Guidance Navigation RadaScan Manual

Operator’s
Guide
Radascan Operators Manual 20/11/06 1:46 pm Page 1

Disk contains:
• Control Console Software
• Software License
• Operator’s Guide
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RadaScan Operator - 1
Copyright © 2006 Guidance Navigation Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright in the whole and every part of this document belongs to Guidance
Navigation Limited (the “Owner”) and may not be used, sold, transferred,
copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or form or in or on any
media to any person other than in accordance with the terms of the Owner’s
agreement or otherwise without the prior written consent of the Owner.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies or organisations.
RadaScan is not currently approved for import to the United States
Guidance Navigation Limited
4 Dominus Way
Meridian Business Park
Leicester LE19 1RP
England
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Release: 1.0b
Date: 23/10/2006
Document No: 94-0021-4
Previous issue: No previous issue
Design:
www.birdhouse.co.uk
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Contents
Introduction
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Principles of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Serial numbers and software versions
Software version information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Using the system
Startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Suspend, exit or reset communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Screen layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Sensor display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Button bar - display options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Navigation section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Status bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Property pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Alarms property page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Using the historic alarm list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Reflection property page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Configuration property page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
DP feed format and message string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
About property page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using the on-screen keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Using log files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Entering service access mode
To obtain and use a temporary service access mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
The configuration page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Specifications
Specification information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
RadaScan Operator - 2
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RadaScan Operator - 3
Welcome to the RadaScan position reference sensor for dynamic positioning
and other vessel control applications. RadaScan is a high accuracy radar
based sensor that provides positional information to allow automated
approach and/or station keeping relative to a structure or vessel. The
structure or vessel must be equipped with one or more retro-reflective
RadaScan transponders/targets.
Components:
RadaScan has been designed for permanent installation and quick/easy
operation. A RadaScan system comprises of 3 major components as follows:
•The RadaScan Sensor. A scanning transceiver unit with integral power
supply and processing electronics for installation in a prominent external
location in order to view available transponder. The Sensor is connected
to the vessel DP system by a serial RS422 or Ethernet link.
•The RadaScan Console. A system control and display application running
under Microsoft Windows XP on a standard PC. This allows full control of
the system together with graphical and data display of system status. An
Ethernet link connects the Sensor to
the Console PC.
•RadaScan Transponder/Target.
A passive self contained battery
powered electronics module for
temporary, semi-permanent or
permanent installation on the
target vessel. RadaScan
transponders are ATEX
certified as intrinsically
safe.
Principles of Operation
The RadaScan sensor emits a low power radar beam. The beam is received
by a RadaScan transponder and instantaneously reflected back to the sensor.
The sensor uses the reflection to accurately calculate the distance (range) and
direction (bearing) to the transponder. This positional data is automatically
sent to the DP system. The transponder reflection is retro-reflective in
character (ie it is sent in the same direction as received beam). The
transponder is also able to encode the reflection with a transponder identity
code. This code allows the sensor to recognise the reflection as genuine and
so aid easy operation and improve tracking reliability.
RadaScan unit
RadaScan equipped vessel
RadaScan transponders
Introduction
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Component Part Numbers and individual Serial Number are assigned to each
sensor, transponder and PC. Software version information
The Configuration page tab within the property sheet provides version
information about every software component with the Console application and
the RadaScan Sensor.
Serial numbers and software versions
Software component
version information
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Radascan User Console provides an intuitive environment that allows you to
quickly assess and control the functions of the system. This section provides
information about the options and procedures within the program.
Start up
To enter RadaScan User Console
1 Ensure that the RadaScan sensor is powered on and running correctly.
2 Locate the RadaScan User Console icon and double click it.
(or run the RadaScan User Console application from Start > Programs >
RadaScan > RadaScan User Console).
3 The Console display screen will appear. After a brief initialisation period
indicated by a connecting dialog, the sensor will begin operation and its
scanning results displayed on screen.
Suspend, exit or reset communications
RadaScan User Console offers you two options for shutting down or
suspending or resetting the sensor communication link. These options are
accessed via the RadaScan button in the lower left-hand corner:
• Suspend - Places the sensor into a 'sleep mode' whereby the motor ceases
spinning. However, upon command from the Console application, the unit will
return to full operation. This mode is suitable for use when travelling between
locations.
• Suspend & Exit - Places the sensor into the same 'sleep mode' as the
suspend command (discussed above) and also closes the RadaScan Console
program.
To suspend or exit
1Click the 'RadaScan' button in the lower left corner of the screen (this
button is not available while navigating). A dialog box will be displayed:
2 Click the down-
arrow to reveal the
three options.
Select the required
option and click
the OK button.
