L3 Comminications SERIES 5000 Operation And Maintenance Manual - Chapter 1: O

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CHAPTER 1: O

VERVIEW

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 Series 5000 Sonar System displays sonar data on a high resolution 

monitor and will store data on both the hard disk drive and a CD for high 

capacity storage. Many optional accessories may be added to the basic 

system for special situations or applications. This sonar equipment provides the 

capability for precision swath imaging of the sea floor.

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Equipment

The Series 5000 Sonar System equipment consists of a multibeam sonar 

instrumented towfish, a Transceiver and Processing Unit (TPU), and a Windows 

Computer Display and Control Unit (computer), along with a tow cable and 

various interconnect cables.

1.1.1 Multibeam Sonar Instrumented Towfish

The towfish electronics perform all the sonar data processing prior to digital 

transmission to the sonar TPU. This minimizes the system’s susceptibility to 

externally induced electronic noise. Processing includes transmit/receive 

functions, time varied gain (TVG) amplification, digitalization, and multiplexing 

of the sonar uplink data. Timing and sonar data are bidirectionally multiplexed on 

a single conductor coaxial cable. Use of a low noise preamplifier design ensures 

maximum range performance. The ability to operate with a fiber-optic cable is 

available as an option for very long cable (deep tow) operations or installations 

requiring electrical isolation in severe noise environments.

An electro-mechanical termination is provided on the towfish end of the tow cable 

for connection to the towfish. A tow shackle provides a strong, reliable, 

mechanical termination to the towfish tow bracket. An underwater connector on a 

pigtail connects the tow cable electrically to an underwater jumper cable on the 

towfish.

1.1.2 Transceiver and Processing Unit (TPU)

The TPU contains the electronics for sonar data demultiplexing and data 

processing.

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