Doc. No 9102L2.

doc page 1 (20)

Technical Description/Installation manual

Synchro/Stepper - NMEA converter S2N U/N 9028C

SW 99002 ver 0.6-1 and later
Safety precaution!
Although the unit is powered from nominal
24 V DC, the voltages for some gyro synchro
and/or stepper formats may be higher than
48 V and care must be taken since these
voltages may be dangerous.

Installation shall only be done by qualified

persons.

There is no galvanic connection between

input terminals R1-R2 and S1-S2-S3 and
unit case or any other connections of the
unit.

Note! This Technical Description is used also for version bare board versions 9027C and 9033C
without displays as well as for earlier SW versions, certain sections below are not applicable for
this.

1. Brief Description
The serial point-to-point communication method described in NMEA 0183 and its international
companion standards IEC 61162-1 and -2 will be in use for long times to come.

A consequence of that is that there is a strong need for efficient ways to transfer data from other electrical
interfaces, such as the widely used synchro transformer format to complex systems, like integrated bridge
systems, VDR and AIS.

The Synchro – NMEA converter unit described here is intended to fulfil this requirement by using
efficient circuitry to solve the required task only.

The default setting converts from standard synchro format (any common voltage, including 115/90 and
26/11.5 V 50-500 Hz) to $HEHDT transmitted each second or from 1/6° stepper.

Conversion from more unusual formats with different geared ratios can be done using the NMEA input
for set-up/calibration and alignment.

qwerty-elektronik Phone: +46 70 680 0115, Fax +46 70 239 17 62

Bälinge klockargård, SE-610 60 Tystberga, Sweden E-mail: [email protected]
www.qe.se
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2. Block diagram
R1
Input signal A/D, CPU, Isolation RS485 driver
R2 conditioning Flash, RAM,
UART

S1
LED display
S2 Pushbuttons

S3
Isolated power 18-36 V DC
NMEA input supply input
(opto coupled)

The power supply for the internal circuitry is isolated from the ship’s power supply input, and the NMEA
input for set-up/alignment (where needed) is opto-isolated.

The main NMEA output, based on a RS485 driver circuit, is fully compliant with the IEC 61162-2
specification and powered from the power intake supply (isolated from the internal supply), which shall
be connected only to fully isolated NMEA/IEC compliant inputs, resulting in full isolation of input and
output signals.

Even in the event of an erroneous grounding of the main NMEA output (for instance to a non-isolated
serial input), there is still no electric connection to the input circuitry and the internal electronics.

3. Technical data

3.1. Mechanical
82
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 3 (20)

Dimensions: Box (without mounting flanges and cable glands) 140 x 82 x 36 mm, mounting
flanges adds 15 mm on each side and can be mounted for panel mount (shown) or
for bulkhead mount.
Mounting: Front panel mounting in 145 x 82 mm panel opening.
Bulkhead mounting on any flat surface.
For bulkhead mounting in very tight spaces, it is possible to rotate the side flanges
“inwards” to minimise bulkhead footprint.
Mounting holes dia 6 mm (suggested bolt dia 5 mm), spaced 158 x 52 mm (w x
h), centered and aligned with front panel.

Mechanical mounting data for bare board versions 9027C and 9033C are available on request.

3.2. Inputs

3.2.1. Synchro/Stepper inputs S1-S2-S3, R1-R2

Phase voltages: 90 V nominal. Minimum nominal voltage in 90 V setting 22 V (SW 0.4-1 and
later).
Phase load: Appr 47 kΩ symmetrical load to internal AGND, floating. Note! “Open collector”
or similar stepper outputs requires external voltage and load. Internal jumper P13
can be used to connect internal AGND to input terminal R1.
Reference voltage: 10 to 120 V RMS AC
Reference frequency: Settings for 50/60 Hz, 400/500 Hz or 20/1000 Hz
Gear ratio: Synchro 1:1, Synchro/Stepper 1:36, 1:45, 1:90, 1:180 and 1:360 values settable
using serial terminalt, proprietary NMEA set-up control or using internal
key/display.

3.2.2. NMEA 0183/IEC 61162-1 set-up/alignment input

Input circuit: Fully NMEA 0183/IEC 61162-1 compliant, optically isolated.
Connections: Spring-loaded terminal block, accepting up to 2.5 mm² cable ends, marked
“NMEA IN A” and “NMEA IN B”.
Baud rate: 4 800 b/s, 1200 to 57600 settable.
Message format: Proprietary “$PQWE” messages for set-up and alignment, simple menu driven
text terminal mode with JP7 set, see set-up section.

