Quick Start Guide to Interfacing the EdgeTech 6205/2205 Sonars with SonarWiz

This quick start guide will take you step-by-step through setting up and using the interface between SonarWiz and the EdgeTech 2205/6205 sonar system for real-time data collection.

This guide contains the following sections listed in the order we recommend you follow for your first survey:

Software Installation

The CTI software required to interface with the EdgeTech 2205/6205 sonar system consists of SonarWiz 7.09.00 or newer and the CTI EdgeTech 4600-6205 server interface. Both of these programs should be installed on the same acquisition computer.

1. Download and install SonarWiz 7.09.00+ onto the acquisition computer. You can find the latest version of SonarWiz from the CTI Download page here: https://chesapeaketech.com/download-sonarwiz/.

2. Download and install the EdgeTech 4600-6205 Server 7.04.01+ onto the acquisition computer. You can find the latest version of the CTI real-time servers from the CTI Real-Time Server Download page here: https://chesapeaketech.com/download-real-time-servers-2/

Real-Time License Check

The 2205/6205 series sonars are capable of collecting both bathymetry and sidescan sonar data. In order to operate SonarWiz for sidescan data collection, you must have a license for sidescan data acquisition. In order to operate SonarWiz for bathymetric data collection, you must have a license for bathymetry data acquisition. The method used to verify that you have the required module licenses depends on the type of software lock you are using:

For Dongle Free License (DFL) Users:

1. Start the CTI License Manager from the Windows Start Menu

2. Click the Accept button to close the Privacy Notice.

3. Click the Status Button

4. Verify that Bathymetry acquisition and/or Sidescan acquisition or one of the Sidescan-Combo acquisition modules are licensed as shown below:
   
   

Open

For USB Dongle Key users:

1. Insert the USB Dongle into your computer

2. Start the CTI Dongle Manager from the Windows Start Menu

3. Click the Read Dongle button

4. Verify that Bathy data acquisition is enabled and Server: Edgetech 4200 is enabled is listed in the display.

Open

Create a SonarWiz Project

You must create a SonarWiz project before starting data collection. A SonarWiz Project is the container or context in which all data collection and post-processing is performed.

1. Click the New Project icon in the upper-left corner of SonarWiz.

2. Enter a Project Name and Project Folder.

3. Enter the Approximate Project Position latitude and longitude.

4. Set the Coordinate Source to Always use Ship Position.

5. Set the Time Constant for Course Smoothing to 300 (default)

6. Check the Automatically Select Coordinate System box to let SonarWiz pick an appropriate UTM coordinate system, or uncheck this box and use the Browse Coordinate Systems… button to select a different coordinate system.

7. Click OK to create the new project.
   
   

Add Basemaps and Overlays

While planning your survey, it is useful to display charts, bathymetry grids, and vector files such as survey polygons and other line files. SonarWiz uses the term Basemap (and GeoImages) to represent data that appears under the sonar data such as nautical charts or shaded bathymetry. SonarWiz uses the term Overlays to represent data that appears on top of the sonar data, typically vector polygons such as survey areas, cable or pipeline routing maps, etc. SonarWiz supports dozens image, raster and vector formats.

To add a Basemaps, GeoImages or Overlays to your project:

1. Right-Click the Maps branch in the Project Explorer and select Add Base map or Add GeoImage or Add Overlay from the Context Menu.

2. Select the file or files that you want to add to the project.

3. Your files will be displayed in the Maps branch of the Project Explorer where you can turn them on or off by checking the box next to their name.
   
   

    

Add Planned Survey Lines

On the Data Acquisition ribbon, you will find the Survey Lines group which allows you to lay out your survey line plan before you start data collection. Survey Lines can be added individually or created in groups of parallel lines.

