Kongsberg EA 400 User manual

EA 400
Single beam hydrographic echo sounder
(CD6562a)
Operator Manual

857-160981
EA 400
Single beam hydrographic echo
sounder
Operator manual

Document revisions
Rev Date Written by Checked by Approved by
I31.05.05 EB TKj TKj
New software version 2.2.0.x implemented.
About this document
© 2005 Kongsberg Maritime AS
ISBN 82-8066-023-2
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be
reproduced or otherwise copied without prior permission from Kongsberg Maritime
AS.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior notice.
Kongsberg Maritime AS shall not be liable for errors contained herein, or for incidental
or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this
document.
The equipment to which this manual applies must only be used for the purpose for
which it was designed. Improper use or maintenance may cause damage to the
equipment or injury to personnel. The user must be familiar with the contents of the
appropriate manuals before attempting to install, operate or maintain the equipment.
Kongsberg Simrad AS disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury caused by
improper installation, use or maintenance of the equipment.
Support information km.hydrogr[email protected]
[phone] (24 hours)
Strandpromenaden 50
P.O.Box 111
N-3191 Horten,
Norway

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Chapters
1 System description
This chapter presents a general description of the echo sounder system. Refer
to page 1.
2Displayviews
This chapter explains the layout of the echo sounder display presentation. Refer
to page 24.
3 Getting started
This chapter provides an operational example to get you started with the
operation. Refer to page 40.
4 Operational procedures
This chapter provides specific procedures for common tasks. Refer to page 50.
5 Reference guide
This chapter explains the menus and dialogue boxes in detail. Refer to page 73.
6 Sound Velocity Profile (SVP) Editor
This chapter describes how to use the sound velocity profile editor. Refer to
page 158.
7 EA2Neptune
This chapter explains how to use the EA2Neptune conversion utility.
Refer to page 167.
8 Data and telegram formats
This chapter explains the file and directory names, as well as the various input
and output telegrams. Refer to page 169.

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Table of contents
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 1......................................
Introduction 1..................................................
System overview 2..............................................
Key facts 2...............................................
Main units 2..............................................
System diagrams 4...............................................
Wave propagation 9..............................................
Bottom echo 11..................................................
Sidescan 13.....................................................
Observation range 14..............................................
Technical specifications 15.........................................
Portable echo sounder system 16...............................
Echo sounder system 17......................................
External interfaces 18........................................
General Purpose Transceiver (GPT) 19..........................
Processor Unit 20...........................................
Operator Station 21.........................................
PC for Portable system 22....................................
Ethernet HUB 23...........................................
DISPLAY VIEWS 24..............................................
Introduction 24..................................................
Display organisation 25............................................
Main view 25..............................................
Moving the boundary lines 26.................................
Direct access to dialogue boxes 27.............................
”Hidden views” overview 27..................................
Menu bar 29.....................................................
Header view 30..................................................
Echo frames 31..................................................
Overview 31...............................................
Echogram and Range 32.....................................
Scope 33..................................................
Sidescan 34................................................
Status bar 36....................................................
History and printer views 37........................................
Overview 37...............................................
Display example 37.........................................
Printer example 38..........................................

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GETTING STARTED 40...........................................
Introduction 40..................................................
Before you start 41...............................................
Start--up 42.....................................................
Overview 42...............................................
Power-up procedure 42......................................
The menu system 42........................................
Transceiver inspection 42.....................................
Environmental parameters 42..................................
Navigation interface 43......................................
Additional interfaces 43......................................
Operation 44....................................................
Overview 44...............................................
Selecting operational mode 44.................................
Transceiver settings 44.......................................
Bottom detector settings 45...................................
Colour scale 45.............................................
Echogram and Range view 45.................................
Scope view 47.............................................
Data storage 48..................................................
Overview 48...............................................
Define storage parameters 48..................................
Start and stop data storage 48..................................
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES 50................................
Overview 50....................................................
Power on/off 51..................................................
Power on 51...............................................
Power off 51...............................................
Basic operations 53...............................................
Overview 53...............................................
Changing the echogram settings 53.............................
Changing the range 53.......................................
Changing the vertical resolution 53.............................
Changing the transmit power 54...............................
Setting minimum and maximum depth 55........................
Enabling the depth alarms 55..................................
Adding annotations 56.......................................
Transceiver installation 58..........................................
Overview 58...............................................
To install a channel 58.......................................
To uninstall a channel 58.....................................
To modify an IP address 59...................................
Restart the echo sounder 59...................................