3.3. NMEA 0183/IEC 61162-1 or -2 main output

Output driver: Based on RS485 driver, with differential signalling using 0 and +5 V, fully
compliant to IEC 61162-1/-2 standard. Output driver is powered from regulated
DC input and should be connected to isolated NMEA 0183/IEC 61162-1 or -2
receivers.
Output current: 50 mA maximum
Connections: Spring-loaded terminal block, accepting up to 2.5 mm² cable ends, marked
“NMEA OUT A”, “NMEA OUT B” and “NMEA OUT C”.
Polarity: “A” connection idles negative referred to “B”.
“C” terminal: This is included for full IEC 61162-2 compliance, intended for inner screen or
separate grounding wire and is internally connected to ground voltage of output
driver. Common installation practice for standard NMEA 4 800 b/s operation is to
use shielded, twisted pair cable and to connect shield in transmitting end only.
Baud rate: 4 800 b/s, 1200 to 57600 settable.
Message formats: Standard “$HEHDT” with one decimal, transmitted at 1 Hz, which is appropriate
for VDR/AIS installations. New “THD” (expected in next version of standard) or
“HDM” sentence formatters, talker identifiers and transmission frequency and
averaging properties can be tailored to suit any situation, see set-up section for
this.
Rate of turn: “ROT” rate of turn can be extracted from heading information, see set-up section.
page 4 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

Other formats: Special functions, such as angle to speed or conversion form angular value to any
other required serial format can be done on request.
Set-up: As a part of set-up procedure, proprietary “$PQWE” messages are being
transmitted, see set-up section.

3.4. Performance

3.4.1. Synchro operation

Inaccuracy: Better than 0.1°, jitter 0.02-0.05° using 1:1 synchro input and operating at phase
voltages down to 50% of nominal voltage.
Resulting resolution in 360:1 system down to 0.00003°
Update rate: 1 Hz default, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 Hz as required.

3.4.2. Stepper operation

Inaccuracy: As defined by stepper format.
Update rate: 1 Hz default, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 Hz as required.
Tracking rate: At least 120 steps/second for DC step 20 V and above. Restricted tracking rate for
DC step down to TTL level and for rectified AC operation.

3.5. Keys, indicators , jumpers

Keys: “Set”, “Exit“, “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -” keys for alignment, setup and display
dimming, all with backlit text. Pressing “Dim/ +” and
“Dim/ -” keys simultaneously tests all LED elements.
LED indicators: Five seven-segment LED indicators for display of heading.
Jumpers: Four jumpers, P6, P7, P8 and P13 are available.

3.6. Power supply

Power requirement: 18 – 36 V DC, less than 2 W power consumption. Note! Operates typically down
to less than 10 V, but this is not guaranteed. Operation on 4.5-9 V DC or 9-18 V
DC or AC on request.
Isolation: Internal circuitry is powered using an internal isolated DC/DC converter, main
NMEA output driver is powered by 5 V DC, down-regulated from DC input.
Pads on mounting screw holes or internal ground plane are not connected to DC
intake.

3.7. Environmental/Type approvals

Requirements: Compliant with environmental requirements as defined by IEC 60945. Gyro
conversion performance is in compliance with IMO performance standards for
gyro compasses.
Type approvals: BSH/6161/001/2004, see section 10 for certificate.
CE marked according to EMC directive, see sec 9 for declaration of conformity.
Test reports are available on request.

3.8. Disclaimer
All data in this specification are preliminary and may change without prior notice.

This unit may, as any other electronic device, malfunction due to internal hardware or software failure or
due to input signal, configuration, set-up or compatibility problems. If the output from the unit is
connected to other systems, these should be operated in such a way that such alfunction can be detected
and corrected, avoiding damage or danger. Qwerty-elektronik will not in any case assume any
responsibility for any direct or indirect malfunction for the reasons mentioned, other than replacing units
under explicitly agreed guarantee conditions. Qwerty-elektronik will also not take any responsibility for
any damage or injury caused by electric voltages fed from other equipment, such as gyro compasses.
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 5 (20)

4. Installation and set-up

Note! Some gyro voltages may be hazardous and the cover plate of the unit shall only be opened by
qualified personnel. No such voltages are accessible outside the unit.

4.1. Gyro output formats and connection to signals

Note! EMC compliance using the boxed version 9028C requires all connection to be made using shielded
cables only. Please note that the cable glands are designed to connect to the cable screen. To make this
connection, remove the outer insulation of the cable and trim the exposed shield to be some 5 mm in
length, then push it down over the outer insulation and push the shield until it connects to the contact
fingers.

