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SeaDriver utilities
SeaDriver software offers, in addition to input/output configuration, utilities which
can be used to solve any problems.
Firstly, run the SeaDriver software as explained in the previous paragraph.
Checking the connection
The terminal window can be used to check the character chains received by each
one of the connected ports.
Note: the displayed character chains in the terminal window are those received
before any analysis by SeaDriver. The equipment configuration of the serial link (baud rate, stop, parity bit,
etc.) is that selected for the corresponding port.
The terminal window function can thus be used to check that the physical link
between the electronic equipment and the computer is correct.
Select Terminal port... from the Utilities menu to display the corresponding terminal window.
Therefore you can view in the window terminal character chains which are
effectively received, before any analysis on the corresponding port.
Caution! Whilst the terminal window is displayed, data is not analyzed and is
therefore not sent to MaxSea. Do not forget to deactivate the terminal window by
selecting once again Terminal port... from the Utilities menu.
ð If there is nothing displayed in the terminal window
- the electronic equipment is not or is badly connected (for example, earth
wire and signal wire reversed). See Cable diagram, as well as the technical manual for the connected equipment,
- the electronic equipment is not configured correctly (data transmission to
the serial port is not activated or is activated with a transmission frequency
which is too slow): refer to the technical manual for the connected equipment,
- the electronic equipment format is different from that which is specified in SeaDriver (for example, CIF instead of NMEA 183, etc.): modify the format in SeaDriver in order to ensure coherence between connected electronic equipment and SeaDriver (see above paragraphs).
ð If the window terminal displays incomprehensible characters
The format of the electronic equipment is really different from that which is
specified in SeaDriver (for example CIF instead of NMEA 183, etc.): modify the format in SeaDriver in order to ensure coherence between electronic equipment connected and SeaDriver (see above paragraphs).
Checking data analysis
The Data display function can be used to check that analysis of received data is correct.
Select Data display from the Utilities menu.
Caution! This function slows MaxSea down greatly and should only be used at
installation to check that the interface is correct. Do not forget to deactivate this
function after checking by selecting Display data from the Utilities menu
ð If one of these elements of information remains at zero
If an element of information remains at zero in the display window, whereas
the connected equipment displays a value for this element of information:
- the connected equipment is not correctly configured and does not send to the
serial port the information concerned : refer to the technical manual for the
connected equipment,
- the sentence sent by the connected equipment is different from that which
has been specified in SeaDriver (for example $--RMA... instead of $--GLL... for a
position in NMEA 183 format): modify the sentence specified in SeaDriver in
order to ensure coherence between connected electronic equipment and SeaDriver
(see paragraphs above). If need be, close the data display window and display the
terminal window for the corresponding port, as explained above, in order to
locate the sentence sent by the connected equipment.
Selecting geodesy
Electronic charts and positionners generally use WGSÊ84 geodesy.
Meanwhile, if the charts are, for example, in Europe 50 geodesy and if your positionner does not recognize this geodesy or can not be
modified for whatever reason, call up the Utilities menu and select With datum transformation.
Then, thanks to the corresponding menus, select the geodesy of the
positionning device and the geodesy of the chart.
Note: as far as is possible, match the geodesy of your positionner to that of your
chart to avoid having different positions displayed on the positionner and in
MaxSea.
Therefore you should choose No datum transformation (since the GPS and the chart use the same geodesy).
SeaDriver preferences
Select Preferences from the Utilities menu.
In the Target Radar Time Out zone enter the time, in seconds at the end of which a radar target is
considered as lost.
You are able to choose, with the corresponding radio-button, which sentence to
send to the automatic pilot.
The Position filter active box activates the filter on the position, meant to avoid consideration of
abnormal positions. If a received position differs from the previously received
position by a distance greater than the permitted tolerance value, it is rejected.
Note: this function should be used, for example, if evident faults or changes from
the positionner disturb the display and recording of the track.
Finally, the DocSea box activates the link with this software.
Click OK to confirm selection.