Remote Data Download Tool User Manual Iss01 Rev04

Remote Data Download
Tool
User Manual
www.amimarine.com
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08009 - Remote Data Download Tool - User Manual Iss01 Rev04.docx
VDR and S-VDR Remote
User Manual
(Downloading Data from the X2 and X-VDR)
CONTENTS
Disclaimer .............................................................................................................................................................5
Installing the Software on Remote Computer......................................................................................................7
Accessing the VDR/S-VDR System from Remote Computer...............................................................................10
Network Settings ............................................................................................................................................10
Connecting the Remote Computer to the VDR/S-VDR ..................................................................................14
Running the Software .........................................................................................................................................16
Remote Data Download .................................................................................................................................16
Navigating the Folder Tree ........................................................................................................................17
Viewing Alternate Drives ...........................................................................................................................19
Download Folder........................................................................................................................................20
Selecting Data for Download .....................................................................................................................21
Downloading Selected Data .......................................................................................................................21
Engineer Login ...........................................................................................................................................22
Exit VDR to Windows .................................................................................................................................22
Prepare APT ...............................................................................................................................................23
Choose VDR Dataset ..................................................................................................................................24
Analyse Dataset .........................................................................................................................................24
Populate Remaining Fields.........................................................................................................................25
VDR & Survey Details .............................................................................................................................25
Alarms, Data and Power ........................................................................................................................26
Recording – NMEA/AIS ..........................................................................................................................27
Recording - Audio ..................................................................................................................................28
Recording - RADAR/ECDIS .....................................................................................................................29
Checks ....................................................................................................................................................30
Observations..........................................................................................................................................31
Generate Report ........................................................................................................................................32
PDF Report.............................................................................................................................................32
HTML Report .........................................................................................................................................32
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Foreword
This guide provides Remote connection information for the AMI Marine X-VDR and X2 Voyage Data Recorder systems.
The guide is intended for use by ships staff and AMI qualified personnel.
Any access or maintenance carried out by unauthorised personnel may invalidate any applied warranty. Any and all
maintenance carried out to the equipment must be undertaken by a service engineers holding a valid authorisation
certificate issued by AMI Marine Ltd.
Disclaimer
Approved software
Only approved software may be used on AMI Marine systems. The use of unapproved or unlicensed software on any AMI
Marine system is strictly prohibited. The use of such software voids the warranty status of the system.
AMI Marine software copyright

All AMI Marine software supplied be it pre-installed, supplied on USB or other media, remains the copyright of AMI
Marine Ltd, which will not accept any responsibility for any damage or loss caused in whatever way by the use or misuse
of the software. This copyright applies to software that can be supplied in various formats including but not restricted to
CD, DVD, USB memory device, email or obtained via AMI Marine’s website or download links.
Microsoft Windows copyright

All AMI Marine systems use genuine Microsoft Windows software which is subject to Microsoft copyrights.
Virus precautions
The systems supplied by AMI Marine Ltd are PC based and it should be noted that our systems do not have anti-virus
protection installed.
It is the responsibility of installation engineers, service engineers and system users to ensure that virus threats are not
transferred to the system via removable media.
Warning: Prior to use, all removable media used on or in AMI Marine products MUST
be fully scanned for viruses and malware on a PC installed with up to date anti-virus
software.
Warning: Service costs relating to systems found to be infected with a virus or

malware will be the liability of the party who accessed the system immediately prior
to the virus being presented to the system.
Note: AMI Marine cannot be held responsible for damage caused to systems by virus
or malware infections.
Removable media referred to includes but is not restricted to USB memory sticks, USB hard drives, floppy discs, CD/ DVDs
and all forms of removable media.
You may contact AMI Marine Ltd using the below details:
AMI Marine Ltd,

Unit 9 Crosshouse Centre,
Crosshouse Road,
Southampton,
Hampshire SO14 5GZ (UK)
Phone: +44 (0)2380 480450

Email: service@amimarine.com
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Installing the Software on Remote Computer
(Not to be installed on the VDR/S-VDR System)
To install the software, simply double click the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Figure 1 - Setup - Welcome
Select Next to continue.
Figure 2 - Setup - Install Folder
The installation folder may be changed to the user’s required location.

