Deckman Manual Cover.qxd 25/04/05 16:05 Page 1 MANUAL Deckman www.BandG.
Deckman User Manual Premier Way Abbey Park, Romsey Hampshire, SO51 9DH, UK www.BandG.com © B&G Ltd. 2005 The copyright of this manual is the property of B&G Ltd.
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Trademarks All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of B&G. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. B&G reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organisation of such changes.
Product Liability and Safety Warnings Product Liability Brookes and Gatehouse Ltd. accept no responsibility for the use and/or operation of Deckman. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that under all circumstances the product is used for the purposes for which it has been designed. Warning - Calibration The safe operation of Deckman is dependent on accurate and correct calibration.
Preface This manual is written in two parts: the first is a general introduction to Deckman. The second section contains instructions on how to use Deckman. Part 1: In the first chapter, a general overview of the Deckman display screen is given with descriptions of the various parts. Part 2: This section deals with the operation of Deckman. The first chapters cover the installation and general use of Deckman. After this, there are chapters dealing with specific features.
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Contents Chapter 1 : Deckman Introduction _______ 1.1 Chapter 2 : Getting Started ____________ 2.1 Deckman Installation......................................................................2.1 Installing charts ..............................................................................2.2 Connecting to the Instruments .......................................................2.7 Direct connection of GPS...............................................................2.9 Show incoming data ....................
Display time ....................................................................................3.28 General Layers ...............................................................................3.28 Chart options ..................................................................................3.30 Chart Layers ...................................................................................3.31 Zoom ................................................................................................3.
User variables.................................................................................5.20 Chapter 6 : Polars____________________ 6.1 Understanding Polars ....................................................................6.1 Managing polars.............................................................................6.4 Chapter 7 : Instruments_______________ 7.1 Configure comms ............................................................................7.1 WTP system ............................
Chapter 10 : Competitors______________ 10.1 Time-on-time handicap ..................................................................10.1 Plotting competitors' positions ......................................................10.3 Chapter 11 : Networking ______________ 11.1 Using the networked version..........................................................11.1 Setup ................................................................................................11.2 Two-boat telemetry across a network ......
Deckman Introduction Chapter 1 : Deckman Introduction Congratulations and thank you for choosing B&G Deckman, the world’s most advanced race navigation software. Deckman represents B&G’s commitment in providing software of the highest quality and performance. To get the most from Deckman, take the time to carefully read this user manual so that you can fully appreciate its functionality. Figure 1.
Chapter 1: Deckman Introduction Data bar shows the value of any variable. You can select which variables you want displayed: simply click on the top half of a particular box and choose from the menu. You can display either the present or damped value (time specified in minutes; variable is shown underlined): choose when first selecting variables, or change by clicking on a displayed variable and then enter the averaging time. You can also arrange variables in the data bar using drag and drop.
Deckman Introduction Clicking menu>refresh updates the display, thus getting rid of old or unwanted lines or marks. If, for example, you want to view only the isochrones from the present plan, this is a useful function. Throughout this manual, bold text is used when options—such as menu choices—are referred to. The > symbol is used when menu selections are being discussed.
Chapter 1: Deckman Introduction F6 Wind plot F7 Start display F8 Navigation display F9 Next window (the least recently used of all the windows currently open in Deckman) Sh+F9 Previous window (the most recently used of all the windows currently open in Deckman) Hint: using the F9 and Sh+F9 allows you to toggle between two windows. 1.
Deckman Installation Chapter 2 : Getting Started Deckman Installation As previously mentioned, there are currently two versions of Deckman that support either the C-Map or Euronav charting systems. The install for each version varies slightly as detailed below. Install Deckman by running the SetupDeckman.exe installation program on the CD-ROM. Note that for a Euronav version, there are two parts to the installation: Deckman itself and the Euronav Charting System (ECS).
Chapter 2: Getting Started Installing charts Deckman works with a variety of different chart formats, both raster and vector, and the installation of each is slightly different, so make sure you refer to the correct section below. If installing ARCS or Livecharts then this can be done from within Deckman (assuming you are using Deckman version 4 or later). For C-Map and Maptech charts (BSB, PCX or REML formats) the installation is done without Deckman running.
Installing charts Livecharts With Deckman version 4 or later, the complete catalogue of Livecharts is supplied on the program CD. Charts can then be enabled by obtaining an unlock code from your local agent or B&G. For help in choosing the charts you require, view the chart catalogue: open Deckman, select menu>charts>chart interaction to stop the regular Deckman display updating and instead interact directly with the charting package. Hold down the right mouse button until a popup menu appears.
Chapter 2: Getting Started The next step is to tell the program where to find the charts. Choose menu>charts>chart settings. A dialog will pop up giving you all of the options for controlling the appearance of the charts. Select the Chart Directories tab and set the directory for Livecharts - Vector by hitting the Browse button. Move to the correct directory and then choose the Select Path button.
Installing charts be asked to insert the UPDATE CD-ROM. After clicking Finish you will be asked to update the folio again. The next step is to tell the program where to find the charts. Choose menu>charts>chart settings. A dialog will pop up giving you all of the options for controlling the appearance of the charts. Select the Chart Directories tab and set the directory for HCRF - Raster by hitting the Browse button. Move to the correct directory and then select the Select Path button.
Chapter 2: Getting Started charts from a number of different CDs, it is advised that these be installed into different folders each with appropriate names/numbers for recognition). However, if you are short of memory space on your hard drive, it is possible to copy only certain charts. This is more complicated because of the way Deckman interacts with the PCX chart format. Each chart is stored in a folder which has a corresponding chart header in the folder Figure 2.1 Charthdr on the CD-ROM.
Connecting to the Instruments hard drive. An example of what a PCX folder might look like is shown in Figure 2.1. Updating the Folio Once all the required charts have been copied, run Deckman, select menu>charts>use Maptech charts and then check the Use Maptech charts in preference to others box to switch to using Maptech charts. Select menu>charts>update chart folio and you will be presented with a dialog in which you must specify the locations of the Maptech charts.
Chapter 2: Getting Started Note. For connection to an NMEA FFD, h1000 or Silva NMEA, the connections are the same as for NMEA. When you have specified the correct settings, click Next to specify the settings for your GPS (see below). Note. To operate a working version in demonstration mode so that it may be used without a dongle see deckman.ini in Chapter 12.
Direct connection of GPS Now select waypoint>cross tr on one section of the display, and calibrate>cal val2 on the other. Set the value to 6.2. Ockam To set the Ockam RS232 interface to 4800 baud, NO parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit, set both switches A and B to 9. Direct connection of GPS It is possible to connect your GPS directly to Deckman. The main advantage of this is that you can easily see if you lose GPS signal for any reason and Deckman may also receive the GPS data at a higher frequency.
Chapter 2: Getting Started Next, you must remove the existing version. Select the Start button and then Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs. For Euronav versions, both Deckman Vn.n (where n.n is the version number) and Euronav Charting System must be uninstalled. Run Windows Explorer and make copies of following files in the Data subdirectory (see page 12.5) to somewhere other than the Deckman directory: Adjvt.d wind speed calibration adjwa.d wind angle calibration bgbounds.
Deckman re-installation over an existing version Install Deckman by running the SetupDeckman.exe installation program on the CD-ROM. There will be two sections to the installation: Deckman and the Euronav Charting System which is automatic after Deckman. Once installation is complete, if using an old dongle (SN beginning 1071), you must set the [livechart] path in the Deckman.ini file to that noted above.
Introduction Chapter 3 : Navigation Introduction When you first run Deckman you will see a display something like that shown below in Figure 3.1 The best way to get to know how the program works is to run Simulation (see next page). Here you can practice and start to get to grips with some of the functions before trying to use them under pressure! If not already in Simulation mode select gmenu>change instruments and then check the Simulation box. Figure 3.1 3.
Chapter 3: Navigation The numeric keypad Whenever Deckman expects you to enter a numeric value a keypad will appear like the example in Figure 3.2. The number you enter is shown at the top in larger size; a message is shown below which usually gives the current value. Figure 3.2 The keys down the right have the following functions: Escape: this exits without making any changes Backspace: deletes the last digit entered Minus: makes any value entered negative.
