Simrad has launched its most sophisticated trawl sensors to date – the Simrad PX MultiSensor, which comes in two versions; Down & Side and Down & Front.
In addition to using new battery technology, Simrad says that sensor can provide an almost countless combination of two readings, providing skippers with a flexible tool for accurate and detailed information about the trawl.
Both versions of the sensor enable users to easily re-program them to provide different types of reading by using a laptop PC and programming cable. This means that vessels don’t have to buy or carry as many sensors as before, because the Simrad PX can adapt to almost any application.
The Down & Front version covers most functions, and is the sensor required if Geometry measurement and trawl height is desired. The Down & Side sensor provides combinations of two readings, such as Pitch and Roll or Roll and Spread, Spread and Height or Height and Pitch. In the near future functions such as Depth, Temperature and Catch will also be available.
The sensor will be used to provide various readings covering the height and range between doors and wings. Depending on orientation and setting, the transducer will measure the doors’ height to the bottom or the distance between doors or wings. Even mounting the sensor on the head rope, it will measure height on the net and, activating the pitch sensor, the head rope tilt. The side transducer will measure the range between doors, wings or the distance from the sensor to the surface (depth) whilst an optionally equipped pressure sensor can measure depth and temperature.
Additionally, with its frontal transducer (Down & Front type), the PX sensor will communicate with the geometry responders offering essential information to keep the trawl operating at maximum performance. Pitch and roll on the doors is also measured, to verify that the doors have the optimum rigging.
Duration
Operational duration has been a critical factor in the design of the Simrad PX. It features the latest battery technology, which significantly extends the amount of time the sensor can operate for, when compared with previous generation Simrad sensors. The Simrad PX MultiSensor also features a new charging regime. A simple plug is fitted in the back of the sensor which makes it impossible to make a polarity error when charging.
The PX MultiSensor communicates with the vessel through a high-performance ceramic transducer, which ensures a perfect link even in extreme conditions. It will work with the existing PI50 and PI44 systems, with no re-installation of hydrophone or processor required, making upgrading a simple and cost-effective process. A free software upgrade on the PI50 and PI44 systems is required to receive and display Roll and Pitch information.
