TRANSCEIVER

This function operates on vessels where INMARSAT STD C transceiver unit is attached to the AMVER/SEAS computer. This configuration allows for expanded feature for AMVER/SEAS including direct input of position GPS data into AMVER/SEAS reports and direct binary transmission of AMVER/SEAS reports from the AMVER/SEAS computer. (For information on how to transmit binary when the INMARSAT C is separate, see Standard Inmarsat C Transmission.). The Transceiver used is the Thrane and Thrane TT-3022D. The number of files in the transceiver are automatically reduced when AMVER/SEAS is started in order to keep the transciever from filling up.

Transmit From PC:

Binary transmission of AMVER/SEAS reports will happen automatically if in Transceiver Setup 'Automatic Binary Transmission' is selected.

Alternatively a file can be transmitted by selecting 'Transceiver'|'Transmit From PC' from the AMVER/SEAS main menu. In the dialog that pops up, input the path name of the binary file that will be transmitted. AMVER binary files are found under the Reports_Amver directory. SEAS reports are found under Reports_Seas directory.

Transceiver Commands:

The transceiver commands dialog allow the user to access files on the Thrane and Thrane transceiver, view, save and print transceiver status information and command the transceiver with commands form the "Thrane and Thrane Software Interface Reference Manual".

The left side of the dialog show the transceiver directory listing. Clicking on a file on the left causes it to be the 'Selected Transceiver File'. Once it has been selected it may be deleted or displayed in the 'Command Response' box. When a file has been transmitted, the transceiver generates and receives several reports that help determine the status of the transmitted file. These reports can then be displayed and the transmitted file's status determined.

In addition there are 'Transceiver Status' buttons that inform the user of the status of the Transceiver.

The 'Hardware' Status button should display the local oscillator and offsets,antenna receive and transmit current, and signal strength. (This is equivalent to sending the command "status -w" to the Thrane and Thrane transceiver.)

The GPs Receiver' status button should display the navigational status, the number of visible satellites, software version of the GPs module, navigation mode, figure of merit (estimated position error), UTC, numbers representing the geometric properties of the satellites and positional error, and satellite tracking status. (This is equivalent to sending the command "ru -g" to the Thrane and Thrane transceiver.)

The 'Position and Time' button of course displays the GPs position and time.

The 'Transceiver Command' edit box (small box in upper right corner) allows the user to input any Thrane and Thrane command and see the response in the 'Command Response' field.

The 'Print' button will print the contents of the 'Command Response' field.

The 'Save on PC" button will save on the PC the contents of the 'Command Response' field.

 

Thrane and Thrane Transceiver (TT-3022D) to Computer, Cabling:

For all communication between the AMVER/SEAS software and the transceiver, connect the Transceiver DTE (X3) port to the AMVERSEAS computer Com1 port.

To allows the Sippican XBT software to read the NEMA string GPS data, connect the I/O (X4) port to Com2 on the computer. The pins that need to be connect are: The ground pins which are pin 5 on the Com port to pin 9 on the I/O port; and the signal pins which are pins 2 on the Com port to pin 10 on the I/O port.