Simulation Simulation When Simulation is running Deckman generates instrument data that you can use to practice running the other displays. In Simulation mode you can only control the boat's heading and the true wind speed/direction. Deckman then uses these to calculate boat speed and all the other variables. As you will not be connected to any position fixer, such as GPS, when running in Simulation mode you will have to use Deckman's dead reckoning (DR) capabilities to set the position of the boat.
Chapter 3: Navigation The left pane controls the wind: click on a box to input the desired value. If Add wind shifts is checked then Deckman will add changes in both wind speed and direction. On the right you can control the boat's heading: click on the box where the present heading is displayed, (000° in the example), input the new heading on the numeric keypad and then hit the Enter key. After you have made the desired changes hit OK.
Selecting a route reference points on the plot—rocks and positions marking channels for example. Sometimes it is useful to make one of these marks a mark of the course because then you can relate laylines to that point and these will help in making tactical decisions regarding the course to sail. To create a route select menu>waypoints>make route or click on the icon (shown left) on the tool bar.
Chapter 3: Navigation Note. You can edit the Triangle sector and change the names (to use a language other than English, say) but do not change the order of these waypoints—Deckman positions all the marks for triangular courses by using the order of waypoints. Quick route Selecting menu>waypoints>quick route or clicking on the icon shown on the tool bar allows you to choose a route by setting marks using the position of the mouse.
Sailing the course The Quick Route facility also allows you another way to set the positions of waypoints (see also Sailing the Course below). Click on the Quick Route icon, point the cursor at the waypoint you wish to move (it will turn red). Hold down the left mouse button and drag to the required position.
Chapter 3: Navigation There are, however, ways of changing the position of the current waypoint to make it fit in with your observations once you start racing.
Set DR position Laser RB from boat as above. For use with a laser range finder. triangle from mid set the position of the current waypoint as a range and bearing relative to the mid mark by lat, long allows you to specify a latitude and longitude Make sure that the waypoint you wish to position is the one currently selected—its name should be at the top of the navigation display.
Chapter 3: Navigation List Route Clicking route on the icon bar brings up a window containing information about the current route, as well as your present latitude and longitude—see Figure 3.4. Figure 3.4 Three different positions are shown at the top of the window: DR dead reckoning—calculated from the speed and bearing received from the instruments EP estimated position—DR position adjusted for whichever current is selected in Use Current in the Navigation options window (see page 3.21).
What If? What If? This displays all the information you might need for any of the legs of the course, using either the present information from the instrument system, or any other data you enter. This is what is meant by ‘What If?’—you can introduce any wind direction, speed, tidal component, etc. that you like to see what impact it would have on any leg of the course. Choose what if from the icon bar to bring up the window—an example is shown in Figure 3.5.
Chapter 3: Navigation There are three rows of boxes to allow you to control the information used in the What If? calculations (values in the example in brackets): C to make grnd wind current Course to make to the mark Left Distance to the mark (2.40) Middle Bearing to the mark (255°) Right Automatic update or fixed (A) Ground wind Left Ground wind speed (19.4) Middle Ground wind direction (74°) Right Automatic update or fixed (A) Water current flow Left Water current speed (1.
What If? Est VS Estimated Boat Speed; this is a speed through the water. AS Estimated Apparent Wind Speed. AA Estimated Apparent Wind Angle. TS Estimated True Wind Speed. TA Estimated True Wind Angle. Dist Distance to the laylines if the leg is not free; else blank. Time Time to the mark, or to the laylines if the leg is not free. 3.
Chapter 3: Navigation Planning This is Deckman’s optimum route finding program. Planning will give you the quickest route between the two selected marks, given any wind and tide information–see Figure 3.6 in which the optimum route is shown in heavy black, along with arrows representing the current at each point. Note. Deckman will route around any land that lies in the way.
Planning Selecting menu> planning>setup plan allows you to prepare the variables for the Planning calculation, i.e. select the leg of the course, the start time, wind information and so on (see Figure 3.7 below). At the top of the window is a box where you can select the leg of the Figure 3.
Chapter 3: Navigation information on these) or a wind table in which you must predict wind— direction and strength at particular times, as shown in Figure 3.8. Figure 3.8 Similarly, in Which Current? choose what source of current data you wish to use: Deckman's own tidal database, current GRIBs or your own predictions. An additional option will appear if the Local Knowledge server is enabled.
Planning Note If using Deckman tidal database this then please see Tides on page 3.21). If using GRIB forecasts, please see Part 2, Chapter 9. Selecting configure from the bottom of the window allows you to set further variables—see Figure 3.9. In initial course fan you can adjust the limits, frequency and number of possible initial course headings to be tried.
Chapter 3: Navigation that the time interval between steps multiplied by the number of steps gives a time that is at least what you expect the leg to take. Obviously, for longer races the time between steps should be greater; trying to see too many different options at once merely makes things more confusing, not less so! Once you have setup your plan choose menu>planning>do isochrones. You will then see Deckman draw all possible routes, with the optimum shown in red (heavy black line in Figure 3.6).
Planning Animation Clicking the animation icon on the tool bar allows you to move along the route and view how the wind or current will change with time. In Figure 3.10, you can see that in the bottom left corner, the date and time the display is illustrating can be seen. The two buttons to the right of this Figure 3.10 give you the option of viewing either current or wind (usual symbols, see above).
Chapter 3: Navigation Edit Marks The facilities for entering new waypoint sectors and waypoints described in this section are general purpose facilities intended for race or passage preparation. To make changes or additions to the waypoint list choose menu>waypoints>edit waypoints; you will see the Edit Marks window appear, as shown in Figure 3.11. The commands in the top right of this window are for editing waypoint areas; those at the bottom left refer to the actual waypoints. Figure 3.
Tides To edit a waypoint—either name, short name, latitude or longitude— simply click in the box where you wish to make the change and then use the computer's keyboard. To enter a new waypoint click in the left hand column (the cursor will change to an arrow) on the row where you want to insert the new waypoint and then click new from the bottom left of the window. A new waypoint with the name 't' will be created; edit name or position as above.
Chapter 3: Navigation SHOM tidal information The SHOM data is split into nine different areas; you will need to obtain the relevant files and release codes from your agent or B&G Ltd before use. The SHOM areas and relevant HW ports are as follows: Name Areas covered HW ports BaieDe Seine 49 29 - 49 48 N / 1 46 - 1 03W Cherbourg 49 38.5 – 49 40.8 N / 1 41.25 - 1 34 W Cherbourg 49 16 - 49 47.
Tides Breton PasDeCala is Vendee Gironde 49 32 - 49 47 N / 2 20.14 - 1 44 W St Malo 49 21 - 49 30.4 N / 2 34 - 2 14.12 W St Malo 49 05 - 49 14 N / 2 13 - 1 54 W St Malo 48 47 - 49 28.5 N / 2 01 - 1 32 W St Malo 48 37.2 - 48 45.2 N / 2 19.5 - 1 45 W St Malo 48 31.4 - 48 42 N / 2 51 - 2 25.3 W St Malo 48 45.5 - 49 06.5 N / 3 06 - 2 46.
Chapter 3: Navigation Tidal currents layer This allows you to view the predicted tidal currents for a particular area and time on your chart. To use this function, first enter the times and heights of high water in the Edit High Water dialog; now click menu>layers>general then click the Dn button to scroll to the bottom of the list where you will find tidal currents – click on this to select followed by OK.
Navigation options displayed. This is an easy way to check you have entered tidal information for all the reference ports you might need. Navigation options You have a number of options as to the sources of data you use for your navigation functions in Deckman, such as variation, current/tide, boat position and so on. Hit menu>view>options and you will be presented with the dialog shown in Figure 3.13. Figure 3.13 Variation is the magnetic variation for your area in the form dd.d.
Chapter 3: Navigation number is variation to the East. Deckman will automatically calculate variation based on your time and position based upon the world magnetic model so you should never really need to change this. Bearings can be set to TRUE or MAGNETIC so that all bearings, laylines etc are displayed accordingly. This can be extremely useful in areas of the globe where variation changes rapidly such as the Southern Ocean.
Navigation options Deckman has the possibility of using tidal information from SHOM, the French Hydrographic office. For this you require additional files and release codes. If you have the SHOM files, then it is possible that Deckman will have to choose between this and its own database. This is done on the basis of the area covered by the tidal chart with smaller areas preferred as they are assumed to be more accurate.
