VisionMaster FT Radar/Chart Radar
The status area contains the following four tab folders:
Bridge Card Quick Reference
Selected Target includes a Target Data tab which displays tracking data on a selected target, and an AIS Info tab which
displays alphanumeric data for activated AIS targets.
Multiple Targets displays target ID, CPA and TCPA data on up to eight activated AIS and tracked targets. Data can be
displayed by CPA, Range or User selected.
Target Display includes selection of display and priorities, identification, past position dots, target auto drop and vector
timeout and the number of targets processed and tracked.
AIS Display includes enable/disable AIS input, selection of filter settings (Class A or B and other AIS objects) and
activation of AIS Lost Target alarms on all nodes.
Acquisition Zones enables annular or polygonal zones to be defined. Targets that enter the zones are acquired and
tracked in Transmit. AIS targets are activated in both Transmit and Standby.
Own Ship AIS displays read only AIS data for own ship.
Limits and Settings defines the CPA/TCPA, BCR/BCT and target association limits.
Test Targets includes the display of fixed test targets and user defined, movable test targets.
Monitor Route displays details of the currently monitored route, including any critical points that may have been added
and a list of dangerous objects and areas that intersect the route plan safety region.
ETA Calculator calculates the time, speed and distance between waypoints on a monitored route.
Route ETA enables waypoints to be selected and leg speeds changed on a monitored route, an ETA is then calculated
based on the entered speed values.
Required Speed enables an arrival time to be entered for any waypoint on a monitored route. The required speed is
then calculated to the present leg, and speed required for the remaining legs in order to achieve this arrival time.
Speed Planning allows a speed plan to be manuallly specified for speeds to be used on remaining segments of a
monitored route, and see what arrival times result from these plans. It also enables a desired arrival time (for any given
waypoint) to be specified, and see recommended adjustments to planned speeds needed to achieve this arrival time.
Edit Route enables route plans to be saved, opened, validated and deleted from the Routes tab. Route data is edited
from the Waypoints tab. The CPs tab enables Critical Points to be added to a route. Dangers lists objects and areas
that could endanger the safety of ownship along the edited route.
A Temporary Route originates from CCRP and can join and transition to a previously created non-temporary route plan.
Search and Rescue (SAR) patterns are specialized routes used to patrol a given area. SAR patterns may be edited.
File Import / Export enables internal/external routes to be imported or exported via an external USB device.
Route Display Settings enables selection of display information as it appears on screen.
Parallel Index Lines enables multiple sets of up to fifteen index lines spanning the whole display to be shown
simultaneously. A set of index lines can be saved, copied or edited.
Mapping enables you to display, edit, group or import/export mapping objects from a database library.
LOPs are created by taking bearings and/or radar measurements from ownship to suitable objects. The LOPs are then
used to determine the geographic location of own ship.
Ownship History are primary or secondary track lines indicating the past locations of own ship. Primary tracks are
defined by the position sensor (e.g. GPS), secondary tracks are defined by other position sources such as DR or LOP.
The Parallel Cursor consists of two crossed lines centred on ownship and a series of parallel lines drawn at range ring
intervals from one cross axis. These can be rotated, centred on ownship, or shown at half mode or full mode.
Display Settings includes Ownship, Next Turn EBL and Grid display functions.
Anchoring enables the operator to plan an anchorage, monitor the anchoring status, control the anchoring parameters
and monitor the anchor drag after the ship is anchored.
Man Overboard enables management of a MOB emergency. When active the MOB symbol is highlighted.
User Profiles enables you to create, delete, apply, save, view and update profiles that contain node specific chart, route
or other display settings.
Options provides a selection of common displayed units as read-only information.
Diagnostics includes the following functions available to a non-logged on user: Performance Monitor, Report, Datalog,
Sensor Status, Connection Status and Buzzer. Database also appears on Multi-node and CSR systems.
Commissioning enables a user to log on to access system processes by entering a username and password. All other
Commissioning functions contain read-only data.
Time Management enables local date and time to be selected and a local time zone offset from GMT to be set. It also
displays the sensor which is used as the time source (e.g. GPS).
NAVTEX is an optional feature that enables access to broadcast marine safety information to ships with a NAVTEX
receiver. This information is accessed via an external PCNAVTEX Client/Server application.
