Radar Operations Manual Covers the Nobeltec Line of Radar Products Nobeltec InSight Radar 2 (IR2) ® ™ NTMRG002 4/04
Table of Contents InSight Radar Introduction ........................................... 1 Welcome to Nobeltec ..........................................................1 What is Nobeltec’s IR2? ......................................................1 The InSight Radar Window .................................................2 What is a Nobeltec digital radar? ........................................4 How Does the Nobeltec Digital Radar Work?................4 Important Notice Regarding 2kW Dome Models ......
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with InSight Radar ....................................... 21 Opening the InSight Radar Window ..................................21 Turning on your Radar .....................................................22 Radar right click and Radar menu ...............................22 Radar Toolbars .............................................................23 Range Scale ................................................................24 Adjusting the Gain .
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Understanding Radar .................................................. 51 How to Interpret the Radar Picture ...................................51 Radar Horizon ...................................................................53 Radar Horizon and Mother Nature ....................................53 Minimum Detectable Range ..............................................54 Troubleshooting ..........................................................
chapter 1 InSight Radar Introduction Welcome to Nobeltec Congratulations. You have purchased the world’s most advanced marine radar. How to use this manual This manual assumes that you are already familiar with Nobeltec’s charting software. The Nobeltec software is easy-to-use and powerful. If you need a brushup, please refer to the Users Guide that came with your Nobeltec charting software.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Introduction Operations Manual The InSight Radar Window The InSight Radar window is the window inside the Nobeltec software for viewing radar images. It can be resized and moved like any other standard window. It also has a host of features specific to the radar functionality. The window is viewed in either the standard PlanView mode or Admiral’s exclusive NavView.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Introduction InSight Radar in Admiral’s NavView We’ll talk more about these two window options and the way of using them later in this Operations Manual. The InSight Radar combines all the power of electronic charting with all the functionality of a radar. These two technologies are considered by many to be essential for safe navigation. Combining the two technologies provides a level of functionality not attainable separately.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Introduction Operations Manual What is a Nobeltec digital radar? Nobeltec IR2 is complete radar solution that sends the radar information directly to a personal computer in a format that it can understand. Most radars transmit information between the transceiver and a display unit in analog form. However, a digital radar sends the information digitally, making extra displays unnecessary.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Introduction What is the InSight Radar Box? The InSight Radar Box is a specially designed box that converts the analog signal from many existing radars into a digital format usable by a personal computer. Over the past decades, little has changed with the way a radar antenna sends and receives radar microwaves. However, there have been significant advancements in the display and utility of the resulting image.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Introduction Operations Manual Minimum System Requirements In order to properly run Nobeltec InSight Radar software, you need the following: • Windows 2000/XP • Pentium III 1 GHz with 256 MB RAM and 50 MB hard disk space (Additional space required for navigation data) • CD-ROM drive • The following available data ports - 2 Serial or USB ports (GPS, Heading sensor or other device) - USB port for Nobeltec InSight Radar Box input (if applicable) - Ethernet Network por
chapter 2 Setting up InSight Radar This chapter is a review of what should have already been done through the Installers Guide. Installing InSight Radar (IR2) Getting your radar up and running can be separated into two areas: 1. Installing the hardware 2. Setting up the Nobeltec software Installing the Hardware Included with your Nobeltec radar solution are installation and wiring instructions. The majority of technical support issues revolve around incorrect installation.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Installing Nobeltec Software It is necessary to install this software even if you have Nobeltec software already loaded on your system. In addition to installing the Nobeltec software on a new computer, it can also upgrade existing Nobeltec software to recognize and operate the InSight Radar 2. To install the Nobeltec software, Insert the program CD into your CD-ROM drive. The program will autorun an installation program.