Chapter 3: Navigation Display options The following affect only the look of the Navigation window: Vector scale adjusts the length of the wind vectors Vector gap sets the gap between the tufts of wind vectors so that you can see them more clearly. If your boat does not appear to be in the right position on the chart, entering a GPS offset here (in minutes and decimal minutes) should help. A positive value will offset North or East; negative moves position South or West.
General Layers with wind, tide and tacking angle. shoreline Deckman can provide a simple shoreline if chart coverage for a particular area is poor. digital chart allows you to see present position against a chart—almost always left on. North displays a north arrow in the top left hand corner of the screen. Wind shows a tuft of wind arrows at intervals along the boat's track. The direction of the arrows indicates the true wind direction and their lengths indicate true wind speed.
Chapter 3: Navigation grid layers displays grid layers. course line two lines will be displayed when this is turned on: the solid line shows the course over ground as read from the GPS; the dashed line is the course through the water (i.e. heading plus leeway, without the effects of current). limits laylines lets you see the extent of variation in the mark laylines for the last fifteen minutes. The appearance and time interval can be changed as per page 12.
Chart Layers Chart Layers This is where you can control which layers are turned on or off on your vector charts. The procedures for C-Map charts and Livecharts are slightly different, so make sure you refer to the correct section below. C-Map Select menu>charts>chart settings and you will be presented with a dialog (see Figure 3.14) which allows you to choose which layers you wish to see shown on your display. Figure 3.14 Livecharts Note.
Chapter 3: Navigation Hydrographic shows a dialog with standard hydrographic layers. Once selected, these remain selected across all the Livecharts as the charts scale and positions change. Livechart shows all of the layers which are available on the currently loaded Livechart. The layers will vary from chart to chart. Select layers here for fine control of layer visibility for a particular chart.
Zoom Zoom Selecting any of the following from the icon bar—or choosing menu>zoom and then the required option— allows you to alter the scale of the display: this leg displays the whole leg from the previous waypoint to current waypoint. from boat to mark displays the remaining distance from the yacht’s position to the buoy. on boat allows you to view a specified range around the boat with the boat in the centre of the display.
Chapter 3: Navigation Note. Whilst the zoom in, zoom out and pan functions are turned on, the display will not update (e.g. the yacht's position). However, these functions will automatically turn themselves off if left inactive for 15 seconds. Special chart views Images as charts It is possible to use any .jpg or .gif image instead of a chart as your ‘background’ in the Navigation window of Deckman.
Special chart views positive, South/West as negative) followed by OK. The number beside the cursor changes to a ‘2’ and you repeat the above process (possibly twice more). Note. You are still able to use the zoom in/out tools to increase accuracy. Once you have completed geo-referencing (a dialog will pop up telling you when this is the case), Deckman operates as normal, except that the only ‘chart’ you use is the image you have chosen.
Chapter 3: Navigation Current waypoint Meridians from the current waypoint, parallel lines at equal distance from the current waypoint. Projected centre Meridians from the projection centre (the first point you select), parallel lines at equal distance from the projection. Note. The spacing units are in degrees and decimals (ddd.dd). Hint. For meridian spacing, something like 20° is usually appropriate, since this gives you 18 meridians 20° apart.
Special chart views Think carefully about what you are trying to see from your projection, and choose the points and grid options accordingly, since it is possible to get some very useful information from the resulting images. For example, on a long race but with the fleet in a close area you may wish to see who is ahead/behind with respect to the finish.
Special chart views Chapter 4 : Start display Deckman incorporates a display for use specifically when starting a race. With the position of the two ends of the start line entered, Deckman will give you the distance and time to each from the boat's current position, and will also display the current laylines and line bias. Clicking on start on the icon bar will give you a starting display as in Figure 4.
Chapter 4: Start display Start information The Start display contains a Data bar similar to that in the main Navigation where you can view any data variables you choose. When the Start display is open, select menu>Databar to toggle this on or off. This data bar then operates in exactly the same way as the Navigation data bar (see page 1.1 for details).
Setting the start Setting the start Clicking on menu allows you to set the position of the line: Set port end (see below) Set port + lee sets the port end of the line and the leeward mark to the position of the boat Set starboard end (see below) laser port end sets the port end of the line using a laser range finder laser port + lee sets the port end of the line and the leeward mark using a laser range finder laser starboard end sets the starboard end of the line using a laser range finder Set
Chapter 4: Start display by lat, long specify the position by entering latitude and longitude check port displays a dialog to show the history of adjustments to this end of the line – see below. The check port option brings up the following dialog shown in Figure 4.2 giving you a history of adjustments to the end of the line, and allows you to undo changes. The move m column shows the distance in metres of each adjustment; the most recent is on the top row.
Set windward/leeward Set windward/leeward The windward/leeward option brings up the following dialog: Figure 4.3 This allows you to set up a windward / leeward course and start line (see Figure 4.3). The three boxes allow you to set the bearing of the windward mark from the leeward mark, the distance from the start to the leeward mark and the distance from the leeward mark to the windward mark. At the bottom of the box you must choose where on the start line the bearing is taken from. Figure 4.4 4.
Chapter 4: Start display Start options In the Start display, selecting menu>options allows you to set the length of the boat in order to show distances in boat lengths and the Laser to bow distance, for users with a laser rangefinder version of Deckman. This box also provides a choice of fonts for the start display. Multihull Beam (ft) specifies the total beam of the boat in feet, and GPS to CL (ft) specifies the distance from the GPS antenna to the centre line of the boat in feet.
Hold wind menu>start countdown, you will see that the Continue button is available – this allows you to pick up Deckman's rolling countdown, particularly useful if there is a general recall or for practising starts. For users with a B&G instrument system, it is possible to show the countdown timer as normal on the displays. For users of the B&G WTP, the menu>toggle instruments option when in the start display allows you to turn the settings for the start on or off on the FFDs and 20/20s.
Chapter 4: Start display values by hitting S for TWS or D for TWD. To stop holding the wind and revert back to the incoming data, simply hit menu>toggle start wind (or hit menu>hold wind and uncheck the Hold on box). Wind calibration During the start, it is likely that you will have different sails up to what you would have usually. In addition, the way you have the boat setup, for example runner tension, may be different. Consequently, the required wind calibrations will be different.
Advanced options The format of the file is as follows Vs RoT 2 4 6 12 10 15 12 20 15 20 where Vs is boat speed and RoT is rate of turn. Acceleration The timetospeed.d file allows you to predict your acceleration. A bit on the theory behind this, though don’t worry if you don’t want to read it. The acceleration times here are based on the wind angle at which you are sailing, starting from your present TWA, and Deckman calculates the change in the wind angle based on the rate of turn specified in rateofturn.
Chapter 4: Start display The result If you have both the rateofturn.d and timetospeed.d files, Deckman will incorporate the predictions here into the Start display calculations and will draw the relevant curves for these turns on the Start display, as shown in Figure 4.7. Figure 4.7 You can see the faint straight line from the front of the boat, and three slightly heavier lines, which represent the projected track if the boat turns according to your predictions.
Advanced options Variable Meaning Position on Figure 4.7 Time in Figure 4.7 S_APortDn Arriving at the line on port, turning downwind 3 37 S_APortUp Arriving at the line on port, turning upwind 2 17 S_ASbdDn Arriving at the line on starboard, turning downwind (not calculated) (not calculated) S_AStbdUp Arriving at the line on starboard, turning upwind 1 20 Units here are mmss. Note.
Time plot Chapter 5 : Data There are a number of different facilities in Deckman for viewing and analysing data from the past performance of the boat. All of the data features are based on two separate data storage facilities. The first of these stores data averaged over one second for a week’s worth of use of Deckman, which gives 168 hours of use. Secondly, data is averaged over a minute for a year’s worth of use, or 8760 hours.
Chapter 5: Data saving, and the database has room for 12 hours of information. Selecting new time plot from the data menu will display a window which allows you to view any of the stored data as a time series plot. Clicking on a variable in the left hand window sends it to Selected variables. Clicking on the right window deselects. When you have selected all the variables you wish to plot, choose OK to draw the graph. Figure 5.1 shows an example plotting boat speed (VS) and true wind speed (TS).