Weather Fax is an optional feature that receives weather images and navigational information from a built in radio
receiver and displays the information on a web page using an internet browser installed on the VisionMaster PC.
Shutdown enables you to shut down or restart the system. Service mode is available only if the operator is logged on
as as service engineer.
© 2011 Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine B.V.
Status Area
• Curs - provides continuous indication of data related to the
cursor position relative to own ship.
• Posn - provides own ship’s LAT/LON position from the position
sensor (e.g. GPS), the source quality indicator (e.g
Differential), the depth value from the depth sensor (e.g. DBK)
and the current date and time (local or UTC).
• Route - provides summary data on the currently monitored
route.
• Trial - provides access and data for trial manoeuvres.
Chart Tools allows you to match charts to video, display update summaries, install charts, copy installed charts to other
nodes, display license and permit expiration, export chart permits and IDs to an external device, and display charts for
a selected chart database.
Chart Settings includes selection of display modes (Base, Standard, Other and Custom) and selection of features
additional to those displayed on the currently enabled chart mode.
Chart Projection allows you to specify between two projection types for display. Mercator is the default chart projection;
Polar Stereographic projection can be used at high latitude areas (north or south poles).
Chart Depths/Heights changes chart contour and own ship depth/height settings.
Chart Databases lists the available databases and specifies the order in which charts are used for rendering.
Chart Legend enables detailed read-only information on every visible chart to be viewed.
Manual Chart Update adds chart objects to the currently enabled chart, or create a separate layer which can have chart
objects applied. Chart updates can be imported or exported. Deleted chart objects are archived for up to three months.
Chart Query enables you to highlight and view information on specific chart areas and geographic objects, it also
enables query limits to be set.
Chart Dangers includes a list of potential chart dangers that own ship is headed towards. Individual dangers may be
highlighted on the display and a detailed description given.
Chart 1 provides access to the SevenCs and C-Map Chart 1 catalog and SENC colour diagram.
TotalTide is an optional feature that enables tidal data to be obtained from the UKHO TotalTide, showing tide heights
and currents from tidal stations worldwide. The TotalTide application and license data and may also be updated.
Alarms lists all the currently active alarms, warnings and cautions. The Alarms window shows the current alarm state,
status and description. Unacknowledged alarms display a flashing colour, acknowledged, but still existing alarms, are
displayed in a constant colour.
Prompts lists all permanent prompts and temporary prompts, as they occur. The current chart display mode is also
displayed as a hyperlink.
Mute Settings enables the length of time, in minutes, that the alarm buzzer is temporarily muted to be set. The alarm
buzzer may also be set to off for an unlimited period of time (a warning is displayed when this is done).
Sensors allows the selection of a sensor source to be used for each type of data (e.g. heading, position etc.) In
addition, adjustments to the heading alignment can be made at the Heading sensor, and an offset position can be
applied to a Position sensor.
To view or edit the sensor data source left click on the appropriate sensor type. For each sensor the active data source
selected at any node for any sensor type is active system wide. If there is no active data for any selected sensor then
an alarm is raised.
Date and Time is based on the system date/time source (e.g. GPS).
Certain sensors allow the entry of manual data, if no sensor source is currently available. However, a sensor device
MUST be selected as soon as valid data becomes available.
Clearing lines are bearing lines or range lines used to approximate a position where a danger to own ship lies, enabling
the mariner to navigate around the dangerous area.
Bearing lines are drawn as a single solid line with an arrowhead towards the line's bearing . Range lines are drawn as
a single arc with arrowheads on both the start point and end point of the arc line.
Clearing lines may be created, edited and monitored in a similar way to routes.
Transceiver functions include: switching the system between standby and transmit mode, pulse length selection,
switching the tuning mode between AFC and manual and making manual fine tuning adjustments.
Video enables adjustment of Gain setting and anti-clutter (Rain and Sea) settings. Auto Anti-Clutter, Enhance, True or
Relative vectors and Trails length selections may be made.
Interswitch provides selection and information on transceivers, including their identifier and Master/Slave status, which
may be connected to a 2-way or 6-way Interswitch. If no interswitch is fitted the transceiver defaults to Master and its
ID is fixed at A.
Day /Night enables the correct colour display setting for various lighting conditions to be made. The settings include
two daylight, one dusk and two night time settings.
Groups enables the brilliance settings on predefined data groups to be adjusted.
