Kongsberg Simrad SP90 Series User manual

Mini-manual
Simrad SP90
Low frequency, long range fish finding sonar
MAXIMIZING YOUR PERFORMANCE AT SEA
www.SIMRAD.com

Simrad SP90
Mini-manual
This manual provides you with the basic information
required to operate the Simrad SP90 Low frequency, long
range fish finding sonar. For more detailed information,
refer to the Operator manual.
850-165261/A
March 2006

Document history
Document number: 850-165261 / ISBN-10: 82-8066-071-2 / ISBN-13: 978-82-8066-071-8
Rev. A March 2006 First version.
Copyright
©2006 Simrad AS
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document remains the sole property of Simrad AS. No part of this
document may be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means, and the information contained
within it is not to be communicated to a third party, without the prior written consent of SimradAS.
Simrad AS endeavours to ensure that all information in this document is correct and fairly stated, but does
not accept liability for any errors or omissions.
Warning
The equipment to which this manual appliesmustonlybeusedforthepurposefor
which it was designed. Improper use or maintenance may cause damage to the
equipment and/or injury to personnel. The user must be familiar with the contents
of the appropriate manuals before attempting to operate or work on the equipment.
Simrad disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury caused by improper installation, use or
maintenance of the equipment.
Support
If you require maintenance on your Simrad equipment, contact your local dealer. You can also contact
Simrad using the following e-mail address: [e-mail]
Strandpromenaden 50
P. O . B o x 1 1 1
N-3191 Horten,
Norway
Simrad AS
Telephone:[phone]
Telefax:[phone]
[e-mail]
www.simrad.com

Mini-manual
Table of contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 5
IMPORTANT MATTERS ...................................................... 6
RELEASES ......................................................................... 7
SP90 Release history................................................................................................7
POWER ON/OFF................................................................ 8
How to switch on the sonar......................................................................................8
How to switch off the sonar......................................................................................9
SONAR CONTROL PANEL................................................. 10
OPERATIONAL MODES .................................................... 12
USING THE MENUS.......................................................... 14
Menu structure........................................................................................................14
Menu buttons..........................................................................................................15
How to hide the menu ............................................................................................16
Horizontal menu.....................................................................................................16
Vertical menu..........................................................................................................17
Display menu..........................................................................................................18
Setup menu.............................................................................................................19
COMMON PROCEDURES................................................... 21
Menu procedures....................................................................................................21
How to hide the menu .................................................................................21
How to simplify the menu ........................................................................... 21
Gain adjustment procedures...................................................................................21
How to adjust the gain................................................................................. 22
How to control the AGC.............................................................................. 22
How to control the RCG.............................................................................. 22
How to control the TVG.............................................................................. 23
How to control the Display gain................................................................... 23
Mode procedures....................................................................................................24
How to select operational mode................................................................... 24
How to define the function of the Mode buttons............................................ 24
How to sort the operational modes............................................................... 24
Storage procedures .................................................................................................25
How to store sonar images........................................................................... 25
How to recall sonar images.......................................................................... 25
How to keep sonar images........................................................................... 26
How to delete sonar images......................................................................... 27
How to rename sonar images....................................................................... 27
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Simrad SP90
How to print sonar images........................................................................... 27
How to burn sonar images on a CD.............................................................. 28
Automatic search and tracking procedures ............................................................29
How to start the horizontal search program................................................... 29
How to start the vertical search program....................................................... 29
How to enable position track ....................................................................... 30
How to enable target track........................................................................... 30
How to add a target tracking line.................................................................. 31
BASIC THEORY................................................................ 32
Settings...................................................................................................................32
TVG .......................................................................................................... 32
AGC.......................................................................................................... 33
PP Filter..................................................................................................... 33
Pulse form and length.................................................................................. 33
Beam ......................................................................................................... 34
Gain........................................................................................................... 34
RCG .......................................................................................................... 34
Sector ........................................................................................................ 35
Tilt............................................................................................................. 35
Noise and reverberation..........................................................................................36
Cavitation................................................................................................... 36
Reverberation............................................................................................. 36
Blocking .................................................................................................... 37
Check the noise yourself!............................................................................ 37
Layers and deflections............................................................................................38
Temperature and salinity layers.................................................................... 38
Deflections................................................................................................. 39
4850-165261/A

Introduction
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this booklet is to give you a short introduction to
the operational use of the SP90 sonar. It is not possible to explain
all the functionality and possibilities in detail, it is therefore
important that you familiarize yourself with the operator manual
provided with the sonar.
