Simrad FS70 - User manual

Kongsberg Mesotech Ltd.
Port Coquitlam, BC - Canada
FS 70
Trawl Sonar System
Operator Manual
SIMRAD

974-24007001/5.0 I
974-24007001/5.0
FS70 Trawl Sonar System
Operator manual

FS70 Trawl Sonar System
II 974-24007001/5.0
Document revisions
Version
Date
Written by
Checked by
Approved by
4.1
January 04, 2011
LF/BC
JH
BC
5.0
February 24, 2016
BC
JH
BC
About this document
The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior notice.
Kongsberg Mesotech Ltd. 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.
© 2010 Kongsberg Mesotech Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the
copyright hereon may be reproduced or otherwise copied without prior permission from
Kongsberg Mesotech Ltd.

974-24007001/5.0 III
Table of contents
1SYSTEM FAMILIARIZATION ............................................................................1
1.1 Overview.............................................................................................................1
1.2 Equipment List....................................................................................................2
1.3 Typical System Configurations ..........................................................................2
1.4 Display Monitor..................................................................................................3
1.5 Processor Unit.....................................................................................................4
1.6 Power /TTM Interface Module...........................................................................4
1.7 Deployment Housing Unit..................................................................................4
1.8 Jointing Tool.......................................................................................................5
1.9 Catch Sensors......................................................................................................5
1.10 PI Sensors Option............................................................................................5
1.11 Depth, Temperature & Sensors NMEA Output..............................................5
1.12 Trawl Cable, Winch and Block.......................................................................6
2THEORY OF OPERATION...................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................6
2.2 Basic Principles...................................................................................................6
2.3 Determining Target Position...............................................................................7
2.4 Forming an Image...............................................................................................7
2.5 Key Features Setting...........................................................................................7
2.5.1 Automatic Gain Control (AGC).......................................................................8
2.5.2 Reverberation Controlled Gain (RCG).............................................................8
2.5.3 RX Gain Response and Type............................................................................8
2.5.4 Pulse Length Control........................................................................................8
2.5.5 Peak Detection..................................................................................................9
3FS 70 SYSTEM OPERATION .............................................................................10
3.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................10
3.1.1 Processor Requirements .................................................................................11
3.1.2 Installing DATSS ...........................................................................................11
3.2 Quick Reference ...............................................................................................11

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3.2.1 Starting DATSS:.............................................................................................11
3.2.2 Sonar Operation:.............................................................................................14
3.2.2.1 Selecting the Scan Mode:........................................................................14
3.2.2.2 Selecting the Bandwidth: ........................................................................14
3.2.2.3 Changing the Gain:..................................................................................15
3.2.2.4 Changing the Scan Speed:.......................................................................15
3.2.2.5 Changing the Gain Type: ........................................................................16
3.2.2.6 Changing the Resolution:........................................................................17
3.2.3 Sonar Operation Pages: ..................................................................................18
3.2.3.1 The scan page:.........................................................................................18
3.2.3.2 The transmit page:...................................................................................20
3.2.3.3 The TVG page:........................................................................................22
3.2.3.4 The Sensor page:.....................................................................................24
3.2.4 Sonar Display: ................................................................................................24
3.2.4.1 Using the reference cursors:....................................................................25
3.2.4.2 Using the Tools:......................................................................................26
3.2.4.3 Using the Gauge Window:......................................................................26
3.2.5 NMEA Input and Output:...............................................................................28
3.2.5.1 NMEA Input............................................................................................28
3.2.5.2 Creating user defined sensors..................................................................30
3.2.5.3 Setting the COM port for sensors............................................................32
3.2.5.4 Checking the sensor data.........................................................................33
3.2.6 Recording Playback and Exporting:...............................................................33
3.2.6.1 Recording................................................................................................33
3.2.6.2 Playback..................................................................................................36
3.2.6.3 Exporting.................................................................................................37
3.2.6.4 Saving the sonar image ...........................................................................39
3.2.7 User Interface .................................................................................................39
3.2.7.1 Control Panel...........................................................................................40

