Simrad SP70 - REV D User manual

SP70
Low frequency, long range fishery sonar
Operator manual
M A X I M I Z I N G Y O U R P E R F O R M A N C E A T S E A
www.simrad.com

850-164186 / Rev.D
SP70
Low frequency, long range
fishery sonar
Operator manual
WARNING
The sonar must never be powered up when the ship is
in dry dock. The transducer will be damaged if it
transmits in open air. To prevent inadvertent use of the
sonar, pull out the mains plug on the Sonar Processor
Unit whenever the vessel is in dry dock.

About this document
Rev Date Written by Checked by Approved by
Rev.D 25.11.04 RBr SØJ OBG
Updated for software version 1.2.X
© 2004 Simrad AS
ISBN 82-8066-009-07
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be
reproduced or otherwise copied without prior permission from Simrad AS.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior notice.
Simrad AS shall not be liable for errors contained herein, or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this
document.
Simrad AS
Strandpromenaden 50
Box 111
N-3191 Horten
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
M A X I M I Z I N G Y O U R P E R F O R M A N C E A T S E A

Operator manual
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850-164186 / Rev.D
Sections
1 System description
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the SP70, and defines the main
units. Refer to page 1.
2 Display modes
This chapter defines the available operational display modes. Refer to page
14.
3 Sonar Operating Panel
The main functions of the SP70 is controlled by a dedicated keyboard; the
operating panel. The controls and functions of this unit is described. Refer
to page 30.
4Operation
This chapter provides the basic knowledge on how to operate the SP70
sonar. Refer to page 43.
5 Menu description
Operation of the SP70 sonar is also menu based. and the menus will
automatically adjust to your current operational modes. This chapter
explains all the menus, and referes directly to the relevant parameters. Refer
to page 63.
6 Parameters
All the operational functions of the SP70 sonar are controlled by the
parameters accessed from the menu system. In this chapter, all the
parameters are described and explaind. They are listed in alphabetical
order. Refer to page 95.
7 Maintenance
This chapter explains how to perform the on-board maintenance on the
SP70 sonar. Refer to page 167.

Simrad SP70
II 850-164186 / Rev.D
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 1......................................
Introduction 1..................................................
System overview 2..............................................
Main units 2..............................................
Wheelhouse units 2........................................
Sonar room units 3.........................................
System diagram 4...............................................
Options 6......................................................
General 6................................................
90 degrees tilt 6...........................................
Triple- or multiple-frequency 6...............................
Scientific output 7.........................................
Functional description 8..........................................
Introduction 8.............................................
Functional principles 8......................................
Stabilization system 10......................................
Reception 10...............................................
Transmission 12............................................
Peripheral equipment 13...........................................
DISPLAY MODES 14.............................................
Introduction 14..................................................
Bow Up 16......................................................
North Up 17.....................................................
True Motion 18..................................................
180° / Audio 19..................................................
180° / Echosounder (Option) 20.....................................
180° / Vertical (Option) 21.........................................
270° / Vertical 22.................................................
Omni / Vertical (Option) 23........................................
Omni / Echosounder (Option) 24....................................
Bow Up / Vertical 25..............................................
True Motion / Vertical 26..........................................
Dual 1 27.......................................................
Dual 2 28.......................................................
Fish Tagging 29..................................................
SONAR OPERATING PANEL 30..................................
Introduction 30.............................................
Main switch 31.............................................

Operator manual
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850-164186 / Rev.D
Symbol 32................................................
Mode 34..................................................
Gain 35...................................................
Range 36..................................................
Cursor 37.................................................
Train 39..................................................
Tilt 41....................................................
Various 42.................................................
OPERATION 43..................................................
Introduction 43..................................................
What this chapter contains 43.................................
Maintaining the sonar 44...........................................
Maintenance procedures 44...................................
Important when docking the vessel 44...........................
Start and stop procedures 45........................................
Start procedure 45..........................................
Stop procedure 46...........................................
Dry-docking safety measures 47...............................
Menu operation 48................................................
Introduction 48.............................................
Screen presentations 49......................................
Menu structure 51..........................................
Menu buttons 52............................................
Selecting a new parameter value 53.............................
Stored parameters 55........................................
Visual aids 56...................................................
Common information on the display 56.........................
Moving the boundary lines 56.................................
Cosmetics 57....................................................
Installation of options 60...........................................
On-line help 62..................................................
MENU DESCRIPTIONS 63.......................................
Introduction 63..................................................
Active menus 64.................................................
Overview 64...............................................
Horizontal 65..............................................
Vertical 66................................................
Display 67................................................

