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.

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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.

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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 positioners generally use WGSÊ84 geodesy.

Meanwhile, if the charts are, for example, in Europe 50 geodesy and if your positioner does not recognize this geodesy or can not be modified for whatever reason, call up the Utilities menu and select With datum transformation.

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Then, thanks to the corresponding menus, select the geodesy of the positioning device and the geodesy of the chart.

Note: as far as is possible, match the geodesy of your positioner to that of your chart to avoid having different positions displayed on the positioner 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.

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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 positioner disturb the display and recording of the track.

Finally, the DocSea box activates the link with this software.

Click OK to confirm selection.