Every LBV System is unique. In this section, special systems and auxiliary equipment will be outlined.
Reels
There are several different reels available to the user, and they are offered for the obvious benefit of easy deployment of the LBV.
URS150
This reel is used with OOK and FSK systems and consists of the static, SPS-connectable tether end, the drum (wrapped with the LBV tether end) and a 3 or 5 conductor rotary slip-ring by which the two ends of the tether are electrically connected. There is nothing inherently complicated with this type of reel, but it is possible that over time, the communications or video quality can change as the slip-ring is broken-in. If there is any reason to suspect that undesirable changes have occurred, please contact SeaBotix Inc.
URS350, 750 et al.
This reel is the standard tether system for fully Fiber Optic systems, although this reel is used with some Fiber Optic Video systems as well. In principal, this reel is the same as the URS150, but the internal electronics differ greatly. The slip-ring has many conductors, and housed within the hub is the Fiber Optic receiver and associated electronics. The typical system using the URS350 is as follows:
The SPS (or ICC) is connected to the URS350 via a portion of tether which contains the 3 standard power wires (360VDC, Return and Shield), 2 RS232 data wires, and 1 wire each for 12VDC and Earth Ground. These 7 conductors enter the hub via the slip-ring. The 3 power lines continue on to the LBV, while the data, 12VDC and Earth wires provide power to and communicate with the fiber optic receiver. The receiver communicates with the LBV via the fiber optic line, and the on-board fiber optic transmitter. The receiver also outputs video channel(s) and additional data channel(s), via the slip-ring, to the outer slip-ring cover (or custom interface box) for user access at the surface.
Integrated Control Console
Essentially, the Integrated Control Console (ICC) is a Surface Power Supply with a Control Console housed in a transit case, with the added convenience of a monitor mounted in the lid. Included in the ICC is an extra composite video output for ease of recording. All the troubleshooting associated with the SPS and the CC still apply. The monitor is the only new component, and its operation is fairly straightforward. The monitor is made up of a processor and the display itself. Channel 3 video is decoupled by the SPS main board and output to the processor where it is demodulated and converted to VGA and Composite video. In Fiber Optic systems, the input to the processor is already Composite video. The VGA video is fed directly to the display, and the Composite is output to a BNC jack on the bottom panel of the ICC.
With the ICC main power switch (SPS main power switch, relocated) on, the video processor has standby power, and the monitor status LED will be lit red. The operator then aims the remote control at the status LED and presses the power button until the status LED is green. Once the user powers the LBV, the normal screen image will appear. If it does not, there is a button on the remote control labeled ‘Input Select’. In standard systems, the input is ‘CH 3’. For Fiber Optic systems, the input is ‘Composite’. Please cycle through the various inputs, waiting at each for several seconds, until the proper video image is displayed.
Sonar
The standard sonar for the LBV is the Tritech Micron. In FSK and Fiber Optic systems, Sonar RS232 data is carried on Channel 2. The data is connected to the user’s computer comm. port via the Sonar/Tracking cable (supplied by SeaBotix upon integration). Operation of the Sonar is detailed in the manufacturer’s User Manual. For LBV-associated troubleshooting, see below.
Tracking
Link Quest transceivers and SeaBotix custom responders are the standard Tracking equipment for the LBV. The general configuration is as follows: The Transceiver (hard or soft-mounted on the user’s vessel, pier etc.) is connected to the user’s computer via the Tracklink-supplied cable. This cable has a power jack, to which a SeaBotix-supplied desk-top power supply is attached. Note: The negative side of the 12VDC output on this supply is tied to earth ground. The tracking system must have the negative side of its 12VDC supply earth-grounded. The Tracking will not operate without it. The trigger wire is also part of the Tracklink-supplied cable, and is connected to the SeaBotix-supplied Sonar/Tracking cable. Finally, the Sonar/Tracking cable is connected to the SPS or ICC’s Flash & Sonar/Tracking port.
The trigger is a one-way signal to the LBV with which the topside Transceiver synchronizes tracking of the Responder. The Responder is integrated into the LBV, and receives 5VDC, 28VDC and the Trigger input. It outputs only the
The Responder mounted to the LBV operates on the 5VDC supplied by the LBV. The electronics for the Responder draw @70mA at all times when 5VDC is supplied. The input must never exceed 5VDC or an internal fuse will blow. The 28VDC supplied by the LBV powers the pinger circuit. This circuit can actually operate at voltage ranges from 5 to 30VDC, a high voltage results in a louder ping. The trigger signal (a 3ms 3VDC pulse) is applied to pin 1 to “trigger” the ping signal. The trigger is sent out from the transceiver at the surface and transmitted over the electrical wire through the LBV to the Responder. For a quick test to ensure the Responder is working, Jumper pin 1 (trigger) to 5VDC. This will put the transponder in auto ping mode, listen to the Responder, it will ping about once a second. DO NOT allow pinger to operate in auto mode, in free air for more than 15 seconds.
The Transceiver is the surface unit. In normal operation it is mounted the underside of the vessel in a specific direction. It can accept voltages from 12VDC to 18VDC. NOTE: the negative side of the power supply MUST be earth grounded for the trigger signal to work correctly. Ensure the transceiver is in the correct trigger mode in the software. (Transceiver, Mode, GET) Pressing the GET button will get the currently configured mode. It should be ELECTRICAL WIRE. The transceiver bottle provides the RS232 data, which is displayed on the software. The transceiver will draw 66mA when stopped and 84mA when running. To check for the trigger signal, connect the trigger wire to a scope. Press start in the TrackLink software. You should see a 3VDC, 3mS pulse coming from the bottle. If it is noisy or has RS232 data on the line the power lines are earth grounded.
Each Transceiver is serialized with the software that it came with and will not work with any other software.
