Blueprint Subsea StarFish User guide

StarFish Sidescan Sonar

Hull-Mounted System Manual

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

Contents

1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 3

2. Getting Started .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

2.1. What Your System Contains.................................................................................................................................. 4

2.2. Quick Start.............................................................................................................................................................. 4

3. Setting Up The System.................................................................................................................................................. 5

3.1. Choosing A Power Supply ..................................................................................................................................... 5

3.2. DC Power ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

3.3. AC (Mains) Power ................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.4. Connecting The Components ............................................................................................................................... 6

3.5. Choosing A Mounting Location............................................................................................................................. 7

3.6. Mounting The Sonar Transducer.......................................................................................................................... 9

4. Operating the Sonar.................................................................................................................................................... 10

5. Understanding Sidescan Imagery.............................................................................................................................. 11

5.1. What Is A Side-Scan Sonar?................................................................................................................................. 11

5.2. What Does A Side-Scan Sonar Image Look Like? .............................................................................................. 12

5.3. Calculating Depth Below The Sonar (Altitude).................................................................................................. 12

5.4. Calculating The Distance To A Target ................................................................................................................ 13

5.5. Acoustic Shadows................................................................................................................................................ 13

5.6. Reflected Target Intensity................................................................................................................................... 14

5.7. Example Side-Scan Sonar Images...................................................................................................................... 15

5.8. Gain & Contrast Settings ..................................................................................................................................... 16

5.9. Shallow Water & Channels .................................................................................................................................. 16

5.10. Tips For Good Imagery ...................................................................................................................................... 17

6. Safety............................................................................................................................................................................ 18

6.1. Electrical Safety.................................................................................................................................................... 18

6.2. Operational Safety............................................................................................................................................... 18

6.3. Other Precautions................................................................................................................................................ 18

7. Care Of Your Starfish ................................................................................................................................................... 19

7.1. Operational Care.................................................................................................................................................. 19

7.2. Maintenance & Cleaning...................................................................................................................................... 19

7.3. Storage................................................................................................................................................................. 19

8. Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................................................... 20

9. Product Support.......................................................................................................................................................... 21

10. Limited Warranty Policy............................................................................................................................................ 22

11. Notices........................................................................................................................................................................ 23

12. Specifications............................................................................................................................................................. 24

13. Index........................................................................................................................................................................... 27

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing your hull-mounted StarFish Seabed Imaging System, a revolutionary high definition

hull-mounted side-scan sonar system which produces near photographic quality sonar images of the seabed.

Whether surveying lakes, rivers or the open ocean for dive sites, submerged structures, shipwrecks or research

purposes, StarFish gives you the capability to capture detailed images of the seabed for work or play, making hi-

tech seabed imaging accessible to anyone. With StarFish the seabed is your playground…

Simply fix the StarFish side-scan sonar transducer to the hull of a vessel, large or small, to capture real-time digital

images of the seafloor below. StarFish is truly 'Plug and Play' connecting to any Microsoft®Windows®based PC or

laptop via a USB connection.

The simple intuitive StarFish “Scanline” software makes seabed imaging extremely easy for novices and

experienced side scan sonar users alike.

Before proceeding, we recommend that you read the safety, installation and operation guidelines in this user

guide, in order to get full benefit from the features of the StarFish system.

We hope you get many years of trouble free use from your StarFish sonar. However, should you have any

difficulties please refer to the “Product Support” section at the end of this manual for details on how to obtain

technical support, upgrades and repairs.

Safety

Before installing and using this product, please read through the “Safety” section at the rear of this manual.

Throughout the documentation the following symbols are used to indicate special precautions or procedures:

WARNING!

This symbol indicates a warning you should follow to avoid bodily injury or damage to your equipment.

CAUTION

This symbol denotes precautions and procedures you should follow to avoid damage to your equipment.

NOTE

This symbol denotes special instructions or tips that should help you get the best performance from your system.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

2. Getting Started

2.1. What Your System Contains

Before proceeding, please check that your StarFish system box contains the following items…

•StarFish hull-mount sonar transducer head (with supplied cable).

•StarFish transducer hull mounting bracket.

•StarFish sonar top-box electronics module.

•AC to DC universal power adapter (and international plug adaptors).

•DC power lead –cigar plug (fused) to 2.1mm plug.

•DC power lead –cigar socket to crocodile clips.

•USB 2.0 Cable (type-A to type-B connectors).

•StarFish “Scanline” software and drivers USB Drive.

•User Guides.

•Bag of tools & sundries

o5 M625mm stainless steel button-head screws,

o1 4mm Allen key

You will also need…

•Microsoft Windows 7/8/10 compatible computer (or laptop), with 1 free USB port (minimum).

•Battery (for DC operation) or suitably protected AC mains outlet (see page 5).

Additionally, you may also require…

•10mm spanner for adjusting the angle transducer on the hull mounting bracket.

