EdgeTech 3400 Sub-Bottom Sonar System User Guide

EdgeTech 3400 Sub-Bottom Sonar System

SYSTEM SETUP

Standard 3400 Hardware Configuration

3400 Hardware configuration is straightforward. The 3400 vehicle is connected to the 3400 Topside’s Sea Cable connector using a tow cable. A Discover- enabled computer’s Ethernet connection is connected to the 3400 Topsides Ethernet connector with an Ethernet cable. Any navigation devices are connected to the COM ports of the topside or laptop.

1. Check to ensure the power entry module is in the OFF position and the front panel switch is in the off position before connecting the supplied AC Power Cable (switch position = DOWN).

2. Connect the 3400 Topside to an AC power source using the AC power cable. (Check system power specifications).

   • If not already connected, connect the tow cable to the tow vehicle.
     If it is a towed 3400 system, the tow cable should be secured to the bridle shackle with a cable grip, and the tow cable is then run down along a towfish bridle arm to the connector, where both ends are mated. Cable ties should be used to secure the cable to the bridle arm giving the tow cable enough slack between the shackle and connector to prevent the endpoints from being pulled loose.

3.  Connect the 3400 Topside to the 3400 vehicle using the tow cable and Sea Cable connector.

4. Connect any Navigation device to the COM A or COM B serial port on the 3400 Topside or the computer’s COM port.

5. Connect the computer Ethernet connection to the 3400 Topside Ethernet Connector with an Ethernet cable.

NOTE: The Ethernet cable may be extended up to 100 feet using a Category 5 Ethernet patch cable and Ethernet connector. A crossover or  direct cable may be used.

Figure 1-3: 3400 Light and Ultra-Light Sub Bottom Profiler Connection Diagram

3400 System With Amplifier Configuration

The 3400 with amplifier option connection setup differs slightly from the standard 3400 setup configuration. The 3400 vehicle is connected to the amplifier with a tow cable. The amplifier is connected to the Sea Cable connector on the 3400 Topside with the amplifier interface cable. The Discover-enabled computer’s Ethernet connection is connected to the topside’s Ethernet connection using an ethernet cable. Any navigation devices are connected to the COM ports of the topside or laptop.
To connect:

1. Ensure all power switches on the topside and amplifier are in the Off position and all front panel switches are in the off position before connecting the supplied AC Power Cables (switch position = DOWN).

2. Connect the 3400 Topside and amplifier to a source of AC power using the AC power cable. (Check system power specifications).

3. Connect the J2 Connector on the amplifier to the Towfish connector using the supplied tow cable.
   If it is a towed 3400, the tow cable should be secured to the bridle shackle with a cable grip, and the tow cable is then run down along a towfish bridle arm to the connector, where both ends are mated. Cable ties should be used to secure the cable to the bridle arm giving the tow cable enough slack between the shackle and connector to prevent the endpoints from being pulled loose.

4. Connect the 3400 Topside Sea Cable connection to the J1 3400 I\O Connector on the amplifier with the amplifier interface cable

5. Connect any Navigation device to the COM A or COM B serial port on the 3400 Topside or the computer’s COM port.

6. Connect the computer Ethernet connection to the 3400 Topside Ethernet Connector with an Ethernet cable.

Figure 1-4: 3400 OTS Sub-Bottom Profiler and Amplifier Connection Diagram

Figure 1-5: 3400 540E Sub-Bottom Profiler and Amplifier Connection Diagram

SYSTEM ACTIVATION AND TESTING

After making all connections, the system is ready to be turned on, and the Discover Software started. See the DISCOVER 3400 SOFTWARE MANUAL for operation details.

Activating the System

To activate the 3400 Portable Sub-Bottom Profiling System after making all necessary connections:

1. Operate the ON/OFF switch to the ON position (switch position = UP).

2. Observe the front panel LEDs.

The Power-on sequence for the LEDs should appear as follows once the power is turned on.

1. The green Power Button LED should illuminate.
2. All but the LINK LEDs will momentarily illuminate after power is applied for about 20-25 seconds.
3. All LEDs will turn off except the green Link LED, which will turn ON a few seconds after.
4. The green Link LED, and blue TX Light will flash on the first CHIRP Signal. The blue TX LED will then turn off.
5. The red power LED will illuminate, the green Link LED will Flash, the blue TX LED will turn off, and the tri-color Data LED will initially be amber and then transition to green if data integrity is good.

After startup, LEDs on the topside processor should display the following under normal circumstances:

Performing Sub Bottom Pre-Deployment Checks

EdgeTech suggests checking for diagnostic warnings and then performing pre- deployment checks. Both checks should be performed before the tow vehicle is deployed and after the system is activated.
Discover Diagnostic Warnings:

Discover provides default popup diagnostic warnings if certain failures occur when the system, sonar, or subsystems are turned on or off. These will appear in Diagnostic Information popup windows.

Figure 2-2: Example Diagnostic Warning- No Towfish Connected
The Discover Radio Indicator Tabs in the Lower Control Panel on the lower right side of the Discover UI displays the current status and warnings of the 3400 system. Detailed descriptions of status messages are found in the Radio Indicator section of the 3400 SOFTWARE MANUAL.