Know your sonar!
Your SP90 sonar is a large and expensive instrument. It is still
relatively easy to operate once you get to know the menus and
buttons. The sonar comprises the following units:
• A colour display monitor
• A computer (aka Sonar Processor Unit)
• A control panel (aka Sonar Control Panel)
• A transmitter- and receiver unit
• A hull unit with a transducer array
In this publication we will focus on the basic use of the display
and control panel.
Click “Help”!
Installed on your SP90 sonar you will also find a comprehensive
on-line help system. You may not be able to find your language,
but everything written in the SP90 Operator manual is also
available on the sonar display. When you click the Help button
you will first see a small help text in a window below the menu.
In this window you can click Free to open the complete manual.
To close the manual, click the Free button at the lower left side of
the large window.
But remember: When you open the complete on-line help
manual, it will place itself on the top of the sonar picture!
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Simrad SP90
IMPORTANT MATTERS
As with all advanced instruments, there are a few important
matters about the SP90 that you must remember.
Before you switch on the sonar
When you power up the sonar, the transducer is lowered down
below the vessel’s hull. Make sure that you have sufficient water
depth before you do this!
Whenthesonarisnotinuse
To protect the sonar when it is not in use, we strongly advice you
to hoist the transducer, even though you may not switch off the
power. In narrow or shallow waters this is very important, since
you may - in worst case - run the transducer into the bottom.
This will damage the transducer and the transducer shaft, and
extensive repair is required.
When you dock the vessel
It is very important that the sonar system remains switched off
when the vessel is in dry dock. If the transducer is subjected
to transmit power when it is in open air, it will be damaged.
As a safeguarding measure, you can remove the power fuses
on the sonar system before the vessel is docked. As an extra
safeguarding measure, the sonar is by default powered up with
the transmit power switched off.
If something breaks down
If you think that something has been damaged on the sonar,
contact your local dealer for advice.
6850-165261/A

Releases
RELEASES The SP90 sonar is based on advanced software. We are
continuously improving our products, and for this reason the
sonar software is upgraded. New software versions will in most
cases provide you with new functionality. To find out which
software your sonar uses, click the System tab, then click Test in
the menu, and finally About.
SP90 Release history
SW 1.2.X
Beam function added to the Horizontal menu.
Two new operational modes added: Bow up/Dual vertical and
Bow up/180° vertical.
3000 meter range added.
Ping sector can be set to Omni or Sector on the Horizontal menu.
Dead reckoning function implemented.
The TX Power function is changed to have the power switched
off when the sonar is powered up.
The Mode buttons on control panel can be used to choose
operational modes or operator setup.
The PP Filter has been improved.
SW 1.1.X
When you select pulse form FM Auto the sonar will automatically
remember the parameters you choose for short (less than 900 m)
and long ranges (over 1200 m). When you switch between these
ranges, the parameters you previously used will be retrieved.
User configurations can be stored and retrieved.
The Fish alarm function was added.
Dual 2 operational mode added.
Scientific output option implemented.
The position of radio buoys can be displayed on the sonar picture
if a GPS-based buoy system is interfaced.
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Simrad SP90
POWER ON/OFF
This chapter explains how to switch your sonar system on and off.
WARNING
Before you start: Make sure that the water
depth below the keel is sufficient to lower the
transducer!
Howtoswitchonthesonar
Observe the following procedure.
Middle
Up
Down
MAIN SW.
POWER
A
B
C
D
(CD015022B)
1Press the Power button on the colour display monitor.
2Press the Power button (A) on the Sonar Control Panel, and
keep it depressed for approximately two seconds.
• A green lamp will flash to indicated that the power has
been switched on, and that the computer is starting up.
After a short period (approximately 2 minutes) you will
see the sonar picture on the display.
3Press the Down button (D) on the control panel to lower
the transducer.
• The transducer will stop automatically when it has
been lowered to its full length. The dialogue at the
bottom right corner of the display will tell you when the
transducer has been fully lowered.
• By default the transmit power is disabled when the sonar
is powered up. This is for safety reasons. In the menu,
you will see that the Transmit power button flashes to
remind you of this.