For bare board versions 9027B, 9027C and 9033C, responsibility for EMC requirements compliance has
to be solved by external mounting/installation/shielding.

4.1.1. Synchro – brief description

The diagram shows the amplitude variations as a function of the heading.

S1 - S3

S2 - S1

S3 - S2

1 23 45 67 89 111 133 155 177 199 221 243 265 287 309 331 353 Heading, degrees

In the synchro transformer format, the angular value is transmitted using a rotating transformer with three
windings, spaced 120º.

All three windings carries signals derived from the same reference signal and the ratio (and polarity
referred to the reference signal) between them defines unambiguously the angular value of the rotor,
meaning that for a 1:1 gyro where the rotor is connected directly to the gyro sensor the angular value
directly represents the heading shown by the gyro.

Geared systems, where the synchro rotates a certain number of revolutions for a full 360° turn of the ship,
provides higher resolution, but the unambiguity of the 1:1 system is lost, meaning that the interface unit
needs to know the heading initially, much in the same way as it would be possible to keep track of the
time by only observing the minute hand of the clock face if You are only told initially what the hour is.
page 6 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

4.1.2. Stepper
Diagram of stepper output signals

S1

S2

S3

0 60 120 180 240 300 360

The similarity of the synchro format should be noted, although the three phase signals can only assume
one of two different states, on and off, meaning that each revolution is only subdivided into six sectors,
each 60º.

This means that to be of any use defining the heading from a gyro compass, stepper systems are always
geared, the most common system being the six steps per degree format, where each degree is subdivided
into six sectors.

4.1.3. Identifying signals to connect to interface unit

Technical documentation of the gyro may give useful information.

The best choice for connection to interface is if the gyro has a 1:1 synchro output since this format will
avoid any alignment procedures while still maintaining the full 0.1° resolution.

Note: Connection to 1:1 synchro output requires all five connections to be correct:
• Shifting any two wires S1-S2-S3 changes direction of turning.
• Permutating one step S1-> S2, S2 -> S3 and S3-> S1 changes reading 120°
• Shifting R1 and R2 changes reading 180°.

If this is not the case, or if gyro documentation is not available, the signals from the gyro would have to
be used, regardless of the format.

To find out if the signals available are of the synchro or the stepper format, proceed as follows:

If the connections consists of five wires and two of these carries a constant (not affected by the ship
turning) 115 V - 26 V AC voltage at 400 or 50/60 Hz, this means that the signal is of the synchro
type and the signal pair thus localised is the reference signal, which should be connected to the R1-R2
inputs. Don’t be too worried about polarity, wrong connection will only give a 180° error that could be
compensated for later.

Connect the other three signals to S1-S2-S3, again observing that getting the signals wrong would cause
an angular displacement and/or the wrong direction of turning.

If this constant AC voltage pair is not found, the connection is of the stepper type and the task in this
case is to locate the three wires that will carry a turning dependant voltage (see diagram above) referenced
to the fourth one.
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 7 (20)

Connect these three wires to S1-S2-S3. Other wires are not required. Note that the Phase inputs S1-S2-S3
are floating and that stepper outputs with “open collector” or similar requires load from connected
repeater or resistors to common ground wire. As an alternative, internal AGND (with 47 kohm to each
phase input) can be connected to input terminal R1 using jumper P13.

4.2. Set-up using internal display

Note! This section is not relevant for version 9027B without display!

Keys
“Set” Enters data or enters menu
“Exit” Exits data entry or menu
“Dim/ +” In heading display, Dim+, others increment menu or data
“Dim/ -“ In heading display, Dim-, others decrement menu or data

Graphical overview of menu system:

Operation

Set Exit
+ + +
Align Setup Test Play

4.2.1. Alignment mode

This mode is used to align the gyro converter output with the sensed heading of the gyro compass when
operating from geared synchro or stepper.

Pressing “Set” displays “A XXX.X” with a blinking “A”. With the “+” and “-“ keys the displayed
heading will increment or decrement. Once values displayed on S2N (or on equipment connected to it),
press “Set” and the unit will directly return to normal operation.

4.2.2. Set-up mode

This mode is used during installation to adopt S2N to the gyro output format.

Pressing “Set” displays “P X”, where “X” is the main menu number is listed below. Pressing “Set” again
displays “P X.Y”, where “Y” is the submenu number.