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Figure 3 - Setup - Shortcuts
Figure 4 - Setup - Ready
A summary of the installation settings is displayed. Select Install to complete the installation.
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Figure 5 - Setup - Completed
Once installation is complete the VDR Remote software may be run immediately by selecting ‘Finish’.
To close the installer without running the software deselect ‘Launch VDR Remote’ tick box, then select ‘Finish’.
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Accessing the VDR/S-VDR System from Remote Computer
Network Settings
If the remote software is unable to connect to the VDR/S-VDR system the error message below will be
displayed:
Figure 6 - Connection Failed
The IP address of the Ethernet port should be set as per the following procedure:
Windows 7 left click the Start Icon then select Control Panel.
Windows 10 right click on the Start Icon then select Control Panel
Figure 7 – Start Menu
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Go to [Network and Internet] and select [View network status and tasks].
Figure 8 - Control Panel
Select [Change adapter settings]
Figure 9 - Network and Sharing Center
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Right click on [Local Area Connection] and select [ Properties ]
Figure 10 - Network Connections
Select [Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)] then click on the [Properties] button.
Figure 11 - Properties
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Select [Use the following IP address:]
IP address: 192.168.0.10
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1
Figure 12 - TCP/IPv4 Properties
A restart of the PC may be required for the changes to take effect.
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Connecting the Remote Computer to the VDR/S-VDR
Important Note: See the disclaimer on page 5 before connecting to the VDR/S-VDR system
There are two methods by which to connect the remote computer to the VDR/S-VDR system, via the bridge
display panel or directly from the main electronics unit.
Bridge Display Panel (X-VDR):
Connect from the remote computer to the LAN port on the front of the Bridge Display Panel.
A cable must be installed from the display to the main electronics unit for this to be effective.
Ethernet Download Port
Bridge Display Panel (X2):
Connect from the remote computer to the LAN port on the front of the Bridge Display Panel.
A cable must be installed from the display to the main electronics unit for this to be effective.
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Main Electronics Unit (X-VDR):
Connect to the ‘Data Download’ port of the X-VDR Main PCB, this will connect directly to the processor for
data collection
Main Electronics Unit (X2):
Connect to ‘Data Download’ port (LAN Port 5) of the X2 Main Processor Unit, this will allow direct directly to
the processor for data collection
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Running the Software
The VDR’s ‘Remote’ software application may be run from the either the Windows Start menu or the via
Desktop icon (if selected during installation).
Remote Data Download
Once opened, provided the connecting PC’s LAN settings are correct as per this guide, the application will
automatically connect to the VDR. The “Drive Scan Files”* will be read from the VDR and the main window
will be populated with the vessel details.
Initially the top-level folder of the drive will be displayed, as shown below:
Figure 13 – Drive Level
The vessel details are read from the VDR’s Config file.
* Drive Scan Files
The VDR system scans each storage drive and logs the information once per hour. When the VDR
Remote application starts it reads the Drive Scan Log files to give an immediate overview to assist
performance.
Therefore, the data displayed in the window as ‘available for download’ may be up to one hour old.
In order to list the full up to date list of available data the Re-scan Remote Drives button should be
used.
The rescanning process may take several minutes depending on the number of drives attached to the
system, and the volume of data contained within each.
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Navigating the Folder Tree
Note: The example below shows “connected to \\XVDR-PC\vdr_data”.