4Set Transmit power to Full.
The Middle button is not used on the SP90 sonar.
8850-165261/A

Power on/off
How to switch off the sonar
Observe the following procedure.
Middle
Up
Down
MAIN SW.
POWER
A
B
C
D
(CD015022B)
1Press the Up button (B) on the Sonar Control Panel.
• The transducer will automatically be hoisted, and it will
stop when it has been fully retracted. The dialogue at
the bottom right corner of the display will tell you when
the transducer has been fully retracted.
2Press the Power button (A) on the Sonar Control Panel, and
keep it depressed for approximately two seconds.
• The sonar is switched off. Note that you must NOT
use the on/off switch on the computer, only this Power
button on the Sonar Control Panel.
3Switch off the display monitor.
If the sonar is switched off by mistake before the transducer has
be hoisted, or you have problems with the electrical power, you
can also hoist the transducer manually.
The Middle button is not used on the SP90 sonar.
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Simrad SP90
SONAR CONTROL PANEL
The sonar control panel is organized into fields. The buttons
within each field control a specific function on the sonar.
(CD015022A)
POWER
Up
Middle
Down
MAIN SW. SYMBOL
Gain
H-
Range
H-
Gain
V-
Range
V-
Gain
H+
Range
H+
Gain
V+
Range
V+
MODE
Mode
1
GAIN
Mode
2
Mode
3
Mode
4
RANGE CURSOR
Select
Menu View Object
SONAR OPERATING PANEL
TILT
Manual
Auto
VARIOUS
Zoom
Record Off
Centre
Position
Track Manual
Target
Track
Auto
Search
TRAIN
SIMRAD
Main switch
This is the sonar’s “on/off” switch. It has been previously
explained.
SYMBOL
(CD015022C)
A
B
C
D
Symbol
These buttons allow you to enter four different markers on the
sonar picture; Target marker (A), Own ship (B) and Circle marker
(C). The markers will be placed at the cursor’s location when you
press the button. Every marker is identified with a number. You
can study and remove the markers if you click the Marker tab.
The last button (D) is used to deploy a seine or trawl symbol.
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Sonar control panel
Mode
These four buttons provide fast access to the four operational
modes you select, or to four pre-defined user configurations. You
must select which four modes or user configurations to select,
and in which order they shall appear. To choose button function,
click Mode button on the Display menu. To define the order of the
operational modes, click Sort modes on the System menu.
Gain
This is where you set up the gain in both horizontal and vertical
plane.
Range
This is where you select horizontal and vertical range.
Cursor
The trackball is used to move the cursor on the display. The
Menu button is used to hide the menu, while the Select button is
used to make selections on the display. The View and Object
buttons open specific short-cut menus.
Tilt
In this field you find the buttons used to tilt the sonar beam up
or down. You can also start an automatic tilt program to carry
out automatic searches.
Train
This field contains the button to control the sideways movements
(training) of the sonar beam. You can also start an automatic
training program to carry out automatic searches, and you can
lock the beam on a chosen target or position.
Various
Here you can find buttons to disable the speaker, start a recording
and to zoom in on the sonar picture.
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Simrad SP90
OPERATIONAL MODES
The SP90 sonar provides you with several different display
modes. These have been created to cover all your operational
needs. Only the most common modes are described here.
Bow up
When Bow up is selected, the vessel symbol is stationary on the
screen with the bow pointing upwards. The echo presentation
covers 360 degrees around the vessel, and all echoes are updated
for every ping. The distance from the vessel symbol to the outer
echo ring is equal to the selected range.
270°/Vertical
The 270°/Vertical mode is specially designed for purse seining.
The vertical half slice is displayed in the lower left corner
with the net on the starboard side. If the net is set on the port
side, the 60 degrees vertical slice will be displayed in the
lower right hand corner. With this presentation, you will find it
easy to keep in contact with a school in both the vertical and
horizontal presentation, and to determine its size distribution.
The position of the school relative to the bottom is another
important information provided by this presentation. The Catch
data presentation for purse seining is shown on the right hand
side (remove the menu!). It shows all the net data relative to the
target and the bottom, as well as relevant target data.
Bow Up/Vertical
The Bow up/Vertical mode is specially designed for purse seining.
The picture is divided into three sections; where the left side is
a bow-up presentation. The upper part on the right hand side is
aCatch data presentation (remove the menu!), while the lower
part provides a vertical slice presentation.
