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Operating procedures
Using the markers and tracking features
Starting a position track
A position track permits the ST90 system to automatically control the tilt and bearing based on the movements of your vessel.

Purpose
Document information
About this manual
The purpose of this publication is to provide the descriptions and procedures required to allow for efficient use of the ST90 system. The manual does not contain detailed information about functions, dialog boxes and operating parameters.
Simrad ST90
Operating procedures
- Getting started
- Choosing operating mode and key transmit parameters
- Controlling the gain and range settings
- Using the markers and tracking features
  - Starting a position track
    A position track permits the ST90 system to automatically control the tilt and bearing based on the movements of your vessel.
  - Starting a target track
    During normal operation, some echoes are clearly more interesting than others. In many situations specific echoes may be regarded as targets. To set up the ST90 system to provide such information, you can start target tracking.
  - Placing a new marker
    One or more markers can be placed in the view to identify specific echoes. Each marker is shown as a small triangle with or without a short identifying label.
  - Deleting a marker
    There are several ways to delete a single marker. You can use the shortcut menu, or select Delete in the Objects menu. You can also use the Operating Panel.
  - Deleting multiple markers
    There are several ways to delete multiple markers simultaneously.
  - Measuring the size of a school relative to the purse seine
    Estimating the size of a school can sometimes be challenging. A single circle marker can be placed in the display presentation. The circle is drawn with the same diameter as your purse. By means of the circle you can see the size of the school relative to your purse.
  - Using visual aids during the purse seine catch phase
    The gear symbol is provided as a tool to help you plan and shoot the purse seine. The symbol is intended to be used in a structured sequence that starts when you plan to shoot the purse seine.
  - Selecting a geographical area for accurate target tracking
    When you have an echo you wish to track, the tracking functionality places a geographical area around the object. An invisible area - the tracking area - is created as an acquisition area. In order for the ST90 system to find and lock on the intended target, it needs to be kept within this tracking area. If the intended target falls outside the area, the tracking can not be started.
  - Defining the physical size of the tracking area
    When you have an echo you wish to track, the tracking functionality places a geographical area around the object. An invisible area - the tracking area - is created as an acquisition area. In order for the ST90 system to find and lock on the intended target, it needs to be kept within this tracking area. If the intended target falls outside the area, the tracking can not be started. Use the Tracking Area Setup dialog box to define or change the physical size of the tracking area.
  - Choosing the fishing gear in use
    By defining the type of fishing gear you are using, the ST90 system may provide more accurate visual presentations. The Fishing Gear function allows you to define the size of your trawl or purse seine.
  - Changing the fishing gear properties to match your own equipment
    Use the Fishing Gear Setup dialog box to change the fishing gear properties to match your own equipment.
- Improving the recognition of fish and schools using receiver filters
- Recording and replaying echo data
- Recording and exporting processed echo data
- Capturing the display presentation in image and video files
- Setting up presentation modes and views
- Defining the visual information in the sonar views
- Defining settings related to user preferences and individual customizing
- Saving, retrieving and maintaining user settings
- Defining the user-selected features on the Operating Panel
- Exporting sensor data, marker positions and technical information
User interface
Menu system
Functions and dialog boxes
The functions and dialog boxes provided in the ST90 user interface are not described in this publication.
Technical specifications
The technical specifications summarize the main functional and operational characteristics of the ST90 system. They also provide information related to power requirements, physical properties and environmental conditions.
Datagram formats
The ST90 system can send and receive information to and from several different peripherals. All transmissions take place as datagrams with data sentences. Each datagram has a defined format and length.
Copyright

Starting a position track

A position track permits the ST90 system to automatically control the tilt and bearing based on the movements of your vessel.

The position track locks on a position defined by its latitude, longitude and depth.

The phrase position is used to identify a fixed echo in the display presentation that you wish to act upon. The echo may for example be from a shallow, reef or rock. You must decide which echoes that shall be classified as positions, and whether you shall start position tracking.

The bearing and tilt settings are automatically adjusted to compensate for the movements of your vessel. The bearing line is automatically locked on the object to reflects its bearing. The marker is stationary. If the echo moves in the display presentation the marker will not follow.

Tip:

By default, a new manually initiated tracked object is automatically given priority status. Relevant information about the priority target can be found in the lower left corner of the view. If you think the text is small and hard to read, double-click on the text field. This will increase the text size.

On the User Settings Setup page, de-select New Manually Initiated Track if you do not want new tracked targets to become priority targets. This page is located in the Installation dialog box. To open the page, select Installation on the Setup menu.

Procedure

Place the cursor over the echo you wish to track.
Press Position Track on the Operating Panel.

or:

Place the cursor over the echo you wish to track.
Right-click to open the shortcut menu.
Select Initiate Track.

The marker is shown as a small triangle with or without a short identifying label. Once an echo has been provided with a marker in the display presentation it is regarded as an object.

Note:

If you change the tilt and bearing settings manually, the position track is disabled. If you create a new marker and give this priority, the position track is disabled. The same applies if you start a new target track.