Nortek AWAC User manual

NORTEK QUICK GUIDE
AWAC
Oct. 2017

This Quick Guide provides you with the basic information you need to get the
instrument up and running as quickly as possible. If you are familiar with the
Nortek instruments, this guide may be all you need. If you are new to our
instruments and software, you should check out the Nortek Comprehensive
Manual (available on the web), which includes principles of operation,
mounting guidelines, troubleshooting, service manual and simple system
integration. You will also find much useful information in the FAQ site at the
Nortek web: www.nortekgroup.com
Preparation
• Connect the battery/power cable.
• Install the software located on the USB memory stick. Once the
installation is complete, launch the program called AWAC/AWAC AST.
• Run a Functional Test, described in the Service Manual chapter in the
Comprehensive Manual.
• Set the Pressure Offset: On-line > Set Pressure Offset.
• If there are magnetic materials in proximity to the instrument when
mounted, a calibration of the compass is necessary: On-line > Compass
Calibration.
• Erase the recorder in advance of every deployment.
Deployment Planning
• Select Deployment Planning.
• The activated dialog contains all parameters required to specify the
operation of the instrument. The Deployment Planning frame on the right-
hand side of the dialog displays performance parameters that are
automatically updated as you change the settings. Use the Standard
configuration to plan your deployment unless you have a very good
reason to move to Advanced. The latter increases the flexibility but so
does the risk of making mistakes. Note that the Use Advanced Settings
box (in the Standard tab) must be checked for the advanced settings to be
effective. A description of each parameter can be found in the application
help, accessible from the dialog box.
• By using the Open/Save commands in the File menu (or the
corresponding toolbar buttons) the deployment parameters can be saved
to file at any given time and re-loaded when it is time to deploy the
instrument.
Start Recorder Deployment
• Establish communication with the instrument.
• Select Start Recorder Deployment, either from the pull-down menu or
from the toolbar.
• Specify the date and time to start the data recording.
• In the Name field, enter up to six characters of text to identify the data file
stored in the recorder.
• In the File Comment box, enter up to 180 characters of text that will be
included in the data file for documenting the data set.
• After pressing OK, the Set Clock dialog box is displayed. We recommend
setting the clock to PC time. The time reference is especially important to
ensure proper synchronization between the instrument and other data
sets collected independently. Time spent on setting the time properly
before a deployment can save a lot of time in post processing and
analysis.
• Press Yes to continue. A confirmation dialog will display the deployment
parameters and allow you to verify that the set-up is what you intended.
• Press Confirm to send the configuration to the instrument. The instrument
will verify that the deployment has started. The configuration information
from the deployment sequence is saved in a log file that has the same
name as the deployment.
Please check that all
expected items are
included in the shipment:
 AWAC
 External power/signal cable
 NORTEK equipment storage
box/toolkit
 USB to serial converter
 AC/DC 15VDC transformer
 Power cable
(European or American)
 Software on USB memory stick
 Final test check list
 Packing list
Install the Nortek
software
The instrument’s software
is located on the attached
memory stick.
Please check the web
regularly for updates on
both software and firmware.