Description of the Set-up menu system:

1 Product data, Read only.

1.1 Product, e.g. 9027 (designation is for bare board version, used in all S2N configs)
1.2 Product rev, e.g. C0
1.3 Production year
1.4 Production month & day
1.5 Serial number
1.6 Boot
1.7 Boot version
1.8 Application
1.9 Application version
1.10 Application download year
1.11 Application download month & day
1.12 Runtime limit, if active

2 Main mode
2.1 Main mode [synchro | stepper]
2.2 Log level [none | debug | info | disturbance | recoverable]
page 8 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

3 NMEA
3.1 Baudrate [1200 | 2400 | 4800 | 9600 | 19200 | 38400 | 57600]
3.2 Power on message [off | on]
3.3 ROT message [off | HE | TI | II]
3.4 Heading update rate [1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 ] times/sec
3.5 Heading sentence [HDT| HDG | THD]
3.6 Heading talker id [HE | II]
3.7 Transmit checksum [off | on]
Note: 40 Hz output rate is only possible with SW ver 0.6-0 and later.

4 Synchro
4.1 Input range [11V | 90V]
4.2 Gear ratio [360x | 180x | 90x | 45x | 36x | 1x]
4.3 Reference frequency [DC | AC/20-1000Hz | 50-60Hz | 400-600Hz]

5 Stepper
5.1 Gear ratio [360x | 180x | 90x | 45x | 36x]

6 Preset
6.1 Preset values [off | default | sync-1 | sync-2 | sync-3 | sync-4 ]
Choosing one of the preset values will affect other settings under sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 above according to
the table below:

Preset value Off Default Synchro-1 Synchro-2 Synchro-3 Synchro-4

2.1 sync/step No change Stepper Synchro Synchro Synchro Synchro
3.1 Baud rate No change 4800 4800 4800 4800 4800

3.2 Power on No change On On On On On

message
3.3 ROT message No change Off Off Off Off Off
3.4 Heading update No change 1 Hz 1 Hz 1 Hz 1 Hz 1 Hz
rate

3.5 Heading No change HDT HDT HDT HDT HDT

sentence

3.6 Heading talker No change HE HE HE HE HE

id
3.7 Transmit No change On On On On On
checksum
4.1 Input range No change >20 V 22 (90) V 90 V 22 (90) V 90 V
4.2 Gear ratio No change N/A 360x 360x 90x 90x
4.3 Reference No change N/A 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz
frequency
5.1 Gear ratio No change 180x N/A N/A N/A N/A

If a certain pre-set is chosen, it is still possible to change any of the settings using the menu system
described above. The last setting made always has priority.

List of common gyro types for the presets above (always consult gyro documentation if possible, qe
cannot guarantee accuracy of data in this list):

Default (Stepper 180:1)

Furuno GY-700
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 9 (20)

Tokimec MK-14, MOD-1, 2, T, NK-EN, NK-E1, SR-130, 140, TG-100/5000, PR-357, 130, 140, ES-17,
GLT-201, 202, TG-8000, SR-120, ES-16, MK-20
Amabrown MK-10, MKL-1, series 1351, MOD-4
Robertson SKR-80

Synchro-1 (Synchro 360:1 22V 50/60 Hz)

Anschütz STD 2 & 3
Yokogawa Nantec C-1, 1A, 2, 3, A-55, B55

Synchro-2 (Synchro 360:1 90V 50/60 Hz)

Anschütz STD 4 & 5
Yokogawa Nantec CMZ-100, 200, C-JR, D-1Z, 1, 3, IPS-2, 3
Plath Navigat II, III

Synchro-3 (Synchro 90:1 22V 50/60 Hz)

Tokimec ES-11A, TG-200, PR222R, PR237L/H, GM21

Synchro-4 (Synchro 90:1 90V 50/60 Hz)

Tokimec GM-11
Kawasaki GX-81

Example
Setting unit to Stepper mode with 5 Hz update of HEHDT, ROT conversion to TIROT on:

• Press “Set”, display shows text.

• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “ALiGn” is shown.
• Press “Set”, display shows “1”
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “2” is shown.
• Press “Set”, display shows “2.1”
• Press “Set”, display shows “SynCr”
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “StEP” is shown.
• Press “Set” to enter this, display shows “2.1”
• Press “Exit, display shows “2”
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “3” is shown.
• Press “Set”, display shows “3.1”
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “3.3” is shown
• Press “Set”, display shows “oFF”
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “tI” is shown
• Press “Set” to enter this, display shows “3.3”
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “3.4” is shown.
• Press “Set”, display shows “1”.
• Press “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ keys until “5” is shown.
• Press “Set” to enter this, display shows “3.4”
• Press “Exit”, display shows “3”
• Press “Exit” to revert to normal operation

All set-up data is stored in internal non-volatile EEPROM when leaving set-up menu system and
returning to normal operation and this write operation may take a couple of seconds to complete!