Wind Plot Choose data>wind plot from the icon bar to see the wind plot—an example is shown in Figure 5.2. The line down the centre of each graph shows you the average or mean value calculated over the time period of the graph. The value of the mean is shown at the top of the display with the m appended to it (225° and 10.2 in the example); the other number is the present value (222° and 9.3). As time progresses the graph moves down and across the display so that it stays centred with respect to the mean.
Chapter 5: Data each side of the mean); the button on the right specifies the range for true wind speed; and the middle button shows the time for the plot, and therefore the period for the averages. The graphs will be redrawn after changes to these values. When you change the time period for the plot the new time should be specified in minutes. Data Log Deckman contains very flexible reporting options.
Data Log Using Edit Logs Clicking Data>Edit log report… allows you to control the outputs to the log files (see Figure 5.3). Figure 5.3 The left pane consists of a tree diagram which shows the different log files (first.log and second.log in the example) and for each log file the different time frames (in the form hhhhmmss, but this need not be complete — see example below). In the example there are three time frames in first.
Chapter 5: Data causes the variable name to be written out every time you start Deckman. Note. Creating a Quick log file allows you to establish a simple log file with one time for the output of data, which matches the ‘header’ created by the long time frame. However, once this file is created, it is possible to edit it as normal (see below) but doing so will mean that the variable names may no longer match with the data.
Data Log .Ihhhhmmss at the beginning of the line creates a new time frame: the digits immediately following give the time interval for output (the time formatting need not be complete). All lines until the next .I, .F or file end are taken to belong to this time frame. The minimum time interval is 10 seconds. .P position in the format: ddmm.mmmN[S] dddmm.mmmE[W] .C position in the format: [-]d.ddddddd,[-]d.
Chapter 5: Data There are two files in the example: first.log and second.log. First.log has its output turned on immediately on startup because ON follows the filename. It has three time frames: the first is very long and serves to send a title message every time the program is started; the second just puts out the date every 24 hours (at midnight), and every 15 minutes position and time are recorded. A single line is written to second.
Boat parameters The buttons along the bottom of the grid serve the following functions: Takes you to the previous change of parameter value Takes you to the next change of parameter value Takes you to the present parameter value Click on the Add Note button and you will be presented with a dialog where you can input text to make notes, and change the time if you wish. Note, however, that you can only input a time after the most recent parameter change.
Chapter 5: Data Edit button. This allows you to rename an existing parameter or to add values for a Named parameter. Note that you are unable to change the data type, or to rename or delete existing values for Named parameters. To change the value of an existing parameter use the New Value column; for Named parameters you simply select the new value from the dropdown list, for Integer or Continuous parameters you enter the value in the box.
Extract logged data Extract logged data This facility allows you to export Deckman’s logged data for analysis in another program. Select data>extract logged data and you will be presented with a window like that shown in Figure 5.6: Figure 5.6 In the When to Extract… column, you can choose to extract data for either specified time period or certain tests. To specify a Time Period select a value and then use the arrow keys to change, or use the dropdown menu for selecting the date.
Chapter 5: Data separated by TAB characters, and you can specify the name and the location using the box and/or browse button at the bottom right of the window. Speed Test This feature allows you to analyse data from your speed tests. Select data>Speed Test, and you will be presented with a window like that shown in Figure 5.7 (except that there will be no data plotted on the graph).
Speed Test Figure 5.7 Use the TWS-TWA plot to confirm that you have selected the correct tests, or that the data is suitable for comparison. You can then select any of the other tabs at the top of the display to see the other pages, which are all based on the 3-dimensional graph VS-3D, an example of which is shown in Figure 5.8. You can click and drag anywhere on the plot to move the 3D graph to assist you in seeing different areas.
Chapter 5: Data Using either the number box or slider to the right of TWS, you can alter the true wind speed and Deckman will move the data points along the surface. In the bottom left of the plot, you can choose either VS or Figure 5.9 VMG, allowing you to view either straight boat speed or VMG plotted against TWA. The VS-TWS page works exactly the same way, except that you are only able to adjust values of TWS. The Averages tab shows you a plot of Deckman’s analysis of which test is favoured.
Show Data Show Data This button brings up a simple list of all the variables on the system, allowing you to see their present value. The abbreviations are as follows (those in italics are for two boat testing and are therefore not relevant to most users). Note. Since many of these variables are referred to in more than one place in this manual, please consult the index for an explanation where necessary.
Chapter 5: Data VMC Ext_VMC Velocity Made Good to the Course calculated from Ext_SOG and Ext_COG (from the position fixer) OVC Opt_VMC Theoretical boat speed for Optimum Velocity Made Good to the Course COC Cse_OVMC Course to sail for the theoretical Optimum VMC TS Vs_target Boat speed Target from the Performance Polar T% Vs_targ% Percentage of Performance Polar Target Boat speed Achieved AT TWA_targ True Wind Angle Target PPV Vs_Perf Polar Boat speed from the Performance Polar PP% Vs
Show Data MOB ManOvrBrg Man overboard bearing MOR ManOvrRng Man overboard range OHl O_Hl Other boat's heel OVS O_Boatspd Other boat's speed OCs O_Course Other boat's course OTD O_TW_Dirn Other boat's true wind direction OTA O_TW_angle Other boat's true wind angle OTS O_TW_speed Other boat's true wind speed DHl Hl-OHl Difference in heel DVS VS-OVS Difference in boatspeed DCs Cse-OCse Difference in course DTD TWD-OTWD Difference in true wind direction DTA TWA-OTWA Differ
Chapter 5: Data ODO OBDMOC Change in other boat gauge, resolved in the direction perpendicular to the course of the boat; units metres Dep Depth Depth DOS DST_STRB Distance on left layline from mark TOS TM_STRB Time on left layline from mark DOP DST_PORT Distance on right layline from mark. TOP TM_PORT Time on port layline from mark UTC GGAUTC Time in seconds since midnight (0000 hours) UTC. SVA GGASVA First digit – number of satellites, next three digits – age of GPS fix in seconds.
Show Data MWD MA_TWD Moving average of true wind direction (see User variables below) MWS MA_TWS Moving average of true wind speed (see User variables below) MVS MA_VS Moving average of boat speed, time period set under gmenu>user vars control MVP MA_VSNP Moving average of boat speed as a percentage of navigation polar, time period set under gmenu>user vars control DTL DST_LAYL Distance to layline on your present tack/gybe. Note.
Chapter 5: Data DLS DN_LSTBD Downwind layline on starboard gybe; this is DCS but with current added. DLP DN_LPORT Downwind layline on port gybe; this is DCP but with current added. DSL DST_LINE Distance to start line. TSL TM_LINE Time to start line.
User variables Hit gmenu>user vars control which will bring up a dialog like that shown in Figure 5.10. The button at the top of the window allows you to choose either calibration or damping. Since the default user variables only control damping, you will get an error message if you click on the calibration tab without having first created the appropriate files, as specified in User variables.
Chapter 5: Data Figure 5.11 Note. Time periods in the Advanced dialogs here are specified in Hz (i.e. seconds multiplied by 5) – see Filtering on page 12.15 for an explanation. For more information on the operation of the data files, please see User variables on page 12.13. 5.
Understanding Polars Chapter 6 : Polars Understanding Polars Below is an example of the polars window (Figure 6.1). On the left is the table where the values are entered, on the right is the polar plot—the distance from the centre shows the boat speed at a wind angle specified relative to the vertical. Imagine the wind blowing down from the top of the page—the boat speed in 12 knots of wind for each of the five wind angles is indicated by the small solid squares. Figure 6.
Chapter 6: Polars certainly the case on Deckman. It is better that the curve is close to the real performance rather than extremely precise in places but wildly wrong in others because it is too difficult and slow to adjust, or can only be adjusted ashore. Moreover, performance curves are a bit of a moveable feast and super precision is not possible. Deckman does allow you to get your target speeds and angles right because these are two of the points which define the curve.
Understanding Polars degrees true wind angle and is only necessary to make sure that the curve turns up again for the purpose of the optimisation routines. Note. It is possible to have the polar tables displayed using seconds per nautical mile instead of boat speed, as used on IMS rating certificates for instance. When you have a polars window open, select menu>use seconds/Nm to turn this feature on or off.
Chapter 6: Polars Note. True wind angles on Deckman are relative to course i.e. they include the effects of leeway. This is necessary for laylines to be calculated correctly. Note. When entering a new boat speed in the body of the table if you enter a value greater than 60.0 Deckman assumes that it is a percentage. Thus to change 6.0 to 6.6 you could either enter the value 6.6 directly, or else enter 110.