To Add a Survey Lines to a Project:

1. Zoom into the area where you want to place your first survey line.

2. Select Data Acquisition > Add Line

3. Your mouse cursor will change to look like a drawing pen.

4. Left-Click to start the line.

5. Left-Click again to stop drawing the line.

To Generate Lines Parallel to a Selected Line:

1. Right-Click a Survey Line to open the Context Menu

2. Select Generate Lines Parallel to the Selected Line…

3. In the Cloning Line dialog, fill in the desired settings for the new lines

4. Click OK
   
   

    

5. These new lines will also be listed in the Survey Lines branch of the Project Explorer

    

Configure Real-Time Log File Settings

Before you start logging data you should review the File Options settings in the SonarWiz Preferences and Settings menu. Here you can configure where SonarWiz will record new files and how those files will be named.

To Open the File Options dialog:

1. Click on the green Options icon in the upper-left corner of SonarWiz

2. Click on the File Options icon in the left-hand icon bar in the Preferences and Settings dialog

3. Review or Set the Log Data Files Path (defaults to your current project folder)

4. Review or Set the Real Time File Settings to control the automatic naming convention and file size limits of recorded lines.

Create a Real-Time Screen Layout

SonarWiz has a large number of dockable windows and widgets. The default screen layout shows only the basic controls. You can add or remove windows and widgets to the screen layout and then save the new layout for later use. At any time, you can recall saved screen layouts to reconfigure the SonarWiz screen.

What we want to do now, is create and save a screen layout that is optimized for data collection. We will add screen widgets that are important for real-time quality control and system monitoring.

On the View Ribbon Menu, you will find the Data Displays group. The Data Acquisition Views drop-down contains more than a dozen real-time monitoring widgets. To turn these widgets on, Click on the Data Acquisition Views icon and then click on the desired widget.

We want to enable the following widgets:

• Waterfall Display 1

• System Information

• Sensor Status

• Left-Right Steering Indicator

To Enable and Dock a widget:

1. Click on the Data Acquisition Views drop-down

2. Left-Click and drag the Waterfall Display 1 with the mouse

3. While holding the mouse button down, hover the mouse over one of the docking icons that appear as you pan over the screen

4. Release the mouse to drop the Waterfall display into place as shown below:
   
   

    

5. Repeat this for each of the Waterfall Display 1, the System Information panel, the Sensor Status Panel and the Left-Right Steering indicator. We placed the widgets like this:
   
   

Next, we need to save this layout for future use on the boat.

To Save a Screen Layout:

1. Click on View Menu > Layout Manager icon

2. Click on the Save New Layout button

3. Give the new layout a name

4. Click OK to save the layout

To Load a Screen Layout:

1. Click on the View Menu > Layout Manager icon

2. Select the layout you want to load

3. Click the Load Layout button

Start EdgeTech Discover

The CTI EdgeTech 4600-6205 Server is used to record data in SonarWiz coming from any of the EdgeTech 2205, 4600 (legacy) or 6205 sonar systems. It is not a stand-alone interface and requires that EdgeTech Discover or EdgeTech Discover AUV software is running in the background.

Follow EdgeTech instructions for properly configuring and running Discover or Discover AUV. Once Discover is up and running continue with this guide.

Creating a Vessel File

Because the 2205 and 6205 are bathymetric systems, you must configure a Vessel file in SonarWiz before starting the real-time interface.

To create a vessel file:

1. Click on Data Acquisition > Vessel > Open Vessel Editor
   
   

    

2. In the Vessel Properties section, give your vessel a Name and select Surface Vessel or AUV as the platform model.
   
   

    

3. In the Vessel Shape and Size section, define the approximate dimensions of your platform. The model will show and AUV or Vessel depending on the platform model you choose in step 2.
   
   

    

4. Click the Add new sensor button to open the New Sensor dialog. From the Sensor class drop down select Swath Bathy and then pick Edgetech 2205 (AUV) or Edgetech 6205 as appropriate.
   
   

   
   Note that SonarWiz will fill out the default offsets for the 2205 or 6205, but you may need to adjust these values by typing in the appropriate box. Click OK to close the New Sensor dialog and observe that the sensor has been added to the model:
   
   

5. Repeat Step 4 to add a Position sensor and a Motion Sensor to the platform. If the exact model of your Position or Motion sensor is not listed, pick the Generic model.