4.2.3. Test mode

This mode is useful for trouble-shooting during installation.
page 10 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

Pressing “Set” will enter submenus, which can be used to check input voltages etc. Description of “Test”
menu/sub-menu system:

Test

Set Exit
+ + +
Ref Ad-1 Ad-2 Ad-3 … etc

“Ref”
Pressing “Set” in this submenu will display the frequency of the synchro reference voltage as connected
to R1-R2 in Hz. “Exit” returns to “Ref” submenu.

“Ad-1”, “Ad-2”, “Ad-2”

Pressing “Set” in these submenus will display the value read on the three A/D converter inputs expressed
in percent of full range. Note that each A/D input is referenced to a common, floating ground, which is
not connected to any point outside the unit. “Exit” returns to “Ad-X” submenu.

“S1-S3”, “S3-S2”, “S2-S1”

Pressing “Set” in these submenus will display the difference between the corresponding input channels as
seen via the A/D. “Exit” returns to “SX-SX” submenu.

“Step”
Pressing “Set” in this submenu will display “X X X”, where the three characters represents the polarity of
the three inputs S1-S2-S3, expressed as “L” or “H”. “Exit” returns to “Step” submenu.

4.2.4. Play mode

This mode is useful for testing installations and performs and executes a pre-programmed sequence of
turns. Note: Dynamic playback only works if the unit is set to Synchro 1:1 mode!

Pressing “Set” will display “no”, and by changing this to a “Yes” using the “+” key and then pressing
“Set”, the playback will commence, displaying “P XXX.X” with a blinking “P”. Exit returns to “Play”
submenu.

4.3. Terminal style set-up using serial input

Set-up is performed using a simple TTY-type, text based interface. An asynchronous serial terminal (most
common would be a PC running Windows-based HyperTerminal or any other terminal-emulating
software)

4.3.1. Connecting to PC/Terminal

Connect to a RS232 serial port of a PC as follows:

Connection Connection PC
S2N The serial 9-pole male
NMEA IN A Dsub connector shown as
NMEA IN B viewed from the outside,
NMEA OUT A pins pointing towards the
NMEA OUT C viewer!

Caution: Connecting directly to RS232 port as defined above will make NMEA output C (= internal
GND) connected to ground connection of the used computer. This may cause ground failure
indication of the ship, unless an isolated (notebook) computer is used. Note that some older
computers will not accept a zero voltage as low, making it necessary in some cases to use the NMEA
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 11 (20)

OUT B rather than C to RS232 GND. For a 25-pole Dsub use pin 3 instead of 2, pin 2 instead of 3
and pin 7 instead of 5.

Note: Polarity designations “A” and “B” are well-defined in NMEA standard, as well as RS232
connections of a PC, but designation of balanced RS422 ports using “+” and “-“ is somewhat
unclear, flavoured by the fact that polarity designations “A” and “B” of commonly used RS485
driver circuits is reversed compared to NMEA usage! Using wrong polarity will cause display of
unreadable characters, try other polarity to resolve!

Terminal settings:
Baud rate: 4 800
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 1
Start bits: 1
Parity: Off
Flow control: Off/No

To start the set-up mode in S2N, install jumper P7 and power up the unit.

S2N will identify itself by:

____________________________________
Product: 9027C0 sn:10010 2003-sep-24
Boot: 99001 V0.2-11-1
Application: 99002 V0.6-0 2003-aug-5 size:32680 CRC:57357

Main menu
0. Exit to normal operation and store changes
1. Revert to last saved parameters
2. NMEA
3. Synchro
4. Stepper
5. System info
6. Measurement & calibration

All set-up functions are performed via this simple menu system. For each menu, the desired function or
sub-menu is chosen by entering the line number of that function, while entering a “0” will always exit the
submenu/menu.

A time-out will always exit to normal operation if no input is received within 30 seconds, regardless of
the setting of jumper JP7.

4.3.2. Sub-menu 2, NMEA parameters

Entering “2” will output l the following sub-menu:

NMEA menu
0. Exit
1. ROT disable
2. Set NMEA update frequency (=1 /s)
3. Set NMEA baudrate (=4800 bps)
4. Set NMEA talker id (='HE')
5. Set NMEA header sentence (='HDT')
6. PQWE0 at reset disable
7. Log level INFO
page 12 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

8. NMEA check disable

This menu is used to set the NMEA parameters.