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3.2.7.2 Operating Control Panel Tab...................................................................42
3.2.7.3 Display Control Panel Tab......................................................................43
3.2.7.4 Setup Control Panel Tab .........................................................................43
3.2.7.5 Users Settings Control Panel Tab............................................................44
3.2.7.6 Sensors Control Panel Tab......................................................................44
3.2.7.7 PI 40 kHz Channel Sensors Setup...........................................................46
3.2.7.8 PI 40 kHz Sensors Receiver Setup..........................................................47
3.2.7.9 PI 40 kHz Sensors Activation Menu.......................................................48
3.2.7.10 PI 70 kHz Sensors Activation Menu.......................................................49
3.2.8 Advanced Panel Tab.......................................................................................50
3.2.8.1 TVG selection .........................................................................................50
3.2.8.2 Sonar orientation.....................................................................................51
3.2.8.3 External Synchronization........................................................................52
3.2.8.4 Audio Setup.............................................................................................52
3.2.8.5 Acoustic interference Filter.....................................................................53
3.2.8.6 Palette selection.......................................................................................53
3.2.8.7 Advanced Menu ......................................................................................53
3.2.9 The Status Bar ................................................................................................54
3.2.10 The Message Log Window.............................................................................55
3.2.11 The Context Menu..........................................................................................55
3.2.12 The System Menu...........................................................................................57
3.2.13 The Sensor Indicator.......................................................................................57
3.2.13.1 Deployment pack sensors........................................................................57
3.2.13.2 Sensor Indicator Status............................................................................57
3.2.13.3 Catch Sensor Indicator............................................................................58
3.2.13.4 Depth Sensor Indicator............................................................................58
3.2.13.5 Temperature Sensor Indicator.................................................................58
3.2.13.6 Spread Sensor Indicator ..........................................................................59
3.2.13.7 Geometry Sensor Indicator......................................................................59

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3.2.14 File Types.......................................................................................................60
3.2.15 Activating the Sonar.......................................................................................61
4FS 70 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.........................................................62
4.1 Installation procedure .......................................................................................62
4.2 Surface Unit Installation...................................................................................62
4.2.1 Mounting of Units ..........................................................................................62
4.2.2 Ship Power Requirement................................................................................63
4.2.3 Display Unit....................................................................................................63
4.2.4 Power/TTM Unit ............................................................................................64
4.2.5 Connecting the Processing Unit .....................................................................64
4.2.6 Interconnect Cables Description.....................................................................65
4.2.7 Connection the USB Security Key “Dongle”.................................................66
4.2.8 Connecting the USB/RS232 to the TTM Unit ...............................................66
4.2.9 Connecting a GPS...........................................................................................67
4.2.10 Connecting a Echo Sounder ...........................................................................67
4.2.11 Connecting a Heading Sensor.........................................................................67
4.2.12 Connection to Cable Winch/Slip-Rings .........................................................68
4.2.13 Assembling of the Trawl Unit........................................................................68
4.2.14 FS 70 Configuration .......................................................................................68
4.3 System Set-up and Testing using the test cable................................................69
4.3.1 FS Processor & TTM Communication Set-Up ..............................................69
4.3.2 Start Up...........................................................................................................69
4.3.3 Power-Up Configuration ................................................................................69
4.3.4 Selecting the Trawl Output Voltage...............................................................69
4.3.5 Final System Test ...........................................................................................70
4.3.6 Completing the Trawl Unit Assembly............................................................71
4.3.7 Mounting the Catch Sensors...........................................................................71
4.3.8 Mounting the Geometry Sensors....................................................................72
4.3.9 PI Receiver Basic Configuration Settings......................................................73

