Chapter 5-10
CA34/44/54 Echo menu
5.8 How the echosounder works
When the CAXX is turned on, a transmitter begins
to send electrical pulses to the transducer. The
ceramic resonators in the transducer has a special
property which enables it to change dimensions
slightly when a varying voltage is applied.
The voltage is thus converted to mechanical vibra-
tions (sound waves) which are then transmitted down
through the water.
See Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 Transmi ed ‘ping’
from the transmi er/receiver.
The sound waves move through the water until they
encounter a change in density, such as a fish or the
bottom. This causes the sound waves to ‘echo’ back
up through the water. When the reflected sound
waves (echoes) hit the transducer, the ceramic disk
vibrates at the same frequency. This generates a
varying voltage between the disk surfaces. This volt-
age goes back up through the cable to the receiver.
The CAXX amplifies and processes the signals and
presents them on the display screen.
See Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 The up arrow indicates:
Echo returning to the receiver.
The down arrow indicates:
Transmi ed pulse.
Summary of Contents for CA34
Page 26: ...Chapter 2 10 CA34 44 54 Fundamentals initial start up...
Page 56: ...Chapter 3 30 CA34 44 54 Radar menu...
Page 80: ...Chapter 4 24 CA34 44 54 Chart menu and INFO windows...
Page 112: ...Chapter 6 20 CA34 44 54 Pilot menu navigation examples...
Page 188: ...Chapter 10 10 CA34 44 54 Troubleshooting Service and Specifications...