ROT disable
Entering “1” will toggle computation and insertion of NMEA ROT message between off and on with
“HE”, “HC”, “TI” and “II” sentence formatters.

Set NMEA update frequency (=1 /s)

Entering “2” will display a choice of updating frequencies 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 Hz. Note that the
higher update frequencies will cause severe NMEA channel load and that 30 Hz setting is only possible
using baud rates higher than 4 800.

Set NMEA baudrate (=4800 bps)

Entering “3” will give a choice of baud rates 1 200, 2 400, 4 800 (NMEA 0183 and IEC 61162-1 standard
setting), 9 600, 19 200, 38 400 (NMEA 0183 HS and IEC 61162-2 standard setting) and 57 600.

Set NMEA talker id (='HE')

Entering “4” will give a choice of different talker identifier settings.

Set NMEA header sentence (='HDT')

Entering “5” will give a choice of different sentence formatters.

PQWE0 at reset disable

S2N will identify itself using a valid “$PQWE0” proprietary message and entering a “6” will
enable/disable this function.

A typical message will look like:

$PQWE0,9027/B0,10004,99002/0.2-0

Where “9027/B0” is the unit number of S2N, including the revision designator, “10004” is the serial
number and “99002/0.1-2” is the software designator with definition of version status.

Log level INFO

Entering “7” will give a choice of log level information.

NMEA check disable

Entering “8” will toggle generation of NMEA check sum on and off.

Note that all NMEA 0183 versions from 2.30 and IEC 61162-1 require this to be left in its “On” state for
standard compliance.

4.3.3. Sub-menu 3, Synchro parameters

Entering “3” will output the following sub-menu:

Synchro menu
0. Exit
1. Change from Synchro to Stepper
2. Set synchro gear ratio
3. Auto set synchro input range
4. Change input range from 11V to 90V
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 13 (20)

5. Set synchro reference frequency

Entering “1” will change the setting to stepper format.

Entering “2” will give access to a submenu where gear ratios 360, 180, 90, 45, 36 and 1:1 are possible to
set. All ratios except 1:1 will require alignment input to start outputting valid data.

Entering “3” will automatically detect the synchro phase voltages and will set the input range scaling to
the optimum value.

Entering “4” will over-ride this function, which can be useful in situations where it is necessary to
perform set-up without synchro inputs connected.

Entering “5” will display the following menu:

Set synchro reference frequency (=AC/20-1000Hz)

0. Exit
1. DC
2. AC/20-1000Hz
3. AC/50-60Hz
4. AC/400-500Hz

Entering “1” will put the unit in DC synchro mode, which is most uncommon. This will disable the
reference input and tie this positive internally.

Entering “2” will set the unit to AC synchro mode, but it will not check reference frequency. Frequencies
lower than some 20 Hz will not give stable output angles and usage of frequencies lower than 50 Hz is
not recommended.

Entering “3” will set the unit into 50-60 Hz synchro mode and it will monitor the reference frequency to
be within the range 40 – 70 Hz.

Entering “4” will set the unit into 400-500 Hz synchro mode and it will monitor the reference frequency
to be within the range 300 – 600 Hz.

4.3.4. Sub-menu 4, Stepper parameters

Entering “4” will output the following sub-menu:

Stepper menu
0. Exit
1. Change from Synchro to Stepper
2. Set stepper gear ratio

Entering “1” will disable stepper input mode and exit to synchro input mode.

Entering “2” will display a sub-menu setting the stepper resolution:

Set stepper gear ratio (=360X)

0. Exit
1. 360X, 6 steps/deg
2. 180X, 3 steps/deg
3. 90X, 1.5 steps/deg
4. 45X, 0.75 steps/deg
page 14 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

4.3.5. Sub-menu 5, System information

Entering “5” will output the following sub-menu:

System menu
0. Exit
1. Show memory usage
2. Show version
3. Show e2prom file system
4. Unlock run-time limit. Time left 720:00h

Sub-menus “1”, “2” and “3” are not intended for customer use.

Units for demonstration/evaluation are shipped with a run time limitation set to 720 hours, after which
elapsed time operation will discontinue. By entering a code in this menu, it is possible to permanently
remove this function.

