U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers

Engineer Research and Development Center

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL FOR THE ACOUSTIC-BASED

SUBMERSED AQUATIC PLANT MAPPING SYSTEM

Prepared by: Bruce M. Sabol

Environmental Laboratory

December 2003

Prepared for: South Florida Water Management District

3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Introduction

This brief instruction set is intended to serve as a guide for the use of the ERDC-developed
Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Early Warning System (SAVEWS) embodied in the Biosonics
DT-X sounder with a Leica MX-420 DGPS Navigation System and a Panosonic Toughbook
computer. Instructions are written around the Biosonics Visual Acquisition software (version
5.0.3), Biosonics EcoSAV software (version 1.0) which contains the windows SAVEWS
software, and the Leica MX-420 software (version 1.5). These instructions are not intended to
replace the separate instruction manuals for these components. Rather, the user is encouraged
to study these separate manuals and to use this instruction set as a reminder during field
operations.

Parts List

• Biosonics DT-X Sounder (grey Pelican case with external connectors)

• Biosonics DT-X transducer (420 kHz, 6-degree single beam)
• Biosonics DT-X transducer cable
• Biosonics GPS cable with mil-spec metal and DB-9 connectors
• Biosonics power cables (AC and DC)
• Biosonics ethernet cable (blue)
• Panasonic Toughbook PC (with touch screen)
• Panasonic AC power cable
• Leica MX-420 DGPS
• Leica DGPS Smart Antenna
• Leica DGPS cable (3 signal connectors and 1 cigarette-lighter 12-volt plug)
• Colored ribbon cable with DB9 connectors (only used for uploading and downloading
data between GPS and PC)

Connecting Equipment

1. Connect DT-X transducer cable to the transducer. Verify that the rubber O-ring is in
place on the cable end (replacements are taped inside the sounder case). Hand-tighten
the plastic connector (NEVER user pliers to tighten or loosen).

2. Connect other end of the transducer cable to TRANSDUCER 1 slot (TRANSDUCER 2

slot is not active) on the back side of the DT-X sounder. The plug should be rotated so
that the grooves match, then pushed it in place while tightening the threaded ring to
secure the connection.

3. Connect a DT-X sounder power cable using either the AC or the DC cable, but NOT
both. Power connectors on the back of the sounder are labeled and each has a unique
number of pins. Biosonics recommends using AC power, but in its absence DC works

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 fine for a fully charged 12-volt battery (recommend monitoring battery voltage and
swapping batteries when voltage drops below 12.3 volts).

4. Connect Biosonics GPS cable to GPS slot on back of DT-X sounder.

5. Connect blue ethernet cable to DT-X sounder (mil-spec connector on left out side of
sounder box) and to the PC (forward-most slot on right side of computer).

6. Connect AC power supply cable to PC (slot on right rear side of PC).

7. Connect 18-pin plastic connector on Leica GPS cable to the back of the MX-420 GPS
deck unit. Hand-tighten only.

8. Connect the 10-pin plastic connector on GPS cable to Leica DGPS Smart Antenna.
Hand-tighten only. Suggest taping the wire near the connector to the attached pipe to
keep tension off the plastic connector.

9. Connect GPS cable power plug to 12-volt power supply with cigarette-lighter plug.

10. Attach connectors on Leica cable and Biosonics GPS cable. Put electrical tape over the
connection to seal out water.

11. Attach DT-X transducer to its mounting bracket and lower transducer into the water to
submerse the entire transducer.

12. DGPS antenna should be mounted with the white disk oriented horizontally with an
unobscured view of the sky. It is desirable to place the antenna as close as possible to
directly above the transducer.

Power Up Sequence

1. GPS. Power up GPS by pressing the button on the lower right face of the GPS - button
is marked with a while circle containing a while vertical line. A red light will appear on
the upper left face of the GPS. As satellites are acquired the light will change to
orange. When the GPS is fully operational the color will change to green. It may take
up to 15 minutes to become fully operational.