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Record and playback 60...........................................
Overview 60...............................................
Record 60.................................................
Playback 62...............................................
History 63.................................................
Software installation and upgrades 66.................................
Overview 66...............................................
Software installation procedure 66..............................
Software upgrade procedure 66................................
Un-installation procedure 67..................................
Sensor setup 68..................................................
Overview 68...............................................
The theory 68..............................................
Procedure 69...............................................
Sidescan 70.....................................................
Overview 70...............................................
Starting a sidescan survey 71..................................
Insert label name 71.........................................
Superimpose the current depth 72..............................
Finishing the sidescan survey 72...............................
REFERENCE GUIDE 73...........................................
Overview 73....................................................
Menus 74.......................................................
Main menu 74.............................................
File menu 75...............................................
View menu 76.............................................
Options menu 77...........................................
Interfaces menu 79..........................................
Install menu 80.............................................
Help menu 81..............................................
Status Bar 82....................................................
Dialogue boxes 84................................................
Introduction 84.............................................
Advanced Navigation 85.....................................
Advanced Transceiver 87.....................................
Annotation 89..............................................
Bottom Detector 92.........................................
Bottom Range 94...........................................
Colour Scale 95............................................

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Depth Output 97............................................
Echogram 99..............................................
Echogram parameters 103.....................................
Environment 104............................................
Exit 107...................................................
Factory settings 108..........................................
Heading 109................................................
Heave Sensor 110............................................
History 113.................................................
IP Address 114..............................................
Language 116...............................................
Layout 117.................................................
Load user settings 118........................................
Navigation Interface 119......................................
Network Interface 122........................................
Operation 125...............................................
Printer and History 128.......................................
Print Setup 130..............................................
Raw Data 132...............................................
Remote Display 133..........................................
Replay 135.................................................
Replay control 137...........................................
Reprocess heave 138.........................................
RS-232 Setup 140...........................................
Sensor setup 141............................................
Serial Interface 142..........................................
Sidescan Range 144..........................................
Status window 145...........................................
Store 146..................................................
Store user settings 149........................................
Surface Range 150...........................................
Sound Velocity Profile (SVP) Editor 151.........................
Temperature Sensor 152.......................................
Transceiver Installation 153....................................
Transceiver Settings 155......................................
SVP EDITOR 158..................................................
Introduction 158..................................................
Description 159...................................................
Purpose 159................................................
Toolbar 160................................................
Profile view 160.............................................
Data view 160..............................................

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Profile name 160............................................
Control bar 160.............................................
File formats 161.............................................
Procedures 162...................................................
Windows 162...............................................
Starting the editor 162........................................
Exit 162...................................................
Open existing profile 162......................................
Create new profile 162........................................
Save profile 163.............................................
Modifying a profile 163.......................................
Zoom and pan 164...........................................
References 165...................................................
Toolbar, left 165.............................................
Toolbar, bottom 166..........................................
EA2NEPTUNE 167.................................................
Introduction 167.............................................
Use 167....................................................
Datagrams description 168.....................................
TELEGRAM AND DATA FORMATS 169............................
Overview 169....................................................
Numeric presentation 170.....................................
Data encapsulation 171.......................................
File and directory names 172...................................
Raw data format 174.........................................
Out data file 178.............................................
xyz data file 181.............................................
Echogram data file 182.......................................
NMEA datagrams 183........................................
Annotation datagram 186......................................
Remote Control datagram 187..................................
Output datagrams 188........................................
Echogram datagram 192.......................................
Status datagram 193..........................................
Georef Output datagram 194...................................
Navigation Output datagram 195................................
Motion Sensor datagram 196...................................
Sound Speed datagrams 197...................................
Sound speed output 201.......................................
Attitude 202................................................
Temperature sensor - output 206................................

System description
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SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Introduction
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the EA 400
hydrographic echo sounder system.
Related topics
→Overview, page 2
→System drawing, page 4
→Wave propagation, page 9
→Bottom echo, page 11
→Sidescan, page 13
→Observation range, page 14
→Technical specifications, page 15
Important notice
Windows NT,Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows are
either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Echo sounder software version
This manual complies to echo sounder software version 2.2.0.x.

EA 400
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System overview
Key facts
The EA 400 is a single or multi frequency echo sounder
designed for the professional hydrography community. It can
operate with maximum four frequency channels simultanously.
•The EA 400 system is flexible and easy to configure due to
the modular design.
•The EA 400 is available in two versions. The standard EA
400 system uses a 15 inch LCD with integrated computer,
while the EA 400P and EA 400SP are portable systems.
•The complete EA 400P is housed in a small rugged suitcase.
It can be operated from either the mains or from a standard
car battery. The power consumption is low. The EA 400SP
uses the same suitcase, but it is IP rated to IP56. All
connections are made through plugs at one side of the
suitcase.
•Echo sounders ranging from relatively low-cost single beam
to large multi-frequency systems can be realised.
•Menus and dialogue boxes are operated with a trackball or
standard computer mouse.
•Large colour liquid crystal displays (LCD) are used. A
standard computer mouse may be used.
•The EA 400 uses the Microsoft Windows®display interface.
Operation is to a large extent self-explanatory. Getting started
is easy if you are familiar with standard Microsoft
Windows®programs.
•A store/replay function reduces the need for echogram
printout on paper. The unprocessed transducer signal is
recorded on the internal harddisk. During replay, this signal
is injected into the EA 400 processing software as if it
arrived directly from the transceiver.
Main units
The standard EA 400 hydrographic echo sounder consists of one
or more transducers, a General Purpose Transceiver (GPT) and
an LCD unit with integrated computer.
•Transducers are available at frequencies ranging from 38 to
710 kHz.