Using the System
RadaScan
Console
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The RadaScan User Console screen has five key areas:
• The Sensor display
• The Navigation section
• The Status bar
• The Property sheet
• The Button bar
Screen layout
Property pages
Provides detailed
information on a number of
different topics and uses two
tabbed pages to group
information.
Sensor display
A large circular area, rather
like a radar sweep display,
that shows the relationship
between the RadaScan
vessel and any targets that
are in view.
Button bar
A collection of nine buttons
that provide, or control, a
range of functions.
The pages that follow
provide explanations of each
of the five key screen areas
and the elements presented
within them.
Status bar
Provides important feedback information on various topics and
displays the date and time that the situation was first reported.
Navigation section
This section provides
navigation information in a
simple clear manner
whenever the system is
navigating.
Positional data display
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Reflections and targets
Reflections from targets are shown as yellow squares on the seascape. The
signal processing in RadaScan ensures that only reflections from genuine
targets can be recognised and displayed. When navigating a coloured box is
drawn around the reflection square to show the quality of the association with
a known target.
This circular area is a seascape and shows the relationship between the
RadaScan vessel and the targets. There are a number of key elements within
the Sensor display:
RadaScan vessel
The RadaScan vessel image is shown, as determined by the setting in the
Display options, either as an outline or a solid filled shape, with a distinct bow
and stern, or alternatively the vessel image may be switched off - see Display
options.
Depending upon the chosen display option, the centre of the Sensor display
will either represent the RadaScan vessel, or the target origin of the current
multi-target group - see Display options..
Range circles
A series of radiating labelled concentric circles provide a visual indication of the
location of the RadaScan vessel to the targets. Use the Zoom in and Zoom out
buttons to change the scale of the display.
Target reference frame
Indicates the A-B axis that the RadaScan system uses to define the positions of
each target. This axis can be included/excluded from the display as required -
see Display options.
Sensor display
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Button bar
A collection of nine buttons that provide, or control, a range of functions. When
a function is not available, the button image will fade and become
unselectable:
Display options
Click to view a list of options that determine the elements within the sensor
display:
• Show Bearing Axis - display/hide the tickmarks around the outer circle of the
sensor display.
• Show Range Circles - display/hide the concentric distance circles of the
sensor display.
• Show Labels - display/hide the range and target labels within the
sensor display.
•Show Reflections - display/hide the markers representing the reflections
received by the RadaScan sensor.
•Show Targets - display/hide the association boxes that are superimposed on
the reflection squares.
Stop navigation
Click to cease
sending live
positional data
to the DP
system.
Start navigation
Click to begin a sequence
of steps that leads to the
RadaScan system
providing live positional
data to the DP system.
After selecting this button,
you will be requested to
select a stored multi-target
group or single target.
Zoom in
Decreases the
displayed area.
Alarms
Becomes available
when one or more
alarms have
occurred, click to
view the Alarms page
within the Property
sheet in the lower
right corner of the
screen.
Apply
Click to accept
the current
changes.
Zoom out
Increases the
displayed area
Display
options
See below
Sensor
operations
Click to select
either the About
or Configuration
property pages
Cancel
Click to discard
any current
changes and
revert to the
previous setting.
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The upper right of the screen provides positional information whenever
navigation mode is being used.
Positional Display:
A number of different DP message types are available for configuration during
installation and commissioning. The DP message type defines the positional
display format.
In most formats the Range a Bearing to the primary target from the vessel is
displayed numerically. Heading is only available when a NMEA message format
is used and where 2 or more targets are available and multi-target navigation is
selected.
When a NMEA format is used to navigate in Single target navigation the Range
and Bearing values can be converted and displayed as Bow and Starboard
distances from the target to the vessel. The option is selected by un-ticking the
Range & Bearing box in the Configuration property page.
When a NMEA format is used to navigate with multiple targets the Range and
Bearing values can be converted and displayed as the vessel position in relation
to the A and B axis of a co-ordinate frame constructed around the target group.
The option is selected by un-ticking the Range & Bearing box in the
Configuration property page.
Positional display
DP Feed mode
Information
Quality Indicator
Navigation section
Information Quality Indicator
A graphical 9 bar display gives a quick indication of the confidence that the
sensor system has in the positional data being generated. The more bars that
are displayed the better the data. The bars and numerical values are also
coloured and change from red through orange to green as the date improves.
Navigation: modes
You can choose from two main modes of navigation:
Single target navigation
Single target is the simplest type of navigation as it only requires a single target
and does not involve the creation of a target group. It is quick and easy to use
however be aware that this method has certain limitations as follows:
• If the true target reflection is obscured by vessel operations there is a
possibility that the sensor track will be lost and navigation will drop out.
• There is no provision for Heading data to be produced.
Multi-target navigation
The use of multiple targets gives certain advantages over single target
navigation and is worth considering whenever suitable targets are available.
The advantages are as follows:
• Improved tracking stability
• Redundancy allowing temporary loss of target reflection.