2. PC. Power up PC by depressing the silver knob on the right front of the PC. Windows
XP will be initiated.

3. Sounder. Power up the sounder by toggling the black ON/OFF switch inside the
sounder box on the right side. A red light will illuminate above the switch. Wait about
30 seconds for a 3-beep tone to sound indicating that the sounder is operational.

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4. Visual Acquisition software. On the PC select (double click or touch the screen) the
Visual Acquisition icon. Next, select “INIT DTX” (button on upper left of PC screen),
a system information window will appear. This contains transducer information and
requires no input other than selecting “OK.” If you get the message “Could not identify
transducer,” recheck the transducer connections (steps 1 and 2 of Connecting
Equipment). Next, select “CONFIG DTX” - the Configure Echo Sounder window will
appear. Specific input parameters are required in this window which are critical to
plant detection operations. These are contained in a file which is called by clicking on
LOAD. Select file SFWMD_01 (10 m depth limit) or SFWMD_02 (6 m depth limit)
depending on maximum depth of area to be surveyed. Open this file then select OK. If
other depths are required these may be manually typed into the configuration window.
Parameter settings necessary for plant detection are listed below:

WINDOW PARAMETER VALUE OR SETTING

Receiver Operating Mode Single Beam
Data Start Range 0 m (CRITICAL)
Collection
End Range slightly greater than maximum depth
Parameters
Threshold Level -130 dB (CRITICAL)
Threshold Mode squared
Environmental Temperature Water quality measurements needed to
Parameters compute speed of sound and adsorption.
Depth
Set to midrange of values expected for
pH sampling excursion. Use of exact values
is not critical for shallow water SAV
Salinity surveys. Select COMPUTE, then OK
Data Logging Automatic Data File Creation By Time, every 30 minutes
Options
Datafile Naming Time Stamped (CRITICAL) , select OK
Pulse Control Pulse Rate 10 pings/sec (suggested)
Pulse Duration 0.1 ms (CRITICAL)
Acoustic Mode Mode Active Transmission (CRITICAL)
Transmit Power Reduction 0 dB

5. Check GPS Signal. Latitude and longitude should be displayed in a widow on the
lower right of the PC screen and the slash mark should be moving back and forth,
indicating that an active stream of data is being read. If hash mark not moving, check
GPS connections and restart GPS.

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6. Activate Sounder. Select START PINGS button. The program will ask you to verify
that transducer is in water. After checking select YES. An echo intensity graphic will
appear on the left side of the screen and an oscilloscope graphic will appear on the right
side. The system is now fully operational and ready for use. While transiting to the
survey site it maybe desirable to take transducer out of the water. Before doing so,
select PAUSE PINGS.

Data Collection Operations

1. Positioning Transducer. Place transducer in water fully submersing it. Depth should
depend on water roughness and the shallowest depth you plan to survey. Measure the
distance between the transducer face (bottom) and the water’s surface and record it in
the field book for later use by the tide-correction post-processing program.

2. Begin Pinging. Start pinging, either by selecting START PINGS or RESUME PINGS.

3. Logging Data. Select LOG DATA when the GPS navigation indicates that the data
start waypoint has been reached. Record the filename (data/time in lower left window
of PC) and the associated reach and transect number. Files are named using a 15-
character date/time convention, which is needed for the post-processing program.

4. Closing Data File. When GPS navigation indicates the stop data waypoint has been
reached, select CLOSE LOG (but do not take transducer out of the water). Optionally,
you may want to select PAUSE PINGS and remove the transducer from the water if the
next measurement station is far away.

5. Collecting Tide Data. Always measure and record the local tide data immediately
before and after conducting a survey. Additionally, if the survey runs for more than 2
hours, it is advisable to record a mid-point tide measurement. These measurements will
be used by the post-processing program to make depth corrections.

6. Data Integrity Check. Before leaving an area, it is recommended that you quickly
verify that the DT4 files are present and of the right size. This can be examined using
Windows Explorer or, better yet, using the replay option within the Visual Acquisition
software.

