FURUNO, FE-8020 TRANSCEIVER UNIT FE-800

The FURUNO FE-8020 is the Transceiver Unit for the FE-800 Navigational Echo Sounder system. It’s the core component responsible for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into the water at 50 kHz and/or 200 kHz, and then receiving and processing the returning echoes from the seabed. It acts as the “engine” of the echo sounder, converting raw acoustic signals into depth data that is then sent to the FE-8010 display unit. The FE-8020 also serves as the main interface hub for connecting transducers, the display, and various other bridge navigation systems via NMEA 0183 and Ethernet.

Technical Specification

1. General Specifications:

Product Name: Transceiver Unit
Model Name: FE-8020
Part of System: FURUNO Navigational Echo Sounder FE-800
Country of Origin/Manufacture: Japan

2. Transceiver Performance:

Transmit Frequencies:
- 50 kHz
- 200 kHz
- Capable of alternating transmission between these frequencies.
Output Power: 1 kW RMS (Root Mean Square)
Measuring Range (when paired with appropriate transducers and display):
- 50 kHz: 2 m to 800 m (Ranges: 5, 10, 20, 40, 100, 200, 400, 800 m)
- 200 kHz: 1 m to 200 m (Ranges: 5, 10, 20, 40, 100, 200 m)
Accuracy:
- $\pm$0.5 m at 20 m range
- $\pm$5 m at 200 m range
- Or 2.5% of depth range (whichever is greater for deeper ranges)
Roll/Pitch Tolerance:
- Rolling: $\pm$10°
- Pitching: $\pm$5°
Discrimination:
- More than 5 mm per meter depth on 20 m range
- More than 0.5 mm per meter depth on 200 m range

3. Power Supply:

Voltage: 100-230 VAC
Phase: 1 Phase
Frequency: 50/60 Hz
Current Consumption: 0.7 A (at 100 VAC) – 0.4 A (at 230 VAC)

4. Interfaces:

Display Unit Connection: Dedicated port for connecting to the FE-8010 Display Unit (also provides power to the display).
Transducer Inputs: Dedicated coaxial cable inputs for 50 kHz (e.g., 50B-6B) and 200 kHz (e.g., 200B-8B) transducers.
IEC 61162-1 (NMEA 0183):
- Inputs: 2 ports (e.g., for GPS data: GGA, GLL, VTG, ZDA, RMC, RMA, HBT, DDC)
- Outputs: 4 ports (e.g., for depth data: DPT, DBS, DBT, DDC, ALC, ALF, ALR, ARC, PFEC)
IEC 61162-450 (Ethernet): 1 port (100Base-TX, RJ45 connector) for modern network integration, including Bridge Alert Management (BAM).
RS-232C: 1 port (typically for an optional printer like PP-505-FE).
Contact Closure Output: 1 output (e.g., for Power Failure alarm).

5. Environmental Specifications:

Operating Temperature: -15°C to +55°C
Relative Humidity: 93% or less at 40°C
Degree of Protection (IP Rating): IP22 (implies protection against fingers and vertically dripping water)
Vibration: Compliant with IEC 60945 Ed. 4 standards.
Compass Safe Distance: Typically specified in the overall system manual (e.g., 0.75 m for standard compass, 0.50 m for steering compass).

6. Physical Characteristics:

Weight: Approximately 10 kg (22.1 lb)
Dimensions (approximate, H x W x D): ~369 mm (14.5″) x 350 mm (13.8″) x 133 mm (5.2″)

7. Compliance:

IMO Standards: Meets specific requirements for alerts and interconnection with Bridge Alert Management (BAM) in IMO MSC.302 (87).
IEC Standards: IEC 60945 (General requirements for maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems).
Type Approval: MED (Wheelmark) approved.