• Provision of Heading data in relation to target group.
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Navigation: single target
To start single target navigation
1 Click the button to reveal a pop-up list of navigation options.
2 Select [Single Target]
3 In the subsequent dialog, click 'OK' to
confirm your selection.
4 Click the cursor on one of the target reflections shown
on the sensor display.
After a short delay, the navigation data will be determined and displayed.
Note that only 'Range and Bearing' or 'Bow and Starboard' values will be
shown as single target/prism modes cannot provide heading information.
To end single target navigation
1 Click the button.
2 In the subsequent dialog, click 'OK' to confirm your action.
The readouts in the navigation section will become inactive and turn grey. The
viewed targets will remain shown on the sensor display.
Navigation: multi-target
To start multi-target navigation
The Multi-target navigation option only becomes available when Radascan
identifies 2 or more authentic Radascan targets
1 Click the button to reveal a pop-up list of navigation options.
2 Select [Multi-Target]
3 In the subsequent dialog, click 'OK' to confirm your selection.
RadaScan will automatically identify the available targets and after a short
delay will start to navigate against them.
To end multi-target navigation
1 Click the button.
2 In the subsequent dialog, click 'OK' to confirm your action.
The readouts in the navigation section will become inactive and turn grey.
The viewed targets will remain shown on the sensor display
Information quality indicator
When beginning either single or multi-target navigation, the readouts in the
navigation section of the screen (top right corner) will initially turn red (to
indicate that the positional information received is not yet sufficient). The
RadaScan system will improve upon its positional information and as quality
increases, the readouts will change from red to amber and then to green.
Additionally, the information quality indicator bar graph will show more
similarly coloured bars.
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Status bar
Provides important feedback information on various topics and displays the
date and time that the situation was first reported. A green icon indicates that
communication between the User Console and the RadaScan sensor is
satisfactory. Double click on the Time and Date portion of the status bar to
adjust the current system time and date settings.
Status bar buttons
To the left of the status bar are two buttons:
RadaScan
Click this button to view the Control dialog. From here you can
• Suspend - Places the sensor into a 'sleep mode' whereby the motor ceases
spinning. However, upon the resume command, the unit will return to
full operation.
• Suspend & Exit - Shuts the Console software application but maintains power
to the sensor. Upon starting the application the unit will return to full
operation. This mode is suitable for use when travelling between
mooring locations.
Help
Click this button to view the online RadaScan User Console operator's guide
using Acrobat Reader.
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Property pages
This area of the User Console screen provides detailed operational and set-up
information. The section is divided into 4 tabbed pages as follows:
Alarms: This page alerts the operator to any situation which may impact the
performance of the system or the position output.
Reflections: This page gives details of the reflection(s) which are being
received by the sensor.
Configuration: This page gives access to operational parameters including
screen contrast, DP feed type and navigation display.
About: This page gives Service Access to the set-up parameter for the system.
The software version of the User Console, a copyright statement and Guidance
Navigation contact details are also shown.
For more information on these pages please refer to the detailed sections
following:
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Alarms property page
During operation, the RadaScan system produces an event audit trail in the
form of alarms from its various constituent components. These range in
increasing order of severity from: Information, Warning, and Error to Fatal. As
these alarms are received from the sensor, the console application lists them
within the Alarms page tab of the property sheet.
To assist with quick recognition of the various alarm types, a colour coding
scheme is employed. The triangular and square symbols used to represent the
start and stop points of each alarm condition are represented in three colours
to indicate their severity:
• Information Grey
• Warning Orange
• Fatal and Error Red
As an alarm condition occurs, its entry is appended by a Start symbol in the
relevant severity colour. When the condition is resolved, the entry is appended
with a Stop symbol.
The Pause symbol is displayed in the event of a single non-persistent incident
The Alarms page offers two key features to assist in the display of applicable
alarms. These are the Alarm filter and the Alarm History.
Using the alarm filter
This allows you to choose which types of alarms (of the four categories) to
display within the Alarms page. As standard the filter is activated with only the
'Information' alarms un-ticked to conceal them. To use the alarms filter:
1 View the Alarms page within the Property sheet (in the lower right corner).
2 Click the right side of the two-part filter button. A drop down list will be
displayed showing the four types of reports/alarms.
3 Click on each type of alarm to check/uncheck them as necessary
- Note: Alarm types that are ticked are shown in the alarms list,
un-ticked items are hidden.
4 To enable/disable the filter, click the left side of
the two-part filter button. The filter is active
whenever the right side of the filter button is
'pressed in'.
Alarms page - Lists any messages received from the various component units
of the RadaScan sensor. These are classified into four types of alarm which are,
in increasing order of severity:
• Information - grey symbols
• Warning - orange symbols
• Error - red symbols
• Fatal - red symbols
A filter is available to
suppress the display of
particular alarm types.
