checker that will give a summary of the mean sound velocity over a profile, performed at the user’s

discretion.

3.5.6 GYROCOMPASS / AUXILIARY

The MIDAS Surveyor does not currently feature a navigation, or tracking system. However, it is able to compensate for

the GPS antenna being sited at a different location to the echosounder transducer. The user is invited to enter this offset

value during the system setup (see Section 4.2.10.4), but this offset is naturally subject to variations in vessel heading.

Whilst a heading value is generated by the GPS receiver system, this may be inaccurate at slow speeds, resulting in

errors in the position / depth data. The user may decide that to minimise such errors, an independent vessel heading

input is necessary; this would typically be supplied by a gyrocompass.

The Gyrocompass should be connected to the Surveyor using the standard RS232 input lead (wired as described in

Section 6). The heading correction function should be enabled / disabled in the MIDAS Surveyor, as described in

Section 4.2.11.4.

Alternatively, the gyro input port may be used to accept any unspecified auxiliary RS232 input that the user may wish to

additionally record. Any such sensor should be connected to the Surveyor using the standard RS232 input lead (wired

as described in Section 6). The data string will automatically be recorded as it comes into the unit.

3.5.7 DATA OUTPUT

The MIDAS Surveyor can output RS232 data from all input channels in real time in a variety of industry standard formats:

POSITION DEPTH OTHER CHANNELS

ANY, ALL or NONE OF: OFF OFF

GGA ODOM ET ECHO INPUT

VTG ATLAS 25

POS DBS

SAT DBT

Full details of how to select the appropriate data output string and their formats are given in Section 4.2.6.

The RS232 output lead should be used. It is wired as described in Section 6.

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4 OPERATION

Enter

GPS Echosounder

Enter

Esc

The MIDAS Surveyor is operated by means of a 16 button membrane keypad, illustrated below:

M Surveyor

IDAS

Help

Contrast

Light

Off

F1 F2 F3

The basic function of each key is as follows. More detailed descriptions are covered in subsequent sections of this

manual:

On Turns instrument on. Has no effect when instrument is already On.

Off Press for 5 seconds to turn instrument off through a controlled shutdown. Press and hold for 10

seconds to force a hardware restart if instrument has locked up.

Backlight Repeated pressing or pressing and holding darkens backlight. When minimum lighting is reached,

the next press will revert to full brightness.

Contrast Repeated pressing or pressing and holding darkens contrast. When maximum contrast is reached,

the next press will revert to minimum contrast.

Help Causes a text message to be displayed on screen, describing the function of the current menu

choice. Disappears after approximately 20 seconds of inactivity.

Menu Activates the on-screen setup menu. Disappears after approximately 3 minutes of inactivity.

Left

Right

Navigate through the Menu setup screens

Down

Confirm choice

Escape Go back one menu level (note that changes might still have been made)

F1 Press to turn Logging On/Off. Enter key required for confirmation

F2 Echosounder Reset. Press to cycle power to sounder, and return to minimum gain settings.

Fix Mark button (only active when logging is ON)

F4 Log Pause/Continue (only active when logging is ON)

MIDAS Surveyor Operating Manual Page 11 0420805d.doc

15 15

20 20

16.66

16.72

Once the system components have been connected together, the MIDAS Surveyor should be turned on by pressing the

“On” button on the display panel. “On” status will be indicated by a blue LED behind the On button. The display will

show an introduction screen giving the instrument serial number and version for about 10 seconds. The screen will then

immediately show Run mode (illustrated below).

Note that incoming data will be displayed at all times – there is no stop/go function, simply a logging on/off function.

The operating status of the instrument at switch on will depend on how it was previously turned off:

• If a normal, controlled shutdown has been performed (by pressing the Off key), the MIDAS Surveyor will show data

on screen, but it will not be immediately recorded until the user instructs the instrument to do so.

• If the instrument has had an uncontrolled shutdown (power failure, software or hardware reset), the instrument will

automatically revert to the status it was in before the shutdown. That is to say, if the instrument was not logging

data, then it will continue to not log the data. If the instrument was logging data, then it will continue to do so,

although it will begin a new data file.