4.3.6. Sub-menu 6, Measurement and calibration

Entering “6” will output the following sub-menu:

Measurement menu
0. Exit
1. A/D measurement & calibration
2. Show synchro angle
3. Change synchro input range from 11V to 90V
4. Measure synchro reference frequency
5. Show stepper relative angle

These submenus give access to various functions intended for calibration and for advanced trouble-
shooting/debugging and should not be used unless specific documentation describing this is available.

Sub menu 2 displays decoded synchro angle regardless of input signal quality and can be useful during
installation for monitoring heading input.

Sub menu 4 can be used to perform a sanity check on the reference frequency connected to R1-R2

Sub menu 5 can be used to check stepper decoding during installation.

Warning! Do not enter “Calibrate” sub- menu system unless proper instructions and required calibration
equipment are available!

4.4. Set-up using serial input/output and proprietary NMEA messages

Enter setup mode.
$PQWE1,1
All other NMEA transmissions will stop during setup mode.

Exit setup mode.

$PQWE1,0
EEPROM is stored, normal NMEA transmission is restarted.

Set/get parameter.
If ParameterValue is empty, get is assumed.

$PQWE2,ParameterGroup,ParameterNo,ParameterValue
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 15 (20)

gives response:
$PQWE3,ResponceCode,ResponceText,ParameterValue,ParameterText

Response codes
0 Ok
1 Not in setup mode
2 Read only parameter
3 Illegal parameter group
4 Illegal parameter number
5 Illegal parameter value

ParameterGroup

1 Product data, Read only.

1.1 Product & rev, e.g. 9027C0
1.2 Production date
1.3 Serial number
1.4 Boot & boot version
1.5 Application & application version
1.6 Application download date
1.7 Runtime limit, if active

2 Main mode, synchro/stepper

2.1 Main mode, 0=synchro, 1=stepper
2.2 Log level, 0=none, 1=debug, 2=info, 3=disturbance, 4=recoverable

3 NMEA
3.1 Baudrate, 0=1200, 1=2400, 2=4800, 3=9600, 4=19200, 5=38400, 6=57600
3.2 Power on message, 0=off, 1=on
3.3 ROT message, 0=off, 1=on
3.4 Heading update rate, 0=1, 1=2, 2=5, 3=10, 4=20, 5=30, 6=40 times/sec
3.5 Heading sentence, 0=HDT, 1=HDG, 2=THD
3.6 Talker id, 0=HE, 1=II
3.7 Transmit checksum, 0=off, 1=on

4 Synchro
4.1 Input range, 0=11V, 1=90V
4.2 Gear ratio, 0=360x, 1=180x, 2=90x, 3=45x, 4=36x, 5=1x
4.3 Reference frequency, 0=DC, 1=AC/20-1000Hz,2=50-60Hz, 3=400-600Hz

5 Stepper
5.1 Gear ratio, 0=360x, 1=180x, 2=90x, 3=45x, 4=36x

Examples:
Host S2N
<--- $HEHDT...
<--- $HEROT...
<--- $HEHDT...
<--- $HEROT...
---> $PQWE1,1

get parameter for NMEA baud rate

---> $PQWE2,3,1,
<--- $PQWE3,0,OK,2,4800baud
page 16 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

set synchro gear ratio

---> $PQWE2,4,2,1
<--- $PQWE3,0,OK,1,180x

set invalid data

---> $PQWE2,3,1,99
<--- $PQWE3,5,Illegal parameter value,,

---> $PQWE1,

5. Error detection and signalling

The unit is, as far as is practicable, designed to detect input signal conditions that indicates that input data
is not valid. The behaviour is different depending on chosen mode. The following error types are handled:

0 NMEA messages thrown away due to high serial load.

1 Synchro/stepper input values are incorrect.
2 Synchro reference input is incorrect.
3 Synchro/stepper is not aligned.
4 Run-time limit.
5 Internal queue full.
6 E2 file system error
7 No application.

Errors are signalled in three different ways:

• The display shows “Err X”, where X is the error code.
• The on board LEDs 0, 1,and 2 (LSB – MSB) shows the error code and binary fashion, where LED
3 = lit.
• The NMEA output inserts a $PQWEX message, defined as:
”$PQWEX,ticks,severity,errCode,moduleId,line,errText”, where the errCode is the error code
defined above and where the final errText is a verbal description of the error.

5.1. Error 0, NMEA ouput overflow

This can happen if the baud rate chosen doesn’t fit with the chosen output frequency .