As standard, the filter
is activated and the
Information messages
are hidden from the
list.
Deleting alarms from
the current list will
move the alarms to the
Historic list. Deleting
them from the Historic
list will discard them
permanently.
The arrow symbol indicates the Start
of an entry that persists, while the
square symbol indicates the end of
an entry. The pause symbol indicates
an entry that does not persist.
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Using the historic alarm list
The Alarms page has two alarms lists. The 'Current' list is where new alarm
reports (since the last start of the console software) are automatically stored as
they occur. In addition, a 'Historic' list allows you to clear the Current list and
transfer its alarms so that you do not lose potentially important diagnostic
feedback. On shutdown, current alarms are automatically transferred to the
Historic list.
To accept alarms in the current list
1 View the Alarms page tab within the Property sheet and check that the
'Select Log Type' entry shows 'Current'.
2 Select the alarms that you wish to move into the Historic list:
• To accept one alarm - click the alarm entry and click the button.
• To accept two or more - hold down the CTRL key, click the required alarm
entries and click the button.
• To accept all alarms - click the button.
Note: If you attempt to transfer any alarms that are still unresolved, a warning
dialog will be displayed.
To clear the historic list
Items in the Current list cannot be deleted, they may only be moved to the
Historic list. Once there, however, they may be erased.
1 View the Alarms page tab within the Property sheet and check that the
'Select Log Type' entry shows 'Historic'.
2 Select the alarms to delete:
•To delete one alarm - click the alarm entry and click .
•To delete two or more - hold down the CTRL key, click the required alarm
entries and click .
•To delete all alarms - click the button.
3 A dialog will be displayed and will require confirmation for each deletion.
You can confirm each deletion individually, or click the 'Yes to All' button.
To export an alarms list
1 Click the Export alarms button to export all alarms to a text file.
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Reflection Property page
This area of the RadaScan User Console screen provides detailed information
on a number of different topics. The property sheet uses tabbed pages to
group information and has four tabs:
Reflections page - Provides a numeric list of the reflections received during the
last complete revolution of the sensor rotor. This page can be used to verify the
graphical representation of reflections shown within the Sensor display.
As a new revolution is started, the list is cleared and starts again. For each
verified reflection the list provides: Target ID code, Range, Bearing and Signal
to Noise Ratio. The latter relates to the quality of the reflection. For changes up
to 200m this value will ideally be between 13 and 21.
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Configuration property page
The Configuration page provides a mixture of RadaScan sensor data for
troubleshooting purposes and also offers three selectable options:
•Day View/Night View - This option is essential in maintaining optimum
usability between day and night operations.
•DP Feed Format & Message String - This is key to correct operation but
which does not usually require alteration during day-to-day operations.
•Range & Bearing Only - In Single Target navigation with NMEA feed types,
the default is to display position in a Bow Starboard axis frame. This option
switches the display to one of Range and Bearing to the selected target. To
implement, tick the box and click the apply button. The DP message string
is unaffected.
Day View/Night View
To provide maximum visibility during daytime operation and minimal glare
during night shifts, RadaScan User Console offers two display modes: 'Day
View' and 'Night View'.
To change the view mode:
1 View the Configuration page within the Property sheet.
2 Click the down arrow of the view box to reveal a drop-down list
with two options.
3 Select the appropriate display format and then click the button.
'Day' colour contrast setting
'Night' colour contrast setting
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DP feed format & message string
This option controls the format in which the positional information is packaged
and sent to the vessel's DP system. The DP Feed Format may only be changed
when RadaScan is not navigating. Any changes to this setting MUST be carried
out in conjunction with a similar change on the DP system - both systems must
use exactly the same format and variant thereof. The choice of DP Feed Format
can have an effect on the information displayed in the Navigation section (top
right corner) of the Console screen.
The DP Message string field displays the current text being sent to the DP
system based on the current selection of the DP Feed Format type.
To change the DP feed format:
Note: Changes in formats, other than between NMEA and ASCII, can only be
carried out in service access mode.
1 View the Configuration page within the Property sheet.
2 Click the down arrow of the DP Feed Format box to reveal a drop-down list
of options.
3 Select the appropriate format and then click the button.
Ensure that the DP system is correctly prepared to receive the new message
format.
Single Target Display - Range & Bearing
The default display mode for
Single Target is to present the
position of the sensor vessel
in metres along Bow and
Starboard axes with origin at
the target.
By selecting the Range &
Bearing option on the
Configuration page, the
display is changed to the
distance and the bearing of
the target from the vessel.
Note: Selecting either option
has no effect on the message
strings that are sent to the DP
system.
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About Property page
Indicates the software version and copyright details. It also allows you to invoke
the temporary service access mode in order to adjust certain settings - please
refer to the section Entering service access mode for further details.
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