•Suitable fasteners to attach the mounting bracket to the hull of your vessel.

•Clips to secure the transducer cable to the hull of your vessel.

2.2. Quick Start

To get started straight away, you can use the accompanying “Quick Start” guide to get up-and-scanning, or read

on for further detailed operational instructions and tips.

For further details on installing and operating the “Scanline” software package, please refer to the “StarFish

Scanline Software User Guide” booklet.

Note: Do not connect the sonar USB electronics to the PC until the “Scanline” software and drivers have

been installed –this will simplify the installation procedure.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

3. Setting Up The System

3.1. Choosing A Power Supply

Before setting up your StarFish system, you first need to decide on the power source you will use –either…

•A DC supply (such as a battery or boat electrical system), or

•Mains from the universal AC-DC adapter included with the system.

While the StarFish has internal voltage and current protection circuitry, any DC supply you use should be

externally fused with a quick blow fuse rated at 1A.

For best performance of the StarFish, you should ensure any power source is “clean”, meaning it is free from

electrical noise possibly caused by mains-inverters, electrical motors or any other similar “high-current

switching” devices.

Additionally, for DC supplies, the source should be a fully regulated and smoothed power source –a dedicated

battery is ideal for this.

3.2. DC Power

In marine conditions, where there is a high chance of equipment getting wet, the use of a low-voltage DC power

supply is always recommended.

The StarFish electronics module has a 2.1mm DC input socket that will accept voltages between 9V and 28V, and

will require a supply capable of delivering 5W. Typically this means the StarFish will require just under 500mA at

12V, or just under 250mA at 24V.

As DC supplies come in many varieties, several adaptor cables have been included with your StarFish.

•Use the “Cigar-Plug to 2.1mm cable” to connect your StarFish to either a 12V or 24V system. The plug

itself can be disassembled to access the fuse inside it.

•Use the “Crocodile-clips to Cigar-Socket” adapter cable, for connecting to battery terminals, or other

similar power sources.

If you are making your own wiring loom for the StarFish, you should ensure that the centre pin of the StarFish

power connector is the positive DC voltage, and the outer connection of the plug is ground (or negative).

3.3. AC (Mains) Power

The AC power adapter is included for situations where the electronics will be used in a protected and dry

environment (such as a boat wheel-house), and where a suitably fused and protected mains supply is available.

•The AC adaptor will accept voltage in the range of 100V to 240V AC, and 47Hz to 63Hz.

•Four universal adaptor plates are supplied with the power supply, allowing it to be used in most countries.

When using the AC (mains) power supply, remember that electricity and water do not mix.

To avoid electrical shock, you should only use the AC supply in a dry and enclosed environment, such as a

cabin on board a boat.

Ensure the supply has suitable protection such as quick-trip circuit breakers and an RCD.

Only handle the StarFish equipment with dry hands.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

3.4. Connecting The Components

Having chosen your power source, the next step is to connect the components of the StarFish system.

If this is the first time you’re using the StarFish system, it is recommended you install the “Scanline” software and

USB hardware drivers on your laptop/PC before connecting the electronics module to it. Refer to the

accompanying “Scanline User Guide” for details on how to do this.

Once the “Scanline” software and drivers are installed, make the following connections…

If possible, turn off the power supply –if this is not possible, make the power connection last.

1. Connect the StarFish sonar transducer head to the

“top box” electronics module, with the 6-way round

connector.

2. Connect the electronics module to a USB port on the

laptop/PC using the supplied USB lead (type-A

connector to type-B).

3. Connect DC power to the electronics module with the

2.1mm power jack –this may be from a DC source, or

the included AC-DC adapter. Follow the selection and

safety guidelines in the “Choosing A Power Supply”

section above.

4. Finally, once you are happy with the connections,

turn on the power.

When powered up, the “Power/Status Indicator” will illuminate and flash – indicating that the Topside box is ready

for use.

When the sonar is ‘pinging’ (transmitting and receiving), the “Activity Indicator” will flash.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

3.5. Choosing A Mounting Location

Before you can start using the hull-mounted Starfish Sonar system in the field, you will need to mount the sonar

transducer to the hull of you boat. Correct mounting of the sonar is essential in order to achieve the best image

results, and as each hull is different you should consider the following points when deciding on a suitable

mounting location…

Avoid creating acoustic shadows

The hull mounted StarFish transducer has transmitter and receiver elements located on either side of the

moulding that are angled 30° down from the horizontal, and acoustically transmit sound in a “fan beam” of narrow

width (refer to the specification of your StarFish product for the exact width), but wide vertically, with most of the

acoustic energy confined to the centre 60° of the beam.

The arrangement allows the StarFish to perform well in shallow water at long ranges, and see almost directly

below it, but incorrect placement onthe hull could cause “acoustic shadows” or “reflections” to be produced from

the hull, keel or rudder.