Power Down Sequence

1. PC. Select STOP PINGS.

2. PC. Select “Setup” from top list in window, then select “Shutdown Embedded
Controller” from the menu list. Wait for window to tell you it is ready to power down
the DT-X sounder unit. Select YES to acknowledge shutdown.

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3. DT-X Sounder. Turn off DT-X sounder power switch.

4. PC. Select “Setup” from top list in window, then select “Exit Visual Acquisition.”

5. GPS. Turn off GPS.

EcoSAV Processing

The EcoSAV software processes the raw binary acoustic file (DT4) to ASCII files (ODF)
containing a series of position-referenced attributes, including depth, plant coverage, and plant
height. Parameters used in this processing are specified by an INI file which is tailored for the
particular environment sampled. Since SAVEWS was developed and refined on the
Caloosahatchee, these parameters are well known for this site and are contained in the file
SFWMD_nn.INI (Figure 1). Even so, it will be necessary to adjust a few parameters from time
to time, and for different locations within the Caloosahatchee. Adjustments to the INI file may
be made outside of EcoSAV using any text editor, or interactively within the EcoSAV
program. A full discussion of these parameters may be found in the Biosonics EcoSAV User’s
Guide.

1. Select Files to Process. Select the EcoSAV icon on the PC screen. The BioPlant
window appears. Select File/Open. Acoustic survey data are stored in the
C:\Biosonics\DTx\Data directory (default) as DT4 files. Select single or multiple files
(control/click) and select OPEN. These files appear in the INPUT QUEUE window.

2. Select Processing Parameter File. A generic INI file, suitable for the Caloosahatchee
(SFWMD_01.INI), has been set as the system default, so generally it will not be
necessary to change processing INI files and the user can proceed directly to step 3,
below. However, occasionally changes will be necessary. Following instructions are
for substitution of an alternate INI file. Double click on first file in the queue window.
The JOB PARAMETERS window appears select the Job Parameters tab. Within INI
SOURCE select SPECIFY AN INI and select BROWSE. Select SFWMD_nn (or other
pre-edited INI file) and select OPEN. Within OUTPUT FILE select “Append output
extension to the source filename.” Within OUTPUT NAMING RULES select
“Overwrite output filename if it exists.” Select OK.

3. Initiate Processing. At the bottom of the BioPlant Window select START

PROCESSING FILE. The selected filename will appear in the Processing Queue
window to indicate that processing is underway. When complete, the same filename
with an ODF extension will appear in the Output Queue.

4. Viewing Output. Double click on the ODF file in the Output Queue and the contents
will be displayed in the OUTPUT REPORT window (Figure 2). The upper portion of
this window shows the Configuration Data used in the selected INI file. This is
important because output results may change considerably by changing the parameter
values within the INI file. Actual output is shown below the configuration data.

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 Position and time/date variables are derived from the GPS and represent whatever
coordinate system and time zone specified within the GPS. All remaining variables are
derived from the processing of the acoustic data. Time and date will be needed in post
processing to correct for tide. The BOTTOM depth is the distance between the
transducer face (bottom of transducer) and the detected bottom. Post-processing
corrections are required to account for the depth of the transducer and tides. A full
discussion of the output variables may be found in the Biosonics EcoSAV User’s
Guide.

5. Editing Processing Parameter File. It will be necessary from time to time to make
changes to the processing parameters in the INI file. The most likely parameter to
change would be the MAXIMUM PLANT DEPTH. This serves to prevent the
algorithm from looking for plants at depths exceeding the maximum depth of plant
colonization, which serves to minimize false alarms. For the Caloosahatchee a value
around 2.3 m is about right under all conditions except exceedingly high tides. This
and other parameters can be changed using an editor outside of the EcoSAV
environment. Another approach is to make the change interactively within EcoSAV.
To do this, select SETTINGS then EDIT AN INI FILE. Select and open the INI file to
edit. Four tab windows will appear (Figure 3). The SITE SPECIFIC folder controls
output suppression and maximum plant depth limits (most likely screen to need
changing). No changes would likely need to be made to the SYSTEM SPECIFIC
screen unless a different transducer was used. Conditions may arise requiring some
changes to ADVANCED and ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS screens, but it is not
recommended to change these without consulting Biosonics or Bruce Sabol. After all
changes have been made select SAVE and proceed with processing as described above.

