Alphatron ALPHASEAPILOT MFC - I) Track Mode Display and Status Information

Operating manual ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Issue 1.1 Page 68 of 84
ALPHASEAPILOT MFC
Track Data is only accepted when the Autopilot TRACK keypad is activated confirmed
by illumination of the red corner LED. Without TRACK keypad acceptance (corner LED
OFF), the Track Steering function is “OFF”.
2.38 (i) Track Mode Display and Status Information
Autopilot Track Mode operation is confirmed by the illuminated corner LED in the TRACK key
and by the display which shows a graphic representation of the vessel with direction to
waypoint. The display is also labelled “AUTO TRACK STEERING”
Only Heading to Steer (HTS) Track Mode operation is possible and the display information
provides HTS related data accordingly.
Heading to Steer (HTS) Mode Displays:-
In the HTS mode, the graphic vessel to
waypoint representation shows heading
error to waypoint which is confirmed by
the amount shown in degrees.
i.e. ERROR
020°
(this is the difference between ACTUAL
HEADING and HEADING TO WP
shown).
Every 18 seconds, this display is
interrupted for a period of 1 sec to
display the received HTS data sentence
type ($HTC, $APB or $HSC).
i.e. HTC
DATA
Since arrival at a waypoint may involve
a significant course change (080
o
PORT) or (060
o
STBD) etc. based on
NEW HDG TO WP data received, this
value is displayed and will generate an
alarm for CANCEL or CONFIRM key
operation as appropriate:-
i.e. NEW HDG XXX.X
o
= 080
o
TO WP STBD
NB. CANCEL/CONFIRM key confirmation is only applicable to $HSC and $APB data – complex
data type $HTC received from an Approved Track Control System will be acted upon fully
automatically (no CANCEL/CONFIRM action required) per full Track Control System steering
performance specs.
CONFIRM key operation (APB/HSC data only) cancels the audible alarms and permits the
Autopilot to execute the turn (80
o
to Stbd in the example above).
CANCEL key operation (APB/HSC data only) temporarily suspends the heading change alarm
for a fixed period of 15 seconds beyond which the alarm will sound again until effective action is
taken (Confirm key operated or Track key operated to disable Track Mode Steering).