6. When all of your sensors are added. You can Close the Vessel Editor window. The vessel information is already saved.

Starting the EdgeTech 4200-6205 Server Interface

The EdgeTech Server provides the real-time data interface for working with the 2205/6205 sonar system. The interface provides command, control and data to and from the EdgeTech Discover.

To start the EdgeTech Server

1. Open your SonarWiz project.

2. Click the Data Acquisition > Sonar icon to open the Select Sonar Interface dialog

3. In the Single and Multi-beam Bathymetry section, look for the EdgeTech-4600-6205Server and select it.

4. Click the Start/Configure button
   
   

    

5. At this point the EdgeTech interface should launch. Verify that the EdgeTech interface is listed in the Current Servers: Bathymetry section.
   
   

    

6. Verify that the SonarWiz indicator is green on the EdgeTech4600-6205Server interface. This indicates that the server has a connection to SonarWiz.
   
   

    

7. In the 4600 IP Address box of the server, enter the IP Address of the computer running Discover or Discover AUV. If Discover is running on the same computer as SonarWiz and the EdgeTech4600-6205Server itself, use the loopback address 127.0.0.1. The IP Port should usually be set to 1900.
   
   

   
   You should now see 3 green indicator lights, Control Status, Data Status and SonarWiz.

Verify Sonar Data is Flowing from Discover to SonarWiz

After the connection is established between the server and the Discover, and the EdgeTech 6205 is pinging. The server should indicate that data is flowing in several ways:

1. Each packet type received is listed in the server with an increasing packet count and an update with the latest information

2. The Sidescan Ping/Channel Amplitude display is showing minimum, average and maximum amplitudes.

In SonarWiz, you should see:

1. The System Information panel should show the vessel position and speed.

2. The Sensor Status panel should indicate that Navigation is enabled and Sidescan is enabled. It should indicate the age in milliseconds since the most recent update.

3. The Waterfall display should show sidescan data scrolling down the display

4. If you click the Auto Ship Centering in the Mapping Tool Bar, the main map display should snap to the position of your vessel. The vessel is indicated by a cartoon outline of a ship.

Configure the Waterfall display for Sidescan

The Real-Time Waterfall displays in SonarWiz can display up to 2-channels of sidescan and 2-channels of sub-bottom data simultaneously. When you first open these displays they may be configured to display channels you are not using.

To Reconfigure the Real-Time Waterfall display:

1. Click the Gear icon in the toolbar of the waterfall display

2. Select (check) the sub-bottom and sidescan channels you want to display. Unselect (uncheck) the channels you do not want to display.

Adjust Sidescan Gains

Most sidescan data requires gain adjustments to look it’s best. SonarWiz provides a band-pass filter, AutoTVG, AGC, ping stacking, and water column blanking.

To adjust sub-bottom gains in the real-time waterfall:

1. Right-click in the real-time waterfall display you want to adjust

2. Select Adjust SSS Gains… from the Context Menu

3. Adjust the gain settings as desired

4. Click OK to apply the settings
   
   

Adjust Real-Time Bottom Tracking

The realtime-bottom tracker is used to compute altitude for systems which do not compute altitude in the towfish. Although this can be done in post-processing, it is useful to have a valid bottom track in real-time so that you can apply the swell filter to the real-time display. The Real-Time bottom tracker is accessed similarly to the real-time gain settings.

