JRC Alphatron AlphaPilot MFS User manual

AlphaPilot MFS
Operation Manual
www.alphatronmarine.com

2 | Introduction
Contents
I. Preface........................................................................................................................................4
Revision History...............................................................................................................................5
Glossary ..........................................................................................................................................6
Abbreviations..............................................................................................................................6
Definitions...................................................................................................................................7
II. Safety Information ....................................................................................................................11
III. Warranty...................................................................................................................................13
IV. About the manual .....................................................................................................................14
Intended readers...........................................................................................................................14
Manual overview...........................................................................................................................14
1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................15
2 AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit......................................................................................................17
3 Operating modes ......................................................................................................................21
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................21
3.2 Standby (S) mode ..............................................................................................................22
3.3 FU (F) mode.......................................................................................................................22
3.4 Auto (A) control mode .......................................................................................................22
3.4.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................22
3.4.2 Enable Auto (A) control mode....................................................................................23
3.4.3 Steering in Auto (A) control mode..............................................................................23
3.5 Track (T) control mode ......................................................................................................25
3.5.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................25
3.5.2 Enable Track (T) control mode ...................................................................................25
3.5.3 Steering in Track (T) control mode .............................................................................25
3.6 Dodge (D) control mode ....................................................................................................26
3.6.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................26
3.6.2 Enable Dodge (D) control mode .................................................................................26
3.6.3 Steering in Dodge (D) control mode ...........................................................................26
4 Controls and functions ..............................................................................................................27
4.1 Turn on..............................................................................................................................27
4.2 Turn off .............................................................................................................................27
4.3 Enabling control ................................................................................................................27

3 | Introduction
4.4 Autotrim............................................................................................................................27
4.5 Rudder-Thruster modes.....................................................................................................28
4.6 Alert handling....................................................................................................................28
4.7 Dimming............................................................................................................................28
4.8 Remote control .................................................................................................................28
4.9 Alarm test..........................................................................................................................29
5 Menus.......................................................................................................................................30
5.1 Menu ‘Main Menu’............................................................................................................30
5.1.1 Touch screen calibration............................................................................................31
5.1.2 Display cleaning .........................................................................................................33
5.1.3 Theme .......................................................................................................................34
5.1.4 Date and time ............................................................................................................35
5.1.5 About.........................................................................................................................35
5.1.6 Alarm test..................................................................................................................36
6 Alarms, warnings, and cautions.................................................................................................37
Appendices.......................................................................................................................................40
Appendix A: Alphatron MFS Alerts ................................................................................................41
Alert display messages and BAM alert types..............................................................................41
Operational Alarms...................................................................................................................46
Diagnostic failure messages: Heading Sensors...........................................................................47
Diagnostic failure messages: Miscellaneous ..............................................................................48
Ethernet Alarms........................................................................................................................49

4 | Introduction
I. Preface
The Alphatron AlphaPilot MFS is a type approved Heading Control System (i.e. Autopilot) with self-
adjusting ‘Auto Tune’ algorithm, designed to fit vessels of any size, including high speed crafts. It is a
modern and technologically advanced digital vessel control unit that is intended to reduce the
operator’s workload, increase the vessel motion efficiency and improve operational safety.
The AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit is the main control module of the AlphaPilot MFS system. It is used
for control and monitoring of autopilot operation, setting vessel heading or rudder angle, selection of
autopilot operating modes.
•Thoroughly read this operation manual before operating the equipment.
•We recommend keeping this manual nearby the equipment to ensure ready access to it.

5 | Introduction
Revision History
Revision
No.
Date
Description
Author
1.0
02-12-2020
First issue
J. Kreeft
1.1
18-02-2021
Completeley updated Appendix A. Removed MFS
model.
J. Kreeft
1.2
19-02-2021
Additional updates on Appendix A. Minor textual
updates.
J. Kreeft

6 | Introduction
Glossary
The glossary contains a list of abbreviations and a list of definitions.
Abbreviations
Abbreviations as used in this manual are explained in the table below.
Abbreviation
Description
AUTO
Automatic (‘Heading Control mode’)
APH
Automatic Permanent Helm
CCA
Course Comparator Alarm
COG
Course over ground
DNC
Digital Nautical Charts
ECDIS
Electronic Chart Display and Information System
ENC
Electronic Navigational Charts
FU
Follow-Up
GPS
Global Positioning System
HCS
Heading Control System
HSC
High Speed Craft
HMS
Heading Monitor System
IMO
International Maritime Organization
NFU
Non-Follow-Up
OHA
Off Heading Alarm
PID
Proportional, Integral, Derivative
PS
Port Side
RAD
Radius
RFU
Rudder Feedback Unit
ROT
Rate Of Turn
SB
Starboard Side
SOG
Speed over ground
SOLAS
Safety of Life at Sea
STW
Speed through the Water
TCS
Track Control System

