Testing the receiver channels with the BITE Matrix functionality
The Matrix page allows you to monitor the average signal values or signal phases from each of the channels and transducer elements in the ME70 system. The presentation is provided on a matrix corresponding to the element locations in the transducer. For receiver testing, the ME70 must be operational, and both operational and BITE parameters must be known.
Prerequisites
The ME70 system is installed as specified in the Installation Manual.
•  The ME70 system is turned on and operates normally.
•  The vessel is berthed or at sea.
Caution
You must never set the ME70 system to "ping" unless the transducer is submerged in water. The transducer may be damaged if it transmits in open air.
Context
When you move the cursor over the matrix presentation of the transceiver channels, each element in the transducer can be clearly identified as a rectangle. If you place the cursor on top of one of these rectangles, a small yellow tool-tip will identify key information.
A rectangle with 32 black elements in the matrix view indicates a failure with a single transceiver board. The tooltip will indicate which board that fails. Restarting the ME70 system will normally fix the problem. Failure of eight or nine consecutive transceiver boards indicates a problem with the power supply.
•  Weak signals indicate a problem with the +6 VDC supply voltage to the analogue amplifiers.
•  No response indicate a problem with the +12 VDC supply voltage to the digital circuitry.
•  A failure in the +75 VDC supply voltage can only be detected in the transmit test.
Procedure
1 On the Main menu, set Beam Mode to Test - SAT Config.
2 Open the Operation menu.
a Set Operation to Normal.
b Set Range to: 100 m.
c Set Ping to On.
d Set Ping Mode to Interval.
e Set Ping Interval to s.
f Set Tx Mode to Passive
g Set Tx Power to Maximum.
3 Open the BITE Matrix page.
a Open the Setup menu.
b Select BITE to open the dialog box.
Image
Observe that the BITE (Built In Test Equipment) dialog box opens.
c Open the BITE Matrix page.
4 Choose these settings:
a Select Element amplitude.
b Set Start Averaging to 1000.
c Set Averaging Range to 400.
d Set Scale to Automatic.
e Set Element size in pixel to Height 24 pixels and Width 12 pixels.
f Set Transmit pulse to Current.
5 Observe the average of the samples starting from sample 1000.
These samples are all inside the receive period of the ping.
6 Evaluate the level for the functional elements by pointing at each element and read the level from the tool tip. Check for neighbouring elements with the maximum deviation.
Result
If single elements, or groups of elements, report signal levels with abnormal deviation from it's neighboring elements, this indicates malfunctioning receiver hardware. If the transmit test for the elements in question works well this indicates a bad cable connection to the transducer.
Possible reasons may be:
•  Bent or broken pins between the transceiver backplane and the transceiver board or transceiver interface board for the relevant element.
•  Bent or broken pins in the cable connector into the transceiver interface board for the relevant element
•  Damaged cable
•  A defective transducer element.