Rose Point MDS-51 User manual

ROSE POINT
RADAR INSTALLATION GUIDE
Your guide to installing the Rose Point Radar
PRELIMINARY
11/9/2007

The information in this user guide is subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2007 Rose Point Navigation Systems.
All rights reserved.
Rose Point Navigation Systems is a trademark of Rose Point Navigation Systems. The names of any other
companies and/or products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
WARNINGS: Use the Radar at your own risk.
REVIEW: Need something about how you don’t want to get hit by the spinning thing and that it is
emitting microwave energy so you should not look at it or be near it.
The Radar is intended to be used as a supplementary aid to navigation and must not be considered a
replacement for other prudent navigation techniques. The captain of a vessel is ultimately responsible
for its safe navigation and the prudent mariner does not rely on any single source of information.
Rose Point Navigation Systems
16150 NE 85th Street
Suite 210
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
www.rosepointnav.com

Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1
Package Contents............................................................................................................................ 1
Items required but not included ...................................................................................................... 1
Power Supply.................................................................................................................................. 2
Determining Installation Location.................................................................................................. 3
Shifting Away from Obstacles........................................................................................................ 4
Installing the Scanner Unit.............................................................................................................. 5
Installing the Open Array Antenna................................................................................................. 7
Mounting the Control Box.............................................................................................................. 8
Connecting the Scanner to the Control Box ................................................................................... 9
On/Off Control Switch.................................................................................................................. 16
Connecting the Control Box to your Navigation Computer......................................................... 17
Installing the Radar Software........................................................................................................ 18
Calibrating the Radar.................................................................................................................... 19
Installation Angle.......................................................................................................................... 19
Parking Angle ............................................................................................................................... 19
Transmission Trigger Delay ......................................................................................................... 19
STC Curve Preset.......................................................................................................................... 19
Manual Gain Preset....................................................................................................................... 19
Manual STC Preset....................................................................................................................... 19
Auto Gain Preset........................................................................................................................... 19
Auto STC Preset ........................................................................................................................... 19
Auto Harbor STC Preset............................................................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................ 20
Warranty ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Return Policy ................................................................................................................................ 22
Specifications................................................................................................................................ 23
Radar Sensor Unit......................................................................................................................... 23
Power ............................................................................................................................................ 23
Interface ........................................................................................................................................ 23
Drawings....................................................................................................................................... 24
Interconnection Diagram .............................................................................................................. 24
RB715A Scanner Unit .................................................................................................................. 25
RB716A Scanner Unit .................................................................................................................. 26
RB717A/718A Scanner Unit ........................................................................................................ 27
MDS-5/MDS-6 Control Box ........................................................................................................ 28

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Rose Point Radar.
Package Contents
The following items should have been included with your radar:
MDS-51
MDS-52
MDS-61
MDS-62
Scanner Unit
1 (RB715A)
1 (RB716A)
1 (RB717A)
1 (RB718A)
Interconnecting Cable
1 (10m)
1 (10m)
1 (10m)
1 (10m)
M10 hexagonal bolt
4 sets
n/a
n/a
n/a
M12 hexagonal bolt
n/a
4 sets
4 sets
4 sets
Control Box
1 (MDS-5)
1 (MDS-5)
1 (MDS-6)
1 (MDS-6)
Power Supply Cable
1 (2m)
1 (2m)
1 (2m)
1 (2m)
Tapping Screw
4
4
4
4
Fuses
6
6
6
6
Ethernet Cable
1
1
1
1
Power Switch
1
1
1
1
Optional Cables
If you will need a cable longer than 10m, the following lengths are available. Please contact Rose Point
Navigation Systems for ordering information.
MDS-51
MDS-52/61/62
15m
242J158055B
242J159098B
20m
242J158055C
242J159098C
30m
242J158055D
242J159098D
Items required but not included
REVIEW: Make sure this is complete!
Ground wire and appropriate connectors
Drill (REVIEW: Specify bit sizes)
Wrench (REVIEW: Specify sizes)
Silicon Sealer

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 2
Power Supply
For the radar sensor to be operated normally, the power supply (battery) detailed in “Power Supply
Requirements” is required. Note also that if the battery is discharged, its voltage may fluctuate greatly,
causing the radar to malfunction. When starting up the radar system or beginning transmission, an
additional rush current is required on the power line. Carefully check the power supply system including
wiring by using a circuit tester.
Power Supply Requirements
The radar sensor power supply may provide anywhere from 10.2 to 41.6 VDC. The following table
describes the current requirements at 12 and 24 VDC.
12 VDC
24 VDC
MDS-51
5A
2.5A
MDS-52
6A
3A
MDS-61
7A
3.5A
MDS-62
8A
4A
Fuse Requirements
For the radar sensor to be operated safely, fuses with the proper rating must be used.
Supply Voltage to Fuse Table for MDS-51
Supply Voltage to Fuse Table for MDS-52
Supply Voltage to Fuse Table for MDS-61
Supply Voltage to Fuse Table for MDS-62
Note: Fuses marked* are included with your radar