7 | Introduction
Definitions
The meaning of standard definitions as used in this manual are explained in the table below.
Definition
Description
Alert
Announcement of abnormal situations and conditions requiring
attention. Alerts are divided in four priorities: emergency alarms,
alarms, warnings, and cautions:
-Emergency alarm:
Highest priority of an alert. Alarms which indicate immediate danger
to human life or to the ship and its machinery exits and require
immediate action.
-Alarm:
An alarm is a high-priority alert. Condition requiring immediate
attention and action by the bridge team, to maintain the safe
navigation of the ship.
-Warning:
Condition requiring immediate attention, but no immediate action
by the bridge team. Warnings are presented for precautionary
reasons to make the bridge team aware of changed conditions which
are not immediately hazardous, but may become so if no action is
taken
-Caution:
Lowest priority of an alert. Awareness of a condition which does not
warrant an alarm or warning condition, but still requires attention
out of the ordinary consideration of the situation or of given
information.
An alert provides information about a defined state change in
connection with information about how to announce this event in a
defined way to the system and the operator.
Alerts are separated for the alert handling into three categories of
alerts:
-Category A alerts:
Alerts for which information at the task station directly assigned to
the function generating the alert is necessary, as decision support for
the evaluation of the alert-related condition.
-Category B alerts:
Alerts where no additional information for decision support is
necessary besides the information which can be presented at the
CAM-HMI.
-Category C alerts:
Alerts that cannot be acknowledged on the bridge but for which
information is required about the status and treatment of the alert,
e.g., certain alerts from the engine.
AlphaPilot MFS
Alphatron brand name for the heading control system
Assisted turn
Manoeuvre of a vessel from one straight leg to the next automatically
controlled by a pre-set radius or rate of turn but not based on the
vessel's position.

8 | Introduction
Definition
Description
Autopilot
A Heading Control System.
COG (Course Over
Ground)
COG is the actual direction of progress of a vessel, between two
points, with respect to the surface of the earth. The vessel’s heading
may differ from the COG because of wind, tide and currents.
Course
A vessel's course is the cardinal direction along which the vessel is to
be steered. It is to be distinguished from the vessel's heading, which is
the compass direction in which the craft's bow is pointed.
Cross track distance
Perpendicular distance of the vessel from the track including direction
(negative if the vessel is left of the intended track)
Cross track error
See ‘Cross track distance’
Cross-track limit
Maximum cross track distance before an alert is activated.
Curved track
Non-straight track between two straight legs.
ECDIS (Electronic Chart
Display and Information
System)
A geographic information system used for nautical navigation that
complies with IMO regulations as an alternative to paper nautical
charts.
An ECDIS displays the information from ENC or DNC and integrates
position information from position, heading and speed through water
reference systems and optionally other navigational sensors. Other
sensors which could interface with an ECDIS are radar, Navtex,
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and depth sounders.
Electronic Navigational
Charts
An official database created by a national hydrographic office for use
with an ECDIS.
Heading
The horizontal direction in which a vessel points or heads at any
instant, expressed in angular units from a reference direction, usually
from 000° at the reference direction clockwise through 360°.
Heading control
Control of the vessel's heading.
HCS (Heading Control
System)
A system which enables a vessel to keep a pre-set heading with
minimum operation of the vessel's steering gear, within limits related
to the vessel's manoeuvrability in conjunction with their sources of
heading information. The HCS may work together with a TCS.
A turn rate control or a turning-radius control for performing turns
may be provided.
The term HCS differentiates the automatic pilot (autopilot) from a
system designed to keep a vessel on a pre-determined track
throughout its passage, which is called TCS.
Heading Monitor System
This system monitors the actual heading sensor by an independent
second source.
Helm
A wheel or tiller by which a vessel is steered.
IEC
A non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization
that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical,
electronic and related technologies.
Indication
Visual display of any message to the user which may be accompanied
by a low intensity acoustic signal to gain attention.
Latitude and Longitude
The units that represent the coordinates at geographic coordinate
system.
LOG
Speed data from Water Speed Log