974-24007001/5.0
VII
5TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE...............................................74
5.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................74
5.2 System overview...............................................................................................74
5.3 Handling & maintenance ..................................................................................74
5.3.1 Wheelhouse Electronics .................................................................................75
5.3.2 Trawl Unit ......................................................................................................75
5.3.2.1 Handling Tips..........................................................................................75
5.3.2.2 Maintenance Schedule.............................................................................75
5.3.2.3 Connector Maintenance...........................................................................76
5.3.2.4 Excessive Impacts...................................................................................77
5.3.2.5 Corrosion.................................................................................................77
5.3.2.6 Shaft or Transducer Damage...................................................................77
5.3.3 FA 701 Catch and PI Sensors.........................................................................77
5.3.4 Winch Slip-Rings and Trawl Cable................................................................77
5.4 On-board System Troubleshooting...................................................................78
5.4.1 System Tools ..................................................................................................78
5.4.2 Test Cable.......................................................................................................79
5.4.3 Power Supply Meter Readings.......................................................................79
5.4.4 Trawl Cable Gain............................................................................................80
5.4.5 Testing the Trawl Cable .................................................................................80
5.4.5.1 Trawl Cable Insulation Measurement .....................................................80
5.4.5.2 Closed Loop Resistance, Voltage and Current at Trawl Unit.................81
5.4.5.3 Test for Water Ingress in the Trawl Cable..............................................82
5.4.6 Telemetry Errors.............................................................................................83
5.4.7 Diagnostic Recordings....................................................................................83
5.4.8 System Info Page............................................................................................83
5.4.9 Bitmap “Snapshots” Sonar Image ..................................................................84
5.4.10 Manual Recordings.........................................................................................85
5.4.11 Automatic Recordings....................................................................................85

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5.4.12 Diagnostic and Message Files Transfer Procedure ........................................85
5.4.13 Diagnosing Problems......................................................................................86
5.4.14 Troubleshooting Problems..............................................................................87
5.4.15 Power up Sequence of Events ........................................................................87
5.4.16 Host FS70 Software Start-up Sequence of Events .........................................88
5.4.17 What happens when you click “RUN”...........................................................88
5.5 Catch sensors ....................................................................................................91
5.6 Winch slip-rings and trawl cable ......................................................................91
6DRAWINGS ...........................................................................................................92
ANNEX A - FS SONAR TEST REPORT.................................................................101

Theory of Operation
974-24007001/5.0 1
1System Familiarization
1.1 Overview
The SIMRAD FS 70 Series is a third wire trawl monitoring system for pelagic and bottom
fishing trawlers. The system provides real time information from the trawl sonar head and
the associated sensors to the bridge, thus maximizing fishing efficiency and reducing sea
time.
The FS 70 vertical trawl sonar allows the operator to see the complete net opening and
operation by displaying individual fish targets in the vertical plane, the fish school location,
bottom/net location and net geometry. In addition to the vertical monitoring, the FS 70 also
allows the operator to measure the spread of the trawl door, view and skim banks to avoid
reefs and locate boulders on the ocean floor that may damage the trawl net.
The 200 kHz Echo Sounder capability ensures maximum control of the foot rope during the
tow. The active motion sensor for pitch and roll comes as a standard feature.
The trawl system’s sensor module and addition of sensors from the Simrad PI family
allows the operator to monitor trawl depth, water temperature and receive information from
the catch sensors, the doors spread sensors, the cod end depth sensor and from the rip or
bottom contact sensor.
The FS Trawl Sonar Series is a modular system. It is operated with ease through direct
access mouse and keyboard operated menus. The major benefit of the third wire trawl sonar
system is that it prevents the loss of communication with the trawl instrumentation as the
vessel is changing course and or during heavy sea.

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1.2 Equipment List
A typical FS70 Trawl Monitoring System consists of:
FS 70 Deployment Housing
FS 70, Vertical Sonar Head 120kHz, or 330kHz,
200kHz Sounder Transducer
40kHz or 70kHz Catch Sensors
FS PWR/TTM Interface Unit
USB/RS232 or optional Ethernet/RS232 converters
DATSS PC based Processing Unit.
LCD display monitors.
1.3 Typical System Configurations
FS70 - 70 kHz System Configuration Overview
SIMRAD POWER / TTM
RS232 or USB/RS232
200 kHz
Sounder
40/70 kHz Catch
Hydrophone
FS70 Sonar (120 or 330 kHz)
70 kHz Catch (max 4)
200 kHz sounder (alternating)
FA 701 FA-701
70 kHz Catch Egg
#1, #2, #3, #4
PI / PS PI/PS Programmed as 70 kHz
Catch Egg as #1, #2, #3, #4
Power / TTM Interface Unit
FS70 Software
c/w FS70 Dongle
Internal Sensors
· Pitch/Roll
· Depth
· Temp
70 kHz Catch Sensors
Test Cable
or
3rd Wire

