User Manual for the Type 8370
WSM 6+ Transponder
UM-8370
Issue A Rev 1
16
Section 5 – Operation
5.1 Introduction
Before operating the equipment, make sure
Section 2 – Safety
is read and fully understood.
5.2 Operational Modes
The WSM 6+ is capable of two modes of operation, and may be powered either internally or
externally:
•
Transponder Mode
– triggered (interrogated) by an acoustic signal.
•
Responder Mode
– triggered by an electrical signal via the external connector.
The Responder Mode is recommended for the following operational scenarios:
•
On acoustically noisy ROVs.
•
Whenever an electrical trigger signal is available via an umbilical from the ship’s HPR or
LUSBL unit.
•
When tracking from a USBL at < 20° from the horizon.
The normal operational state is achieved with the appropriate address selected via RS232 and the
ON/OFF switch operated on the connector endcap.
5.2.1 Transponder Mode
The Transponder Mode is interrogated by an acoustic input. If there is no external power
connection, the connector must be fitted with the dummy plug to protect the connector pins and
switched to
ON
.
When set to HPR series 400 channel, the transponder will respond 60 milliseconds after recognising
an incoming acoustic burst of the selected frequency and of sufficient magnitude/duration. If the
ambient noise level is too great for the interrogation signals to be heard, the WSM 6+ may not reply
to interrogations or may reply erratically.
In Sonardyne Wideband configuration, a single interrogation signal will trigger a wideband reply
after the selected ‘turn-around time’.
5.2.2 Responder Mode
In Responder Mode, the transponder is triggered to transmit on the configured reply signal by an
electrical trigger signal applied to the external connector. Following the reply, the transponder will be
inhibited from responding to acoustic interrogations for the blocking period, after which it will
respond to either acoustic or electrical triggers.
The trigger pulse waveform is a positive going pulse with a pulse width between 5 and 40 ms and
voltage levels between 4 and 24 V.
5.3 Configuring the WSM 6+
Configuration of the WSM 6+ can be performed using either 6G Terminal Lite software or an iWand
hand held test unit (where specified).