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Figure 1. Default setting of SFWMD_01.INI optimized for Caloosahatchee estuary.

[System Related Parameters]

Signature = Aquatic Plant Software
Version = 2
Output Control = Rename

[Site Specific Parameters]

Gps Qualifier = 1
Noisy Pings = 3
Out of Water = 2
Maximum Plant Depth = 2.200000

[System Specific Parameters]

Layer Height = 0.018000
Calibration Correction = 0.000000
Attenuation = 0.000000
Near Field = 0.200000

[Advanced Parameters]
Threshold for Noise Checking and Plant Detection = -65
Noise Checking Distance = 10
Plant Detection Distance = 5
Plant Height Threshold = 4
Bottom Thickness Threshold = 12

[Additional Parameters]
Maximum Bottom Change = 0.110000
B1 = -50
B2 = 6
B3 = 5
B4 = 6
P2 = -50
P3 = 5
P4 = -60
P5 = 2
P6 = -60
Q1 = -125
Q2 = 2
R1 = 8

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Figure 2. Output report window.

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Figure 3. Editing an INI within EcoSAV.

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Post Processing

The post-processing program FINALIZE makes depth corrections, based on tide and transducer
depth, and concatenates individual ODF files into a single, space-delimited, ASCII text file
formatted in accordance with the metadata for the Caloosahatchee Estuary project. In addition
to the ODF files to be included, the program requires a data file of tide measurements and a file
of ODF filenames with their associated reach, transect number, transducer depth and replicate
number. Steps in creating these files and running FINALIZE are described below.

1. Tide data file. An example tide file is contained in Figure 4. This ASCII space
delimited text file can be generated using any text-editing program, such as Microsoft
Wordpad or Notepad. The first line is for documentation only. Each subsequent line
contains the reach number, integer month, integer day of month, time (decimal hours
local time), and tide (feet) relative to the selected reference plane. For each reach, the
first line entry must contain a tide measurement BEFORE the first recorded ODF file.
The last line entry for a given reach must contain a tide measurement AFTER the last
recorded ODF file at that reach. If this condition is not met, the program will give a
warning message and halt execution. If a tide measurement was not made at the correct
time during data collection, it will be necessary to estimate one and enter it. If the time
spent at a reach exceeds 2 hours, it is recommended (but not imperative) that a mid-time
tide measurement be added to the file.

Figure 4. Tide data file must contain reach number, month, day, decimal hour
local time, and tide (feet, NGVD29).

{tide data SFW_21 6-9 Oct 2003: reach, mm, dd, hh.hh, tide}
4 10 6 11.15 1.85
4 10 6 13.50 1.85
3 10 6 14.33 1.75
3 10 6 15.90 1.50
1 10 6 16.75 1.55
1 10 6 17.60 1.45
8 10 7 10.00 1.90
8 10 7 12.10 2.25
7 10 7 14.33 1.85
2 10 7 16.00 2.05
2 10 7 17.80 1.70
6 10 8 9.15 1.25
6 10 8 10.25 1.75
5 10 9 11.33 1.75
5 10 9 13.25 2.05
5 10 9 14.25 2.00

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2. File listing ODF files. An example file is contained in Figure 5. Each line of the file
corresponds to a single ODF file and its associated reach, transect number, depth of the
transducer face (meters), and replicate number. It is not critical to have this list ordered
in any particular way, but it is convenient and customary to order the list by reach then
transect number - making it easier to find data from a given reach and transect in the
output file. The easiest was to generate this file without having to type all the 15-
character filenames is to enter the COMMAND PROMPT program (DOS emulator)
and type: dir *.ODF > filelist.txt from within the proper directory. This will make a list
of the ODF files in the current directory. Any text editor can then be used to discard
everything but the 15-character filenames. These should then be put in the proper order
with a reach and transect number. Be careful to eliminate any aborted files from the
list.