Stop Recorder Deployment
 Select Stop Recorder Deployment. When data acquisition has stopped a
dialog will display the current AWAC and PC clock time.
Data Retrieval
 Select Recorder Data Retrieval.
 The recorder overview dialog will show a list of all files currently stored in the
recorder, including the time of the first measurement and the size for each
file.
 Select a file in the list by clicking on the filename. Press Retrieve to specify
the name and disk location of the file.
 For systems with a ProLog recorder, you may save time by swapping out the
SD card and inserting it into a memory card reader connected to a PC, as
opposed to downloading data.
Data Conversion
 To convert binary data files retrieved from the recorder to a readable ASCII
format, select Data Conversion.
 Add files to the Files to convert list by using the Add file... file selection
dialog. Select the file to convert in the list and press the blue arrow. Specify
the location for the converted files in the Save in folder field. An optional pre-
or postfix that will be added to the recorder filename may be specified. Select
from the View files drop-down list to open the converted (ASCII) files in e.g.
Notepad.
On-line Data Collection
 Select Start Data Collection from the On-line menu (or press the toolbar
button) to start data acquisition. The real time display shows velocity data
and sensor data as it is collected.
 To capture the data that comes in over the serial port to disk select Disk
Recording… from the On-line menu and define the name of a file (without
extension). Once this disk file is defined, the Start Disk Recording and Stop
Disk Recording menu items and toolbar buttons will be enabled.
 The output can either be in ASCII, in fixed NMEA format, or binary format.
Note: To output NMEA, use the Activate Serial Output option in the
Deployment planning (need a ProLog installed)
ProLog
The Nortek Processor and Logger (ProLog) is a micro-computer with a 4GB
recorder located on a separate circuit board inside the AWAC. Its primary
function is to reduce raw wave data to standard wave estimates for online
applications. Reduction of wave data is valuable when considering low
bandwidth communications (e.g. acoustic modems, satellite). To learn more
about the ProLog option visit the website.
Mounting
Proper mounting of the instrument is crucial for successful collection of data.
Please mount the instrument in accordance with the Mounting Guidelines.
Tip! Check the retrieved data before deploying the instrument for the second
time. If something is wrong with the instrument, the configuration or the
deployment, this will be detected and the possibility of making the same mistake
twice is avoided.
Basic principles
The AWAC measures
current speed and direction
by transmitting sound waves
that are reflected by particles
drifting with the currents in
the water. The Doppler shift
of the return signal is
proportional to the velocity
component along the beams.
By combining the Doppler
shifts from the three beams,
the 3D velocity is calculated.
AST – Acoustic Surface
Tracking
The vertically oriented
transducer in the center of
the AWAC is used to
measure the distance to the
sea surface directly by using
the simple echo sounder
principle. The center beam is
used to transmit a very short
pulse (relative to the Doppler
measurements). The travel
time from the AWAC to the
surface and back allows us
to estimate the distance to
the surface for each ping.
Data analyses
The software supplied has
been designed to provide
you with the ability to set the
AWAC up for deployment,
upgrade the firmware,
download acquired data and
do a quality assurance of
them. The data can be
converted to ASCII files that
can be imported into various
post-processing programs. In
addition, Nortek has
developed a series of real
time and post-processing
software packages that
simplifies your analyzing
work. These can be
downloaded from our
website. Contact Nortek for
valid license key.

Underwater Connector
Termination
Pin. No
Wire Color
Purpose
Pins
Description
3
b
lack
RS232 Tx
Twisted
Pair
2
4
w
hite
RS232 Rx
3
5
b
lack
RS232 Gnd
Twisted
Pair
5
6
white/p
urple
Power Output
7
b
lack
Analog
Ch. 2
Twisted
Pair
8
white/o
range
Analog
Ch. 1
1
b
lack
Power Gnd
Twisted
Pair
2
w
hite
Power +
Screen terminated at pin 1 in underwater connector, unterminated at PC side.
Ref: N2100
-
002A
Underwater Connector
Termination
Pin. No
Wire Color
Purpose
Pins
Description
3
b
lack
RS
422
Tx
+
Twisted
Pair
7
4
w
hite
RS422 T
x
-
2
7
b
lack
RS422 RX
-
Twisted
Pair
8
8
white/o
range
RS422 RX+
3
5
b
lack
Sync. Out
Twisted
Pair
6
white/p
urple
Sync. In
1
b
lack
Power Gnd
Twisted
Pair
2
w
hite
Power +
Screen terminated at pin 1 in underwater connector, unterminated at PC side.
Ref: N2100
-
108 Rev
-
Wiring of RS232 (upper) and RS422 (lower) cables.
Cables
Our instruments are mostly shipped with RS232
communication. RS422 is used for cables longer
than 50 m. The wiring is shown in the tables to the
right.
Communication baud rate: 300-115200 (user
setting).
Recorder download baud rate: 600/1200 kBaud.
Ensure that the connectors and dummy plugs are
lubricated with dielectric silicone. We recommend
3M silicone spray. Note that the silicone grease
included in the shipment should be used on the O-
rings only.
Power
• DC Input: 9-18 VDC
• Battery DC-input: Nominal voltage: 13.5-18V
• Absolute maximum DC input voltage: 18.6 V
On-line Interface Box
For cables longer than 50 m the online cable can
be connected to shore to an Interface Box which
supplies 48 VDC power and RS422
communication. In the instrument, a DC-DC
converter is used to reduce the supply voltage to
15 V. Online cable systems are conceptually quite
simple, but in real life, they are both a technical
and practical challenge. We have taken many
years of experience and designed what we
believe to be a very good solution. More
information about the Interface Box can be found
on our website.
System Integrator Manual
For more information on how to control a Nortek
product with a non-PC controller, a System
Integrator Manual is available on the website.
Troubleshooting
As most problems are caused by simple mistakes,
please initially check if
• you have forgotten to power the system
• the connector has fallen out of the computer
• you are using the wrong serial port
When all obvious mistakes are ruled out, please
turn to our Troubleshooting Guide. The FAQ site
may also be helpful.
If the problem is still present contact Nortek
support at [e-mail]