Z-check

Whilst sitting above the transponder the vessel echosounder depth and the USBL Z reading should
be observed simultaneously. This option compares only "Z" values read out of the USBL and depth
readings from the echosounder to check the transducer offset from the vessel reference point in the
Z-axis. The assumption is made that the echosounder readings are correct values for depth. The
USBL "Z" values are measured between the transducer and the receiver/transmitter element in the
transponder. Depth values obtained from the echosounder record the vertical separation from either
transducer to seabed, or sea surface to seabed, depending upon whether the reference plane set in
the echosounder is the transducer or sea surface. The plane for depth reference used in the
calibration program is the URP (USBL Reference Point). Therefore echosounder values that refer to
sea surface must first be corrected for the draft of the transducer to yield "computed" depth values
measured between echosounder transducer and seabed, and secondly, these values can then be
referenced to the URP by entering the offset distance FROM the URP TO the echosounder
transducer (+=Down).
One other correction needs to be made. Since USBL depth measurements are made between URP
and the receiver/transmitter element of the transponder, and corrected echosounder values are
given for the vertical separation from the vessel reference to seabed, a correction for the vertical
separation FROM the transponder TO the seabed must be made. This distance is always positive
(+=Down). In this way, echosounder measured depths and USBL measured depths can be
compared directly.

Z-check

The Z-Check is used to check the Z offset of the USBL transducer on the vessel. This option
compares only Z values read out of the USBL and depth readings from the echosounder. It is
recommended to use the same data that is acquired with the Spin Check manoeuvre.

1. Make sure that only the lines are enabled that are used for the Z-check. This can be done in the top
left pane.

2. To check the Z-offset select the Z-Check option from the Calibrate menu or use the button.
3. Select USBL Calibration Results at "Use the following alignment corrections" and enter a
Transponder Height.
4. The values will automatically be calculated. Click on the Apply button to apply the found values on
the selected databases and click on Close.

Make sure that tide is applied if no accurate height is defined.

This calibration will only give a good result when the echosounder is calibrated and the correct
speed of sound is entered in the echosounder.

1. Use the Transfer to database option from the Edit menu to transfer the found values for roll, pitch
and heading to other databases. Especially the template database. This could also be done
manually in the database setup.
2. For each different calibration a calibration report can be generated by selecting “View” on the menu
bar and then “Show Report”.

The roll, pitch and heading correction must be entered in the Database Setup to be effective.
To check whether the corrections are applied correctly, the databases can be replayed with the
corrections entered in the databases.
When the USBL Calibration Utility is started select the “QINSy database settings” in the Alignments
pane. This should give the same result as when USBL corrections are applied.