Figure 5. The list file must contain ODF filename, reach number, transect number,
transducer depth (m) and replicate number.

20031006_165545 1 1 0.25 1
20031006_170321 1 2 0.25 1
20031006_170916 1 3 0.25 1
20031006_171231 1 3 0.25 2
20031006_171559 1 4 0.25 1
20031006_172327 1 5 0.25 1
20031006_173050 1 6 0.25 1
20031007_165843 2 1 0.25 1
20031007_170446 2 2 0.25 1
20031007_171143 2 3 0.25 1
20031007_171909 2 4 0.25 1
20031007_172711 2 5 0.25 1
20031007_173510 2 6 0.25 1
20031007_174258 2 7 0.25 1
20031007_162633 2 8 0.25 1
20031007_163354 2 9 0.25 1
20031007_164054 2 10 0.25 1
20031006_143924 3 1 0.30 1
20031006_144934 3 2 0.30 1
20031006_145555 3 3 0.30 1
20031006_150130 3 4 0.30 1
20031006 150739 3 5 0.30 1

3. Running FINALIZE. Double click on the FINALIZE icon. The program will query the
user for the integer survey number (reference Caloosahatchee metadata documentation).
The FORM1 window then appears; click Create Output File of Corrected Data.
Specify the desired filename and directory location of the output file, then click Open.
Select the filename and location of the file containing the list of ODF files; click Open.
Select the filename and location of the tide measurement data, then click Open.

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 Numbers in the FORM1 window will scroll by as the program executes. A successful
completion message window will appear when the program is done; click OK. Finally,
close the FORM1 window to exit the program.

4. Output file format. The format of the output ASCII space delimited .DAT file is in
accordance with the current metadata standard for the Caloosahatchee estuary project.
Note that the metadata standard changed after survey 19 (March 2003) to include depth
corrected to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) 1929 reference plane. An
example output .DAT file is illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Output file.

82.12839 26.50698 2002 206 14.8694 17 7 5 1 -1.88 40.00 0.35

82.12840 26.50695 2002 206 14.8700 17 7 5 1 -1.88 45.45 0.40
82.12840 26.50692 2002 206 14.8706 17 7 5 1 -1.85 40.00 0.35
82.12840 26.50690 2002 206 14.8711 17 7 5 1 -1.81 27.27 0.27
82.12842 26.50687 2002 206 14.8717 17 7 5 1 -1.81 50.00 0.26
82.12843 26.50683 2002 206 14.8725 17 7 5 1 -1.81 43.75 0.19
82.12843 26.50679 2002 206 14.8733 17 7 5 1 -1.81 20.00 0.16
82.12844 26.50677 2002 206 14.8739 17 7 5 1 -1.76 45.45 0.31
82.12845 26.50674 2002 206 14.8744 17 7 5 1 -1.74 30.00 0.29
82.12845 26.50672 2002 206 14.8750 17 7 5 1 -1.72 90.00 0.45
82.12845 26.50669 2002 206 14.8756 17 7 5 1 -1.67 81.82 0.49
82.12845 26.50666 2002 206 14.8761 17 7 5 1 -1.63 80.00 0.44
82.12845 26.50664 2002 206 14.8767 17 7 5 1 -1.59 90.91 0.42
82.12845 26.50661 2002 206 14.8772 17 7 5 1 -1.52 80.00 0.36

As per the metadata description, each record contains the following variables:
longitude - decimal degrees W longitude in NAD83
latitude - decimal degrees N latitude in NAD83
year - four digit year
day - Julian day
time - decimal hours Greenwich Mean Time
survey - sequential survey number
reach - reach number (1-8)
transect - transect number
replicate - replicate number
depth - depth of detected bottom in meters relative to NGVD29
coverage - estimated plant coverage in percent
height - mean plant height (m)