Managing polars (select gmenu>change instruments>BandG if not) choose menu and then either download to Herc… or upload from Herc…. Note. For users with a WTP instrument system, the polars are automatically sent to the WTP when you close the polars window in Deckman. Note. Because the B&G system only has 10 rows of data, only the first ten rows will be uploaded or downloaded (i.e. not the figures for 25 knots of wind). 6.
Configure comms Chapter 7 : Instruments Selecting gmenu>change instruments allows you to choose which type of instrument system you wish to connect to. For each, there are a number of options and settings that you may wish to adjust. The following gives a brief description of the ways in which each instrument system works in conjunction with Deckman. For further details on many of the functions mentioned below, see the appropriate section in your system's manual.
Chapter 7: Instruments After your initial installation, if you want to check or change Communications settings, choose gmenu>configure comms. Figure 7.1 WTP system The instruments control functions in Deckman work in a similar way to the h2000 and Ockam systems, despite the fact that there are some essential differences in the way the WTP handles data.
WTP system The way the WTP handles wind calculations is the second major difference. Starting from the measured wind speed and angle at the masthead, the WTP incorporates data from sensors for measuring the pitching and rolling of the boat. It is from this corrected wind information that the true wind direction and speed are calculated. The WTP then goes backwards through these calculations, coming up with its own, more accurate, values for both the true and apparent wind speed and angle.
Chapter 7: Instruments Output This controls the output of Deckman variables to the WTP to be viewed on the displays. To add a variable, click on the first blank line of the variables column, select the appropriate Deckman variable from the list followed by OK. The variable will be displayed on that line, with the channel column showing –1 and the current data shown in the final column. The –1 indicates that output of this variable is OFF – to turn on, click on the number and assign a channel number.
WTP system heel_off is the offset value for the heel sensor. If the heel angle doesn't read 0 when the boat is sitting upright in the water, the necessary correction must be entered here. Heading_o is the offset value for the compass. A positive heading offset will increase the reading of the compass heading. The best way to calibrate this is to correct the compass bearing being received so that it matches known transits on the shore. forestay calibration for the forestay load fitting.
Chapter 7: Instruments Calibrate Boatspeed Allowing you to calibrate your boat speed correctly, this function works in exactly the same way as the traditional method of measuring the time taken to cover a known distance. Deckman will automatically calculate the calibration values from the tests you select. Figure 7.4 Click Start run at the beginning of the run, and then End run to finish.
h2000 Performance Unit When you have selected runs a calibration value is then shown in the Calibration box. Either choose Send Cal to accept the value or do more runs and calculations. Advanced calibration facilities There are facilities within Deckman for advanced control of a B&G WTP. You are able to access the calibration and damping files directly, and these work as described in Chapter 4 of your WTP manual.
Chapter 7: Instruments Output Here you can select variables and send them to the B&G system where they can be displayed using the external channels. Figure7.5 Clicking in one of the rows beneath variables brings up a menu window from which you can select the variable you want to send: choose the one you require and then OK. The Chan column allows you to enter the channel number on the B&G system where you wish to send the data.
h2000 Performance Unit Damping This allows you to send damping values to the instrument system. The values are stored and are NOT read from the instruments. If you are setting the values so that they are the same as the instrument system the safest thing is to disconnect from the instrument system before making changes. The values are sent to the instrument system as soon as they are entered. Calibration This sends calibration values to the instrument system. It works in exactly the same way as damping.
Chapter 7: Instruments NMEA FFD/h1000 Later Hydra and Hercules NMEA FFDs and h1000 Universal Interface Boxes conform to the NMEA standard. However, custom software is incorporated into these systems that allows Deckman to write data back to the displays. Output The default outputs are those illustrated in the example. The variables column shows the Deckman variable, the channel shows the B&G channel (1 to 11) and the data column shows the current data for the variable.
Ockam Instruments Figure 7.6 To change or add a variable to output, click on a line in the variables column (a blank line for adding variables or on a variable to change), select the variable you wish to output and then OK. The variable will appear on that line with the chan column showing –1, which indicates that output is turned off. Click on the -1 and then select the B&G channel number you wish to use (1 to 11, as in the example).
Chapter 7: Instruments Options This implements the options function as described in section 4 of the Ockam manual. Control This implements the control codes as described in section 4 of the Ockam manual. Silva NMEA This operates mainly as a standard NMEA instrument system (see page 7.15) except that you are able to write back Deckman data to the displays. Output The default outputs are those illustrated in the example below.
NKE NMEA To change or add a variable to output, click on a line in the variables column (a blank line for adding variables or on a variable to change), select the variable you wish to output and then OK. The variable will appear on that line with the chan column showing -1, which indicates that output is turned off. Click on the -1 and then select the channel number you wish to use (1 to 3, as in the example).
Chapter 7: Instruments To change or add a variable to output, click on a line in the variables column (a blank line for adding variables or on a variable to change), select the variable you wish to output and then OK. The variable will appear on that line with the chan column showing -1, which indicates Figure 7.8 that output is turned off. Click on the -1 and then select the channel number you wish to use (1 to 11, as in the example).
NMEA Instrument System NMEA Instrument System The way in which Deckman handles instruments which offer the NMEA interface is different from either the Hercules or the Ockam system. The most important difference for you is that Deckman cannot write back to the instrument system so that Deckman information can be shown on the instrument displays, nor can you calibrate the instrument system from Deckman; these are facilities offered by the B&G and Ockam proprietary interfaces but not the NMEA standard.
Chapter 7: Instruments The port and starboard boat speed factors shown in the calibration display (Figure 7.10) are used to provide additional calibration to that given on the instruments. In particular if you feel that you are having a Figure 7.10 problem in getting the boat speed to read the same on each tack— possibly because the paddle wheel is off centre—then each tack can be corrected separately.
NMEA Instrument System The heel maximum should be set to a value which is the maximum you would expect to see when sailing. The leeway calculation is a function of angle of heel and the square of the boat speed: you will have to experiment with it to get the right values for the calibration, but expect a figure between 5 and 7. The final value is for damping of the true wind direction. You should be able to use a value of one in light weather—no damping—but you may need more in heavy weather. Note.
Wind shear Chapter 8 : Wind calibration The additional features for wind calibration in Deckman are very important—with these you can fix the problems of getting a true wind direction which is consistent from tack to tack. Deckman takes the original data from the instrument system (Orig_TWS, Orig_TWA, Orig_TWD in Show Data on page 5.
Chapter 8: Wind calibration as… from the menu button. To view a saved calibration table (i.e. without Deckman applying the values to the wind data), select polars, followed by adjust wind speed (or angle), then show, then either click on a recently used table or hit file… and browse to the correct file. Note. Separate wind calibration tables used when the Start display is in use. See the ‘Start display’ chapter for more information.
Wind speed and Wind angle Figure 8.2 For each wind speed there are three points, rather than five, each of which has two values: the a column specifies the original true wind angles and the v giving the correction to be applied. Positive or negative values can be entered; for wind angles, a negative value offsets to the West, a positive to the East. 8.
GRIB viewer Chapter 9 : Wind and current forecasts This chapter outlines the use of digital weather forecasts in Deckman. Firstly, it discusses GRIB files. As was seen earlier (see page 3.14) these can be used in Deckman's Planning calculations. This chapter will discuss viewing the data from GRIB files in Deckman overlaid on a chart, and also how they can be downloaded from a choice of two sources from within Deckman.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts Figure 9.1 You can choose to view wind, current, pressure and temperature by using the check boxes at the bottom of the display; from left to right these are: Letter W W C C Wind Current Contours Arrows Contours Arrows P Pressure Contours T Temperature Contours 9.
GRIB viewer Note. Some variables may not be available if the data was not contained in the GRIB file Also at the bottom of the display are four data boxes which show the value of the data at the present position of the cursor: Wind Direction: degrees (from) Speed: Knot Current Direction: degrees (to) Speed: Knot Pressure Millibars Temperature Centigrade Figure 9.2 9.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts The appearance of the whole display can be controlled by hitting the Options button which will give you the dialog shown in Figure 9.2. Contour Line Thickness, the four Contour Colours boxes and the Arrow Type box are all self-explanatory. Arrow Colour allows you to change the colour of the arrow heads as the data change: each successive box in the Custom colors section represents either 5 knots of wind speed or 0.5 knots of current.