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Using the Radar Setup Wizard This section assumes that you have correctly installed the IR2 and that it is functioning properly. The Insight Radar option to the Nobeltec software includes a Radar Setup Wizard that simplifies the integration process. You must run the Radar Setup Wizard the first time you install the software on a new computer on which you want to see the InSight Radar.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Setting up IR2 Operations Manual The Radar Setup Wizard will search your available serial ports for incoming information, including your GPS and heading sensor. Continue stepping through the Radar Setup Wizard making sure to closely follow the instructions. Tip: When you run the Radar Setup Wizard, make sure that your GPS, heading sensor and the radar are all properly installed, turned on and connected to your computer.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Once the Radar Setup Wizard detects your radar and other NMEA devices, you can advance the Radar Wizard to the Adjust Radar Image page. The primary objective on this page is to see the data in the white box towards the bottom of this screen flowing on both sides. The data on the left side is data going to the radar from the PC. The data on the right side is the radar responding to the PC.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Setting up IR2 Operations Manual Initial Radar Setup Setting the Trigger Delay After successfully installing the radar, transmit trigger delay should be reviewed and adjusted in order to compensate for cable transmission delays. Longer cable runs generally require a higher trigger delay setting. To do this, start the Nobeltec software and launch the Insight Radar window. Once it is open and displaying a radar image, adjust the Transmit Trigger Delay.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Aligning the Radar Image Getting the radar to properly align with the electronic chart requires a few key devices and software settings. As a summary, these three are: Compass Master Heading Correction: In certain cases, it is not possible to install the digital compass exactly parallel with the vessel center line. This software setting allows an offset to be entered into the program to compensate for this occurrence.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Adjusting the Compass Master Heading Correction This process allows you to align the digital compass with the vessel center line. This is normally a one-time process that corrects the entire 360° equally. To align the compass determine the amount of offset and enter it into the Compass Heading Correction screen. To do this, Open the Nobeltec software and click on the Boat Properties tool which can be found on the toolbar (shown below).
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Adjusting the Radar Heading Line Rotation This process allows you to align the radar transceiver with the center line of the vessel and only needs to be set once. This is a different function than aligning your heading sensor so make sure you are adjusting the radar’s physical heading line to match the center line of your vessel. One way to do this is to simply eyeball the difference.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Setting up IR2 Operations Manual Creating a Compass Deviation Table Due to magnetic interferences and other considerations, magnetic compasses can provide inaccurate information. To complicate this matter, the level of heading innacuracy can change at each compass heading. To resolve this, inside the Nobeltec software is a table that allows you to enter correction values at each 5° increment.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Setting the Radar Presets (4kW Models and Above Only) The auto gain and auto sea functions allow for hands free operation of the radar. As with any other setting on the radar, these modes must be properly set up in order to operate correctly. The following sections describe the presets that must be set for proper operation. There are several presets that affect the quality of the image.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Setting the Auto Gain Preset The auto gain function automatically preserves the look of the image based on the auto gain preset. You must first adjust the auto gain preset before adjusting the auto sea settings. Once the auto gain is set, it will be set for all ranges. Follow these steps to adjust the Auto Gain preset: 1) Click and depress the Auto Gain toolbar button .
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Setting up IR2 Follow these steps to adjust the Auto Sea Clutter Preset: 1) Set the radar range to 12nm. 2) Click and depress the Auto Sea toolbar button . 3) Select the Adjust Radar Presets option by right clicking on the radar image window or from the radar menu. 4) Set the auto sea preset to 10. Set the STC Curve preset to 4. Click OK.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Setting up IR2 Operations Manual STC Curve The STC Curve function allows you to control the Sea Clutter profile of the radar. By default, the STC Curve profile is set to a value of 4. For most applications, there should be no need to change this setting. However, you may want to adjust this value to get a better application of Sea Clutter if the radar is either mounted very high on the vessel, or extremely low.