9 | Introduction
Definition
Description
Leg
Line between two waypoints defining the track.
Main steering gear
The machinery, rudder actuators, steering gear power units, if any,
and ancillary equipment and the means of applying torque to the
rudder stock (e.g. tiller or quadrant) necessary for effecting
movement of the rudder for steering the vessel under normal service
conditions.
Magnetic compass
The Earth has a magnetic field which is approximately aligned with its
axis of rotation. A magnetic compass is a device that uses this field to
determine the cardinal directions.
Manual (steering) mode
Method of controlling steering gear manually is contrast with
automatic steering control mode (course control mode). Both Follow-
Up and Non-Follow-Up modes may be considered as manual steering
mode.
Radius of turn
Radius of a curved track
Rate-Of-Turn
The speed (or rate) at which a vessel is turning at, or can turn at,
measured in degrees per minute.
Relative bearing
The direction of a target from own vessel expressed as an angular
displacement from own vessel's heading.
Relative course
The direction of motion of a target relative to own vessel's position
expressed as an angular displacement from north. It is deduced from
several measurements of target range and bearing on own vessel's
radar.
Relative speed
The speed of a target relative to own vessel's position. It is deduced
from several measurements of target range and bearing on own
vessel's radar.
Rudder Feedback Unit
The Rudder Feedback Unit can be used in a rudder angle indicator
system and as a part of the control loop in a steering
control system.
SOLAS (Safety of Life at
Sea)
An international maritime treaty which requires signatory flag states
to ensure that vessels flagged by them comply with minimum safety
standards in construction, equipment, and operation.
Speed
The absolute value of velocity. May either be the vessel's speed
through the water, or the speed made good over the ground.
SOG (Speed over ground)
The speed of the vessel relative to the surface of the earth.
Steering gear
The equipment provided on vessels to turn the vessel.
Autopilot mode switch
An external switch on the navigational bridge provided for the
selection of manual steering and automatic steering devices.
Tiller
A device that is used to turn the rudder, which then steers the boat.
Track
Path to be followed over ground.
Track control
Control of the vessel's movement along a track, where corrections
made by the controller to compensate for wind, drift and other
influences, are based on the cross-track error and not only on the
bearing to the destination waypoint.
TCS (Track Control
System)
System designed to keep a vessel on a pre-determined track
throughout its passage.

10 | Introduction
Definition
Description
Track Control systems must be interfaced with an electronic position
fixing system. SOLAS Regulation 19, 2.8.2 requires Heading Control or
Track Control Systems to be fitted to all vessels of 10000 GT and
upward. There is no requirement to fit a Track Control system to any
class of vessel. Track Control Systems include the functional
capabilities of Heading Control systems.
Waypoint
An intermediate point or place on a route or line of travel, a stopping
point or point at which course is changed.

11 | Introduction
II. Safety Information
The signal words DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION used in this manual indicate the degree of
hazard that may be encountered by the user. These words are defined as follows:
DANGER
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death
or serious injury. This signal word is limited to the most extreme
situations.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury.
The signal word NOTICE used in this manual indicates information considered important but not
related to injury. It is typically used to prevent damage to equipment or property.
To safely operate this system, the following DANGERS, WARNINGS, and CAUTIONS must be adhered
to. Failure to comply with the precautions or with specific dangers, warnings, and cautions elsewhere
in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the equipment.
ALPHATRON MARINE assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these
requirements.
WARNING
AlphaPilot MFS is a very useful navigational aid but DOES NOT UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES REPLACE A HUMAN NAVIGATOR.
Do not use automatic steering in the following conditions:
•In heavy traffic areas or in narrow waters;
•In poor visibility or extreme sea conditions;
•When in areas where the law prohibits use of autopilot.
When using AlphaPilot MFS:
•Do not leave the helm unattended;
•Do not place any magnetic material or equipment near the
heading sensor used in the AlphaPilot MFS system;
•Verify at regular intervals the course and position of the vessel;
•Always switch to Standby mode in due time to avoid hazardous
situations
WARNING
Do not disassemble or modify the equipment. Otherwise, it may cause a
fire, or you may suffer an electrical shock.

12 | Introduction
WARNING
Immediately turn off the power and disconnect the power supply cable if
the equipment is generating any smoke or odour or is overheated.
Immediately inform your local service agent of the symptom to have it
repaired. Prolonged equipment operation under such a condition can
cause a fire or electric shock.
WARNING
Do not place a container containing liquid on the equipment. Otherwise, it
may cause a fire, or you may suffer an electrical shock if knocked over.
WARNING
When unplugging the instrument, be sure to remove the cord terminal
correctly. If the cord is pulled, the cord may get damaged resulting in a fire
or an electrical shock.

