standardfeatures-page

Tower Hydrographics (UK) Ltd.

Tower Hydrographic Software, Windows based, flexible, fully configurable and above all, easy to use.

Standard Online Software Features and Functionality

The following outlines the standard features available within the online navigation software.
The Tower online software provides the user with a totally designable system so that its usage and presentation meets their own needs and requirements.

Hardware:
The following are the recommended minimum requirements.

• Pentium III Processor.
• 128MB RAM.
• 10GB Hard Drive.
• 2 x RS232 serial Com ports.
• Monitor, keyboard and mouse.
• Optional extras: RS232 multi-port interface card, network card and multi screen card (dual graphics).

Co-ordinated Database Information:
Options available for the following.
• Coastlines.
• KP Lines.
• Run/Survey Lines.
• Waypoints.
• Features.
• Charts.
• Hazards.
• Events.
• Tide Gauges.

Geodetic Parameters:
• Tower supports any spheroid.
• All common projections are supported as standard.

Equipment Drivers/Formats:
• The Tower software can be interfaced to all modern equipment and sensors for both input and output.
• Tower can receive all RS232 (or converted RS422 etc.) data and output in RS232. Also option for analogue data reception via Pico boards.
• A library of commonly used drivers and formats is issued with the software.
• The software provides the means for the user to design new drivers and formats when required.

Offsets:
• Any number of vessel/dynamic/antenna offsets can be defined.
• Option to have offsets as primary, secondary and tertiary steeredpoints.

Vessels:
• Tower can track any number of vessels.
• Vessel shapes are all fully designable.
• Up to four navigation systems can be defined.

Line Running:
• Option to use KP or survey lines.
• Option to import KP lines.
• Option to enter data in grid or geographical formats, and to set required geographical format.
• KP lines split into segments, straights and/or curved. Entry of turning point descriptions and selection of line style attributes and colour. Full KP line QC/QA facility with insert, delete and re-calculate options. Also option for parallel lines.
• Survey lines can be generated individually or en-bloc (several en-bloc options exist).
• All common line running calculations are available.

Targets:
• Three active targets, range/bearing can be calculated from all steeredpoints and offsets.
• An extensive choice of target options are available from either the waypoint/feature/event files or user defined.
• Waypoints can be automatically generated from the KP line file.
• Target size, label and attributes are set by the user.

• Symbols for targets are either designed by the user, or selected from the standard list available.

Logging:
• Logging formats are fully designable by the user for client/job requirements. Standard logging formats are available.
• File/logging management is controlled by the user for the above.
• Up to three main logging files can be used. All are saved as CSV files (comma separated variable).
• A secondary logging facility exists as a backup, either to another file pathname on the same PC or to a networked PC.

Fixing:
• Fixing can be carried out either manually (keyboard hotkey/icon or external fix closure) or automatically using either time, distance or navigation update/cycle.
• Fix number can be reset by the user.

Charts:
• Charts can be generated individually or automatically as specified along the defined route/KP line file.
• Charts can be plotted online without interrupting the cycle.
• Options to plot any or all of the database information, to plot primary steeredpoint and any other offsets, specify pen numbers from the carousel (colours), orientate annotation/labelling, specify frequency of plotting rate, plot text/legend information, plot either grid or geographical (or both) annotation.

Printing:
• Printout formats are fully designable by the user. Standard formats are available.
• Printer and printout configuration can be set by the user.

Displays:
• Displays are totally designable by the user. Standard screen formats are available.
• Screen graphical/text/variable items, font size and colours are fully configurable.
• Options to show plan, helmsman left/right indicator, attitude, transverse and long profiles.
• Both surveyor and helmsman have complete control over their screens.
• Total manoeuvrability around the online screen whilst surveying is activated.
• QC and warning messages shown at bottom of screen.
• Full zooming in and out facilities via icons, hotkeys, menus and plan window zoom box. Also screen panning option via keyboard number pad and icon. Cursor position in grid or geographicals displayed on screen with mouse, also option for scribing and displaying a range/bearing azimuth.
• Option to skew the screens using a specified angle or orientated to the selected line.

Utilities:
• Options for datum shifts, grid/geog calculations, true and grid range/bearing computations, recompute data, interface test, full or selectable parameter dump, internal and external display toolbar design and KP computations.

Other Facilities:
• Extensive file management options, for loading, saving, importing files either individually or en-bloc.
• Choice of software manoeuvrability, via icons, hotkeys and menus.
• Online eventing facility.
• Online averaging/meaning facility.
• Quick toggling of navigation system for primary computations.
• Automatic ranging and re-centring of echosounder data within long profile window.
• Simulation facility for testing and training.
• Option for manual gyro entry.
• Computer clock can be synchronised and updated from satellite navigation system.
• Full gating and rejection criteria options for all navigation systems and sensors.
• Option for varying levels of password protection of software menus and facilities.
• Screen dump facility.
• Help options with hotkey summary, help contents and context sensitive help on F1 key.