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974-24007001/5.0 3
FS70 - 40 kHz System Configuration Overview
SIMRAD POWER / TTM
RS232 or USB/RS232
200 kHz
Sounder
40/70 kHz Catch
Hydrophone
FS70 Sonar (120 or 330 kHz)
40 kHz PI/PS sensors (max. 6)
c/w 200 kHz sounder (alternating)
PI / PS
40 kHz
Catch Egg
Depth Sensor
Temp Sensor
Bottom Contact
Rip Sensor
FS Power / TTM Interface Unit
FS70 Software
c/w FS70 Dongle
Internal Sensors
· Pitch/Roll
· Depth
· Temp
40 kHz PI/PS Sensors
Test cable
Or
3rd Wire
Optional
27/40 kHz PI Door
Spread Hydrophone
40 kHz PI/PS Sensors
Direction - Aft Pointing
40 kHz
Door Spread
Door Depth
Net Geometry
PI / PS
1.4 Display Monitor
The display monitor for the FS 70 can be a LCD monitor but any commercially available
monitor may be used. This is in order to have the full benefit of high resolution provided by
the video Multi-Display adapter available with the FS Processors.

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1.5 Processor Unit
The PC unit running the DATSS is the control unit for the system. The rear panel of the
Processing unit contains the connectors for AC power, Dual Monitor port, one Serial port
and several USB ports, Keyboard, Mouse, Printer, and Network port. The Network
Ethernet port can be used to connect the remote workstation or connect with the factory for
remote service support.
The installed DATSS system software provides a mechanism for the sonar head detection,
setup and operation. It is operated through the Main Control panel to enable the Sonar
selection, tilt, range, gain, cursor, and by moving the mouse pointer over the toolbar will
allow the operator to perform certain operations with a simple Right or Left mouse click.
The sector heading and width are also controlled by a single mouse click used to set the
center and the width of the sector scan. In polar mode the sector width can be extended up
to 360°.
NOTE: A security key or (“dongle”) must be attached to a USB port to enable full
operation of the system.
1.6 Power /TTM Interface Module
The FS 19” Rack mounted Power/TTM interface Module unit provides the supply voltage
required by the trawl sonar and the telemetry translation between the Processing Unit Serial
or USB port and the sonar head. The DC output voltage is combined with the telemetry
signals and supplied to the trawl sonar.
The voltage and current supplied to the sonar head are monitored by voltage and current
meters. A selector switch located below the voltage meter can be used to select the output
voltage of the power supply required for the appropriate system configuration. Also, a
separate on/off switch is located in the front panel.
NOTE: The main on/off switch input voltage selector and input fuse are located on
the rear panel of the TTM Module.
A test cable connector and selection switch between the trawl cable and test cable are
accessible on the front panel, providing quick access for a test cable without disconnecting
the 3rd wire cable from the rear of the TTM.
1.7 Deployment Housing Unit
The trawl deployment housing unit is made from polyurethane and designed for the
harshest of environments yet it is easy to handle. The FS 70 trawl unit sits within the