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 3
Determining Installation Location
Scanner Unit
A radar’s target detection capacity varies greatly with the position of the scanner. An ideal position is a
location high above the ship’s keel line where there are no obstacles all around the scanner. In an actual
ship, such an ideal location is limited by various factors. Therefore, consider the following suggestions
when you determine the place to install the scanner:
1. Install scanner at a position as high as possible.
The higher the installation position, the longer the radio ranging distance. Install the scanner at
a position as high as possible after considering the ship’s hull structure and radar
maintainability.
2. Install scanner away from smoke-stack and mast.
If the scanner is installed at the same height as the smoke-stack or mast, radar waves may be
blocked, creating shadow zones or generating false echoes. Therefore, do not install the scanner
at such a position.
3. Install scanner forward away from obstacle.
To avoid creating shadow zones or generating false echoes, install the scanner at a position
nearer to the ship’s bow away from obstacles. When installing the scanner on a mast, position it
in front of the mast. (If obstacles cannot be avoided for the ship’s structural reasons, refer to
“Shifting away from obstacles” described below.)
4. Do not install the scanner near hot or heat-generating items.
Do not install the scanner at a position where it may be subjected to smoke or hot air from
smokestacks or heat from lamps.
5. Install the scanner away from antennas of other equipment.
Install the scanner as far away from antennas of a direction finder, radio transceiver, etc. as
possible.
6. Make the cable length as short as possible.
Keep the distance from the scanner to the control box within the standard cable length of 10 m.
If you use longer cable for unavoidable reasons, limit the cable length to a maximum of 100 m.

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 4
Shifting Away from Obstacles
Shifting from keel line
By shifting the scanner position from the keel line to one side of the ship, it is possible to move shadow
zones to the other side which makes it possible to keep clear vision in the bow direction. The distance to
be shifted can be obtained by calculation depending on the distance from the scanner to obstacles using the
following equation:
Shifting from keel line
Obtaining sufficient dip angle
Raise the scanner position so that there is a sufficient dip angle (available between the line of sight from
the scanner to the obstacle and the horizontal line.) By raising the dip angle above 5 degrees, it is
possible to prevent mid- and long-distance shadow zones. The radar cannot detect objects below the
line of sight.
Obtaining sufficient dip angle

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 5
Installing the Scanner Unit
When you have decided upon the place of installation, install the scanner unit. If a mounting base like
the one shown below is available, it may be easier to install the scanner. If such a mount base is not
available in your ship, you may install the scanner directly to the roof, etc. In such a case, pay attention
to the water drain tube located at the bottom of the scanner unit during installation.
Note:
• When the radar mast or mounting bracket has a curvature of more than 2mm, repair it or use spacers.
Mounting Base
Referring to “Hole positions for mounting scanner”, open holes in diameter of 12 mm (0.47 in.) at five
locations in the mount base and use these holes to fix the scanner unit to the mount base with
hexagonal bolts. (Use the template included with this manual.) The bolts included with your radar
equipment will suffice for mount base thickness of 9 to 14 mm (0.35 to 0.55 in.). If the mount base is
thicker or thinner than this, prepare bolts listed in “Bolts for Mounting Scanner Unit”.
RB715A Radome scanner RB716A/717A/718A Open Scanner
Hole positions for mounting

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 6
Mounting the radome scanner
Mounting the open array scanner
Use a silicon sealer to prevent the bolts from becoming loose. The Radome may be damaged if you use
locking putty.
Bolts for mounting Scanner Unit (Radome scanner)

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 7
Bolts for Mounting Scanner Unit (Open Scanner)
Installing the Open Array Antenna
Remove the protective cap covering the rotary coupler on the top of the scanner. Match the antenna
radiation direction to the direction of the arrow markings on the rotation base and secure the antenna
in position using four M8 bolts.