chapter 3 Working with InSight Radar Opening the InSight Radar Window 1 Launch the Nobeltec Navigation software by double clicking on its desktop icon. 2 Click on the Radar drop down menu and then InSight Radar Window... or Click on the InSight Radar Window toolbar button . The InSight window will open. If the radar unit is turned on and is properly connected to the computer, the InSight window automatically displays the radar image similar to that shown below.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Operations Manual Turning on your Radar Once the hardware portion of your digital radar is properly installed, viewing a radar image is as simple as powering the antenna, and opening an InSight Radar window within the Nobeltec software. With the radar powered on, click on the Radar Transmit/Standby begin or stop radar transmission. button to Depending on the antenna, the power-up process takes between 90 and 120 seconds.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Radar Toolbars There are a number of radar toolbars that give you complete control over the InSight Radar features. The three primary toolbars are displayed below. The remaining available toolbars contain the same toolbar buttons as those displayed below but are re-organized in smaller subsets. To turn on new toolbars, click on the Tools drop down menu, then on the Toolbars option.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Range Scale Range Scales: The range buttons determine the size of the area that appears in your InSight Radar window. In addition, the range setting also determines the number and distance of the range rings. Click on the Range Up or Range Down button to increase or decrease the range of the radar respectively.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Radar Range Toolbar In addition to the Radar Control toolbar displayed above, there are two additional Range toolbars designed to give you greater flexibility and control. Auto Range Range Down Range Up Auto Range Range Levels: Marina, Harbor, Bay & Horizon Range Up and Down The special Range Levels buttons are designed to give you the ability to range out or in to a given level with a single click.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Chapter 3 Operations Manual Working with IR2 Adjusting the Gain Use the Gain Up radar. and Gain Down keys to adjust the sensitivity of the A higher gain value makes the radar more sensitive to radar returns, allowing it to display weaker targets. However, if the gain is set too high, the image might get overly cluttered with background noise and even strong returns could be hidden or masked. Conversely, a lower gain could cause weak echoes to be missed.
Chapter 3 Operations Manual Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Auto SEA (4kW and Higher) Based on the Radar Presets, the Auto SEA function is designed for hands free operation of the radar. By setting the SEA preset (as described in the chapter titled Setting up the InSight Radar) the software adjusts to the changing weather conditions to maintain the radar quality. The effect of Auto SEA varies based upon range and conditions.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Operations Manual Radar / Chart Overlay Overlay Radar Image on Chart: Overlaying the radar on the chart is the ideal way to merge the power of electronic charting and the security of radar. The chart brings context to what can often be a confusing display of radar blobs. Clicking on the radar overlay button toggles the radar overlay on and off.
Chapter 3 Operations Manual Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Remember: The Auto Range feature keeps the chart scale and the radar range in sync, making it easy to understand the radar in context with the chart. To change the radar range, simply zoom out using any of the charting zoom tools, including the plus and minus keys on your keyboard. Cursor Ghosting When in SplitScreen mode, one way to compare the electronic chart and the radar is to use a function called Cursor Ghosting.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Measuring the Range and Bearing to a Target The range and bearing to a target can be measured inside the Nobeltec application a number of ways, including using the range and bearing to the cursor as displayed in the Info tab of the NavBar at the bottom of the screen or by using the appropriate console panes as shown here.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Variable Range Marker (VRM): This tool is a user-controlled range ring that surrounds the vessel. The VRM is normally used to measure distances to targets and is adjusted by grabbing it with the mouse cursor and dragging it to the desired distance. The range for the VRM is displayed in the lower left hand corner of the InSight window as shown below.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Operations Manual Setting up a Guard Zone Guard Zone: One of the powerful InSight features is the ability to create fully customizable guard zones. This zone acts as a shield to the vessel. If the InSight Radar receives radar returns inside the guard zone, you will be notified with an alarm. Once a guard zone is created, you can click on any of the outer edges to change the size and shape of the guard zone in that direction.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Radar Orientation (rotation) (4kW and Higher) You can rotate the InSight Radar window by using the Radar drop down menu or the right click. In both cases, click on the option Radar Orientation and then on one of its sub-menu options. The current orientation is displayed in the upper right corner (as seen on previous page).