5. Documentation on FINALIZE. Finalize is written in Visual Basic 6.0 and should work
well with any PC running Windows XP. The installation CD (attached to this report)
contains the source code (directory FINALIZE_source) and installation software

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 (directory FINALIZE). The source code will allow the user to modify the program as
necessary. Julian day is computed based on month, day, and year, and takes leap year
into account. Tide corrections are determined by time-based linear interpolation using
the date/time within the ODF filename; that is, all depths within a single transect are
tide corrected by a single value.

6. Installing FINALIZE. Insert the installation CD and open the FINALIZE directory.
Click on SETUP.EXE and follow the installation instructions. It may be convenient to
generate a shortcut icon to activate the program. Click Start\Programs then right click
FINALIZE. Select Create Shortcut. Next, select the created shortcut file and drag and
drop it on the PC screen.

GPS Setup

The MX-420 GPS has been initially configured for work properly with the DT-X sounder for
plant mapping operations. Information below is provided to enable the user to reset these
configuration parameters should they get changed or be erased. All parameter setting is
performed using the configuration screens activated by pressing the CFG key on the lower right
of the GPS panel. This activates a split window with items listed on the left and corresponding
configuration values on the right. Press the CFG key and scroll (large button with 4 arrows) to
a specific item. To make a change to a configuration value press the E key (editor), make the
appropriate change, then press the E key again to exit. The following settings are required for
operation with SAVEWS.

DATUM/Datum = WGS-84
NAVIGATION/WPT Pass Distance = 0.02km
NMEA OUT 1/Not Active
NMEA OUT2/Port Active (yes), set GGA, GLL, ZDA output sentences to ON,
all others OFF
POSITION/Reference System = Lat/Lon
POSITION/Alarm if no update –> YES
SERIAL I/O/4800 Baud for all
TIME/Time System = UTC
WPT&RTE In/External WPT Inputs –> YES

Navigating with GPS

The Leica MX-420 GPS may be used to navigate a stored route (sequence of waypoints). This
involves selecting the route (each sampling reach has a route with the same identification
number) then navigating the route. Select a route using the following sequence of commands
on the GPS.

1. Push the RTE button to display the RTE1 window.

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2. Enter the edit mode by pressing the E button.

3. Press INSERT softkey (far left).

4. Press INSERT ROUTE softkey (far right).

5. Select the desired route number by scrolling down the list of routes with the cursor
button.

6. Press INSERT FORWARD softkey.

7. Exit the edit mode by pressing the E key.

Navigation may be performed using either the NAV or PLOT windows. The NAV3 window
(press NAV button 3 times) provides a runway display with cross-track error bar. The PLOT1
window (press PLOT button once) provides a plan view of the route and boat path. If it
becomes necessary to repeat a transect, repeat the route selection procedure described above.
Enter the NAV3 window and enter the edit mode (E key). Repeatedly press the SKIP
WAYPOINT softkey until the desired waypoint appears in the NEXT POINT box on the
NAV3 window.

Manipulating GPS Waypoints

Waypoints may be moved between the GPS and the PC. Waypoints and routes used in the
Caloosahatchee Estuary study have been loaded onto the GPS. Waypoints are stored on the PC
in C:\Leica_GPS\WayPts01.txt. These data are in NMEA 0183 Standard Waypoint Location
format (WLP) described on pp. 60-61 of the GPS operator’s manual. Uploading or
downloading waypoints requires altering the cable connections, temporarily reconfiguring the
GPS, and running the WayPtIO program, stored in C:\Leica_GPS.

1. Connections. Undo the connection between the GPS and the DT-X sounder. Connect
the GPS cable to the colored ribbon cable and connect the other end of the ribbon cable
to the COM1 port on the back of the PC (only place it will connect).