This may be shows as “connected to \\192.168.0.4\vdr_data”. These are both valid states.
Selecting the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ button next to a folder will expand or collapse the tree as seen below:
Figure 14 - Top Level Folders
The recorded data files are stored in a folder named ‘Archive’. Config files and Log files are held in their
corresponding folders. The Master folder holds the Master Config files.
Expanding the ‘Archive’ folder will display Day folders, as below.
Figure 15 - Day Folders
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Expanding a ‘Day’ folder will expand the tree to show ‘Hour’ folders, as below:
Figure 16 - Hour folders
Expanding the ‘Hour’ folder displays the individual compressed files stored in the folder, as below:
Figure 17 - Zip files
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Viewing Alternate Drives
The data stored on the other media or Remote Drives, i.e. Fixed and Float Free Capsules, may be viewed only
by using the ‘Select Remote Drive’ dropdown, as below:
Figure 18 - Alternate Drives for Browsing
Please Note: Only data stored on the LTRM may be downloaded. Data stored on other attached devices may
only be viewed. When not available for downloading the ‘Local Data’ panel is greyed out.
Folders with the or icons indicate that a ‘logged incident’ exists within data saved in the corresponding
folder has an incident logged.
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Download Folder
The ‘Download Folder’ path is the location to which the data will be downloaded on the remote computer.
The default setting for this is the remote computer’s ‘Documents’ folder.
This location may be changed by typing in the Download Folder field or selecting the ‘More Options’ (three
dots) button, which will open the ‘Browse For Folder’ dialog, as below:
Figure 19- Choosing the Download Folder
From here the desired download location may be selected or a new folder may be created by selecting the
‘Make New Folder’ option.
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Selecting Data for Download
To select an item to be downloaded the box to the left of each required item should be clicked. This will fill
the box with a tick. Each item that has a tick next to it is selected for download.
Care should be taken when selecting entire folders for download as they may contain a large number of files,
which will increase the time required for the download.
Figure 20 - Data Selected for Download and Data Download in Progress
In addition to the VDR data are four other items that may be selected for download.
Adding a tick into the box next to the desired item will select it for download.
The items available for download are the Config File, Log Files, Drive Scan Files, Replay Software and the
Windows Event Logs. These may also be downloaded separately if not data is selected.
Downloading Selected Data
Pressing the ‘Start Download’ button will begin the download process. The data will be downloaded to the
location specified in the ‘Download Folder’ field, with the progress bar display the download operation, as
above:
Once the download is completed, a message will be displayed, as below:
Figure 21 - Data Download Complete
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Engineer Login
The Engineer Login is used to access additional functionality. Clicking on the Engineer Login button will bring
up the below dialog:
Figure 22 - Engineer Login
AMI Marine approved engineers will have been issued with a Username and Password for accessing the VDR.
These same credentials should be used to access Engineer options in the VDR Remote software.
Once Engineer access has been authorised, the ‘Stop VDR’ and ‘Prepare APT …’ buttons are available:
Figure 23 - Engineer Options
Exit VDR to Windows
Selecting this option will cause the VDR application to immediately stop running and exit to the Windows
Desktop.
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Prepare APT
Once data has been downloaded from the VDR it may be used to prepare an Annual Performance Test (APT)
report.
Once ‘Prepare APT’ has been pressed the ‘VDR APT Report Generator’ will open, as shown below:
Figure 24 - APT Report Generator
There are 4 steps to generating an APT report:
1. Choose VDR Dataset

2. Analyse Dataset
3. Populate remaining data fields
4. Generate HTML and/or PDF report
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Choose VDR Dataset
By default, the selected dataset will be the most recent data available.
To load an alternative dataset, click on the ‘more options’ (three dots) button and navigate to the data folder
containing the data required.
Analyse Dataset
Choose Analyse Dataset to have the application automatically scan the VDR/S-VDR configuration file to
populate the VDR and ‘Survey Details’ page, and the serial data files to populate the ‘Recording NMEA/AIS’
page
Figure 25 – Data Set After Analysis
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Populate Remaining Fields
Once the dataset has been analysed there will be a number blank fields which should be completed with the
relevant data under each of the tabs.
The majority of these empty fields will be text fields or checkboxes, with the exception of the Recording
Audio and Recording RADAR/ECDIS fields. These sections will need specific files loading from within the
selected of dataset.
Examples of each tab are shown below:
VDR & Survey Details
Figure 26 - VDR & Survey Details
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Alarms, Data and Power
Figure 27 - Alarms, Data and Power
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Recording – NMEA/AIS
Figure 28 – Recording – NMEA/AIS
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Recording - Audio
In order to analyse the audio a file must be selected from the chosen dataset by clicking the ‘more options’
(three dots) button and choosing a zip file. The audio will then be extracted, and waveform images
generated for each file, as shown below:
Figure 29 - Recording - Audio (Showing Audio Waveforms)
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Recording - RADAR/ECDIS
Two files must be chosen from the dataset. The second file chosen must be the file one minute after the first
so that they follow on correctly. The recorded images will then be extracted from the selected files and
thumbnails will be displayed. Animated images (GIFs) will be generated and will be displayed as per below.
Please note that the GIF creation may take some time per file.
Figure 30 - Recording RADAR/ECDIS (Showing Images)
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Checks
Figure 31 - Checks
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Observations
This area if for adding any notes regarding the system such as any items not connected to the VDR or data
found to be missing due to faulty sensor equipment, and any other applicable details of the survey
Figure 32 - Observations
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Generate Report
Two options are available for generating reports:
- PDF Report
- HTML Report
PDF Report
A PDF Report will be a single file which can easily be printed and emailed. There will be no animated images
and it will not be possible to play back the audio from the resulting file.
HTML Report
An HTML Report will consist of several files and facilitates the display of animated GIFs and the playback of
audio files. If the HTML Report is printed its layout will be scaled to A4 page size. The HTML Report files are
automatically zipped up into a single file to simplify sharing the report via email.
Below is an example of the HTML output for the audio data, which includes audio player controls:
Figure 33 - HTML Audio Display
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Below is a static example of the HTML RADAR/ECDIS display with animated GIFs:
Figure 34 - HTML Image Display
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Document Issue and Revisions
Document Modification Number (where applicable)