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Off Centering the radar (shifting) (4kW and Higher) Own ship position can be off centered to provide greater radar range. You can control the positioning of the radar image inside the radar window in one of three ways: Click and Drag: With your mouse, click and drag on the vessel icon to recenter the image wherever desired. AutoScroll: Look Ahead: Clicking on this button does two things.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Recording the Radar Record/Playback Control: Another powerful feature of the Nobeltec software is the ability to record the radar images on your voyage and play them back at a later time. Clicking on this button launches a dialog that looks like a VCR control: Play: This button launches a dialog where you can find pre-recorded radar files. Radar files are saved with a “.rad” or “.ras” extension.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Chapter 3 Operations Manual Decluttering the Radar Declutter Hot Key: In the InSight Radar Window or a chart window with Radar Overlay, press and hold down the space bar to clear the windows of any radar objects other than the radar return itself. This gives you a radar image free of all objects, including the range rings, the Variable Range Marker, etc. When finished, let up on the space bar and your radar image will return to normal.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Chapter 3 Operations Manual Working with IR2 Resizing the Radar Image The InSight Radar window can be resized like any standard Window. In addition, the radar image inside the window can be made to fit the window or can be maximized so that the radar takes up more of the window space. To do this right click in the InSight Radar window and choose either the Fit or Clip option.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Chapter 3 Operations Manual Using Radar in Admiral - Advanced Features A powerful benefit of Nobeltec’s Admiral product is the special, non-Windows look and feel called NavView. NavView has been designed specifically for touchscreen monitors and on the water navigation where operating a mouse on a moving bridge can be troublesome. Buttons and menu entries are oversized and easy to read.
Chapter 3 Operations Manual Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Full Screen Radar Console When the InSight Radar is being displayed as a full screen in NavView, a special Radar Console provides detailed navigation and radar information on either the right or left side of the screen. Although the InSight Radar window can be displayed full screen with a single monitor, it was developed with multiple monitors in mind. Split Screen InSight Radar Window and Chart Overlay in NavView.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Operations Manual The Vessel Vessel name Speed Heading Position The Cursor Bearing Range Position Selected Target Type Name Range and Bearing Course Speed CPA and TCPA Radar Settings Gain Rain Sea Clutter Tune IR rejection Expand Targets The reported values in the Radar Console are effected by the settings in the Radar tab of the program Options.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 NavView Toolbars The radar toolbars in NavView are similar to the toolbars in the PlanView. However, Admiral has some additional radar features. Each button on the NavView toolbars, shown below, operate the same way as the same button in PlanView. If you are using the 2kW Dome model, please note that the Auto Sea, Auto Gain, Double Speed and Pulse Length tools are not available.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Chapter 3 Operations Manual Target Tracking The Admiral product has a built in comprehensive target tracking system. Targets can be acquired one of three ways: AIS: Automatic Identification System is a system where vessels can broadcast position, course, speed, rate of turn and other useful information. It can be used to educate local traffic about the traffic conditions.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Chapter 3 Operations Manual Working with IR2 Point and Click Radar (MARPA) MARPA is an acronym for Mini Automated Radar Plotting Aid. Its primary purpose is for collision avoidance and target tracking. WARNING No single navigational aid should be relied upon for the safety of vessel and crew. The captain has the responsibility to use all navigation aids to verify position. Electronic navigation aids are not a substitute for basic navigational principles and common sense.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Chapter 3 Operations Manual Working with IR2 Acquiring MARPA targets Acquiring MARPA targets in Nobeltec is simple. The first step is to identify the target that you wish to track. There are three ways to acquire MARPA targets using Nobeltec’s exclusive Point and Click Radar. Double Click: In the InSight Radar window, simply move your mouse on top of the radar target that you wish to track and double click.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Once you’ve identified a target, it takes a few full radar swings for Nobeltec to properly acquire and track the target. MARPA Symbology Nobeltec uses the IMO approved MARPA symbology. Symbol Description Meaning Dashed box Attempting to acquire target. Typically takes up to 7 full rotations. Blue Circle with Vector Tracking target. Vector shows course and speed.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Target Tracking Terms and Acronyms Acronym Full Name Meaning CPA Closest Point of Approach CPA is the closest distance that can be achieved between your vessel and the tracked target based on your collective speed and direction. TCPA Time to Closest Point of Approach The time it takes to achieve the CPA. Time is expressed in minutes. Rng Target Range The targets range from your vessel.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Radar Configuration Options In the Nobeltec Options, are two pages specific to Radar or Targets. To view the Targets tab of the Options dialog 1 Launch the Nobeltec software by double clicking on its desktop icon. 2 Click on the Tools drop down menu, and select Options... 3 Now click on the Targets tab.