13 | Introduction
III. Warranty
To not to adversely affect the warranty, the following notices must be adhered to.
NOTICE
Operating personnel must not remove equipment covers. Only personnel trained
and certified by ALPHATRON MARINE must make component replacement and
internal adjustment.
NOTICE
Do not disassemble or modify the equipment. Failure to observe this instruction
may cause equipment failure, and it will void the warranty.
NOTICE
Any modification to this equipment without prior written permission from
ALPHATRON MARINE will void the warranty.
NOTICE
Installation of this product shall only be done by a certified installation company
approved by either ALPHATRON MARINE or by an official ALPHATRON MARINE
distributor. Acting otherwise will void the warranty.
NOTICE
This product contains no operator serviceable parts. Service and repair shall only be
carried out by personnel trained and certified by ALPHATRON MARINE.
NOTICE
Do not place a container containing liquid on the equipment. The equipment can be
damaged if knocked over.
NOTICE
When cleaning the surface, do not use any organic solvent such as thinner or
benzine. Otherwise, the paint and markings on the surface may get damaged. For
cleaning the surface, remove the dust and debris and wipe with a clean dry cloth.

14 | Introduction
IV. About the manual
Intended readers
This manual is an operation manual for the AlphaPilot MFS system and its control unit. The manual is
intended for end users.
Manual overview
This manual has the following chapters:
•Introduction contains a description of the Alphatron AlphaPilot MFS system.
•AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit contains a description of the Control Unit and its interface.
•Operating modes contains a description of the autopilot operating modes.
•Controls and functions contains a description of the basic functions such as dimming, alert
handling, and alarm test.
•Menus contains a description of the accessible menus and menu items.
•Alarms, warnings, and cautions contains a description of alerts displayed on the AlphaPilot
MFS Control Unit.

15 | Introduction
1Introduction
The Alphatron AlphaPilot MFS system is a type approved heading control system with self-adjusting
‘Auto Tune’ algorithm, designed to fit vessels of any size, including high speed crafts. It is a modern
and technologically advanced digital vessel control unit that is intended to reduce the operator’s
workload, increase the vessel motion efficiency and improve operational safety.
The AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit is the main operator control unit of the AlphaPilot MFS system. It is
used for control and monitoring of autopilot operation, setting vessel heading or rudder angle,
selection of autopilot operating modes.
The AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit works in conjunction with the AlphaPilot MFS Distribution Unit,
which connect to the steering system or to the steering gear. Refer to the Alphatron AlphaPilot MFS
Installation manual for more details about the Distribution Unit.
WARNING! AlphaPilot is a very useful navigational aid but DOES NOT UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES REPLACE A HUMAN NAVIGATOR.
Do not use automatic steering in the following conditions:
•In heavy traffic areas or in narrow waters;
•In poor visibility or extreme sea conditions;
•When in areas where the law prohibits use of autopilot.
When using AlphaPilot:
•Do not leave the helm unattended;
•Do not place any magnetic material or equipment near the heading sensor used
in the AlphaPilot MFS system;
•Verify at regular intervals the course and position of the vessel;
•Always switch to Standby mode (e.g. switch external steering mode selector to
NFU position) in due time to avoid hazardous situation.
Compliance
The Alphatron AlphaPilot MFS system meets the following carriage and performance requirements:
MED/4.16 Heading Control Systems (HCS):
-SOLAS 74 Reg. V/18 & V/19
-IMO Res.A.342(IX)
-IMO Res.A.694(17)
-IMO Res.MSC.191(79)
-IMO Res.MSC.64(67) Annex 3
-IMO Res.MSC.302(87)

16 | Introduction
MED/4.40 Heading Control System (HCS) for High Speed Craft (HSC):
-SOLAS 74 Reg. X/3
-IMO Res.MSC.36(63)-(1994 HSC Code) 13
-IMO Res.MSC.97(73)-(2000 HSC Code) 13
-IMO Res.A.694(17)
-IMO Res.A.822(19)
-IMO Res.MSC.191(79)
-IMO Res.MSC.302(87)
-IMO MSC.1/Circ.1349
‘Fail-to-safety’ principle
‘Fail-to-safety’principle is implemented in the AlphaPilot MFS system design, i.e. any failure results
in the least critical of any possible new conditions.