Simrad SP70
IV 850-164186 / Rev.D
Setup 68..................................................
Objects 69.................................................
Echosounder 70............................................
Trawl 71..................................................
Fish Tagging 72............................................
Temporary menus 73..............................................
Cosmetics 74..............................................
Store/Recall 75.............................................
System test 76.............................................
Sort Modes 78.............................................
Pop-up menus 79.................................................
View pop-up 80............................................
Object pop-up 82...........................................
View menus 84..................................................
GeoView 85...............................................
VerticalView 86............................................
EchoView 87..............................................
TrawlView 88..............................................
CatchView 89..............................................
Messages 90.....................................................
Message categories 90.......................................
Warnings 91...............................................
Operator alarms 92..........................................
System alarms 93...........................................
Errors 94..................................................
PARAMETERS 95.................................................
About parameter dialogues and help 95...............................
Alphabetical list 96...............................................
About 97..................................................
AGC (Automatic Gain Control) 98.............................
Audio Volume 99...........................................
Beam 100..................................................
Bearing (Horizontal) 101......................................
Bearing (Display) 103........................................
Bearing (Vertical) 104........................................
Colour Threshold 105........................................
Colours 106................................................
Data Source 107.............................................
Dead Reckoning 108.........................................

Operator manual
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850-164186 / Rev.D
Default Setting 109..........................................
Direction Indicator 110.......................................
Display Gain 111............................................
Edit Gear (Purse) 112.........................................
Edit Gear (Trawl) 113........................................
Edit School 115.............................................
Expansion 116..............................................
External Synchronization 117..................................
Fish Alarm 118..............................................
Frequency 119..............................................
Gain 120...................................................
Gear 121...................................................
Heading 122................................................
Inspect Object 123...........................................
Language 124...............................................
Menu 125..................................................
Message Bar 126............................................
Mode 127..................................................
Mode Buttons 128...........................................
Movements 129.............................................
Palette 130.................................................
Panel Backlight 131..........................................
PP Filter 132...............................................
Pulse Form 133.............................................
Range 135..................................................
Range (Catch View) 136......................................
Range (Echo View) 137.......................................
RCG (Reverberation Controlled Gain) 138........................
Recall 139..................................................
Recall Mode 139............................................
Ruler 140..................................................
Scale 141..................................................
School 142.................................................
Scientific Output (Option) 143.................................
Search Sector 144............................................
Search Step 145.............................................
Sector 146..................................................
Slant Range/True Range 147...................................
Speed 148..................................................
Stabilizer 149...............................................

Simrad SP70
VI 850-164186 / Rev.D
Start Range / Stop Range 150..................................
Status 151..................................................
Store 152..................................................
Store Mode 152.............................................
Target Track 153.............................................
Tilt 154....................................................
Time and Date 155...........................................
Track History 156............................................
Track Window 157...........................................
Transducer 158..............................................
TVG (Time Variable Gain) 159.................................
Tx Power 160...............................................
Units 161..................................................
User Setting 162.............................................
Wind Direction 163..........................................
Wind Speed 164.............................................
Zoom 165..................................................
Zoom Scale 166.............................................
ON-BOARD MAINTENANCE 167..................................
Introduction 167..................................................
Wheelhouse units 168..............................................
Cleaning 168...............................................
Dust filter 168..............................................
Transceiver Unit 170...............................................
Dust filter 170..............................................
Replacing fuses 170..........................................
Hull unit 171.....................................................
General 171................................................
SP75 Hull unit familiarization 172..............................
Docking the vessel 175.......................................
Cleaning the transducer 177....................................
Hoist motor overload protection 178.............................
Emergency hoisting and lowering 179............................
Air bleeding 181.............................................
Lubrication 182.............................................

