NAVITRON SYSTEMS LTD

ANALOGUE HEADING REPEATER

NT920AHR MKII
INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Osborn House
25e Brockhampton Lane
Havant, Hants, U.K. PO9 1JT

Tel: (023) 9249 8740

Fax: (023) 9249 8783
Int. Code: +44 23
Email: sales@navitron.co.uk

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NAVITRON SYSTEMS LTD.

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

GENERAL
Navitron Analogue Heading Repeaters type NT920AHR may be configured for
single or multihead display of NMEA 0183 heading data received from
proprietary transmission elements (gyro, TMC systems etc.) or as add-on
components to most Navitron Autopilot systems.
Suitable for 11 40Vdc operation, all Repeater heads are electrically identical
and fully interchangeable and may be panel or bracket mounted.
Bezel outline dimensions of 144 X 144mm allow the unit to be mounted in a
DIN144 panel cut out if required.
Two inputs are necessary for normal repeater operation (NMEA 0183 heading
data and 11 40V power supply) beyond which no calibration is required and
the card will automatically align with NMEA 0183 data received.
Ships head is clearly read from a 120mm diameter-rotating card marked in 1
increments with 5 and 10 divisions also defined. 3 digit numbers (4mm height)
are shown at 10 intervals and all scale markings are white on black card
background.
Variable intensity backlight illumination is controlled from a dimmer pot mounted
on the instrument bezel to illuminate all card legends in red or green (installation
selectable) for night viewing.

INDEX
Section 1

System Overview and Technical Specifications

Section 2

Outline and Mounting Dimensions

Section 3

Installation notes, Terminal Connections and Card Illumination

Section 4

Operational Notes and Audible Signals

Section 5

Diagnostic Alarm Features

Section 6

Internal Recalibration Procedure

Section 7

Connection to NT920DHR

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 1: System Overview and Technical Specifications.
1.1: System Overview

Switchable (On/Off)
11 - 40Vdc
Power Supply
from Nav Panel

NT920AHR

1A
+ VE

- VE

SMPS
(V/REG)

OPTO
ISOLATED
NMEA 0183

NMEA 0183
A
Input Data from
B
Heading Source
SCR

B
A

(Linked Directly
to Input Data)

SCR

1.2: NMEA Input Stage Isolation

1K5
A

220pF

1.3: NMEA Input Data Specifications

Min Differential Input Voltage
Voltage measured at A
with respect to B
Input Current at +/- 2V
Input Current at +/- 15V
NMEA 0183 Format
Sentence Types
Sentence Update Rate

2V

Logic 1
Logic 0

-15V to + 0.5V
+2V to + 15V
< 1mA
< 10mA
4800 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
$XXHDT, $XXHDG, $XXHDM, $XXHCC, $XXHSC
Min 0.33Hz
Max 25Hz

1.4: NT920AHR Performance Specifications

Supply Voltage
12V
Power
Op. 125mA
Consumption
Illum 160mA
3.9W
Total 285mA
Max NMEA Data Resolution
Max Following Rate
Card Accuracy
Operating Temp. Range

11 40Vdc
24V
Op. 70mA
Illum 90mA
Total 160mA
0.1
30 / sec
+/- 0.25
-10 to + 60C

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 2: Outline and Mounting Dimensions.

NOTE 1: A separate panel mounting clamp bracket is supplied as

standard for attachment to the instrument head via reversal of two 6mm
screws incorporated in the backplate (item B Fig 3.3)

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 3: NT920AHR Installation Notes.
3.1: Siting the Unit
The Repeater head(s) should be mounted in a sheltered position
(wheelhouse etc) free from direct exposure to rain and spray.
3.2: Compass Safe Distance 1 Metre.
3.3: Cable Requirements
Screws A 8 Off

Fuse
(1A)

Screws B 2 Off
(Reverse for use with
Panel Mount Bracket)

11 40Vdc
Power Supply
2 Core Screened
16/02mm

NMEA 0183 Data

To Other Users
2 Core Screened 7/02mm

NMEA 0183
Input Data
2 Core Screened 7/02mm

Fig 3.3 View on NT920AHR Backplate

3.4 Terminal Connections
(i)

Remove the backplate (8 screws A) and withdraw the backplate

assembly complete with the two trailing plug connectors.

(ii)

Enter the power supply and data cable(s) into their respective glands and
tighten prior to connection of the cable screens and cores. (See FIG 3.4
and Note 1).
Note1: These screens must not be connected
to the earth stud but should be
insulated and connected to terminals 3
& 4 as shown.

