Monitoring the communication link
To maintain the best possible communication quality, monitor the line rates and the status of the Communication Hub frequently. The ADSL Router page in the System Setup dialog box allows you to monitor the communication link between the Bridge Control Unit and the Communication Hub on the gear. The Hub Controller page allows you to monitor the status of the Communication Hub in the Trawl Unit.
Context
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper lines.
ADSL Routers are key components in the FX80 system, as they handle the data communication on the trawl cable between the Bridge Control Unit and the subsea equipment on the gear. One router is physically located inside the Bridge Control Unit, while a similar router is incorporated in the Communication Hub in the Trawl Unit.
Important
Do not modify System Setup parameters while you are using Live Feed mode.
Procedure
1 Select the Setup icon.
The icon is located under the Main menu.
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2 Click the System Setup button.
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3 Click the ADSL Router tab.
4 Observe the Connection Status information provided.
•  Up: The ADSL Router is connected to the Communication Hub, and the communication is operational.
•  ADSL Link Down: The communication between the Processor Unit and the ADSL Router inside the Bridge Control Unit is operational, but the communication with the ADSL Router in the Communication Hub is not serviceable.
•  Router not available: There is no network connection between the Processor Unit and the ADSL Router inside the Bridge Control Unit. The system is not operational.
Make sure the Bridge Control Unit is switched on.
5 Observe the Line Rate parameters to determine the quality of the communication.
•  Line Rate - Upstream: This is the current communication speed from the Bridge Control Unit to the Communication Hub in the Trawl Unit. The same information is provided on the Status Bar in the bottom-left corner of the FX80 presentation.
•  Line Rate - Downstream: This is the current communication speed from the Communication Hub in the Trawl Unit to the Bridge Control Unit.
6 For future reference, write down these parameters. They will give you advanced warning of cable and slip-ring issues.
Tip
You will see that the line rates will gradually decrease with time. If the line rates sink below 500 Kbps upstream and 1000 Kbps downstream, the communication has degraded so much that corrective actions may be required. To rectify, you may need to reduce the resolution and/or the frame rate. You should also check the slip ring, the general quality of the third-wire cable, and specifically the pigtail and the splicing.
7 Click the Hub Controller tab.
8 Observe the parameters provided for Communication Hub monitoring.
•  Hub Status: This field shows you the current status of the Communication Hub.
–  Connected: The Communication Hub is connected to the Bridge Control Unit and it is active and operational.
–  Not Connected: The Communication Hub is not connected to the Bridge Control Unit. The system is not operational. In this case, all other statuses will be set to “N/A” due to the lack of communication.
•  Camera Status: This field shows you the current status of the camera.
–  Authenticated: The camera is connected to the Communication Hub and is active and operational.
–  Not Authenticated: The camera is either not connected to the Communication Hub, or you have attempted to connect a third-party camera. The camera supplied with the FX80 system is constantly polled by the Communication Hub with an authentication request. Other third-party cameras can therefore not be used.
–  N/A: The Communication Hub is not communicating with the Bridge Control Unit. The availability of the camera is therefore unknown. The system is not operational.
•  Lamp: This field shows you the current status of the lamp.
–  Off: The lamp is switched off.
–  On (n%): The lamp is switched on. The current intensity is indicated as a percentage.
–  N/A: The Communication Hub is not communicating with the Bridge Control Unit. The availability of the lamp is therefore unknown. The system is not operational.
•  Auxiliary 1 and Auxiliary 2: These fields show you the current status of the auxiliary inputs.
–  Off: The auxiliary connection is switched off and not used.
–  On: The auxiliary connection is switched on and operating.
–  N/A: The Communication Hub is not communicating with the Bridge Control Unit. The availability of the auxiliary inputs is therefore unknown. The system is not operational.
9 Select OK to close the dialog box.