Chart Symbols includes access to a colour diagram which ensures that any adjustments made to the brightness
settings will enable the SENC data to be adequately displayed.
Brightness Check is used as an aid to setting the monitor's brightness control.
Part Number 65900009-6 Rev A
Presentation Mode
Left click on the presentation mode button (default is H UP) to select N UP
or C UP. Right click to select from the following options:
• H UP (Head Up): Unstabilised, heading marker vertical.
• N UP (North Up): Stabilised, true north 000° at top of video circle.
• C UP (Course Up): Stabilised, ship's heading at top of video
Stabilisation Mode
Displays the current stabilisation mode (see Sensor Indicator). Left click on
toggle between Water Stabilised and Ground Stabilised.
Range Scale
Displays the current range scale. Left click on < button to decrease the range,
or > button to increase. Right click on the range to select from the list of range
scale options.
Range Rings
Left click on the Range Rings button to toggle the display of range rings off and on. The range ring
Man Overboard
When the button is clicked, the Man Overboard (Oscar) symbol is dropped at ownship
interval is dependant on the currently selected range scale.
CCRP. When activated the ‘Oscar’ button is displayed with an red background.
Sensor Indicator
Indicates the current heading direction (HDG), speed through water (STW) course over ground (COG)
and speed over ground (SOG). A readout of true heading is always displayed, unless compass alignment
is being prompted, or a compass error has occurred. The active data source from where the reading is
taken from. Valid data is shown in green, invalid data is shown in red, degraded data is shown in orange.
There are two stabilisation modes (ground and water referenced). The HDG/STW field block indicates
water stabilisation and the COG/SOG field block indicates ground stabilisation. To toggle between the
two modes either left click anywhere within the two field blocks, or on the stabilisation mode button (see
above), or right click to change the mode or select a different data source.
In a dual radar system the transceivers for each channel may be individually switched between
Standby and Transmit.
The Gain and anti-clutter controls (Rain and Sea) can be
independently adjusted for each channel. For example, the
Auto/Manual control on Channel 1 may be set to manual
(Man 1) with Channel 2 remaining in Auto (Auto 2).
The Gain and anti-clutter settings are split horizontally for the
two channels, with the upper bar representing Channel 1 and
the lower bar representing Channel 2. Both radar channels
may be separately tuned, providing each transceiver is set as a Master.
Channels 1 and 2 may have a different pulse length selected, providing both
transceivers are in Transmit mode.
Each channel includes a video indicator button. The video button for Channel 1 is always on the upper
line and Channel 2 is on the lower line. When video is switched off for a channel and the channel's
transceiver is in Transmit, the video button is displayed with a red diagonal line through the icon.
Video will continue to be transmitted via the other channel.
Video Processing Controls
In Transmit mode the Gain level is shown as green. Always adjust Gain while on range scales of 12 or
24 nm. To change the Rain/Sea levels left click on the Auto button to change to Man. Left click in the
control bar to make active, the bar colour will change from green to blue. Move the trackball left or right
to move the bar to the percentage level required. To exit and return to previous setting right click, or left
click to set the level and de-activate adjustment.
In open sea conditions select Auto to suppress rain and sea clutter. In estuary and open sea conditions,
use the enhanced video mode for best target detection. Left click to toggle the Enhance On or Off.
Radar Fine Tuning
The two radar tuning modes are AFC and Manual. Left click on button to toggle between the modes.
To manually fine tune select Man and left click in the Tune bar to activate. The upper of the two bars
is the tuning indicator. The lower bar is the tuning control. Move the trackball left or right to adjust the
tuning control until the maximum level is reached on the tuning indicator. If distant radar targets are
visible, use these for final adjustment. Left click to set the level and de-activate the bar.
Transceiver Identification
The Transceiver (TX/RX) information field gives information on the selected transceiver, its label (A to F)
and status (Master or Slave). To set the TX/RX options left click on field, or go to Radar, Interswitch.
Transmit/Standby
If your Transceiver is a Master, left click on the Transmit/Standby button to either start transmission, or
to put the system in Standby. In standby mode the message Radar Standby appears on the video circle.
Motion Mode
Left click or right click on the motion mode button to select RM (Relative
Motion) or TM (True Motion).:
• RM - Own ship displayed at a fixed point with target trails displayed (in R
Trails stationary targets also have trails applied)
• TM - . Own ship only moves across the video circle.