Theory of Operation
974-24007001/5.0 5
deployment housing unit and contains the vertical sonar head, catch hydrophone receiver,
the optional forward hydrophone, the 200 kHz echo sounder transducer and depth and
temperature sensors. The mounting kit supplied contains the strain relief cable gland and
other hardware used to attach the trawl cable to the trawl head rope.
The trawl cable is connected to the trawl sonar by a watertight connector and a locking
sleeve.
1.8 Jointing Tool
Jointing tools and materials are required for splicing the trawl cable and attaching the trawl
“2 pin pigtail” connector to the trawl sonar. We recommend using 3M 72-N1 jointing tool
kits that can be purchase locally and are designed for coaxial cable with a breaking point of
1500kg. The jointing kit will allow you to make 1 cable joint.
NOTE: The size of the required joining and crimping sleeve will be determined by
the type of 3rd wire you are using.
1.9 Catch Sensors
The catch sensor “eggs” are wireless sensors mounted on the cod-end of the trawl net to
detect the stretch of the net as it fills up with the catch. When sufficient stretch of the net
occurs, the catch sensor is triggered and sends an acoustic signal to the trawl sonar through
the catch receiver. The information is then sent to the processor and displayed on the
monitor.
The sensors have a rugged construction in order to withstand the strain from winches and
the power block. The operator can use up to six sensors (with the 40 kHz system)
simultaneously. The catch sensors are equipped with rechargeable batteries.
1.10 PI Sensors Option
The FS 70 provides full integration with the PI System sensors. Door Spread, Net
Geometry, Bottom Contact, Rip Sensor and Cod End Depth Sensors available from Simrad
AS, Horten Norway.
1.11 Depth, Temperature & Sensors NMEA
Output
The FS 70 Processing Unit can be configured to output NMEA data information. The
integrated sensor module will output Depth, Temperature and PI Sensors data when

FS70 Trawl Sonar System
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interfaced to echo sounders or other onboard equipment. The head rope depth information
appears on the sounder showing the location of the trawl in relation to the fish or bottom
returns.
1.12 Trawl Cable, Winch and Block
The trawl cable and the associated equipment are supplied by the vessel. The trawl cable is
chosen for maximum mechanical strength, durability and minimum attenuation of the
signals. Cables in common use are coaxial with breaking points of 1500kg and 6000kg.
Cable winches are delivered in different types and with different capacities; low-pressure
hydraulic, high-pressure hydraulic and electrically driven. Choice of winch is dependent on
prevailing conditions; type and length of cable and available source of power. Most types
operate automatically - the cable is pulled out, kept tight during towing, and hauled in
together with the trawl. Control of the winch is done remotely from the bridge.
Any commercially available pulley block may be used to properly align the cable onto the
winch. A snatch block has the advantage that it may be installed without having to thread
the cable through it. A unit with two movable steering arms (one on each side of the pulley)
is recommended to prevent the cable from coming off the pulley and causing damage to the
cable.
2Theory of Operation
2.1 Introduction
This section explains the theory of operation of the Vertical and Sounder Scanning Trawl
Monitoring Sonar System.
2.2 Basic Principles
Sound waves travel very efficiently through water.
A sound pulse can be projected through water in a controlled direction with the sonar
transducer.
An object in the path of the projected sound pulse will reflect some sound pulses back
toward the sonar transducer.
The speed of the sound pulse projected through the water can be predicted for given
conditions.

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974-24007001/5.0 7
2.3 Determining Target Position
The trawl scanning sonar processor measures the time from the start of the sound pulse
projected through water, to the reception of the sound pulse reflected back to the sonar
transducer. The measured time is then converted to distance by using the value of sound
speed through water.
Since the sound pulse is projected in a known direction, the bearing of the reflected object
is also known. This makes it possible to locate the object with respect to the sonar
transducer; the information will be used to plot the position of the reflected target on a
video graphic display monitor.
2.4 Forming an Image
The sound pulse projected will be attenuated as it travels through the water from the
transducer to the target and back. Much of this attenuation is a predictable function of the
total time or the distance the sound pulse travelled through water. Increasing the receiving
gain with time can compensate for this decrease in the signal level. This is done
automatically in the sonar with a Time Varying Gain (TVG) circuit.
After the TVG correction, the absolute levels of the received signals will be determined by
the acoustic response of the reflecting target.
The sonar processor system repeatedly measures the TVG corrected target levels by
digitizing a sequence of samples after each sound pulse transmission. Each sample is then
plotted on the video display at the appropriate position according to its range and bearing.
The level of the target strength sample determines the colour used to plot each sample.
The process can be repeated with the transducer pointed in different directions, forming an
image of a large area of the bottom, (or the trawl net geometry) and displaying it on the
video screen.
In simple words, the TVG function controls the gain of the receiver so that a school with a
given size and density is presented with approximately the same strength on the display,
inside the regulated TVG range.
2.5 Key Features Setting
The following paragraphs describe some of the key features of the FS 70 System.