System description
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850-164186 / Rev.D
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Introduction
The Simrad SP70 sonar is a long range omnidirectional low
freqyency sonar, designed for medium and large sized fishing
vessels, both purse seiners and trawlers. The standard frequency
is 26 kHz (triple and multiple frequencies as option), and the
beam can be electronically tilted from +10 to –60 degrees (or
optional -90 degrees).
Great emphasis has been placed on giving the best possible
presentations on a high resolution colour display. The processor
unit is controlled by Microsoft’s Windows XPoperating
system, which result in a flexible choice of display modes for a
large range of user applications.
The signal processing and beamforming is performed in a fast
digital signal processing system using the full dynamic range of
the signals. In addition to the traditional single frequency
transceiver system, the SP70 sonar contains an advanced
frequency modulated filter system (FM).
The spherical multi-element transducer allows the
omni-directional sonar beam to be tilted electronically in any
direction. This allows you to automatically track schools of fish,
and to observe the whole water volume around and below the
vessel. A stabilization system is included for electronic pitch
and roll compensation.
Topics
System overview, page 2
System diagram, page 4
Options, page 6
Functional description, page 8
Peripheral equipment, page 13
Important notice
Windows, Windows NT and Windows XPare either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.

Simrad SP70
2850-164186 / Rev.D
System overview
Main units
The Simrad SP70 sonar consists of the following units:
Wheelhouse units:
- Display monitor
- Sonar Operating Panel
- Sonar Processor Unit
- Sonar Interface Unit
- Loudspeaker
Sonar room units:
- Transceiver Unit
- Hull Unit
Wheelhouse units
The Display Monitor is a high-resolution colour LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display). In addition to the sonar picture, the monitor
can also display the user menu for the interactive operation. In
order to ease the situation comprehension, certain colours have
been chosen to better the distinction between the various
elements in the scene.
The Operating Panel contains all necessary control functions
for operating the sonar. The controls are arranged in function
groups, which gives a clear and easy operation. Note that all
sonar operation also may be made from the trackball, or from an
optional standard mouse.
The Sonar Processor Unit contains a ruggedized computer,
which runs the Microsoft Windows XPoperating system.
The software has been modified by Simrad to suit the SP70
sonar requirements. The unit holds a CD R/WR unit to be used
for future software upgrades.
The Sonar Interface Unit provides interface for all auxiliary
equipment; log, gyro, GPS, echo sounder, trawl systems, purse
seine systems etc. One signal cable is used for the
communication with the Transceiver Unit in the sonar room.
The Loudspeaker reproduces the audio of the echoes for the
selected audio channel.
Note that SP70 sonars shipped before August 2003 use a
different Sonar Processor Unit; the APC10. These sonars do not
have the Sonar Interface Unit fitted. All interfaces to peripheral
equipment are then handled by the APC10.

System description
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850-164186 / Rev.D
Sonar room units
The Transceiver Unit is located in the sonar room, close to the
Hull Unit. One signal cable is used for communication with the
Sonar Interface Unit in the wheelhouse. The transceiver
performs the signal processing and the digital beamforming of
the 241 transmitters and 241 receiver channels, which are
located on the eight identical transceiver boards.
The standard Hull Unit is designed to lower the transducer 1.0
meters below the ship’s hull. (Optional hull units will lower the
transducer to 1,2 or 1,6 meters below the hull.) The transducer
can also be lowered to any selectable middle position. Note that
in case of voltage failure, the Hull Unit can be manually raised
or lowered by means of a hand crank.
The spherical 241-elements transducer allows the sonar beam
to give full 360 degrees coverage of the water volume around
and below the vessel.
The sensor for the electronic stabilization of the sonar beams is
housed in the Motor Control Unit, which is mounted on the Hull
Unit.
Warning If the transducer hits larger objects or bottom,
the transducer shaft may be bent, or in worst
caseitcanbebrokenoff.Abrokentransducer
shaft will cause water leakage in the top of the
shaft. To prevent larger leakages in such a case,
do not raise the transducer shaft to the upper
position. To prevent serious damages it is
therefore of great importance to have a good
pump and warning system in the sonar room.
Related topics
System diagram, page 4

Simrad SP70
4850-164186 / Rev.D
System diagram
A simplified SP70 system diagram is shown.
(A) = Colour display
(B) = Operating Panel
(C)=SonarProcessorUnit
(D) = Sonar Interface Unit
(E) = Loudspeaker
(F) = Multiple interface lines to peripheral equipment
(G) = Transceiver Unit
(H) = Hull Unit
(1) = Wheelhouse
(2) = Sonar room