To enable and modify the settings for the real-time bottom tracker:

1. Right-click the waterfall display where you want to enable the real-time bottom tracker

2. In the Context Menu, select Real-Time Bottom Tracker.

3. In the Real-Time Altitude Tracker window

   1. Enable the Auto Tracker in the check box

   2. Select the radio button for SSS or SBP as appropriate

   3. Select the radio button for the channel you want to track

   4. Select if you want to Use Telemetered Altitude from the towfish

   5. Select if you want to Trace the bottom track on the display

4. If you do not have Telemetered altitude from the towfish, or you want to re-compute the altitude using the SonarWiz algorithms, uncheck the Use Telemetered Altitude check box and:

   1. Adjust the Threshold percentage (higher if the bottom track is not reaching the bottom, lower if it going below the bottom)

   2. Set the blanking distance below the surface reverberation

   3. Set the duration to the number of samples the bottom trace must be. If your water column is noisy this setting helps the tracker jump over speckle in the water column

   4. Enable tracker smoothing once you have the tracker locked onto the bottom

   5. Click the Apply button to check current settings.

   6. Close the window when done.
      
      

Adjust the Color Palette

The Color window controls how a color palette is mapped to sonar data in the SonarWiz. SonarWiz supports two different kinds of color palettes for sub-bottom data. Linear palettes for unipolar data (data with positive intensities only), and symmetrical palettes for bi-polar data (data with both positive and negative intensities).

To open the Color window:

1. Click the Color Window icon in the mapping toolbar.

2. In the Datatype drop-down, select the Sub-bottom channel you want to adjust

3. In the Palette Options drop down, select the color palette, optionally select to Smooth or Invert the palette.

4. In the Scale Mode drop down, select one of the automatic modes if you want SonarWiz to automatically adjust the color palette to your data as it is collected, or, select manual mode if you want to adjust the color palette yourself.
   
   

Steer a Selected Survey Line

Once you are ready to start your survey, align the boat with the first of your planned survey lines and steer the selected line. The Left/Right Steering Indicator will indicate how far off the planned line the vessel is maintaining. It also indicates how far along the line and how far remains of the line.

To Steer a planned survey line:

1. Select the line you want to steer

2. Right-Click the line to open the line Context Menu

3. Select Steer the Selected Line

If necessary, you can reverse a selected line, add run-in and run-out so that the tow-fish is properly aligned before it reaches the planned survey line or before you start the turn at the end of the line.

Recording a line

When ready to start recording data. Switch to the Data Acquisition menu.

To Record a track line:

1. Verify that data is feeding into SonarWiz. In the status bar, the navigation icon and the sonar icon should not have a red X flashing. The data recording icon will show a red X until you start recording.

2. Click the Quick Record button in the Data Acquisition Menu.

3. Verify that a new sidescan file is added to the Project Explorer and you will see red “Rec” icons in the main view and the real-time waterfall display.
   
   

   There should be no red “X” flashing in the status bar

    

4. When you are ready to stop data collection. Click the Stop Recording button.

   
   The sidescan file will be closed and the red “Rec” icons will disappear and a red “X” will appear in the status bar over the data recording icon:

    

For each of your recorded tracks, you will have two records of the data:

1. A CSF file is created along with several associated data files in the CSF folder of your project. The CSF files is a proprietary file that is displayed in SonarWiz for QC purposes. This file is only used only by SonarWiz.

2. A XTF file located in the SSS folder of your project. This is the permanent record of your recording. This file is non-proprietary and can be easily imported into SonarWiz (with a sidescan processing license) or other sidescan analysis software.

Replaying a XTF file

After data collection, your raw sidescan data is stored in XTF format in the SSS folder of your project. You can review the data you’ve collected using the SonarWiz Playback utility.

To review a previously recorded sidescan XTF file:

1. Click Post-Processing > Playback to open a XTF

    

2. Select the files you want to review and Click Open

3. Use the green controls at the top of the waterfall display to control the playback

    

   View of SonarWiz during file playback:

    

    

Shutting Down SonarWiz and the EdgeTech Server

To safely shut down SonarWiz:

1. Click the Stop Recording icon to stop all logging.

2. Open the Sonar Interface window by click Data Acquisition > Sonar.

3. In the Current Servers section, click Disconnect from any servers that are currently listed.
   
   

    

4. In the EdgeTech Interface server, click Quit button.

5. Close SonarWiz.

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