Rangeguard Operator’s Guide Issue Date: 21/04/2015 Document No: 94-0447-4-A Serial No: Sensor Software Version: Software Version: Guidance Marine Ltd, 4 Dominus Way Meridian Business Park Leicester LE19 1RP UK Date of Shipment from UK: Tel: +44 116 229 2600 Tel (Customer Services): +44 116 229 2665 Fax: +44 116 229 2604 Email: customerservices@guidance.eu.com Web: www.guidance.eu.com www.marine.direct Copyright © 2015 Guidance Marine Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Document History Document Number Changes Issue Date 94-0447-4-A First Release of Rangeguard Operator’s Guide 21/04/2015 l 3
Table of Contents Introduction System Overview....................................................................................................... 6 Getting Started Start Up and Shut Down........................................................................................... 8 Start Up.............................................................................................................................................. 8 Shut Down..............................................................
Introduction Welcome to the RangeGuard Operator’s Guide. It explains how to use the RangeGuard system once it has been fully installed. For instructions on how to install RangeGuard onto a vessel, refer to 94-0448-4 RangeGuard Installer’s Guide. The System Overview on page 6 describes the different components of the system and how they work together. The Getting Started section on page 8 explains how to get the system up and running and how to shut it down again.
System Overview The RangeGuard system provides object detection and distance measurements using continuous wave radar sensors. These operate on a licence-exempt Short Range Device basis at 24.15GHz. The system comprises a control box, up to four sensors and a graphical user interface which can be accessed from any device connected to the same network.
Getting Started This section describes RangeGuard Display and basic use of the system.
Start Up and Shut Down Start Up To Open RangeGuard Display 1. Ensure that the control box is powered on. 2. Double-click on the RangeGuard icon. (Or run the RangeGuard Display application from: Start > All Programs > Guidance RangeGuard > RangeGuard Display). 3. The display will appear in full screen mode, with the Bird’s Eye View open. Shut Down To Close RangeGuard Display Click on the X button in the top right corner of the screen.
Screen Layout The RangeGuard Display presents positional information in one of three main formats, Bird’s Eye View, Table View and Single Sensor View. Bird’s Eye View (BEV) The BEV depicts the operational area of the RangeGuard system from above. By default, the BEV is centred on an image of the vessel and around this it shows a radar beam, range measurement and received signal level for each sensor that has detected an object.
Screen Layout (Continued) Table View By default, this displays the positional data for all of the currently chosen sensors, in the form of a table. For each sensor this comprises: : The measured distance to the object detected by the sensor.
Screen Layout (Continued) In order to switch to Table View from one of the other views, click on the Table View button in the top right of the display screen: Alternatively, by clicking on the Expand Spectrum button in the bottom right corner the screen is split between positional data and the profile plot: Single Sensor View This is essentially a magnified form of the data in a single row of the Table View, with the addition of downward-pointing chevrons to indicate a closing speed or upward-pointing che
Display Options To provide clear visibility during daytime operation and minimal glare during night shifts, the RangeGuard Display offers two display modes: Day View and Night View. In either mode the brightness can be further modified by brightness adjustment buttons.
Selecting/Deselecting Sensors A RangeGuard system can be run with up to four sensors. The overall sensor count and characteristics of each sensor are configured at installation time in the password-protected RangeGuard Control Panel (see 94-0448-4 RangeGuard Installer’s Guide for details).
Measurement Algorithms This section describes the different ways that RangeGuard can make measurements.
Selection of Measurement Algorithm There is a measurement algorithm setting for each sensor in the system. It is selected via the buttons above the sensor’s profile plot in Table View or Single Sensor View: The algorithms use different methods of extracting a range measurement from the reflected signal received by the sensor. Each algorithm potentially gives a different range value in any given situation, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for your needs.
Setting the Range Limits By default, when calculating the range of an object, the system takes into account all reflected signals that it receives. However, it is possible to mask out reflections from the shortest and/or longest ranges, for example to ignore an overhanging feature of the vessel’s own structure. To set the Range Limits for a sensor: 1. Go into Table View and open the Profile for the relevant sensor, or else enter Single Sensor View and expand the Profile. 2.
Closest Algorithm When the Closest algorithm is selected, RangeGuard bases its range measurement on the shortest range peak in the reflected signal, within the Range Limits and above the Signal Threshold. For this algorithm the Signal Threshold is fixed at 20dB above the nominal noise floor.
Manual Threshold Algorithm When this algorithm is selected, the Signal Threshold is adjustable, instead of being fixed at 20dB. Move the red slider up or down the dB axis to a suitable threshold level: Signal Threshold Measured Range Note that the Manual Threshold algorithm measures the lowest range at which the signal breaks through the threshold, as distinct from the Closest algorithm which uses the lowestrange peak.
Max Peak Algorithm With this algorithm no Signal Threshold is applied and the strongest reflected signal within the Range Limits is used for the range measurement, rather than the closest: Measured Range l 19
Peak Lock Algorithm With this algorithm, you can manually select a peak within the Range Limits that is not necessarily the closest or highest. The system then locks onto it and reports its range.
Appendices This section contains the following appendices: • • • System Specifications (Page 22) FCC Warning Statement (Page 23) Index (Page 23) l 21
System Specifications Environmental Sensor Transceiver Type Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Ambient Temperature Range -25 to +55°C Frequency Band 24.05GHz – 24.
FCC Warning Statement device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. • This Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an • This uncontrolled environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance.
Index F FCC Warning Statement 23 H Hotkey Buttons 12 O Overview System 6 S Shut Down 8 Side Bar 8 Start Up 8 System Overview 6 l 24