2. GPS Reconfiguration. Reconfiguration steps (p. 62 GPS Operator’s Manual) include

the following:

CFG\NMEA Out2, enter edit mode (press E key)

Turn OFF all output sentences
Turn ON WPL output sentence
Select “Details” using the softkey, set Checksum Yes for download
set Checksum No for inital upload
set Include Waypoint name to YES,

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 set Decimals to 4
press Done softkey
Turn OFF WPL output sentence
The port remains active (PORT ACTIVE= yes)

3. Downloading Data (GPS to PC). Run the executable program WayPtIO stored on the
PC in C:\Leica_GPS. Select Setup/COM Port - set Serial Port to COM1, and Baud to
4800, select OK. Select Setup/Operational Settings - set the following:
Output Interval =1
Sentences per Interval = 1
Checked boxes: Echo Transmit Data, Repeat Transmit Data, Display
Received Data, Save Received Data
Select Save Receive Data File and designate a location and filename for
the downloaded data.
Select OK
“Push” the green button on the PC program screen, then push the SEND ALL sortkey
(on GPS), then “push” the red button on the PC program screen. Exit the program and
verify that the file has been received.

4. Uploading Data (PC to GPS). Run the executable program WayPtIO stored on the PC
in C:\Leica_GPS. Select Setup/COM Port - set Serial Port to COM1, and Baud to 4800,
select OK. Select Setup/Operational Settings - set the following:
Output Interval =1
Sentences per Interval = 1
Checked boxes: Transmit, Echo Transmit Data, Display Received Data
Select Select File, and designate location and filename of uploaded data.
Select OK
“Push” the green button on the PC program screen. After the transmitted data has
stopped scrolling across the PC screen, exit the program and verify that the waypoint
list (WPT key) on the GPS is correct. If correct, lock them in place by entering the
editor within the Waypoint window (press the E key). Press the More softkey on the
GPS until the Lock all WPT softkey appears, press it, then exit the editor (press E key).

5. Restore GPS Configuration. Remember to restore the NMEA Out 2 configuration as

described in GPS Setup, above (NMEA OUT2/Port Active (yes), set GGA, GLL, ZDA
output sentences to ON, all others OFF).

Entering GPS Routes

Routes may likewise be entered via the PC using the NMEA Standard Rnn and RTE formats in
a procedure similar to that described above. However, because of the limited number of routes
used in the Caloosahatchee study, we have opted to enter them manually on the GPS using the
procedure described on p. 34 of the GPS operator’s manual. Steps required to enter multiple-
waypoint routes are summarized below.

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1. Press the RTE key twice to get to the RTE 2 window which displays route banks.
Scroll down to the route number to be populated or changed.

2. Enter edit mode by pressing the E key. To populate a new route with previously
entered waypoints press the Insert by numb. softkey.

3. Enter the first waypoint number then press the Insert this WPT softkey. Repeat this
procedure for each waypoint in the route.

4. After the final waypoint has been entered (followed by pressing the Insert this WPT
softkey) exit the edit mode by pressing the E key. Next, press the E key again. Inspect
the waypoints just entered. If they are correct press the Lock Route softkey. Route
entry is now complete.

Suggestions

1. Daily data archiving, write .DT4 files to an archival medium such as a CD, using the
CD writer on the Toughbook PC.

2. Periodically remove RTP, NME, and DT4 files from the data directory, after having
archived them.

3. Daily processing and quick graphic display of collected data, suggest using Surfer or
other low end PC mapping software.

4. Care and maintenance of equipment. All connectors are very fragile. A broken
connector can cost a day’s work. Suggest taking extreme care of cables and connectors,
including getting a toolbox with spare parts and tools to repair connectors and damages
cables. This should include pin-out diagrams for all equipment. Damage to the
transducer cable requires a factory repair because it must be recalibrated.

Point of Contact

Please provide comments or corrections to:

Mr. Bruce Sabol, ATTN: CEERD-EE-C
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
3909 Halls Ferry Rd.
Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199
601-634-2297
[email protected]

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