Messages
When an external AIS message has been received the Message envelope
is appears in orange with a white outline, and an audible indicator is given.
To access the message left click on the icon and click on the Messages
folder in Own Ship AIS window.
Chart Dangers
Chart Dangers indicates the proximity of dangerous objects to own ship. When one
or more objects are added to the Dangers list the button is shown in red (for dangers),
or yellow (for cautions). Left click on the button to access the Dangers window.
EBLs, ERBLs & VRMs
Left click on EBL or VRM caption to toggle On or Off. An EBL is displayed as dashed
radial; a VRM displayed as dashed range ring, the EBL bearing and VRM range are
displayed in their value field. If an EBL is On, but associated VRM Off, it is displayed as
combined ERBL.
To change values either left click on readout, move
trackball left or right to change and left click to accept;
or position cursor over EBL/VRM, hold down left key
and move trackball to required point in video circle
and release left button to accept. The VRM/EBL
moves to position and the values in the readout
change. To change position either right click on the
caption to reveal options for offset, drop or drop end point; or right click on EBL/VRM
position in video circle and select option from context window.
Transmission Pulse Length
The pulse length can only be changed on a master display and in Transmit mode. Left click
to change pulse length, or right click to select from the following pulse length options:
• SP - available on the 3NM range and below.
• MP - available in the 0.5NM to 24NM ranges.
• LP - available at 3NM range and above
© 2011 Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine B.V.
Trails Mode
Left click on Trails button to toggle between Relative (R) or True (T) Trails. Right click to
select the following options: Reset, Short, Long, Perm (Permanent), or Off. The Trails
time shows the length of the trails in minutes and seconds.
Vector Mode
Left click on Vectors button to toggle for Relative (R) or
True (T) vectors. To select a new vector time, left click on
time readout, move trackball left or right to change time,
left click to accept new time.
Target Priority
The Target Priority button shows the current target priority
setting, either AIS Priority or TT (Tracked) Priority. Left click
to toggle between the two.
Centre View
If the video display has been off centred redraw with own ship at the
centre of the video circle by clicking on Centre button.
AIS On/Off
When AIS Input is enabled the button shows AIS On, when AIS input is
switched off it shows AIS Off. Left click to access the AIS Display window
to enable or disable AIS input and change AIS filter settings.
Charts/Radar Maps
Right click on the Charts button to select the following display options: Chart Filled,
Chart Unfilled, Radar Maps, Charts Off. Also right click to select from enabled chart
databases (e.g. SevenCs -S-57, or C-Map-ENC).
Synthetics On/Off
Left click on Synth On to turn synthetics off. The button changes to Synth Off and all
synthetics are removed. To restore synthetics release the left key.
Max View
Left click on Max off-centres the video display at approx 70% of range scale radius.
Alarm Status Indicator
If unacknowledged alarms exist, the Indicator shows a brief description and displays a flashing
colour based on the highest category (red for alarm, yellow for warning). To acknowledge an
Alarm left click on the indicator's message. The alarm is removed from the Indicator and, if other
unacknowledged alarms exist, is replaced by the next in order of priority. When alarms have been
acknowledged but are still active, a steady background colour is displayed based on the highest
acknowledged category.
The Alarm buzzer can be temporarily muted (for a set time period ) by left clicking on the buzzer
icon, when muted a red diagonal line appears through the icon.
Prompt Indicator
Left click to access the prompts window. Prompts are either permanent or temporary.
Permanent prompts are displayed on normal system colour background, alternating with the
date & time. Temporary prompts are displayed on a pale coloured background, below the
permanent prompt field.
Coast
Left click on Coast to turn all synthetics off with the exception of the coast outline. To restore
synthetics release the left key.
iHelp
Left click on iHelp to access context sensitive Help then left click on a function, information
relevant to that function appears in the column. To access the online User Guide click on Launch
Explorer at the bottom of the window (Standby only).
CPA
Left click on CPA to access the Limits and Settings window, which defines the CPA/TCPA, bow
crossing, target association limits and lost target alarms.
Watch Mode
The Watch Mode button enables the console view to be changed if the system is a Total Watch. The
availability of the product modes is dependant on the product type installed at initialisation.
Part Number 65900009-6 Rev A