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•The General Purpose Transceiver (GPT) contains transmitter
and receiver electronics. It can be configured for single beam
operation. The receivers are designed for low noise, and they
can handle input signals spanning a very large instantaneous
dynamic amplitude range of 160 dB. All targets are correctly
measured and displayed. Output transmit power per
frequency channel is maximum 2 kW per channel.
•A twisted pair Ethernet cable connects the General Purpose
Transceiver (GPT) with the computer. The distance between
the computer and the GPT can be extended up to 100 meters.
•If more than one transceiver is used, a small Ethernet HUB
or switch is used to connect the General Purpose Transceivers
to the computer.
•Most of the echo sounder functions are implemented in
software. The bottom detection algorithm is implemented
solely in software with separate computation for each
frequency channel.
•When a portable computer is used, the power output is
maximum 1 kW per channel (Optionally, 2 kW is available).
•A rugged and/or splash proof suitcase houses the portable
version, this suitcase contains both the computer and the
General Purpose Transceiver (GPT). Both these units can be
operated either from a standard car battery (+12 Vdc) or from
the mains (115 to 230 Vac).
•Interfaces are provided for depth telegram output as well as
navigation data, temperature sensor and motion sensor inputs.
An external push button may be connected for manually start
and stop of the survey lines.
•An external push button may be added for manual control of
the event triggering.
•Socket interface is included. To run the EA 400 software and
other software (for example survey- or classification
software) on the same computer, this socket interface is
required for data transmission between the software
packages.

EA 400
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System diagrams
The following system diagrams are provided:
•EA 400 with one transceiver
•EA 400 with two transceivers
•EA 400 with Hydrographic Operator Station (HOS) and two
transceivers
•EA 400SP portable system

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System diagram with one transducer
1) Display unit 2) Processor unit 3) General Purpose Transceiver (GPT) 4) Transducers
(CD5014G)
1
2
3
4

EA 400
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System diagram with two transceivers
1) Display unit 2) Processor unit 3) General Purpose Transceiver (GPT)
4) Transducers 5) Ethernet HUB or switch
(CD5014H)
1
2
5
33
44

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System diagram with Hydrographic Operator Station (HOS) and two transceivers
1) Hydrographic Operator Station (HOS) 2) General Purpose Transceiver (GPT)
3) Ethernet HUB or switch 4) Transducers A) Navigational data B) Motion sensor data
(CD5015I)
1
A
B
22
3
44

EA 400
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Portable system. IP56-rated suitcase with standard laptop or rugged notebook.
1) Portable computer 2) DC/AC power converter 3) General Purpose
Transceiver (GPT) 4) Transducers A) Navigational data B) Motion sensor data
C) Depth data D) 12 Vdc power E) Transducer data F) Network connection
(CD6197C)
12 Vdc
1C
A
B
D
E
F
2
3
44
E
E

System description
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Wave propagation
The velocity of sound wave propagation in the sea varies
slightly with temperature, salinity and pressure. The velocity
varies between 1440 and 1520 m/s in shallow sea water, while a
velocity around 1480 m/s can be expected at 1000 m depth. In
shallow fresh water the velocity is approximately 1430 m/s.
A good average value to be used in the Environment dialogue
box is 1500 m/s.
Figure 1 The
wave propagation
principles
The EA 400 transmits high energy sound wave pulses into the
sea. A flat bottom reflects the transmitted wave as if it were a
mirror. The propagating energy is spread over a larger and larger
area as it travels down to the bottom and up again. The energy is
spread over a four times larger area every time the travel
distance doubles.
At the bottom there are many small targets. All targets within
the beam angle will be reflected. The area which is covered by
the beam will increase with the square-law or 20 log TVG
(Time Varying Gain) spreading. Bottom of the same type (same
backscatter) will be displayed with the same colour independent
of the depth.
The situation is slightly different when observing the echoes
from individual fish. The transmitted wave undergoes
square-law spreading when travelling from the surface and
down to the fish. The swim bladder of the fish scatters a small
fraction of the arriving energy in all directions. Travelling from
the fish and back towards the surface the scattered wave
undergoes another square-law spreading. The combined effect is
referred to as quad-law or 40 log TVG spreading.

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Propagation losses due to absorption are much higher in sea
water than in fresh water. Absorption also increases with
frequency. At 38 kHz the absorption is 0.5 dB/km in fresh water
and 10 dB/km in sea water. At 200 kHz the absorption is 10
dB/km in fresh water and 50 dB/km in salt water. The echo
sounder must know which water type is present in order to
compensate for these losses correctly.
(The dB (decibel) unit has long traditions in underwater
acoustics and other fields in physics. It is a logarithmic measure
for the ratio between two quantities).
Related topics
→Environment, page 104
→Echogram, page 99