North up
When North Up is selected, true north is always up on the screen.
The vessel symbol is stationary with the bow pointing in the
vessel’s course direction. The movement of the echoes across the
screen are controlled by a combination of the vessel’s course and
speed and the target’s own movements.
True motion
When True Motion is selected, the picture is locked to a
geographical position, where the vessel moves around the screen
according to its present course and speed. All echoes are always
presented in their correct position relative to the vessel, and their
movements on the screen will be a true representation of the
movements of the targets through the water. When the vessel
12 850-165261/A

Operational modes
symbol reaches the edge of the screen, it will automatically be
moved back to the centre, or to a position determined by the
Off Centre button. This position is reset to the screen centre
whenever the mode is changed. When you select Target Track,
the target will automatically be moved to the screen centre.
Dual
The Dual modes are both kind of “two sonars in one”
operation, where each presentation is updated for every second
transmission. All settings can be set individually for each of the
two presentations. This makes the dual mode especially useful
if you wish to improve your settings, as you can compare the
two presentations immediately.
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Simrad SP90
USING THE MENUS
The SP90 sonar is equipped with an extensive menu system, and
you will use this to choose operational modes and to control the
functionality. In order to select active menu and to click the
various buttons, you must use the cursor. The cursor is controlled
by the trackball on the Sonar Control Panel, and to “click” you
simply press the Select button.
Menu structure
The menu field on the SP90 sonar display contains several
different buttons, tabs and parameter dialogues.
(CD15009A)
A
C
D
E
F
B
(A) Sonar type: The top field indicates the sonar in operation.
This is not a button.
(B) Mode selection: This button is used to display the current
mode. You can click it to select a different operational mode.
(C) Tabs: These selections on the right hand side of the menu
allows you to choose between the menus applicable for the
current operational mode. The menu field will provide different
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Using the menus
tabs for each display mode. In order to select a new menu, move
the cursor to the tab, and press the Select button on the Sonar
Control Panel.
(D) Active menu: The next field contains the actual menu.
Depending on operational mode and the menu properties, this
menu can contain a number of buttons or other information.
(E) Menu button: Each menu button allows you to define the
parameters for the specific function.
(F) Parameter dialogue: When a menu button is pushed, the
applicable dialogue with a selection of parameters appears at
the bottom of the menu.
Menu buttonsEach menu contains several buttons. Each button shows both the
function and the current parameter. The majority of the buttons
in each menu field have three functions.
• You can select a lower parameter value.
• You can select a higher parameter value.
• You can open the applicable parameter dialogue.
(C )D015010A
+
-
BA C
(A) Decrease: Position the cursor on the left side the button.
Observe the arrow symbol change to a minus sign. Decrease the
parameter by pressing the Select button on the Sonar Control
Panel.
(B) Increase: Position the cursor on the right side the button.
Observe the arrow symbol change to a plus sign. Increase the
parameter by pressing the Select button on the Sonar Control
Panel.
(C) Parameter dialogue: Position the cursor on the centre of
the menu button. Observe the arrow symbol change to a menu
symbol. Open the parameter dialogue by pressing the Select
button on the Sonar Control Panel. The dialogue appears in
the lower part of the menu field, providing an overview of the
available options.
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Simrad SP90
How to hide the menu
The menu is normally located on the right hand side of the
display, but if you don’t need it, you can easily remove it.
1Press the Menu button on the Sonar Control Panel.
The Menu button will act as a toggle switch. Press once to
remove the menu, and one more time to retrieve it.
You can also use an alternative method:
1Press the Display tab.
2Click the Full screen: Off button.
In order to restore the previous menu location:
1Move the cursor to the far left or far right side of the display
2Observe that the menu appear.
3Click the Full screen: On button.
Horizontal menu
The Horizontal menu is used to control the horizontal
presentations. The parameters chosen are present in all display
modes. When a horizontal parameter setting is selected and
defined in one mode, the chosen settings will automatically be
applied to all modes.
•Range: Select the current range.
•Tilt: Select the sonar beam’s vertical angle.
•Bearing: Add a white bearing line to your sonar picture.
•Gain: This setting controls the amplification of the received
echoes.
•Pulse form: The standard pulse form is FM Auto. If you
experience a lot of reverberation from the bottom, decrease
the pulse length. In good water conditions while searching for
scattered fish, you may well use setting CW Long.
