System Configuration dialog box - Sonar Setup page
You can discover and connect to the Sonar Head on the Sonar Setup page. You can also view the Sonar Head network properties and adjust the network link speed.
How to open
This dialog box is opened from the Setup menu.
Select the DevicesSonar Setup tab.
Note
This page is not available while the Sonar Head is running.
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Description
This dialog box allows you to connect to the Sonar Head. You can connect manually or automatically each time you start the software. This dialog box also provides diagnostic network tools.
Details
Device Properties
Tip
You do not have to enter in the Device Properties manually. Clicking Discover Sonar Heads, then Use Discovered Head will automatically populate the Device Properties fields.
•  Head Name
You can enter any name to identify the Sonar Head.
•  Serial Number
The unique serial number of the Sonar Head.
•  IP Address, Port, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway
These network parameters are used to identify and locate the Sonar Head on the local network. Your Sonar Processor must be on the same network as the Sonar Head.
Tip
If you need to set up a unique network environment, you can change the IP Address, Port, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway of the Sonar Head using the Head Network Setup dialog box.
•  Trigger Mode
If applicable, set the Trigger mode to synchronize the Sonar Head with another acoustic device (such as a second M3 Sonar Head or a sub-bottom profiler). Set the trigger mode to Master to send out a sync pulse so that the other acoustic device can be triggered. Set the trigger mode to Slave to be triggered by the sync pulse from the other device. For the M3 Sonar, the default is set to Master.
•  Time Sync Mode
Time synchronization is critical for Bathymetry applications. By default, the M3 software uses the computer’s time to set the Sonar Head clock (Host mode). Your computer can keep accurate time by using a GPS or network time server as the master time source. When connecting to the Sonar Head, it takes two minutes to synchronize the time to within five milliseconds. The M3 software will then continuously keep the Sonar Head clock in sync for the duration of the session. The status bar shows the time synchronization status.
If you have an M3 Sonar Head with a 1PPS connector, you can synchronize the Sonar Head clock with an external 1PPS source.
Get Default
Click this button to use the default network settings to connect to a Sonar Head.
Autoconnect at program start
Check this box to connect to the Sonar Head automatically the next time the software starts.
Override Network Link Speed
If telemetry quality is poor, you can limit the network link speed. Be default, the network link speed is limited to 100 Mbps. There are no standard sonar applications with a telemetry-link speed requirement higher than 100 Mbps.
Note
Overriding the network link speed will provide a more stable link connection, but a slower ping rate.
Network log level
This setting outputs network-related diagnostic messages to the Output Messages window and a “.log” file (found in the LOGS directory) for troubleshooting purposes. You can select the amount of detail provided, ranging from none (No logging) to high (Detailed info). When logging is enabled, ping loss, packet loss and the last ping data rate will be displayed on the status bar.
Discover Sonar Heads
Click Discover Sonar Heads to search for the sonar on the network.
Use Discovered Head
Click Use Discovered Head to connect to the discovered head.