Downloading GRIB forecasts Figure 9.3 The folder tree in the left pane of this display allows you to view the possible files for download. Browse to the correct one and then drag the file(s) to the right hand pane. You can do this for as many files as you think you may want to download. Once in the right pane, you can see more information about the file, including the estimated cost of the download. You then confirm which files you actually want to download by checking the appropriate boxes.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts Figure 9.4 To download the files you selected in the previous step, simply click on the green button in the top left of the window. You will then see the status of the transfer – once it is complete, hit the cross button to exit. You will then be taken to the open file dialog where you can select the GRIB file you wish to view. Note.
Downloading GRIB forecasts Register From the same dialog, select Register for Service from the drop down menu, followed by Register (the Transfer button changes to this). Follow the prompts on screen to complete your registration for the OCENS WeatherNet service. Connection settings Select Register for Service from the drop down menu, followed by Show. Enter your OCENS WeatherNet username, password and other connection settings in the dialog.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts specify the times of the forecast schedules you wish to receive while variables allows you to specify which variables you wish to receive. Make the appropriate selections here and then hit OK and an email will be created with the correct GRIB request. You must then send this email, wait for the GRIB to be sent (only takes a few minutes), save the GRIB and then use it in the normal way.
GRIB tools allows you to select the time you wish to use, and the small box beside this controls the type of data (wind, pressure, current, temperature). The GRIB area section allows you to specify the latitude and longitude of the centre of the area you wish to cut (in degrees: positive is North and East, negative South and West) and the total range across the area.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts 002 Pressure reduced to mean sea level 031 Wind direction in true degrees 032 Wind speed in metres per second 033 u-component of wind—east/west component of the wind. Positive indicates wind is going towards the east, i.e. a westerly wind, and vice versa 034 v-component of wind—north/south component of the wind. Positive indicates wind is going towards the north, i.e.
Making wind or current Grids Date and time of forecast Time between forecast and present data Forecast type (code number) Figure 9.7 Note. As usual, a positive number indicates North or East; a negative South or West. In GRIB files, however, positions are in the form degrees and decimals of a degree, not degrees and minutes. Selecting File>Save in Grib.exe automatically saves the data in a format readable by Deckman (indicated by the file extension .cgf, see GRIB routing below).
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts Basic operation To use this feature select menu>view>make Grid and then select whether you wish to create a wind or current forecast. You will then get some extra boxes along the bottom of the Navigation display. It is easiest to begin by using the zoom tools so that the whole area you wish to forecast for is visible on the screen. You then enter data within this area as described below.
Making wind or current Grids Group Allows you to draw a rough circle around a number of nodes (start and finish of the line are assumed to connect). This selects all the nodes contained within this area (they turn yellow). Clicking on any of these nodes then allows you to scale speeds by a factor, input a rotation or delete all the selected nodes (see examples below).
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts the 'click and drag' method outlined above) than the distance between lines. Wind forecasts When creating wind forecasts, you will generally be working from some conception of where you are expecting high and low pressure systems to be situated, with differing strengths of wind relative to the positions of these. In the Speed box, enter the wind speed which you expect at a certain position and then draw a line connecting these positions.
Making wind or current Grids created so far (Figure 9.8). Here the interpolation between the nodes can be clearly seen, with the wind speeds gradually reducing towards the centre. Applying the same principles to further pressure systems and wind bands we can achieve fairly complex weather maps very quickly (Figure 9.10). Figure 9.10 9.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts Because of the simplicity of positioning nodes, it is generally quickest to enter more rather than fewer. An alternative method is to minimise the number of nodes, so that they can be more quickly manipulated using the Actions>Group command and then scaling/rotating/deleting. Figure 9.11 It is also possible, for example, to create a low pressure area and frontal systems associated with it. Starting from a position such as that illustrated in Figure9.
Making wind or current Grids Current The same principles apply to creating current models. One further technique will be outlined here. The aim is to create a strong current stream, reducing very quickly to little flow in nearby areas, for example in the Gulf Stream. To do this, first draw a line of nodes representing the strong current.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts Figure 9.13 GRIB routing Note. This feature will only work if you have obtained the correct unlock code; if you attempt to use this feature without the code, you will be prompted to enter it. If you already have the code enter it here, or contact your agent or B&G for further information. GRIB conversion In order to be used in Deckman, GRIBs must be in a special format (which is indicated by the file extension .cgf).
GRIB routing Firstly, this is the format in which files are saved when you create your own forecasts using the make Grid function (see above). Secondly, GRIBs will be automatically converted to this format if they have been viewed in the GRIB viewer, in which case the file will have been split up into sections of different data: Current filename_c.cgf Wave height filename_h.cgf Temperature filename_t.cgf Pressure filename_p.cgf Wind filename_w.
Chapter 9: Wind and current forecasts In the Edit GRIBs box, an example of which is shown in Figure 9.14, you first specify which forecast you wish to change. You then have the following options available: Figure9.15 9.14 Figure lat. offset and long. offset allow you to specify offsets for the forecast map; units as before: lat/long in degrees and decimals of a degree, positive being East and North.
GRIB routing Checking Overlay allows you to view the wind forecast over the top of a chart, as shown in Figure 9.15. When this is on, figures showing the direction and strength of the wind at the position of the cursor will be shown in the Status bar. Note. If you wish to view the overlay without the Edit GRIBs window, click outside the window. If you close the window, the GRIB overlay will no longer be displayed. However, to make changes in setup plan the Edit GRIBs window must be closed first. Note.
Chapter 10: Wind and current forecasts By clicking on the link tab at the top of the Edit GRIBs window, you can make Deckman's interpolation of the forecasts more accurate. What you do here is to link a weather feature at two different forecast times by moving each end of the red line (shown heavy black in Figure 9.16), making it easier for Deckman to interpolate for any time in between.
Time-on-time handicap Chapter 10 : Competitors Time-on-time handicap This feature tells you the time owed to/due from other boats for handicap racing. Select gmenu>time on time and you will be presented with the following dialog. If you have not used the feature before then the table will be blank. Figure 10.1 10.
Chapter 10: Competitors First, you must specify your own rating. Select Add and then enter the Boat name and Rating by clicking on the appropriate boxes. To set this boat as your own, check the Us box. Click on OK to confirm. Note that if you select the line containing your boat and then hit Edit the Us box does not appear as ticked, but Deckman will still be referencing this boat unless you specify another boat as Us.
Plotting competitors' positions to change, since it will always be shown in relation to the time you have set on your computer. The simplest thing, therefore, is to leave the computer clock on the same time for the duration of the race. Plotting competitors' positions This feature allows you to plot the positions of competitors in your race.
Chapter 10: Competitors Entering Competitor Positions Once the details of competitors are entered (as above), control of the Competitors feature is through the Competitor Information dialog. This will be presented to you when you select OK in the Make the competitor list dialog on first use of the Competitors feature; alternatively, it appears when you select gmenu>competitors if the feature has been used previously.
Plotting competitors' positions Long Longitude Drun Distance run since the last entry Cse Course between the last entry and the new one Speed Speed made good between the last entry and the new one Wind Wind From the race organizers dtoF Distance to finish From the race organizers, but will be same as dtoM if no other data is present (for instance, if you are entering positions manually).
Chapter 10: Competitors Removing the competitors list and re-starting plotting Once the competitors list is entered it is hard to change. At present, if you do wish to change a list of competitors, it is necessary to remove the list completely (see below) and then re-enter the competitors’ details (as described above). To remove the competitors list, close Deckman, go to the data directory and delete the files competitors.txt and competitorgrid.d, go to the boats subdirectory and delete all the files.
Using the networked version Chapter 11 : Networking You are able to network together multiple computers running Deckman, and all will receive data from the connection to the instruments. There are obvious advantages, such as the fact that more of the crew can be informed about the progress of the boat. This chapter describes the use of a networked version, and also describes how to setup and control how it is used. Only one computer (the server) is connected to the instrument system.
Chapter 11: Networking screen of one computer will not change when alterations are made from another machine). If security is an issue set the fullserver option to 0 (see below), meaning that only the server machine can talk back to the instruments; other users then only get broadcast data and cannot access calibrations, polar files and so on.