•TX Power: This button controls the transmission power.
•Beam: This button allows you to choose vertical beamwidth
in the horizontal plane.
•Sector:UseOmni to transmit in 360 degrees, or Sector to
transmit a single beam.
•Frequency: On the SP90 you can alter the sonar’s transmission
frequency. This is very useful if you have other vessels in the
vicinity. Remember that lower frequencies will increase the
range of your sonar, but also give you a wider beam.
•TVG: Time Varied Gain. This function will automatically
adjust the gain in the sonar to compensate for geometric
spread and absorption.
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Using the menus
•AGC: Automatic Gain Control. This function will
automatically reduce the gain if you experience reverberation
and noise, or increase it if the conditions permit it. Using the
AGC will ensure best possible signal processing.
•RCG: Reverberation Controlled Gain. This function will
automatically remove unwanted reverberation from the
bottom or from the sea surface. It may however also remove
scattered fish.
•PP Filter: The Ping-to-Ping filter will only show you the
echoes if they are still present after several consecutive pings
(2, 4 or 8). This function will provide you with a more stable
echo presentation, as spurious echoes will disappear.
•Audio Volume: This button allows you to control the audio
level in the loudspeaker.
Vertical menu
The Vertical menu is only shown in modes with a vertical slice
function. All relevant settings, except the TX Power, can be
selected separately for the vertical modes independent of the
horizontal settings. When any vertical setting is selected and
defined in one mode, the setting will be applied to all vertical
modes.
•Range: Select the current range.
•Bearing: Use this function to adjust the bearing of the white
audio channel line.
•Gain: This is the analogue gain. If you activate the AGC
function, this gain setting is ignored.
•Pulse form: The standard pulse form is FM Auto. If you
experience a lot of reverberation from the bottom, decrease
the pulse length. In good water conditions while searching for
scattered fish, you may well use setting CW Long.
•TX Power: This button controls the transmission power.
•Frequency: On the SP90 you can alter the sonar’s transmission
frequency. This is very useful if you have other vessels in the
vicinity. Remember that lower frequencies will increase the
range of your sonar, but also give you a wider beam.
•TVG: Time Varied Gain. This function will automatically
adjust the gain in the sonar to compensate for geometric
spread and absorption. Note that the TVG will only work on
ranges below 1500 meters.
•AGC: Automatic Gain Control. This function will
automatically reduce the gain if you experience reverberation
and noise, or increase it if the conditions permit it. Using the
AGC will ensure best possible signal processing.
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Simrad SP90
•RCG: Reverberation Controlled Gain. This function will
automatically remove unwanted reverberation from the
bottom or from the sea surface. It may however also remove
scattered fish.
•PP Filter: The Ping-to-Ping filter will only show you the
echoes if they are still present after several consecutive pings
(2, 4 or 8). This function will provide you with a more stable
echo presentation, as spurious echoes will disappear.
•Audio Volume: This button allows you to control the audio
level in the loudspeaker.
Display menuThe Display menu is shown in all display modes, and provides
access to parameters controlling the visual presentation of the
sonar views. Some of the choices on the menu are simple on/off
buttons.
•Full screen: Click this button to remove or retrieve the menu.
•Audio mute: Click this button to mute the loudspeaker.
•Resolution: Select 16 or 64 colours in the display presentation.
The chosen resolution is shown in the colour bar below the
button.
•Display gain: This function controls the amount of echo that
are displayed. Use this control together with Gain to control
the sonar’s sensitivity.
•Colour threshold: Click this button to control how many
colours to use in the echo presentation.
•Colours: Control how bright colours you wish to use.
•Panel backlight: This function controls the intensity of the
back light in the Sonar Control Panel.
•Mode buttons: Use this button to choose how the Mode
buttons on the Sonar Control Panel shall work. You can either
choose between the four most frequent modes, or the four
most frequent user settings.
•Language: Choose menu language.
•Units: Allows you to choose the units used by the sonar.
•Cosmetics: Click to access the Cosmetics menu, which allows
you to control the amount of support information on the sonar
picture.
•Bearing: Set up the sound channel bearing to be relative or
relatedtotruenorth.
•Menu: Choose if you wish to see the complete menus (as
described here), or just the most important settings.
18 850-165261/A