Pre-Deployment checks involve:

1. Listening for the transmitted pulses from the transducers on the tow vehicle
2. Tapping gently with a screwdriver handle or hand near the PVDF panel while observing the Sub-Bottom Displays in the Discover Application Window, ensuring it plays back and navigation is present. The Discover 3400 Application Windows is shown in the figure below, and the tap test results are displayed in FIGURE 4-9.

Figure 2-4: Discover 3400 Application Window To perform the pre-deployment checks:

1. Follow the instructions in the ACTIVATING THE SYSTEM section of this manual.

2. Run a Tap Test – Navigate to the Towfish Control Tab, shown in FIGURE 2-5.

3. In the Sub-Bottom Control Tab, select a Transmit Pulse using the “Pulse” dropdown. Set “Transmit Level (%)” to “100”. Select the “Transmit On” checkbox. Verify that you can hear the system transmitting. The transducers should begin transmitting (at 100%) and receive data should start scrolling on the Waterfall Display in Discover Sub-Bottom, from right to left.

4.  In the Towfish Control Tab, select a Transmit Pulse using the “Pulse” dropdown. Set “Transmit Level (%)” to “0”. The transducers should begin transmitting (at 0%) and receive data should start scrolling on the Waterfall Display in Discover Sub-Bottom, from right to left.

5.  In the Discover Window Shortcut Toolbar, set gain to either 0 or -3 dB, and then click the Normalize Gain (N) Button.

6. Tap the tow vehicle’s underside near the PVDF receiver with a screwdriver handle while observing the Sub-Bottom Waterfall Display in Discover. Streaks or noise spikes should be visible in the Sub-Bottom Display, as shown in FIGURE 2-8. This verifies the receive channel is operating.

7.  Test that the vehicle’s compass works correctly by moving the towfish and checking that the pitch and roll are reported correctly in the Main Status Line Display in Discover.

8. Verify that the starboard roll is correct by rotating the fish’s tow arm towards its starboard direction around 20 degrees. The Roll value should be positive in this direction and reach a max of +180 degrees.

9. Verify that the port roll is correct by rotating the fish’s tow arm towards its port direction around 20 degrees. The Roll value should be negative in this direction and reach a max of – 180 degrees.

10. Verify that the pitch is working correctly by lifting the nose of the fish. The pitch value should read positive and reach a max of +90 degrees.

11. Verify that the pitch is working correctly by lifting the vehicle’s tail. The pitch value should read negative and reach a max of -90 degrees.

DEPLOYMENT

Points to be considered for the deployment of 3400 Vehicles:

• Location of the propeller of the vessel. It may be better to deploy from the side of the boat in shallow water.
• Expected turning direction during deployment. When deploying a towed variant from the side of the boat turns should be made so the vehicle swings away from the propeller.
• Bending the cable with a radius less than 5 inches may cause damage to the cable. Do not bend the tow cable sharply.

Deployment:

8. Depending on the situation and conditions, the vessel should be underway at a slow speed (0-2 knots) or stopped in neutral.
   Slowly and carefully lower the towfish to a safe depth-just below the propeller wash (2-3 meters, depending on water depth). Do not strike the towfish against the side of the vessel.

9. Normalize the gain in Discover by clicking the N icon button and observe the data. Adjust TVG manually as needed to have a uniform display color.

10.  Observe and track the first bottom return.

11. Once you are sure that you have detected the seafloor, carefully lower the towfish to the desired depth (about 5m from the seafloor is ideal).

12. Check that Discover is still tracking the bottom, and adjust the tracking parameters.

13. Increase the boat speed to the desired survey speed (normally between 3-5 knots) and re-adjust the amount of cable out so that the altitude of the towfish is correct.

14. In Discover’s Disk Tab, name the file in the file record textbox, and choose the desired path for the file.

15.  Start recording by clicking the Red Dot Recording button in the shortcut icon bar or Disk Tab  Recording Controls.

QUICKSTART GUIDE CHECKLIST

Power|
---|---
1.     Ensuring power switches are off, connect the power cables to all components and power source for AC or DC|
Internet and GPS|
2.     Connect Ethernet cable to topside and laptop|
3.     If using a wireless connection, enable wireless connection|
4.     Connect GPS to Port A or B of topside or the laptop’s COM Port|
Topside to Tow Fish|
5.     Connect Tow Cable to Towfish|
6.     Connect Tow Cable to Topside|
7.     If using an amplifier:|
a.   Connect tow cable to the amplifier|
b. Ensure amplifier and topside connected with amplifier interface cable|
8.     Secure shackle to cable grip and seize shackle with wire or zip tie|
Laptop|
9.     Turn on the laptop and start the Discover software|
Power|
10. Turn on Topside power|
11. Observe indicator lights on the 3400 topside’s front panels and Discover displays. Watch for the NET indicator in Discover to change from OFF To ON in Discover| ****

Pre-deployment Test|
12. Perform pre-deployment rub test|
Finalize|
13. Deploy Towfish and start recording|

References

• EdgeTech

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