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Why would I want or need an Active DST Module?
The Actisense Active DST Module was designed as
the perfect solution to:
A) the situation where an existing depth sounder's transducer
is still working but the display unit controlling it is faulty and/or too
old.
B) the situation where the user requires to use a non-Airmar
transducer, but still wants all the benefits of the Active
Transducer.
The Actisense Active DST Module, working with a
large range of transducers, can supply high quality depth, speed, distance
log and water temperature information (in NMEA 0183 format) to a chart
plotter, radar or even an onboard PC.
The Active DST Module design is very flexible,
having been tried and proven with a large range of transducers. This list
is always growing, and currently includes, but is not limited to:
- Airmar 170 kHz, 200kHz and 235kHz
(In-hull, Thru-hull, Transom mount)
- Skipper 200 kHz (In-hull)
- EchoPilot Marine 150 kHz (In-hull)
- NASA Marine 150 kHz (In-hull)
The proven Actisense depth sounding algorithm, working with, for example
an Airmar transducer, can provide 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 outperform other
depth sounders at speeds up to 50 knots (57 MPH).
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Added to this is the ability to interface to a standard paddle-wheel log
transducer and calculate the vessel's speed and the trip distance travelled
(log).
The final ability of interfacing to a standard temperature transducer,
to calculate the current water temperature, completes the picture of this
powerful, all-in-one system.
Simply install the Actisense Active DST Module (and
the associated transducers if not already fitted) 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 DST Module 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 module 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 DST Module 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
DST Module's software 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 was the Fish-finder / Hydrograph software
upgrade which enables additional proprietary NMEA 0183 data to be sent
to the PC so that a hydrographic slice of the water/seabed can be displayed
in full colour, detailing the differing strengths of each returned echo.
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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 (fish) found in the water below the transducer.
The NMEA display software (for a Windows PC or laptop) will be made available
from this website when the Fish-finder / Hydrograph upgrade is released
to the general public.
Please contact Actisense if
this option is of interest to you or your company.
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