Setup In this dialog, specify that the Instrument System is connected to this machine as a Server. Also specify whether your GPS is connected via the instrument system or direct to the server machine, followed by Next. You will then be presented with a dialog similar to that shown in ‘Configure comms’ on page 7.1 except that there are two additional boxes at the bottom.
Chapter 11: Networking Note. Because the GPS is connected via the instrument system, you must still specify the Instrument system column here. Here you must specify the IP address of the server machine on the network. If you do not know this, then the Autodetect button should enable you to find it. If you get 0.0.0.0 even though you have a server running Deckman on the network then finish the wizard, close Deckman, restart Deckman and use configure comms again.
deckman.ini Chapter 12 : Deckman files deckman.ini This file is the main control file for Deckman and is in the c:\program files\BandG\deckman folder; most of the options outlined below can be controlled from within Deckman, but it is sometimes useful to check the current settings in the deckman.ini file. Because this file is not really designed to be edited directly, the formatting may not be the most accessible. Unless you are confident, it is recommended that you do not make changes here.
Chapter 12: Deckman files Localknowledge Whether the Local Knowledge Current Server is enabled. Verscode Your unique Deckman identification number and security code. Usemaptech Whether the Use Maptech facility is turned on; 1=yes, 0=no. [dongle] Dongle type; 0=(reserved), 1=Euronav 1071/XXX, 2=Euronav 2071/XXXX, 3=C-Map [euronav] Defines the mode for a Euronav version of the software. 0=normal working version, 2=demo mode.
deckman.ini The meanings of these lines are as follows: Line Meaning Options/ data Meaning comnettype Whether this is a networked version or not, and the status of the machine on the network 0 Networked, server. 1 Networked, client. 2 Standalone: no networking. 5678 Default TCPTimeout Time in seconds. Closes certain dialogs in Deckman if left inactive for this length of time to prevent the network remaining locked (see below). Servername The TCP address of the server machine on the network.
Chapter 12: Deckman files machines on the network and there should be no reason to change this. Fullserver Whether or not client machines have full access. 0 Locked 1 Full access for all users Svrgroup IP address between 224.0.0.0 and 239.255.255.255. Doesn’t matter too much what this is, but must be the same on all machines on the network and there should be no reason to change this. 234.5.6.7 Default Verbose Option to display ‘descriptive’ error messages. 0 Displays standard error messages.
Data files Two-boat networking For a two-boat version of Deckman, more variables are present in the [comms] section of the deckman.ini file: obTx=5680 obRx=5681 The meanings of these lines and the possible options are: Line Meaning Options/ Data Meaning obTx The port number for transmission from the other boat (empty) Deckman will try and find the other boat data on the RS232 connection specified in obport.
Chapter 12: Deckman files recommended for advanced users. However, some changes can only be done through editing the files directly, and sometimes it is just simpler to make changes using the data files; details of these are below. Some of the files should not be edited directly, and some contain information that is easiest entered from inside Deckman, so information on these is not provided.
j_varsXX.d perfpol Performance polar. Format as for navigation polar. Chapter 6 report The script file controlling the data logging. See manual pages. Page 5.5 startpol Start polar. Format as for navigation polar. Chapter 6 Tides Times/heights of high water. First line is: port number (0, 1…), MHWS, MHWN, date of first entry (yymmdd). Second line: times of consecutive high tides. Third line: heights of consecutive high tides. Data separated by at least one space.
Chapter 12: Deckman files recommended that you edit directly and these are therefore not discussed in detail in this document. Below are examples as to how to read in additional variables from your instruments, control the averaging of variables, control the time series plots and add your own variables. Note. Throughout, columns in the file are separated by at least one space. [Variables] This section defines what variables exist in Deckman. The columns are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
j_varsXX.d [newvars] This section lists the variable numbers for new variables that have been added to Deckman as part of upgrades.
Chapter 12: Deckman files [Performance Processor] This section defines what variables are read in from the Performance Processor to Deckman (note that the NMEA FFD/h1000 connection work via the NMEA interface, see below). The columns are: 1. 2. 3. 4. B&G identification number (or channel number). See Table 5.8 of the Hercules 200 manual for the standard B&G identification numbers; to use the remote functions (Table 5.9), 32 must be added to the channel number.
j_varsXX.d means that Ockam variable H is read into the variable with Deckman identification number 0 with the final column being ignored. The [ockgps] section controls the GPS input on an Ockam instrument system. X. is latitude, X is longitude. The figures in the middle column are for error checking, with the data not being updated if the difference between the new and old values is greater than this value. The [magnum] section controls the output of data to Ockam Magnum displays. The columns are: 1.
Chapter 12: Deckman files will reference the NMEA string VHW, using data from field number 5. You will find that this is boat speed through the water. The third column shows that this is normal data. The final column shows that this value is read in to the variable with Deckman identification number 1, which is boat speed. For details of NMEA strings and field numbers, please consult the manual for your instrument system. [WTP] This section controls the input of variables from a B&G WTP.
User variables B&G Looking at Table 5.8 of the Hercules 2000 manual, we can see that VMG has B&G channel number 19. In the [b&g] section, the line 19 16 0 will read in this value to the variable VMG in Deckman. Note that in this case, the D or U character representing down- or upwind on the B&G system will ignored by Deckman. Ockam Looking at section 4 of the Ockam manual, we can see that VMG has Ockam tag b. In the [ockam] section of the file, the line: b 16 1.
Chapter 12: Deckman files It is possible to take any combination of variables from the database and calibrate and filter them in a number of different ways. New variables are first added to the bottom of the [variables] list in the j_varsXX.d file and the rest of the row must also be completed according to the standard j_varsXX.d format. The names for the variables are read by Deckman from here.
User variables number 7 represents true wind direction, if you look further towards the top of the list in the [variables] section of j_varsXX.d. Also in the line above we can see that the new variable has no calibration file (shown by null.cal) and a filtering file named MA_TWD.fil. All that remains now is to create the relevant filtering and calibration files. Filtering A subdirectory of your data directory is called filters.
Chapter 12: Deckman files low pass; ripple fraction 0.1 8 as 7 for 360° Damping in secs 9 as 7 for 180° Damping in secs 10 3rd order Chebyshev band pass; fixed coefs (DO NOT CHANGE: used for rate gyros, see below) 11 Non-linear (See below) 12 Non-linear, for 360° (See below) 13 Non-linear, for 180° (See below) 14 RMS calculation Root mean square – for example, in calculating wave amplitude 15 Period calculation Period calculation – for example, time between waves.
User variables greater than 4°, the damping gradually reduces until at 32° difference, no damping is applied. Functions 6, 16 and 17 provide a means of calculating a moving average. Since Deckman applies the filtering at 5 times per second (5Hz), the second number in the filtering file is 5 times the time period over which you want to calculate the moving average (i.e. for a 10 second moving average, enter 50). Note.
Chapter 12: Deckman files 0 null calibration 1 ordinary linear 2 Linear 360° 3 Linear for –180 to 180° 4 table 5 table for 0-360° 6 table for –180 to 180° for 0- Figure 12.1 Functions 1, 2 and 3 then require four terms on the same line as the calibration type is specified. These are x1, y1, and x2, y2, where x is the independent variable and y is the dependant variable which we need to calibrate. Below, we will use the example of calibrating a compass.
User variables Calibration example 1 A sample file might look like: 5 0 20 5 25 Table –1 + 0 10 180 -10 360 10 The first line of the file still works the same as before but the result is then further calibrated from the table. The –1 following the word table indicates that the corrections are applied directly to the output from the initial calibration. Next, the addition sign (+) after the –1 indicates that the corrections in the table are to be added.
Chapter 12: Deckman files Calibration example 2 For example, you could enter: 5 0 20 5 25 table –1 + 0 10 180 -10 360 10 table 0 + -20 10 0 0 20 10 The first line and first table of this are identical to above, but the outcome of the first table is then further modified by the second table. In the example, the –1 after the word table indicated that the correction was applied to the variate itself.
User variables Here you can see that, as well as interpolating within the calibration points you enter, Deckman will also extrapolate outside them. Calibration example 3 It is also possible to multiply, subtract and divide in your corrections. For example, a table to alter boatspeed with respect to angle of heel might look like: 4 0 0 1 1 table 0 * -40 0.95 -30 0.95 -25 0.975 -20 0.99 -15 1.0 15 1.0 20 0.99 25 0.975 30 0.95 40 0.
