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Why would I want or need an Active Transducer?
The Actisense Active Transducer is a complete and perfect solution to the
problem of how to supply high quality depth, speed, distance log and water
temperature information (in an NMEA 0183 format) to a chart plotter, radar
or even an onboard PC.
The proven Actisense depth sounding algorithm, in a superior Airmar transducer
housing provides the best-in-class tracking of the seabed - capable of
tracking the seabed down to 0.3 metres (1 foot) and up to 200 metres (660
feet), and still outperforms other depth sounders at speeds up to 50 knots
(57 MPH).
Add to this the ability to calculate the vessel's speed, the distance travelled
(log) and the current water temperature, and the Active
Transducer is a
powerful and complete system.
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Simply install the Active Transducer to the vessel
(depending on transducer type) and connect it to your NMEA 0183 network
- normally through an NMEA Multiplexer ( NDC-2 or NDC-3)
or an NMEA Buffer ( NBF-2)
- and all the NMEA data will be instantly available to any NMEA devices
that require it.
Using the Actisense RS485
to RS232 Adapter cable and free software available (on this website
when necessary), the NMEA Active Transducer software
may be updated as many times as required with the very latest software
enhancements, or even user defined software.
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Can the transducer be customised
to fit my requirements exactly?
Actisense can offer full design support at competitive rates for companies
and individuals wishing to include the Active Transducer as part of their sensor solution, or wishing to create their own depth
sounder solutions.
Possible customised applications range from outputting the data in a customer's specific format
(for example, to an onboard depth sounder network that could indicate the depth at all four
corners of a vessel's hull), changing the rate of data transmissions (update rate), to simply
using a different Baud rate.
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Almost anything can be customised.
If you or your company is interested
in this full Active transducer custom design service, please contact Actisense.
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What special features does it have?
This is a very open-ended answer because, as the Actisense Active
Transducer's
firmware can be updated, the list of special features can be extended or modified
when required - by Actisense, or a particular customer.
The first special feature developed for a commercial customer was the Hydrographic firmware
upgrade which enables additional proprietary NMEA 0183 data to be sent
to the PC allowing a hydrographic (picture) slice of the water/seabed to be displayed
in full colour, detailing the differing strengths of all echoes.
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By scrolling this data every time another slice is received, a history
of seabed information is built up. This display creates a detailed picture
of the seabed and other echoes (potentially fish) found in the water below the transducer.
This specialist firmware and NMEA display software (for a Windows PC or laptop) is not currently available to the general public.
Please contact Actisense if this option is of interest to you or your company.
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