17 | AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit
2AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit
The AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit has a touch screen display, rotary knob, and a ON/OFF button.
The touch screen display shows information such as heading, current mode and settings, and alerts.
The touch screen display is also used to set parameters (see Figure 2 on page 18).
The rotary knob, which is used for various purposes such as, changing heading, and setting
parameters. It can be used instead of the LEFT, RIGHT, and CONFIM/SET buttons (for more
infromation, refer to the next page).
The ON/OF button is used to reset the AlphaPilot MFS.
Figure 1: AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit
All information, menus and functions are by default in English. Information shown on the display
depends partly on the operating mode. Figure 2 and Table 1 on the next page are provided as an

18 | AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit
example to highlight generic information. For information displayed in a specific operation mode,
refer to the respective section (see section ‘Operating modes’ on page 21).
Figure 2: AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit - Displayed information
Actual
heading
Compass
source
Set RAD / ROT
value
Alert symbol
Actual speed
Actual ROT
or RAD
value
Information
area
Source for
actual speed
Operating mode
Rudder order /
Rudder feedback
Decrease
brightness
level
Increase
brightness
level
Menu
Set ROT or RAD
mode
LEFT
CONFIRM/SET
RIGHT
Rudder-Thruster
modes
APH ON/OFF
REMOTE
ON/OFF

19 | AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit
Item
Description
Actual heading
Actual heading taken from compass source.
Actual ROT or RAD value
Actual operating ROT or RAD value. Operating ROT value is
shown in degrees per minute. Operating RAD value is shown in
nautical miles.
ROT value can be received from sensor (i.e. ROT:S) or it can be
calculated (i.e. ROT:C).
Actual speed
Speed value in knots.
Alert symbol
Symbol for active alarm or notification. For detailed descriptions
of alerts, see section ‘Alarms, warnings, and cautions’ on page 15.
APH ON/OFF
APH (Automatic Permanent Helm) - also referred to as Autotrim -
is applied by the Autopilot over a period when underway to
offset the rudder and/or thruster level to eliminate heading
errors caused by windage or vessel trim etc.
Compass source
Source from which the actual heading is taken. The following
sources may be displayed: HDG SENSOR COIL, TRUE HDG,
MAGNETIC HDG, COMPASS HDG, STEP HDG
CONTROL|LIMITS
Parameters can be configured via the CONTROL|LIMITS button.
Decrease brightness level
For simultaneous brightness level control of all interconnected
modules.
CONFIRM/SET
Button to confirm/set a chosen value.
Increase brightness level
Increase brightness level of all modules simultaneously.
Information area
Info depends on the heading control mode. The following
information can be displayed:
-Vessel position (LON/LAT) is available in all operating
modes if position source is available from GPS or ECDIS.
-COG-SOG data and its type is available in all operating
modes if COG/SOG data is available from GPS or ECDIS.
-Alarm, warning, and caution messages. For more
information. For detailed descriptions of alarm, warning,
and caution messages, see section ‘Alarms, warnings, and
cautions’ on page 15.
LEFT
Button to select a new heading value.
MENU
The MENU button is used to enter the menu, which enables
changing of the AlphaPilot MFS operating parameters.
For more information, see section ‘Menus’ on page 30.
Operating mode
Shows the active operating mode (for more information, see
section ‘Operating modes’ on page 21) and is used to select the
desired control mode.
Press the button to change the control mode (the identifier of
the next available control mode appears on the display). When
new mode is confirmed by pressing the CONFIRM/SET button,
the AlphaPilot goes into selected mode. If a mode is not
confirmed within 20 seconds, AlphaPilot MFS remains in previous
control mode.
RIGHT
Button to select a new heading value.

20 | AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit
Item
Description
REMOTE ON/OFF
Button to allow or not allow remote control. AlphaPilot MFS
Control Unit #2 or #3 (as appropriate) request for system control
will been denied when the Master station (e.g. AlphaPilot MFS
Control Unit No.1) has been nominated and the REMOTE button
of AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit #1 has not been activated.
AlphaPilot MFS Control Unit # 2 & #3 will only gain entry when #1
REMOTE button permits.
Rudder angle limit (not
shown)
Shows the pre-set limit for the angle of the rudder. Rudder limit
can be set via the CONTROL|LIMITS button. See section ‘Change
the Rudder Limit’ on page 24.
Rudder order / Rudder
feedback
Rudder order and rudder feedback of the RFU (Rudder Feedback
Unit). Presented as rudder angle (in degrees).
NOTE: Rudder feedback should follow the rudder order.
Rudder-Thruster modes
This button is used select Rudder only, Thruster only, or Rudder
and Thruster.
Set ROT or RAD mode
Set steering method to ROT or RAD mode.
Source for actual speed
Source from which the speed is taken. The following sources may
be displayed:
SOG or STW.
Table 1: Description of AlphaPilot MFS displayed information