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 8
Mounting the Control Box
After you have finished installing the scanner unit, install the control box in the same way. Choose the
proper bolt length according to the thickness of the surface on which you are going to install the control
box. Hole diameter is different when using bolts rather than tapping screws. When using tapping screws,
drill appropriately sized holes. When using bolts and nuts, drill holes in diameter of 6 mm (0.24 in.).
Hole positions for the control box

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 9
Connecting the Scanner to the Control Box
Lay cables firmly in place by following the instructions below:
Notes:
1. Do not bind the cable for the radar collectively with cables of other equipment (especially the
power supply cable).
2. Leave clearance near the inlet of the display so you can remove the control box easily. This
facilitates installation and maintenance of the control box.
3. Because the cable has a connector on both sides, if it is necessary to pass cable through a narrow
path, use vinyl tape to affix the scanner-side connector to the cable before passing the cable
through the path.
4. Lay cable along the ship’s hull or wall surface and attach it in place at intervals of about 40 cm.
Interconnecting Cable (Radome scanner)
1. Be sure that the power is off. Connect the cable to the plug labeled “SCANNER” on the control
box. Be sure to secure the rubber boot around the cable connector rim.
2. Remove the upper part of the radome from the scanner unit. Lift it vertically to avoid bumping it
against the antenna. (There are four screws to remove first.)
3. Remove the tape securing the antenna.
4. Remove the shield cover located on the backside. (There are four screws to remove first.)
5. Remove the cable clamping plate and rubber ring, pass the cable through the opening, replace
the rubber ring, and clamp the cable to the scanner unit with screws on the fixing plate. Attach
the 7-pin connector to X11 and 9-pin connector to X12 of the printed circuit board.
6. Replace the aluminum cover. Lay the cable shield into the channel machined into the aluminum
housing. Be careful that the cable will not get caught up between the main unit and the cover.
7. Replace the upper part of the radome being careful not to bump it against the antenna. Make
sure that the cover is positioned in the correct direction. The upper and lower parts of the
radome each have four alignment markings indicating screw positions.

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 10
Attaching the Cover (Radome scanner)

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 11
Attaching the interconnecting cable (Radome Scanner)

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 12
Interconnecting cable (Open scanner)
1. Be sure that the power is off. Connect the cable to the plug labeled “SCANNER” on the control
box. Be sure to secure the rubber boot around the cable connector rim.
2. Use a socket wrench to remove the back cover of scanner unit.
3. Remove the two bolts securing the transceiver.
4. Remove the connectors to the motor (X1: RB716A, J5:RB717A/718A) and to the heading switch
(X2: RB716A, J3: RB717A/718A). Pull out the transceiver.
5. Remove the four bolts securing the fixing plate at the cable entrance.
6. Remove the metal fixing plate, rubber seal and washer that secure the cable. Pass the cable
through as shown in the diagram below; replace the above items and tighten the bolts.
7. Return the transceiver to its original position and secure it with the bolts you removed.
8. Connect the 7-pin connector to X11 (RB716A)/J2 (RB717A/718A) and the 9-pin connector to X12
(RB716A)/J1 (RB717A/718A) of the printed circuit board and connect the two connectors that
you removed in Step 4.
9. Reattach the scanner cover. Take care not to pinch the cable when reattaching the cover.

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 13
Attaching the interconnecting cable (Open Array Scanner)

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 14
Grounding wire
Connect a grounding wire from one of the bolts on the scanner base as shown below. (The crimp
terminal and grounding wire is user supplied.)
Randome Scanner Open Scanner
Grounding the Scanner

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 15
Power supply cable
Power should be fed through a switch and protective fuses or a circuit breaker.
Connect the power supply cable (included with your radar) to the receptacle labeled “POWER” on the
control box and connect to power supply as followings. The red and green wires are not used and should
be covered with electrical tape to prevent a short circuit.
Place the fuse and connection part in a dry area where water will not splash.
When extending the power supply cable, use a suitable cable as below.

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 16
On/Off Control Switch
You may use the On/Off control switch provided or another style of switch if desired. If you choose to
use a different style, it must be rated for 30 VDC or more and have a current carrying capacity of 0.1 A or
higher.
Using a switch is optional. If you choose not to use a switch, connect the green and blue wires together
and cover with electrical tape.
The On/Off control switch does not carry the main power for operating the RADARpc scanner unit.
1. Route the green and blue wires to the location for the On/Off control switch.
2. If you choose to use the switch provided, refer to the diagram below to layout and cut a
rectangular hole for the switch.
3. Pass the green and blue wires through the hole from behind the panel and connect the wires to
the switch.
4. Press the switch into the mounting hole.
5. Place the On/Off control switch in the Off position.

Rose Point Radar Installation Guide 17
Connecting the Control Box to your Navigation Computer
TODO: Explain how to connect the control box to an Ethernet network.
The Radar Sensor can be connected directly to a PC using an Ethernet cross-over cable or a network can
be made with an Ethernet hub, switch, or router. Cross-over cables, adapters, hubs, switches, and
routers can all be found at most computer supply stores.
We recommend that you use a standard home router or gateway to create a small local-area network
on your boat and connect your radar and your navigation computer to that network.
TODO: Mention some specific routers that we have tested.
TODO: Talk about wireless and using Wi-Fi hot spots, etc.