Earth Stud
(Power supply
cable screen only)

NMEA
0183
Out
Fig 3.4

-VE +VE

SCR SCR

NMEA
0183
In

11 40 Vdc
Power Supply

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 3: NT920AHR Installation Notes (Continued).
3.5:

Card Illumination
The NT920AHR is equipped with a front panel dimmer control to provide
variable intensity card illumination in Red or Green (as preferred) for
night viewing. Red/Green illumination is defined by the position of the two
links shown in Fig 3.5.

Fig 3.5
3.6:

Refitting the backplate

(i)

Check that the backplate gasket is in place and return the two 2 way
plugs to their appropriate P.C. Board mounted connectors as shown in
Fig 3.5.

(ii)

Safely arrange the internal wiring before replacing and tightening the
backplate screws.
The Heading Repeater is now ready for use.

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 4: Operating Notes and Audible Signals.
4.1:

General Operation
Provided that the Heading Repeater has been connected in accordance
with Section 3 and is in receipt of NMEA 0183 heading data, the card will
automatically align with the data received and will respond to subsequent
heading changes, with an accuracy of +/- 0.25 accordingly.

4.2:

Card Illumination Control

A dimmer control is mounted on the front of the instrument to vary the
intensity of card illumination for night viewing in Red or Green (Full
clockwise = max illumination).

4.3:

Automatic Alignment at Power Up

At power up (11 40Vdc supply ON) the card will rotate in a counter
clockwise direction searching for automatic alignment with the NMEA
data received. This process may take up to 15 seconds beyond which an
audible signal will be emitted to confirm operational status or a fault
condition as appropriate.

4.4:
(i)

Audible Signals
Operational Status Confirmed
Following automatic alignment of the card as described in 4.3, the
heading repeater will scan the NMEA data received and will lock on to a
sentence type in order of priority as follows: HDT = 3 single bleeps over 5 seconds following automatic alignment
HDG = 3 double bleeps over 5 seconds
HDM = 3 series of 3 bleeps over 5 seconds
HCC = 3 series of 4 bleeps over 5 seconds
HSC = 3 series of 5 bleeps over 5 seconds
The foregoing audible signal following automatic alignment confirms
normal operation and the sentence type on which operation is based.

(ii)

No NMEA Data / NMEA Data Fail Alarm

In the event that no NMEA data is available the heading repeater will
alarm both audibly and visually for a period of 10 seconds.
This alarm is in the unmistakeable form of equally spaced bleeps
accompanied by flashing illumination. After 10 seconds, the audible
alarm will cease automatically but the illumination will continue to flash
until the dimmer control is turned fully counter clockwise.

N.B.

If NMEA 0183 data is subsequently restored the heading repeater will

recover automatically and confirm sentence as described in 4.3 and 4.4
(ii).

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 4: Operating Notes and Audible Signals (Continued).
4.4:

Audible Signals

(iii)

Internal Error Alarm

Self-test features within the heading repeater continuously monitor the
integrity of the instrument, which will emit an audible alarm if an internal
fault is detected.
This alarm is signified by Morse code signal IE (Internal Error) repeated 3
times over a period of 5 seconds, i.e. , , .
After a further period of 5 seconds, the instrument will again emit a
Morse code letter signifying the type of internal failure detected.

N.B.

In the event of internal error failure, refer to section 5 Diagnostic

Alarm Features.

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 5: Diagnostic Alarm Features.
5.1:

The NT920AHR is an intelligent heading repeater which, in addition to

monitoring heading data received, continuously monitors its own internal
functions enabling the operator to be warned of any potential defect.
In the event that an internal error is detected, the instrument will emit an
audible alarm in Morse code using the letters IE (internal Error) repeated
3 times over a period of 5 seconds i.e. , , .
Any internal error detected and signalled will fall into one of two
categories: FATAL
NON-FATAL

Operation is suspended.
Operation continues without internal backup.

In all cases, an Internal Error (IE) signal will be followed after a period of
5 seconds by a second signal identifying the error type. This will again be
a Morse code letter repeated 3 times over a period of 5 seconds as
follows: IE (Internal Error alarm) followed after 5 seconds by: F (Feedback)
V (Volatile)
5.2:

, , (FATAL)
, , (NON-FATAL)

Fatal Error Alarm (F)

IE followed by F after 5 seconds.
If a fatal error alarm is generated, the NT920AHR should be switched
OFF (powered down) and retried (power up).
If the fatal alarm is repeated, qualified assistance will be required in
conjunction with further diagnostic aid available from internally mounted
LEDs see section 5.4.

5.3:

Non-Fatal Error Alarm (V)

IE followed by V after 5 seconds.
In this condition, the repeater will continue to function but may exhibit
inaccuracies due to limitations imposed by the failure of internal backup
data.
See section 5.4 for further diagnostic aid.