4.1 RUN MODE

The basic Run screen is indicated above, and may be described as follows:

If the instrument is in Single Frequency mode, the left side of the screen will be filled with a single graphical trace, and

the top right of the screen will show a single large numerical depth figure.

If the instrument is in Dual Frequency mode (as above), the left side of the screen will show two graphical traces, and the

top right of the screen will show two large numerical depth figures. Note that the graph should be viewed as two

separate graphs, not as two traces on the same scale. In the above example, the top graph has a vertical scale from 15

to 20m, and stops halfway down the screen. The second graph begins halfway down the screen, also on a scale of 15 to

20m (15m point not labelled).

HF depth

profile

52° 45' 57.502 N

LF depth

profile

F-KEYS

Bottom line of text Function keys and warning messages: F1 Log On/Off

Left side of screen Graphical representation of bottom trace.

Top right of screen Large numerical display of last depth reading

Bottom right of screen Additional data input values

F1 | F2 | F3 | F4

3° 54' 03.140 E

SVs: 7 HDOP: 2.1

corr: OK Age: 5.0

39.630 H

03:44:12

F2 Echosounder Reset F3 Fix Mark F4 Pause/Continue Logging

Echosounder

HF digital depth

Echosounder

LF digital depth

GPS position in LAT/LONG/H or East/North/H

Cyclic display

(status)

MIDAS Surveyor Operating Manual Page 12 0420805d.doc

The additional data input values area will continually display the latest GPS position in either Latitude/Longitude or

Eastings/Northings format (as selected by the user, Section 4.2.7.2) together with the current time, and will also cycle

through the following parameters:

GPS OK/timeout

GPS Quality Data SVs (number of Space Vehicles (satellites) fixed)

HDOP (Horizontal Dilution of Precision)

corr.OK (Signifies that differential correction from internal or external source is working)

Age (Age in seconds of differential correction data)

Speed Vessel speed in knots from GPS data

Direction Direction of travel in degrees from GPS or external source

Heave Data Input Updates as new heave data is received

Tidal Data Input Updates as new tide data is received

Sound Velocity Input Updates as new sound velocity data is received

Memory Status %memory space free for logging

Bar Check Settings Transducer draft and sound velocity setting used for measurement

All system setup functions are retained in memory until overwritten, so if the unit has been used before in a similar

geodetic environment and configuration, the user may immediately begin to log data.

If this is the first time that the instrument has been used, or it is being used in a new location or configuration, it is

strongly advised that the each of the System Setup functions are viewed and changed as appropriate. This applies

particularly to the Geodetic Setup functions, and the basic clock and memory functions.

4.2 SYSTEM SETUP

At any point in the instrument operation, the Menu button may be pressed to display the system setup menus. The

available menus will be dependent on whether or not the system is currently logging; some major functions such as the

GPS setup cannot be altered part way through a data file, but may be altered between data files.

4.2.1 HELP

When the on-screen menu is active, pressing the Help button will cause relevant instructions & explanations to be

displayed at the top of the screen. Note that this display area will change as the user moves through the menu screens.

Press Help again to remove the display.

4.2.2 NAVIGATION

There are a total of 13 functions listed in the Main Menu (detailed below) – some are sub-menus, and others are direct

functions. A sub-menu is indicated by an arrow to the right of the item. The arrow to the left of the item indicates the

current selection.

• Scroll up and down the menu list using the up and down arrow keys. To select the item, press the Enter key. This

will access the sub-menu or function.

• Once a function has been accessed, the arrow and Enter keys will be used to make changes.

• The Escape key will move back up one menu level.

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Menu structure:

Main Menu Accessibility Description

Logging Setup Always Turns Logging On/Off, and Sets Parameters to be Logged

RS232 Com Setup Always Sets Baud rates of data output and external inputs

Data Upload Always Stops sounding and forces unit into PC control mode (use for data upload)

Output Setup Always Sets the real time data output format

Display Setup Always Sets LCD on time, switches between Position display in Lat/Long or E/N. Also

adjusts contrast / brightness

Geodetic Setup Logging Off Sets Spheroid and Grid Projection values.

