New FAR2XX7 Software Offers Enhanced AIS

Filtering and Improved Appearance

March 19, 2009
Service Advisory #04-09T

Effective immediately, Furuno USA will begin shipping all FAR2XX7

series Radars with new SPU software version 3.04. This software adds
some AIS filtering capabilities, and also changes the inter-switch
functionality to comply with international standards. Specific changes
include:

• Enhanced AIS filtering functionality will allow operators to select

thresholds which will determine which AIS targets are shown on
screen. For example, if the operator doesn't care about AIS
targets more than 5NM away (range filter), or doesn't want to
display non-moving targets (speed filter), they can set and enable
these filters accordingly. All dangerous targets within TCPA or CPA
limits will automatically activate and trigger an alarm regardless of
whether they are being filtered or not.

• The background color palette and target symbols have been

upgraded to improve their appearance.

• Modifications have been made to some of the terminology on the

Radar screen and in the menus (i.e. TT instead of ARPA) to comply
with international standards. The new Operation Manual contains
all of these changes, and may be downloaded from the
"Manuals/Documents" tab of any FAR2xx7 Product Page.

• The interswitching functionality between two or more FAR2XX7's

has been revised. Instead of the current MASTER / MASTER
configuration when two or more processors are using the same
antenna, the Radars now change range independently in a
MASTER / SLAVE type configuration. Any Radar in a network can
still take over as a "MASTER" at any time from any display.

An X7 processor with the new software is NOT capable of being inter-

switched to an X7 series Radar with older software. In addition, this new
software is not currently compatible with MaxSea X7, although
compatibility is planned for a future release of FAR2XX7 software. If you
need compatibility with MaxSea X7, you will need to load version 2.50
onto the new Radar. If you have an existing Radar with Version 2.50 or
earlier software that will be interfaced to a new X7 processor, you will
need to ensure both processors are running the same version software.

Please note that it is not necessary to update currently installed Radars

with this new software. The changes in functionality are only required
for newly installed Radars on vessels over 300 tons engaged in
international voyages.

There are two ways to update the software on an X7 series Radar

processor: via PC with a serial port, or with a flash memory card.
Procedures for updating software via both of these methods may be
found in the applicable X7 product pages on www.FurunoUSA.com. A
flash update card (P/N 2X7-SOF-250X) will be available to change from
3.04 back to 2.50. If you would like to change software from version
2.50 to the latest software, it must be done by PC update.

AIS Functionality MaxSea X7 Update Method

Compatibility
Version 2.50 AIS ON/OFF Only Yes To update to 3.04, PC
update method is
required

Version 3.04 Has new AIS No To change back to

(new) Filtering version 2.50, use PC
or flash memory card
P/N 2X7-SOF-250X

If you have any questions, you may visit our website

(www.FurunoUSA.com) and click on "Support," then "Ask Furuno a
Question." You may also contact a Furuno support technician at either
our Camas, WA facility, (360) 834-9300 or at our Denton, MD facility,
(410) 479-4420.

Furuno USA, Inc.