Compass and Attitude Indicator

The Compass Instrument displays a variety of information, including the heading of the ROV, the Auto Heading status, an artificial horizon to indicate the attitude of the ROV, and the horizontal thruster settings. The Compass Instrument is also used to engage and set Auto Heading.

Display

Compass Rose Auto Heading Control / Indicator Artificial Horizon Horizontal Thruster Settings Indicators

Use

The central portion of the Compass displays the heading of the ROV. The heading in degrees clockwise from North is listed at the center of the dial. The compass uses a "heading up" display so that the heading of the ROV is always displayed under the reference indicator at the top center of the compass dial. For example, if the ROV is heading SE, the South indicating arrow will be displayed to the right of the heading indicator, as shown above. Turning the ROV to the right towards South will cause the compass dial to rotate counter-clockwise so that South will move towards the indicator.

The small number above the heading is the Variation entered in the User Settings and represents the local magnetic declination. The declination is set by the user - see the section below about Compass Declination.

The Auto Heading control/indicator is around the perimeter of the Compass. Auto Heading can be used to make the ROV maintain its current heading, or turn to a user specified heading. See the Auto Heading section of the Operations Guide for details on using Auto Heading.

The blue and green ring around the Compass/Auto Heading is the Attitude Indicator, which acts like an artificial horizon. It indicates the pitch and roll of the ROV. The horizon is represented by the horizontal interface line between the top blue section (sky) and the bottom green section (earth). When the ROV pitches down to a nose low attitude, the amount of green increases and the interface line moves up within the circle. The reverse is true when the ROV pitches up. When the ROV rolls to the starboard (right), the interface line rotates to the left indicating that the starboard side is closer to the sea floor. The reverse is true when the ROV rolls to the port (left).

The outer bands on the left and right of the Compass are the horizontal thrusters settings indicators. The left side displays the port thruster setting, and the right side displays the starboard thruster setting. When there is no thrust applied, these indicators become transparent. When thrust is applied a green shaded section appears within the bands. The length of the green shading from the horizontal centerline indicates the amount of user input applied for that thruster. Forward thrust is indicated by a green shading above the horizontal centerline. Reverse thrust is indicated by a green shading below the horizontal centerline.

Compass Declination and Calibration

The compass declination can be set to match the local magnetic declination. See the Compass section under User Settings for more information.

The compass is calibrated at the factory. For most operations, the compass should not need to be calibrated. If you are doing precise survey work or using VideoRay CoPilot's autonomous piloting products, you may need to calibrate the compass. See the Compass Calibration section under Engine Room for more information.

Notes

The size and display of the Compass can be adjusted. See the Instruments section of this guide for more information.

The feedback of the thrusters settings is based upon the status of the hand controller input, not the thruster action.