Echosounder Setup Logging Off Selects single / dual external echosounder, units, draft and sound velocity

settings, and graphical display setup.

GPS Setup Logging Off Sets GPS type, internal / external correction and antenna offset.

Sensor Setup Logging Off Sets format and logging frequency of external sensors (tide, heave, etc.)

Time Setup Logging Off Sets the instrument date and time

Beep, Relay, Power Always Sets Beeper duration, relay output & controls power output to external sensors.

Utilities Logging Off Selected additional test and setup functions.

Power Off Always Turns instrument off

4.2.3 LOGGING SETUP

The Logging Setup sub-menu includes the following features:

4.2.3.1 Log On/Off

This will allow the user to turn the data logging function on and off. Access to this function is shortcut by pressing the F1

key from the standard Run Screen. Use the up or down key to toggle logging on and off, followed by Enter to confirm.

If logging is turned ON, a new data file will then be created. While logging is turned on, the F3 key in the main run

screen will allow Fix marks to be added to the data file, and the F4 key will toggle the Logging Pause function (see

Section 4.2.3.2).

If logging is turned OFF, the data file will be closed. No more data may be added to this file. While logging is turned off,

the main run screen will display a warning to this effect in the lower left corner of the screen.

4.2.3.2 Log Pause

The Log Pause function allows the user to temporarily suspend logging without closing the current data file. This is

particularly useful for preventing collection of irrelevant data during manoeuvres or breaks in the survey. The Log Pause

function is only accessible while logging is turned ON.

The Log Pause function may be accessed through the menu system; use up and down arrows to toggle logging ON or OFF,

and Enter to confirm. Alternatively, the F4 key in the Run screen will allow the Pause function to be toggled on and off.

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4.2.3.3 Set Ident No.

Each data file may be assigned an Identification Number to aid data interpretation. Use the up and down keys to scroll

from 0 to 99, and Enter to confirm. The chosen Ident Number will be applied to all subsequent data files, until it is

changed again.

4.2.3.4 Log Parameters

As well as the basic parameters of depth and position, the MIDAS Surveyor will also accept data inputs from other

devices. In particular, Heave and Tide data inputs can be used to provide corrective information for the Depth data. The

MIDAS Surveyor is capable of performing these corrections in real time, so that only true depth values are displayed and

logged. This feature is actually turned on/off in the echosounder setup menu system (see Section 4.2.9.9). The Log

Parameters feature simply allows the user to determine which of the Depth / Heave / Tide data inputs are to be recorded;

for example, it may be decided that if corrected data is logged, there is no need to keep a record of what those corrective

Heave and Tide values were. The following combinations are possible:

If Real Time correction is ON

CORR.ONLY Corrected Depth value only

CORR+HEAVE Corrected Depth value and Heave input

COR+HVE+TID Corrected Depth value, together with Heave and Tide values.

CORR+TIDE Corrected Depth value and Tide input

If Real Time correction is OFF

RAW ONLY Uncorrected Depth value only

RAW+ HEAVE Uncorrected Depth value and Heave input

RAW+HVE+TID Uncorrected Depth value, together with Heave and Tide values.

RAW+ TIDE Uncorrected Depth value and Tide input

In all cases, use up and down to scroll through the available options, and Enter to confirm.

The Log Parameters function may only be altered if Logging is OFF.

4.2.3.5 Sound Velocity Interval

The MIDAS Surveyor will accept a real time input from a Valeport Sound Velocity sensor. Whilst this input is not used to

provide real time correction of the Depth data, it may be useful in post processing functions. Data from these sensors is

at variable rates, from 16Hz to 1Hz; the user may decide that logging of all these data points is unnecessary. The "SVEL

interval" function allows only selected data points from this sensor to be logged to memory.

Use up and down arrows to scroll through the logging interval in 1 second increments, from OFF through to 300 seconds

(5 minutes), and Enter to confirm. Note that the instrument will log the last measured data point at the set interval. The

display will continue to show data at the rate at which it is received.

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+ 32 hidden pages

Valeport MIDAS Surveyor Operation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual