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NorthStar 961 Install Manual

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See also: Reference Manual , User Manual
Northstar Technologies
30 Sudbury Road
Acton, Massachusetts 01720
961
GPS C
HART
I
NSTALLATION
Part Number GM1901
962
AND
N
AVIGATORS
M
ANUAL
Revision A
978/897-6600
800/628-4487
www.northstarcmc.com

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Summary of Contents for NorthStar 961

  • Page 1 GPS C NSTALLATION Northstar Technologies 30 Sudbury Road Acton, Massachusetts 01720 HART AVIGATORS ANUAL Revision A Part Number GM1901 978/897-6600 800/628-4487 www.northstarcmc.com...
  • Page 3 Call the Northstar dealer or Northstar for instructions. During the unit’s warranty period, Northstar will repair or replace, at its option, any part of the unit it finds to be defective due to faulty material(s) or workmanship. All such repairs and/or replacements will be promptly performed by Northstar free-of-charge to the owner, excluding freight costs incurred in shipping to the factory.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Testing and troubleshooting the 961/962 ........
  • Page 6 Page ii 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...
  • Page 7 Figures Figure 1: 961/962 control head yoke-mount dimensions (side) .......10 Figure 2: 961/962 control head yoke-mount dimensions (front) .
  • Page 8 Figure 32: GPS satellite status screen ........
  • Page 9 Table 3: Troubleshooting the GPS/DGPS antenna installation ....... . 39...
  • Page 10 Page vi 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 11: Section One - Introduction

    X (non-differential) and XD (differential) versions of the systemt. You can add echosounding capabilities to a 961 or 962 by interfacing it with the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder and a Northstar-recommended transducer recommended. For complete details about installing the 490, please see the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Installation Manual (part number GM491).

  • Page 12: Getting Technical Support

    When contacting Northstar, please have the 961/962’s serial number available. Be as complete and accurate as possible when describing the problem so that a Northstar service technician can research the issue and provide the quickest possible response. Northstar’s Service Department is available between 9:00 a.m.

  • Page 13: Servicing The System

    Northstar factory. Service includes a complete hardware and software check-out. For a 961/962 under warranty, shipping charges to the factory are the only cost for factory repair. The repaired 961/962 will be returned via prepaid economy ground freight (freight for units returned overseas is chargeable).

  • Page 14: Returning A 961/962 For Service

    The 961/962 is covered by a two-year hardware-only warranty. In dealer with the serial summary, the warranty states that if the 961/962 is returned to the number. You can find factory by the owner or dealer during the warranty period, Northstar will...

  • Page 15: Section Two - Installation

    Be sure to ground the equipment in order to prevent electrical shock or mutual interference. Make sure that the 961/962 does not interfere with any of the on-board systems. Check all other systems to ensure that their performance doesn’t degrade when the unit is turned on.

  • Page 16: System Overview

    5. Choose the best location to mount the control head(s) and processor. 6. Choose the best location to mount the antenna. For suggestions and 7. Review the section on wiring the 961/962. For details, see “Wiring 8. Install the control head(s), processor, and antenna. You may want to 9.

  • Page 17: Installation Considerations

    • • • The majority of installation problems are caused by shortcuts taken with Avoiding system cables. When installing your 961/962, be sure to: shortcuts • • • • •...

  • Page 18: Choosing A System Location

    For complete details about installing the AN150, see “Installing the antenna” beginning on page 15. Using DGPS with If the 961/962 is equipped with a differential receiver, and you’re using the AN150 GPS antenna, not the AN205-P GPS/DGPS combo antenna, this an AN150 and...
  • Page 19 Northstar-supplied yoke mounting kit usually allows for a quicker and less expensive installation than a flush-mount installation. Regardless of the type of mount, here are a few helpful hints about where to mount the control head. Choose the mounting location carefully—before any drilling or cutting takes place.

  • Page 20: Figure 1: 961/962 Control Head Yoke-Mount Dimensions (Side)

    SECTION TWO - Installation Figure 1: 961/962 control head yoke-mount dimensions (side) Page 10 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 21: Figure 2: 961/962 Control Head Yoke-Mount Dimensions (Front)

    SECTION TWO - Installation Figure 2: 961/962 control head yoke-mount dimensions (front) 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 11...

  • Page 22: Figure 3: 961/962 Control Head Flush-Mounting Template

    Figure 3 below. For the full-size version of these flush-mount installation measurements/instructions, see the Northstar 961/962 Control Head Flush-Mounting Template, Front View (part number GT1800), included in the 961/962 shipping carton. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation, especially if the system is installed in a poorly ventilated or closed area.

  • Page 23: Wiring The 961/962

    • • • The 961/962 operates on DC power, from a 10-volt minimum to a 40-volt maximum, connected by at least 16-gauge wire. The standard 10-foot power cable supplied with your 961/962 should be long enough for most installations. If you must lengthen it, you can extend it to a maximum of 25 feet without adversely affecting the system’s operation.

  • Page 24: Figure 4: Processor Connectors (Back Of 961/962)

    SECTION TWO - Installation Electrical power The 961/962 is a negative-ground system. After the processor has been installed—but before turning the system on—verify that the power cable requirements wires are connected as follows: • • The back of the processor, with all the proper wiring and connections, is Wiring the illustrated in “Figure 4: Processor connectors (back of 961/962)”...

  • Page 25: Installing The Antenna

    Choosing the AN150 antenna location antenna location The GPS receiving antenna is a vital link between the 961/962’s receiver and the outside world. Aesthetics and easy access should be secondary to providing strong and reliable GPS signals to the 961/962. You should select a location for the antenna that meets the following requirements: •...

  • Page 26: Figure 5: Separation Distances Between Antennas

    —this information should only be used as a guideline. It isn’t Figure 5: Separation distances between antennas NOTE: Be especially careful about the distance between the AN205-P combination antenna and any sources of magnetic interference (for example, the INMARSAT antenna). 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 27: Antenna Cabling

    If mounting on top of a tower or mast, understand that the 961/962 will be affected by the pitch and roll of the vessel. Often, the bow or stern will provide a location where shading is minimized while serving to keep the antenna low.

  • Page 28: Figure 6: Gps-Only Antenna (An150)

    SECTION TWO - Installation Wiring the AN150 antenna Supplied with the antenna is a 50-foot length of RG-59 coaxial cable for use with either the GPS-only AN150 antenna or the GPS/DGPS AN205-P antenna. Mounting the AN150 antenna Tools needed: •...

  • Page 29: Figure 7: Stripping The Coax Cable Jacket

    6. Make a termination for a male BNC connection—as described in the 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A inside the upper half of the GPS antenna. Be sure to tighten it securely as vibration can loosen the connection over time. In addition, protect the coax-to-antenna connection with liquid electrical tape or self-vulcanizing electrical tape.

  • Page 30: Figure 9: Completed Bnc Connector

    Crimp the outer ferrule using Cavity A of tools specified above. The connector ferrule-to-cable junction can be sealed and protected using adhesive-lined heat shrink. Figure 9: Completed BNC connector 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 31: Figure 10: Combo Gps/Dgps Antenna (An205-P)

    When using the AN205-P combo antenna, a cable “splitter” is required to separate the signal path of the single cable from the antenna into two cables for connection to the 961/962. For the proper installation of the splitter, refer to “Figure 11: Correct AN205-P (combo antenna) splitter wiring”...

  • Page 32: Figure 11: Correct An205-P (Combo Antenna) Splitter Wiring

    SECTION TWO - Installation After you’ve mounted the antenna and cut the cable to length—not less than 20 feet—install the supplied TNC connector at the 961/962 end. See Figure 12, Figure 13, and Figure 14 below. A satisfactory crimp for this connector can be made with a common high-quality crimping tool designed for use with TNC connectors.

  • Page 33: Figure 12: Stripping The Coax Cable Jacket

    3. Place the center contact onto the center conductor so that it butts 4. “Figure 14: Completed TNC connector” below: Install the cable 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Figure 12: Stripping the coax cable jacket shown. Slightly flare the end of the cable braid, as shown, to facilitate insertion into inner ferrule.
  • Page 34 You can view noise and SNR values after turning the 961/962’s power on; see “Turning the system on” beginning on page 28. Another major concern, precipitation static (P-static), must be addressed when installing the differential antenna.

  • Page 35: Figure 15: Acu Assembly

    ACU base and connects to the PL-259 (UHF) connector at the bottom of the ACU. For UHF connector preparation, see“DGPS antenna cable connectors” beginning on page 27. 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A CAUTION! Maintaining the ACU’s weathertight seal between its upper and lower halves requires only hand-tightening the two together.

  • Page 36: Figure 16: Correct An150 And 8410 Wiring

    RF grounding The grounding system is an equal partner with the antenna in producing quality differential signals for the 961/962 differential receiver. Lack of proper grounding can adversely affect differential signal strength as well as SNR readings, and is the most common source of differential antenna installation problems.
  • Page 37 (Tommy Tape). To prepare the UHF connectors, follow the assembly instructions in Figure 17 below. 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A WARNING! Whenever any antenna is disconnected from on-board equipment, be sure to ground the antenna shield in order to discharge extremely large static voltages that can quickly build up on an ungrounded antenna system.

  • Page 38: Turning The System On And Off

    The system will then perform a series of self-tests in which it checks critical components and functions for any errors, as shown in Figure 18 below. Page 28 Figure 17: PL-259 (UHF) connector key. After several minutes, 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 39: Figure 18: Initial 961 And 962 Startup Screens

    Figure 18: Initial 961 and 962 startup screens Figure 19: System test screen After the SYSTEM TEST screen, the 961/962 automatically displays the OWNER’S MESSAGE screen—as shown in Figure 20 below—for about 10 seconds. For information on creating a personal owner’s message (such as the owner’s name and name of the vessel), see “System security”...

  • Page 40: Figure 20: Owner's Message Screen

    Although every effort has been made to ensure that the data used by the 961/962 is as close to paper charts as possible, errors and omissions are inevitable. Therefore, extreme care must be used when navigating by means of electronic charts.

  • Page 41: Figure 21: Advisory Message

    CHART screen and hear the GPS alarm beep. This sequence often occurs when a 961/962 is used for the first time in a new location hundreds of miles from where it was last used, and means you’re being notified that the 961/962 is searching for the necessary satellites.

  • Page 42: Figure 22: Gps Satellite Status Screen

    To display information about the GPS satellites, press the display the SERVICE MENU screen, then press the 961/962 displays the GPS SATELLITE STATUS screen, showing the status of the GPS receiver. For 961XD and 962XD systems, this screen also displays the status of the DGPS receiver.
  • Page 43 10 or more. Any value less than two indicates excellent performance. Lat/lon coordinates On the CHART screen INFO BARS, the 961/962 displays lat/lon as degrees, minutes, and thousandths of minutes. To display this data, press the key several times. After press the first...

  • Page 44: Testing And Troubleshooting The 961/962

    For DPGS signals, it may take at least 20 minutes for the first channel of the 961/962’s internal beacon receiver to lock onto a transmitter; keep checking for the presence of the word DGPS in the upper-left corner of the CHART screen.

  • Page 45: Table 2: Troubleshooting The Installation

    Set the switch on the processor to the TEST position; if the processor doesn’t power-up, then power to the processor is faulty, or the entire 961/962 may be defective. • Verify that the processor’s power indicator at the back of the unit is lit.
  • Page 46 • The 961/962 may be running too hot based on its current environment. In this case, the display screen dims only about or notch or so, which is normal.
  • Page 47 • Check for high noise level, possibly due to a storm front, or for local interference at the marina or on the vessel. For details about noise-level meanings, see the Northstar 961/ 962 Operations and Reference Manual (GM1900). • Turn off power to each and all of the vessel’s other instruments, one at a time, to isolate the source of the interference.
  • Page 48 Troubleshooting the GPS/DGPS antenna installation In the following table, the Northstar AN150 refers to the 12-dB GPS antenna, the Northstar 8410 coupler with whip antenna refers to the beacon receiver whip-type (E-field) antenna, and the Northstar AN205-P refers to the combination GPS/DGPS loop antenna with splitter.

  • Page 49: Table 3: Troubleshooting The Gps/Dgps Antenna Installation

    Turn off any onboard transmitting devices. • Check for 5.5 VDC at antenna with and without antenna load connected. • Check for 5.5 VDC at 961/962 processor BNC connector (1710 board). • It indicates a bad 1710 board. Replace the 1710 board. •...
  • Page 50 (provided that the 7.75 VDC from the beacon receiver is present). Note that under normal circumstances the combo antenna should never be plugged directly into the GPS port because the voltage feeding the amplifier is too low and will result in low GPS signal levels being sent to the GPS receiver.

  • Page 51: Table 4: Troubleshooting Radar Interference

    • Call the Northstar Service Department to determine if the necessary internal radar shielding has been installed. If yes, ensure that the 961/962 head (and processor) aren’t in the direct path of the radar aperture. •...
  • Page 52 • The radar’s scanning cables may be too closely bundled with the 961/962’s control head-to-processor coax cable: Run the cables of the radar and the 961/ 962 on opposite sides of the vessel. • The 961/962 display-to-processor coax cable may be damaged or improperly terminated.

  • Page 53: Section Three - Interfacing

    SECTION THREE - Interfacing his chapter includes the information needed to interface the 961/962 to other equipment on the vessel. Major topics include: • • • • For information on interfacing the 961/962 with the 490 Echo Sounder, please see the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Installation Manual (part number GM491).

  • Page 54: Configuring The Nmea Output Ports

    NMEA 0183 (and other) data format specifications. The service function described below allows you to select specific 0183 sentences that will be transmitted by the 961/962. To access the NMEA output-port options: 1. Press the 2.

  • Page 55: Figure 24: Port 1 Output Setup Screen

    For any special requirements, check the installation instructions of the equipment to which you’re interfacing. The Northstar factory settings will be adequate for most peripheral equipment, but the options described in Table 6, “Port setup options,” on page 45, are available if needed.
  • Page 56 The 490 option is accessed only on the PORT 3 SETUP screen. Here, for the 961/961 to run the Echo Sounder, you must select the 490. For details on setting up the 490, please see the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Installation Manual (part number GM491).

  • Page 57: Figure 25: Port 3 Setup Screen

    When you select either NMEA 0183 or NMEA 0183 RAY as the output 0183 format, you can display all of the NMEA 0183 sentences that the 961/962 can output. From the PORT 1, PORT 2, or PORT 3 SETUP screens, highlight the FORMAT field (for either 0183 or 0183 RAY), then press the key to display the sentences.

  • Page 58: Table 7: Nmea 0183 Sentence Identifiers

    MSK Receiver Signal Status Water Temperature Recommended Minimum Sentence A Recommended Minimum Sentence B Recommended Minimum Specific GPS/Transit Data Navigation Route, version 1.5 SOG/COG Waypoint Closure Velocity (SOA) Waypoint Location Cross-track Error Estimated Time of Arrival Time-To-Go 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 59: Figure 27: Port 1 Setup (Sentences) Screen

    In turn, the interfaced radar device communicates to the 961/962 the target’s position in lat/lon coordinates so that you can see the target symbol displayed right on the 961/962’s CHART screen. To have the TLL sentence input properly, you must set to “output”...
  • Page 60 The talker ID enables you to configure the 961/962’s output data to tell the listener it’s receiving data from either a GPS (GP) navigator or Integrated Instrument (II). The choice you make depends on what the listener device is expecting.
  • Page 61 Some applications require a longer update period, so the output rate 961/962 lets you increase that span to 199 seconds. You can choose a one-second interval, but at that rate, the bandwidth of 4800-baud NMEA data only allows the output of a reduced set of sentences.

  • Page 62: Configuring The Auxiliary Port

    SECTION THREE - Interfacing equipment, the 961/962 offers the flexibility of turning off the NMEA 0183 checksum: 1. At the PORT SETUP screen, press the 2. Press the 3. Press the 4. Press the Configuring the auxiliary port The auxiliary (aux) port is a general-purpose port used to transmit differential corrections (interfacing with an external device that accepts SC-104 differential corrections).

  • Page 63: Setting Ppnm

    SC-104 IN P1, P2, and P3 The DIAGNOSTICS option is for factory diagnosis of 961/962 operating parameters. Do not turn this function on. OFF is used when the aux port’s input or output functions aren’t needed.

  • Page 64: Figure 29: Ppnm Output Setup Screen

    Table 9 outlines the PPNM output setup parameters. Page 54 Figure 29: PPNM output setup screen Table 9: PPNM output setup parameters Parameter Options Pulses per nautical mile Enter Pulse time minimum Enter Pulse separation time Enter 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A pulses milliseconds milliseconds...

  • Page 65: Using Vga Output

    2. Enter the desired parameters, then press the Using VGA output The 961/962XD supports an external VGA monitor output from the female 15-pin standard VGA video connector on the back of the processor (see Figure 4 on page 23). Conversion of the signal to an NTSC or PAL video output is possible using VGA converters.
  • Page 66 SECTION THREE - Interfacing Page 56 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 67: Section Four - Service/Maintenance

    GPS status, and saving and restoring 961/962 databases and system logs. The port setup option is introduced here, but is described in detail in “SECTION THREE - Interfacing” beginning on page 43.
  • Page 68 DGPS receiver, see ”Testing and troubleshooting the 961/962” starting on page 34. In many cases, the reason for the failure is an open or shorted antenna cable, which can be repaired in the field. If this isn’t the source of the failure, call the Northstar Service Department for further instructions.

  • Page 69: Figure 31: Receiver Information Screen

    With GPS speed averaging, you can select the time at which the 961/962 averages your speed, with values available between one and ten seconds.
  • Page 70 2. Press the 3. Press Adjusting satellite elevation You can prohibit the 961/962 from tracking satellites that are close to the horizon and aren’t providing high accuracy. Tracking low satellites during GPS calculations is primarily for technical applications in which the 961/ 962 must track all visible satellites regardless of how low they’re situated.
  • Page 71 Channel 1 tracks the best available differential signal (the one with the lowest data error rate) and sends the demodulated DGPS corrections to the 961/962’s GPS receiver. Channel 2 continuously scans the entire differential frequency band (283.5 to 325 kHz), locating and measuring received DGPS differential signals, which are then stored as a DGPS differential directory in its battery-powered memory.
  • Page 72 3. Press the 4. Use the 5. When done, press the Manually setting baud rate Northstar strongly recommends leaving the beacon baud rate setting at frequency (the BEACON FREQ field must be set to manual): 1. At the 2. Press the 3.

  • Page 73: Figure 32: Gps Satellite Status Screen

    The connection is made through any of four data transmission ports located at the back of the 961/962: three NMEA ports and one aux port. Each can operate independently, giving you the flexibility to control four separate devices simultaneously. The ports can also be configured independently to meet the specifications of most peripheral navigation equipment;...
  • Page 74 (even though the 961/962’s search function is always quick and easy). Two, if you ever have to return the 961/962 to the factory for service, it’s a good idea to have a separate copy of your waypoints, routes, and user preferences from the system’s hard drive,...

  • Page 75: Figure 33: Database Function Screen

    To save only your setup and service options (user preferences), press the > To save only your waypoints and routes, press the key (the 961/962 always saves waypoints and routes together, since routes are comprised of waypoints). > To save all of the above, press the SECTION FOUR - Service/Maintenance key.

  • Page 76: Figure 35: Select Database To Restore Dialog Box

    (defined as either user preference data, waypoint and route data, or all data), asking you to wait while the 961/962 saves the data. This dialog box is followed by the SUMMARY OF DATA SAVED dialog box, showing the number of files saved.

  • Page 77: Figure 36: Select A Restored Database To Undo Dialog Box

    4. Press the Undoing a restore After the 961/962 restores a database, you’ll have the option to undo the restore operation. As long as the 961/962 power is on, you’ll always have this option; however, if you restart the 961/962 by turning it off and then on, or if power is interrupted, you’ll lose the option to undo the...

  • Page 78: Maintenance Functions

    Occasionally, the 961/962 may have a problem that requires looking at its log files to determine the cause. If this happens, you’ll be prompted to save the 961/962’s log files, which should then be sent to the Northstar Service Department. If you have any questions, call Northstar and ask to speak with a marine service technician.
  • Page 79 Periodically, you may become aware of the release of a new version of Installing 961/962 software. To request the current software update on a CD-ROM, software call the Northstar Service Department. Installation instructions are upgrades provided with the CD; be sure to read and follow these instructions carefully.
  • Page 80 SECTION FOUR - Service/Maintenance Page 70 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

  • Page 81: Appendix A - Technical Specifications

    APPENDIX A - Technical Specifications For information and specifications on the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder, see the Northstar 490 Echo Sounder Installation Manual (part number GM491). Table 10: 961/962 technical specifications Power source Power consumption Fuse Operating power Type Sensitivity...

  • Page 82: Table 11: 961Xd/962Xd Beacon Receiver Specifications

    APPENDIX A - Technical Specifications Table 10: 961/962 technical specifications (continued) Control head Processor Environmental Table 11: 961XD/962XD beacon receiver specifications Noise blanker Signal detection Turning resolution Type Frequency range Minimum signal strength Dynamic range Adjacent channel rejection Acquisition time...

  • Page 83: Table 12: An150 Gps Antenna Specifications

    Temperature Impedance VSWR Band rejection Power handling Gain, beacon Gain, GPS 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A APPENDIX A - Technical Specifications DATA PROCESSING MSK (Minimum Shift Keying) 25, 50, 100, 200 (automatically selected) 2 parallel matched digital filters POWER 2 watts DIMENSIONS 2.7 inches...

  • Page 84: Table 13: 8410 Antenna Coupling Unit Specifications

    152 mm (W) x 152 mm (L) x 67 mm (H) 6.00” (W) x 6.00” (L) x 2.63” (H) 12,000 feet 2.5 dB maximum -40º C to +70º C 50 Ohm < 2.0:1 35 dB @ 1625 MHz 1 watt 20 dB 12 dB 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...
  • Page 85 961/962 processor pin wiring PL-259 (UHF) control head flush-mount drilling dimensions mounting yoke mounting yoke-mount dimensions course-over-ground. See COG data transmission, changing update intervals database, saving and restoring the 961/962 Page 75...
  • Page 86 AN150 antenna AN205-P antenna evaluating temporary antenna locations before templates yoke vs. flush mounting templates MSS 0183 identifier MTW 0183 identifier NMEA 0180 output format NMEA 0183 baud rate checksums lat/lon precision output format 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A HDOP...
  • Page 87 8410 ACU location on satellite status of GPS receiver satellites pseudorandom number (PRN) viewing GPS waiting for configuration to update saving and restoring the 961/962 database saving log data screen-saver mode sentences identifiers NMEA TLL (rattle) serial number, viewing processor and control...
  • Page 88 AN150 and 8410 AN150 antenna AN205-P antenna connector pin viewing Port Setup screen for informa- tion WPL 0183 identifier XTE 0183 identifier yoke-mounting clearance Page 78 control head dimensions ZDA 0183 identifier ZTG 0183 identifier 961/962 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A...

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