System description
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850-164186 / Rev.D

Simrad SP70
6850-164186 / Rev.D
Options
General
The standard SP70 sonar is a single 26 kHz version with
maximum 60 degrees tilt, and with beam stabilization. With the
limitation of this tilt, the sonar is most useful for purse seiners
searching for fish in the upper water layers. This is because the
standard version do not include the 90 and 180 degrees vertical
slice presentations.
The beam stabilization was an optional function until 1 January
2003. After that date, the function was included with the
standard sonar delivery.
The options described below are pre-programmed into the
standard software version, and a code word is required to make
the actual option available. Simrad offers a 1 month free test
period for certain options. Note that the Scientific Output
function is not available for such a test period.
For a permanent installation of a chosen option, a new code
word will be released from Simrad when the option is ordered.
90 degrees tilt
The optional 90 degrees tilt version is specially powerful for
trawlers, but is also very popular for purse seiners. This because
in this version all the 180 degrees vertical modes available.
In the 180/Vertical and Omni/Vertical modes, a trainable 180
degrees vertical slice is presented.
Triple- or multiple-frequency
In addition to the standard 26 kHz frequency, options are
available for triple and multiple frequencies.
In the triple-frequency version, you can select between 24
kHz, 26 kHz and 28 kHz.
In the multiple-frequency version you can select from 11
frequenciesfrom20to30kHzin1kHzsteps.
These selections are particulary useful when it is necessary to
suppress interference from other sonars.

System description
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850-164186 / Rev.D
Scientific output
The Scientific Output is designed for research purposes. When
activated, the following data are available on an Ethernet (LAN)
output:
Beam data
Target data
Own ship data
Gear data
The scientific output option may also include software for a
Scientific Data Logger.
Note that this option is not available for a free test period.
Related topics
Code words, procedure, page 60
Display modes, page 14

Simrad SP70
8850-164186 / Rev.D
Functional description
Introduction
The basic principles of the SP70 sonar are unique because of the
241 separate transmitter and receiver channels with their
transducer elements spread around on the spherical transducer
array.
The transmission, reception and data processing are under
computer control, and the powerful capabilities of the sonar are
the results of sophisticated digital signal processing software
and state of the art hardware.
Functional principles
When the Omni beam is tilted, the total beam picture can be
compared with folding an umbrella, which means that all beams
in 360 degrees around the vessel have the same tilt angle.
Omni beam
principle
In the standard version, the beam can be tilted from +10 up to
-60 degrees down. For the optional 90 degrees tilt version, the
beam can be tilted from +10 up to -90 degrees down, where -90
degrees is formed by one single beam straight down like an echo
sounder.
In addition to seeing the target from above, it is also possible to
see the target from the side, by using the vertical slice
presentation. In this case the beam covers a continuous vertical
beam from 0 to -60 degrees in one transmission. For the
optional 90 degrees tilt version, a complete 180 degrees vertical
slice can be presented.

System description
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180 degrees vertical
slice
This vertical slice, which is presented by the white audio line in
the horizontal picture, can be selected to any bearing by the
manual training control. The combination of the Omni mode
and the vertical slice will give an optimal visualization of the
catch situation.
Omni/Ve
r
tica
l
combination

Simrad SP70
10 850-164186 / Rev.D
In addition to the Omni picture, the vertical slice is especially
useful for visualizing the vertical distribution of a school of fish.
In that way, it is not necessary to go over the target to see the
distribution on the echo sounder, which often results in a
spreading of the school.
For the optional 90 degrees tilt version, the Omni/Vertical
combination is used in several display modes to give the best
situation overview for both purse seiners and trawlers. In these
presentations the seine net and the trawl can be seen in relation
to the vessel, the school of fish and the bottom.
Stabilization system
When the beam stabilizer is activated, both horizontal and
vertical beams will be stabilized electronically for roll and pitch
movements up to 20 degrees. The beam direction will then
change continuously according to the vessel’s movements, and
secure an optimal contact with the targets even in rough seas.
Stabilization
system
Reception
A great effort has been made to reduce unwanted noise to get a
clean and stable echo presentation. To achieve this goal the
sonar receiver has the following filtering possibilities:
FM Correlation filter
In addition to the traditional single frequency transmitting
method, the SP70 sonar is equipped with an FM correlation
mode.