Chapter 12: Deckman files Constant To specify a constant value to use in the calculation; a mathematical symbol indicates what operation is to be performed. Deckman also recognises the following mathematical operators / Divide - Subtract = Assigns a value to the variable you are calibrating Calibration example 4 The line constant 3.3 * would mean that we are multiplying by a constant 3.3.
User variables same as the Heel angle. Above 25 the assigned value will stay at a constant of 25 since when Deckman interpolates between 25 and 30 the assigned value remains 25, and beyond 30 the extrapolation will still give the value 25. The next line will multiply by a constant of 6.4 and each of the final two lines will divide by boat speed (Deckman identification number 1).
Chapter 12: Deckman files Damping In the damping subdirectory, the file damping.txt controls the damping functions available in Deckman. Each variable that you wish to be able to control from Deckman has its own line and the format of each line is: name (as you wish it to appear in Deckman), code D for damping, Deckman identifier (as listed in j_varsXX.d), width of display field in characters and number of decimal places.
User variables Note that from inside Deckman you are only able to calibrate either one of the slope and intercept (see Figure 12.1 Figure 12.1), to change both you must used the advanced facilities outlined in this chapter. A file might look like Cal_Cmp K 82 5 1 0 ===================== Parameters: 1: name (appears on Deckman) 2: code (K for single value calibration) 3: variate number in main list (j_varsXX.
Chapter 12: Deckman files Figure 12.2 Figure 12.3 The calibration control allows you to change only the first line of the relevant calibration file – you must edit the files directly to adjust the tables. With the user variables window open, select menu and you will see the additional options Advanced damping… or Advanced calibration… Selecting either of these you will be presented with a dialog similar to that shown in Figure 12.4 12.
Example J_varsXX file Figure 12.4 This allows you to access and edit either the calibration or damping files from within Deckman. Double click on the appropriate file to open, make any changes you wish (as described in the relevant section above), then hit Save File followed by OK to close the window.
Chapter 12: Deckman files 13 Orig_TWA 14 Orig_TWD 15 TWD_Off ta td wdo 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 16 VMG VG 1 1 0 17 18 19 20 21 Ext_SOG Ext_COG Ext_VMC Opt_VMC Cse_OVMC SOG COG VMC OVC COC 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 22 23 24 25 26 Vs_target Vs_targ% TWA_targ Vs_perf Vs_perf% TS T% AT PPV PP% 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 27 28 29 30 31 Vs_nav Vs_nav% Brg_o_Mrk Dst_t_Mrk Tm_t_Mrk PNV PN% BM DM TM 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 3 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Curr_Rate Curr_Dir MCur_Rate MCur_
Example J_varsXX file 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 OBRng OBBrg OBRngW OBRngM OBGMW OBGMM OBDMC OBDMOC OBR OBB ORW ORM OGW OGM ODC ODO 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 62 Depth Dep 1 0 0 63 64 65 66 DOS TOS DOP TOP 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 3 4 3 67 GGAUTC 68 GGASVA 69 GGAQHD UTC SVA QHD 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 71 72 73 S_APortDn S_APortUp S_AStbdDn S_AStbdUp APD APU ASD ASU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 74 75 76 77 AveCse AveTWD AveTWS AveNav% ACs ATD ATS AN% 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0
Chapter 12: Deckman files 94 DST_LINE 95 TM_LINE DSL TSL 1 0 0 0 4 3 96 AWA_TARG 97 SEA_TEMP AAT STC 0 1 1 0 1 0 [UserVariables] 80 7 null.cal 81 9 null.cal 82 1 null.cal 83 28 null.cal [newvars] GGAUTC GGASVA GGAQHD S_APortDn S_APortUp S_AStbdDn S_AStbdUp DST_LAYL TM_LAYL UP_CSTRB UP_CPORT DN_CSTRB DN_CPORT UP_LSTBD UP_LPORT DN_LSTBD DN_LPORT DST_LINE TM_LINE AWA_TARG MA_TWD.fil MA_TWS.fil MA_VS.fil MA_VSNP.
Example J_varsXX file 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.0 180.0 20.0 6.0 5 6 7 8 9 5 12 13 7 8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 360.0 20.0 180.0 360.0 180.0 10 11 12 13 14 9 15 17 18 22 0.0 -20.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 12.0 360.0 12.0 15 16 17 18 19 27 23 28 34 35 0.0 90.0 90.0 0.0 0.0 12.0 110.0 110.0 10.0 360.0 20 21 22 23 24 42 43 44 45 46 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.0 12.0 360.0 360.0 180.0 25 26 27 28 29 47 48 49 50 51 0.0 -5.0 -5.0 -10.0 -15.0 20.0 5.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 30 31 32 33 34 52 -15.
Chapter 12: Deckman files 10 12 13 3 12 2 - 0 0 0 14 15 23 25 50 13 14 4 5 18 = L C - 0 0 0 1 0 51 11 5 27 17 62 6 97 - 0 0 0 0 [ockam] H 0 B 1 A 3 a 12 D 2 d c h C Y 30.0 10.0 20.0 20.0 60.0 13 14 4 6 62 60.0 60.0 10.0 360.0 50.0 U 18 U. 17 60.0 10.0 [ockgps] X. 0.01 X 0.
Example J_varsXX file COG/SOG rudder_angle user_1 user_2 [nmea] VHW 5 0 VHW 3 0 VWR 3 0 VWR 1 1 VTG 1 0 VTG 5 0 f Y 1 2 POLAR_VS TARG_VS 1 6 3 2 18 17 [wtp] 0 0 55 6 2 10 11 22 23 1 2 3 13 12 24 16 17 18 14 14 8 9 7 5 12 28 27 4 18 17 77 78 79 67 68 69 [instruments] simul 9600 none 8 12.
Chapter 12: Deckman files My Deckman Dongle number ……… Version codes ……… for version ……… (updates) ……… for version ……… (updates) ……… for version ……… Charts installed Type (e.g. C-Map) Number Area covered 12.
Index A animation, 3.18, 3.19 apparent wind, 5.18, 7.3, 7.15, 7.16 ARCS charts, 2.4, 2.5 B B&G, 6.4, 7.1, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9 boat parameters, 5.8 bounds, 2.10, 7.5, 7.9, 12.11 C Calibrate Boatspeed, 7.6 calibration, 2.10, 4.8, 5.21, 7.1, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.9, 7.15, 7.16, 7.17, 8.1, 8.2, 12.6, 12.18, 12.22, 12.23, 12.26 calibration, advanced, 7.7, 12.14, 12.15, 12.17, 12.18, 12.24 chart warping, 3.35 charts, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 3.30, 3.31, 3.32, 3.33, 3.34, 3.35 C-Map charts, 2.
Horizontal Dilution of Position, 5.18 I instruments, 2.7, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 4.7, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2, 7.7, 7.9, 7.11, 7.15, 7.16, 7.17, 8.1, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 12.1, 12.7, 12.10, 12.11 isochrones, 1.3, 3.14, 3.18, 3.29, 9.19 J j_varsXX.d, 12.7 L layers, 3.28, 3.30, 3.31, 3.32, 10.5 layline, 4.2, 5.18, 12.6 line bias, 4.1, 4.2 List route, 3.10 Livecharts, 2.3 M Maptech charts, 2.5 N Navigation options, 3.10, 3.25 networking, 11.2, 11.3 NMEA Instrument System, 7.
T target speed, 4.9, 6.2 tide, 3.14, 3.19, 3.24, 3.29 time series plot, 5.2 triangular course, 3.5, 3.6, 3.9 true wind, 4.9, 5.2, 5.3, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.3, 7.5, 7.9, 7.17, 8.1, 8.3, 12.6 U user variables, 5.20, 12.13, 12.23 V variables, user defined, 5.20, 12.14, 12.23 variation (magnetic), 3.25, 3.30, 7.5, 12.6 vector charts, 3.30 velocity prediction program, 6.3 VMC, 5.4, 5.16 VMG, 5.15, 6.2, 6.3, 8.1 W warp image, 3.35 waypoints, 2.1, 2.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.20, 3.29, 3.
