Specifications

Tritech International Ltd SeaKing System Options OM
Issue 3 TIL – Eng – Spec – 040 Page 36 of 44
OPTION 9: CONNECTING SERIAL DEVICE TO SONAR AUX PORT
It is possible to configure the ‘Aux’ port on a SeaKing Sonar for input of RS232 / RS485 serial
message packets. These serial messages may be from devices such as a Gyro Compass or GPS
or Altimeter. ASCII messages received through the Sonar ‘Aux’ port do not require a header or
Identifier but must be terminated with a Line Feed (<LF>). These messages are restricted to a
maximum length of 100 bytes (including <LF>).
Note: It is preferred that the altimeter has the RS485 board fitted since this avoids breaking the
power isolation in the SeaKing head and also allows the altimeter analogue output to be jumpered
through the sonar head on pin 5 (COMDV3 or COMFV3 pcb, JP3 link).
Software version 1.40 or later is recommended for operation of the auxiliary port serial interface.
Messages through the Sonar ‘AUX’ port are contained in sonar data packets for transmission to the
surface control unit. The message is then stripped from the Sonar data and either displayed on
screen or serially transmitted out of the SCU COM port.
A Message Header is added to the message before it is transmitted out the COM port and the
message is also terminated with <CR><LF>:
RV4 “Slot Text Message” Control to SonV3
Command “:SA” - Send Text Message to Sonar (Slot 01)
Command Data
Destination Slot Number e.g. “01” for Sonar 00 2 * DIGIT
Message Length 0000 HEXINTEGER
Text String “......” & <CR><LF> BYTES
e.g.
Send NMEA Gps “$GPGLL,0123.45,N,13155.23,W,211852,A*E0” Msg to Slot 01
“:SA01006A$GPGLL,0123.45,N,13155.23,W,211852,A*E0<CR><LF>”
For Example to Send Message “$1D<LF>" to Remote Device on Sonar Slot 1 AUX Port
Msg = “$1D”
OutPkt = “:SA01000D” & Msg & Chr$(10)
(In this Instance Message Length = 13decimal = 000Dhex. At present this length is not checked
and may be sent as "0000", e.g. “:SA010000$1D<LF>“ is legal)
Reply: “Slot Text Message” - “%A” followed by:
Slot Message Header
Total Message Length in Hex 0026 (32 decimal) HEXINTEGER
Slot Number in Hex Typically 01 HEX
Head Type Identifier e.g. Sonar = 22Hex Typically 22 HEX
Data Mode 0,1,2,3 Typ. 0 = ASCII DIGIT
Raw Data Bit Typ. 0 DIGIT
Message Data STRING<CR><LF> STRING
e.g Slot 1, Sonar Head(Type 22hex), Tcm2 Compass Message $C70.1P-4.2R-3.5T21.5*15
“%A0026012200$C70.1P-4.2R-3.5T21.5*15<CR><LF>“
For Example:
Reply from SonV3 Serial COM Port =
InPkt = “%A0026012200$C70.1P-4.2R-3.5T21.5*15<CR><LF>“