5.2. Error 1, Synchro/Stepper values are incorrect

In both synchro and stepper modes, the three input signals S1, S2 and S3 have to fulfil some logic criteria
as defined in section “Gyro output formats …”. This means for instance that in stepper mode, at least one
signal must have low polarity and one signal must have high polarity. In synchro mode, the sum of the
differences of the three different signal pairs must maintain a certain level and these signals have to be at
the same or opposite phase as the reference input.

Generally, disconnection of at least one of the input signals will cause this error. Detection will vary due
to at which angle it occurred.

5.3. Error 2, Synchro reference input is incorrect

This can occur in synchro mode only, depending on the synchro frequency setting.
• In 20 - 1000 Hz mode, frequencies outside this range (appr) are not accepted.
• In 50 - 60 Hz mode, frequencies outside 10 - 70 Hz (appr) are not accepted.
• In 400 - 600 Hz mode, frequencies outside 300 - 700 Hz (appr) are not accepted.
• In all AC synchro settings, it is required that the reference voltage is larger than appr 2 V RMS.

5.4. Error 3, Synchro/stepper is not aligned

This error condition will be triggered in all “geared” modes (except synchro 1:1) if the unit:
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 17 (20)

a) is powered up
b) detects an input signal inconsistency as described above.

In this error condition, signalling as described above occurs and:

a) heading output is removed.
b) Display will start to blink with an “A” as the first character.

This condition can only be reset by performing an alignment procedure.

5.5. Error 4, Run-time limit

This can only occur on demo units delivered with a 720 hour run-time limitation and can be cleared by
entering an individual code. Please contact qwerty-elektronik for instructions.

5.6. Errors 5, 6 and 7, internal failure

These should not occur on a normal, functional unit. Please contact qwerty-elektronik for instructions. .

6. Operation and alignment

On power-up, the unit will only start operating in synchro 1:1 mode without performing an alignment
operation. This is also the case after a black-out or if unvalid input signals are encountered.

If alignment is lost, the unit will automatically go into alignment mode with a flashing “A” preceding the
displayed heading value.

6.1. Alignment via NMEA port

By entering a valid $HEHDTxxx.x,T*hh<CR><LF> message on the NMEA input, the unit will adjust
itself to that heading and start operating.

Note! This alignment input message will be accepted by the unit also without checksum.

6.2. Alignment via internal pushbuttons

Unit will flash “A” preceding heading value in conditions where alignment is lost, signalling that it is in
alignment mode.

Use keys “Dim/ +” and “Dim/ -“ to adjust the displayed heading until it corresponds with the actual
heading as indicated by the ship’s gyro. Press “Set” to enter this value and return to normal operation.

7. NMEA messages used

7.1. HDT
HDT is the common true heading format for current NMEA and IEC 61162-1 versions.
$HEHDT,x.x,T*hh<CR><LF>

7.2. THD
THD is the proposed new format for heading sensors. It is currently not decided by NMEA standards
committee or IEC TC80 WG6 and message identifier is likely to change, use of this should be avoided!

7.3. HDG
HDG is the common heading format from a magnetic compass.
$HEHDG,x,x,x.x,a,x.x,a*hh<CR><LF>
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Fields 4, 5, 6 and 7 are always blank from S2N, typical message will look like:

$HEHDG,x,x,,,,*hh<CR><LF>
page 18 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

7.4. ROT
ROT is the standard format for Rate Of Turn indication.
$HEROT,x.x,a*hh<CR><LF>

7.5. Proprietary messages

The registered manufacturer’s code for Qwerty Electronics is “QWE”, meaning that these messages looks
like:
$PQWE-,---------------------*hh<CR><LF>

8. Software upgrade via serial port connection

Software upgrade can be performed using a PC with a serial port connected as described in section
”Connecting to PC/Terminal”

Make sure that the Windows-compliant software download utility “wqld.exe” as well as the new S2N
software “99002_?_?_?.qld” to be installed are available in s suitable location on this PC.

Connect jumper JP6 on S2N board.

Double-click on “wqld” utility, which will display the following window:

Choose the com port used for the serial connection.

Click on “Connect”, which will display information about the unit.

Power up S2N, it will search for communication from “wqld” during 30 seconds, during which the upper
LED will flash. If the board info fields shown above does not show up within few seconds, perform
another off/on sequence on S2N.

Use “Browse” to locate the file containing the software to be downloaded.

Click “Download” to perform the operation and “Close” to exit the utility.

Do not forget to remove jumper JP6 on S2N to return to normal operation directly on power up.
 Doc. No 9102L2.doc page 19 (20)

9. CE Declaration of conformity
page 20 (20) Doc. No 9102L2.doc

10. BSH type approval