Issue Date Brief Record of Change and Reason for Change
Iss01 Rev00 10/01/2019 Initial Issue
Iss01 Rev01 18/01/2019 Addition of Functionality
Iss01 Rev02 11/07/2019 Addition of Hardware Setup
Iss01 Rev03 18/08/2019 Addition of Functionality
Iss01 Rev04 06/11/2019 Update of Document Title
NOTICE
This manual is for informational use only. AMI Marine Ltd continually strives to improve their products and
therefor may be changed without prior notice. This manual should not be construed as a commitment of AMI
Marine Ltd. Under no circumstances does AMI Marine Ltd assume any responsibility or liability for any errors
or inaccuracies that may appear in this document. The equipment should only be used for the purposes
intended by the manufacturer; any deviation from this will void the warranty of the product.
NOTE:
All alterations must be verified by re-authorisation and approval of the complete document.
AMI MARINE LTD

Unit 9 Crosshouse Centre
Crosshouse Road
Tel No: +44 (0) 23 8048 0450
Southampton
Email: technical@amimarine.com
Hampshire
Web: www.amimarine.com
SO14 5GZ
UK
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Remote Data Download

(Downloading Data from the X2 and X-VDR)

AMI Marine software copyright

Microsoft Windows copyright

Warning: Service costs relating to systems found to be infected with a virus or

AMI Marine Ltd,

Phone: +44 (0)2380 480450

Figure 1 - Setup - Welcome

Select Next to continue.

Figure 2 - Setup - Install Folder

The installation folder may be changed to the user’s required location.

Figure 3 - Setup - Shortcuts

Select Next to continue.

Figure 4 - Setup - Ready

Figure 6 - Connection Failed

Figure 7 – Start Menu

Figure 8 - Control Panel

Select [Change adapter settings]

Figure 9 - Network and Sharing Center

Figure 10 - Network Connections

Figure 12 - TCP/IPv4 Properties

A restart of the PC may be required for the changes to take effect.

Bridge Display Panel (X-VDR):

Ethernet Download Port

Bridge Display Panel (X2):

Ethernet Download Port

Ethernet Download Port

Main Electronics Unit (X2):

Ethernet Download Port

Remote Data Download

Figure 13 – Drive Level

* Drive Scan Files

Note: The example below shows “connected to \\XVDR-PC\vdr_data”.

Figure 14 - Top Level Folders

Expanding the ‘Archive’ folder will display Day folders, as below.

Figure 15 - Day Folders

Figure 16 - Hour folders

Figure 17 - Zip files

Figure 18 - Alternate Drives for Browsing

Figure 19- Choosing the Download Folder

Figure 20 - Data Selected for Download and Data Download in Progress

Downloading Selected Data

Once the download is completed, a message will be displayed, as below:

Figure 21 - Data Download Complete

Figure 22 - Engineer Login

Figure 23 - Engineer Options

Exit VDR to Windows

Figure 24 - APT Report Generator

There are 4 steps to generating an APT report:

1. Choose VDR Dataset

Figure 25 – Data Set After Analysis

Examples of each tab are shown below:

VDR & Survey Details

Figure 26 - VDR & Survey Details

Figure 27 - Alarms, Data and Power

Figure 28 – Recording – NMEA/AIS

Figure 29 - Recording - Audio (Showing Audio Waveforms)

Figure 30 - Recording RADAR/ECDIS (Showing Images)