5.4:

Diagnostic LEDs
Two diagnostic LEDs are situated on the NT920AHR P.C. Board and are
visible when the backplate is removed (LEDs 7 and 10 on Fig 5.4).
LED 9 is also useful for reference purposes if a fault condition exists thus
an internal error (IE) alarm may be identified more closely as follows: -

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 5: Diagnostic Alarm Features (Continued).

Fig 5.4
5.5:

5.6:

Normal Operation
LED 7

Off.

LED 9

Watchdog timer Permanently On.

LED 10

Flashes coincidental with NMEA input sentence end.

Fatal Error Conditions

(i)

LED 7 and 10 flashing in sync at approximately 1Hz indicates auto

alignment fault.

(ii)

LED 7 and 10 permanently On indicates rotational failure of the

mechanical assembly (card, gears, motor etc.). Consult factory for
assistance.

5.7:
(i)

Non-Fatal Error Conditions

LED 7 flashing at 1Hz, LED 10 flashing normally indicates failure of
non-volatile memory.

(Heading repeater will continue to function but recalibration should be

attempted in accordance will section 6.)

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 6: Internal Recalibration Procedure.
6.1:

General Calibration Note

During normal operation, when the NT920AHR is switched On (powered
up) the heading repeater card will automatically align with NMEA 0183
data received unless: -

(i)

No NMEA 0183 data is available. (Alarm will sound accompanied by

flashing illumination as described in Section 4.4 (ii) and the card will
stop at 360, as a function of factory calibration).

(ii)

An internal error (IE) alarm has been generated in accordance with

section 5.1

(iii)

Heading Repeater card or associated components have been

replaced and a continuous fixed error exists between the NMEA 0183
data received and the heading displayed by the card. (I.e. effectively
coefficient A error).
The following calibration procedure is applicable when attempting to
restore coefficient A correction data held internally in non-volatile
memory in the event of memory corruption confirmed by IE Alarm
followed by Morse letter V (see section 5.1) or recalibration following
repair (section 6.1 (iii)).

6.2:
(i)

Coefficient A Calibration
Remove the NT920AHR backplate to expose switches SW1, SW2
and SW3 as shown in Fig 6.2.

Fig 6.2

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 6: Internal Recalibration Procedure (Continued).
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Power up the heading repeater and hold down SW3.

The repeater card should now rotate and stop and 360.
With SW3 held down, use SW1 or SW2 to adjust the card indication
to 360 as follows: SW1
SW2

(v)
(vi)

Increases heading indication

Decreases heading indication

Release SW3 and SW1 / SW2 when 360 is obtained.

Power down the heading repeater (switch Off) and power up again
(switch On).
Coefficient A error and/or IE (V) alarm should now be cancelled
confirming restoration of non-volatile memory data.

(vii)

Power down and replace backplate.

Calibration is now complete and heading repeater is ready for normal
operation.

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 7: Connection to NT920DHR
(Navitron Digital Heading Repeater)
7.1:

Application Note
Each analogue Heading Repeater (NT920AHR) is capable of supporting
up to 3 digital heading repeaters type NT920DHR via a 4 way connector
situated on the NT920AHR P.C. Board (see Fig 7.2).
This connector provides the custom Navitron serial data required by the
digital heading repeater (DHR), which will not accept NMEA 0183 data
directly.
All NMEA 0183 data connections are therefore confined to the Analogue
Heading Repeater (NT920AHR) in the standard manner. (Section 3.4
refers).

NT 920 AHR

11 40Vdc
Power
Supply

NMEA
Data In

NT 920 DHR

Navitron Serial
Data for up to
3 x NT920DHR

Fig 7.1
7.2:

NT920AHR Connections

(i)

Power Supply and NMEA 0183 data cables should be connected as

standard and as shown in Section 3.4.

(ii)

An additional 4-core cable should be connected to Terminals 5 to 8

as shown in Fig 7.2.

4-Core Cable
Connections

5 Red (+12V)
6 Blue (0V)
7 Green (Clock)
8 Yellow (Data)
Fig 7.2

NT920AHR MKII INSTALLATION & OPERATION

Section 7: Connection to NT920DHR
(Navitron Digital Heading Repeater) - Continued.
7.3:

NT920DHR Connections

(i)

Separate the NT920DHR case and bezel to expose the internal P.C.
Board (Fig 7.3).

(ii)

Position LINK 1 between TP1 and TP2

(iii)

Connect 4 core cable from NT920AHR to NT920DHR terminal block

Ns 4 to 7 and link terminal 3 to 5 as shown.

TP1
TP2
TP3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

4 Core
Cable from
NT920AHR

(iv)

Blue (0v)
Red (+12v)
Yellow (Data)
Green (Clock)

Reassemble the case and bezel assembly

The NT920DHR is now ready for use with the NT920AHR.

Link 1