In this position, mounted directly on the hull, the keel is

casting a shadow on the starboard channel

In this position, mounted on the keel, no other parts of

the hull are obstructing the acoustic beams.

Acoustic shadows will create blind spots in the sonar’s field of vision and may reduce its maximum working range.

Reflections from the hull may create a ‘ghost’ or mirror image of the opposite channel on the sonar display.

Reduce vulnerability to grounding

When mounting the sonar on your vessel, make sure there is always a point on the hull that is lower than the

transducerslocation. Thiswill reduce the risk of damage to the transducer should you run aground or collidewith

any submerged obstacle.

In this position, the transducer is vulnerable to

submerged hazards

Above, the keel at the centre of the boat is lower than

at the stern, and offers protection to the transducer.

Position in relation to the vessels propeller

Ideally the StarFish transducer should be mounted to the vessels hull in front of the vessels propeller, as this

introduces small air-bubbles into the water which in-turn act as reflectors of sound and degrade the range and

quality of the sonar imagery.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

If using an outboard motor to propel and steer your boat, ensure that the propeller does not touch the

transducer when the steering is at its extremities.

Try and keep a minimum distance of 400mm between the transducer and propeller to minimise mechanical

interference (noise).

If it is not possible to mount the transducer in front of the propeller, efforts should instead be made to mount the

transducer lower than it, such that its turbulence does not obstruct the acoustic beams.

Avoid cavitation & turbulence

When mounting the transducer onto the hull of your boat, it is important that a location is chosen that under

normal conditions is known to be free from turbulence and aeration. You should also ensure the transducer is

angled such that cavitation and turbulence is minimised on the transmitter and receiver surfaces as this may

distort or degrade the sonar imagery. The figures below illustrate this principle…

Transducer is angled up.

Transducer is level.

Transducer is angled slightly down.

Avoid mounting the transducer behind features on the hull of your vessel (such as rivets, strakes or steps) that

may introduce cavitation or turbulence into the water.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

3.6. Mounting The Sonar Transducer

You may choose to mount the sonar transducer directly to the hull or keel of your boat (following the

recommendations discussed previously), although where possible wewould recommendthe use of the additional

mounting bracket and the following procedure…

1. Secure the top part of the bracket to a flat

surface on the hull or keel of you boat, using

screws, bolts or other fixings depending on

its construction.

2. Pass the transducer cable through the hole

between the two halves of the mounting

bracket. Ensure you have enough slack cable

to allow the bracket to pivot freely without

the cable becoming taught.

3. Using a 10mm spanner, tighten the bolts on

the hinge of the bracket to fix the mounting

angle of the transducer.

4. Using the 4mm Allen key included, secure

the black moulded transducer assembly to

the underside of the mounting bracket.

The label on the transducer indicates the

front (and hence port and starboard

channels).

5. Use small cable clips to secure the remainder of cable to the hull of the boat and prevent it fouling on

any other equipment.

When attaching the sonar transducer, mounting bracket or cable to the boat, choose a suitable locationand

fixing such that the watertight nature of the hull is not compromised! If in doubt, please contact the

manufacturer of your vessel.

The cable length on the transducer may be increased up to a maximum of 20 metres using a “twin, screened,

twisted pair” cable. Contact StarFish technical support for details of available extension cables.

When routing the transducer cable…

•Try to avoid running it parallel and in close proximity to other high-current cables, radio antenna cables

or anything else that may be a source of electrical interference.

•Do not bend the cable to a radius less than 30mm as this may shorten its life.

•Do not use a fixing method that may cut, damage or excessively crush the cable.

StarFish Hull-Mounted

System Manual

4. Operating the Sonar

To summarise, your system should be connected in a similar configuration to the figure shown below, and once

you’ve installed sonar transducer on the hull (or other suitable mounting bracket) as described previously, you’re

ready to run the “Scanline” software, and start collecting data…

Refer to the separate “Scanline User Guide” for information on installing, starting and operating the software.

Operating the sonar is relatively straightforward, but there are a few guidelines and precautions you should

observe to achieve the best results…

•Keep the boat speed constant, and ideally between 1 and 4 knots for the best results. At slower speeds

more display lines will be acquired for smaller targets (giving a higher resolution image).

•Be aware of hazards to navigation and the sonar transducer. The sonar transducer head will only show

you the depth of the seabed below it, not from the surface, and not in front of it. So, if you are scanning

in close proximity to the seabed, you should be keeping a close eye on the sonar display.

•If in doubt of the underwaterterrain or possible hazards, always assume the worst case, and give plenty

of clearance between the sonar transducer and the seabed.

Please be aware that you should not rely on the sonar as a primary navigational aid for your vessel, or for

avoiding shallows, submerged or mid-water hazards.

When the “Scanline” software is running, the “Activity Indicator” will flash to show that the StarFish is scanning

and acquiring data.

See the following section on interpreting side-scan imagery, for further details on calculating the sonar’s altitude

from the displayed data.

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