Chapter 3 Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Working with IR2 Operations Manual To view the Radar tab of the Options dialog 1 Launch the Nobeltec software by double clicking on its desktop icon. 2 Click on the Tools drop down menu, and select Options... 3 Now click on the Radar tab. Auto Range Links With: When Auto Range is turned on, this setting controls what windows are effected. Auto Range is the feature that keeps the InSight Radar window and chart window in sync.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Working with IR2 Ghost Mouse Cursor: Shows a ghosted image of the mouse cursor in every chart window. Most typically this would be used when the radar window and a chart window are not in the same rotation angle so identifying targets is made simpler. Degree Marks on Radar Rings: Turns on or off the degree values from the radar range rings.
chapter 4 Understanding Radar The capability of a radar varies depending on where the radar is mounted, the radars performance, weather conditions, and the skill of the operator. This chapter describes the conditions that affect the capability of the radar, and the correct interpretation of the radar picture. How to Interpret the Radar Picture To interpret the radar picture, an operator should be familiar with the radar video presentation caused by the wanted and unwanted effects.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Understanding Radar Operations Manual False Echoes False echoes may appear according to surrounding circumstances. Examples of false echoes and causes of these echoes are described below. False echoes caused by reflection A close target may appear in two different directions. One is a real echo, while the other is a false one produced by reflected waves from structures near the radar antenna, such as a funnel, a mast, etc.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Understanding Radar Radar Horizon The radio waves used for radar are called microwaves, and like light, they travel in straight lines. Because light is generally refracted toward the ground surface, we are able to see farther than the physical horizon. This is called the optical horizon as compared to the physical horizon. Otherwise, microwaves have similar characteristics to light, and this is called a radar horizon.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Understanding Radar Operations Manual Ducting If air layers having a different temperature or different atmospheric pressures are produced alternately in the altitudes, a distant target exceeding the visible range of the radar is detectable. This phenomenon is caused when air layers having a different temperature contact each other. The radio waves are not refracted, but reflected on the boundary where the two layers differ.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Understanding Radar Transmission Pulse Width In most radar systems, including the Nobeltec Digital Radar, the radar transmission pulse width is automatically selected to short or long depending on the range scale. At a short range, a short pulse width is used to improve the close target detection as well as picture definition. At long ranges, a longer pulse width is used to achieve good long range performance.
chapter 5 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Direct Connections Test the Connection without the Radar Wizard If the Radar wizard is unable to see the IR2, a good next step is to try and find the radar another way. Power the radar and wait for one to two full minutes for the radar to decide to use its default IP address. Reboot your computer. Once everything is up and running, click on the Start button and then on the Run option. In the field provided, type the following: Ping 192.168.0.1 –t As shown below.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Troubleshooting Operations Manual 1) The PC and the IR2 Control box are connected with a crossover cable and not a straight through cable. 2) The Network Interface Card software is installed correctly. 3) The power is turned on to the radar and has been for at least one full minute. 4) The LED’s on the RJ-45 connector on both the PC and the MDS box are illuminated and/or blinking. The left most LED should remain solid, while the other LED may blink.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Troubleshooting With this particular Linksys router, type in the IP address of the router into the Internet Explorer address field to get to its diagnostic pages. Clicking on the Status tab displays the image. The DHCP Clients table button shows the entire list of devices on the network as shown below: The RadarSensor is clearly identified with its accompanying IP address. Click on the Start button and then on the Run option.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Troubleshooting Operations Manual Once satisfied that the radar is responding, you can terminate the Ping command by clicking on the X button in the upper right corner (like any other window) or by hitting the Ctrl and C key together. If the list does not scroll as above, or gives the message "Hardware error", "Request timed out" or anything other than "Reply from 192.168.0.1:….", something is wrong with the connection.
Nobeltec InSight Radar (IR2) Operations Manual Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions Q: I was tracking a target on my radar screen and it suddenly disappeared. What happened to it? A: One of the most critical pieces of data for target acquisition is a stable and correct heading value. MARPA or AIS targets are generally lost when the target is too small, returning too weak of an echo, or the heading fluctuates too much.