FS70 Trawl Sonar System
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2.5.1 Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
The AGC “Automatic Gain Control” algorithm increases the gain during low acoustic
returns and reduces the gain during strong acoustic returns. The speed with which the gain
is adjusted is determined by the setting of the “RX Gain Response”
2.5.2 Reverberation Controlled Gain (RCG)
The RCG filter senses the noise level (reverberation, propeller noise, etc.), and adjusts the
gain of each of the received beams in order to eliminate noise on the display. The strength
of the filter can be selected in the menu. With maximum strength selected, the RCG will
effectively reduce the bottom in shallow water, while variation on the bottom will be
displayed.
Note that scattered fish can be perceived as reverberation. The RCG filter must be used
with care if scattered schools are to be detected.
2.5.3 RX Gain Response and Type
The setting of the “RX Gain Response” determines the response of the filter algorithm as
selected by the “RX Gain Type”. For the AGC, this setting determines the speed by which
the gain is adjusted. For the RCG, this setting determines the influence of the previous ping
average over the current ping. If set to “Slow” the overall average is given by the sum of
20% current and 80% of previous average. In “Medium”this ratio is 50% to 50%, and in
“Fast”the ratio is 80% to 20%.
2.5.4 Pulse Length Control
The FS 70 Trawl Sonar Heads are capable of changing the acoustic pulse length that is
transmitted. The surface processing unit sets the pulse length based on the operating range
of the sonar head. It is generally better to use a longer pulse as the operating range
increases. However, the actual value can be optimized to enhance the details in the sonar
image (Optimize Resolution) or to increase the target visibility at long distance away from
the sonar head (Maximum Range).
Optimize Resolution - The pulse length selection can be optimized to enhance the detail of
the targets. It has been experimentally determined that the pulse length corresponding to
40% of the sample period can increase the image resolution and details for targets that are
generally larger than a few samples.

Theory of Operation
974-24007001/5.0 9
Maximize Range - The pulse length calculation can be optimized to increase the detection
range of the sonar head. Generally, the longer the pulse length, the more energy is
transmitted into the water which could then travel a longer distance and get reflected from
the targets that are further away from the sonar head. It has been determined that the pulse
length corresponding to 80% of the sample period can increase the detection distance of the
targets without a major drain on the sonar head power supply.
The pulse length increases linearly with increasing operating range. The system will
automatically set the pulse length to match the range, unless manually adjusted by the
operator.
2.5.5 Peak Detection
Depending on the operational settings, the combination of small target size, short pulse
length and long sample period could result in the acoustic return from the target falling
between two samples and therefore not beings seen on the sonar image.
To remedy this, it was decided to take additional samples in the interval between two
displayed samples and select the strongest echo target during that interval for the sonar
image display. This is generally referred to as Peak Detection because we are detecting the
peak value of signal in between two samples. The user can enable the Peak Detection and
select the number of additional samples that the system takes in order to detect the peak
value in order to optimize the detail in the image while maintaining an acceptable signal to
noise ratio.

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3FS 70 System Operation
3.1 Introduction
The typical screen display for DATSS Sonar Processor consists of a tabbed Control Panel
that allows changing the settings and operating parameters of the DATSS System, resizable
display areas for the Sonar Head, Sounder and Message Log, a floating dockable Sensor
Panel to monitor the sensors status, toolbars for quick access to various functionalities and
a status bar to monitor the system status. The image below shows a typical screen layout for
the DATSS processor and highlights the main components listed above: