TMS SYSTEM
TMS STARTER ENCLOSURE SMART CONTROLLER
At the heart of the TMS System is a Smart Controller which provides a versatile steering system able to surpass that previously achieved with amplifier packages. The controller has the ability to accept analogue and digital input signals, apply logic built up from simple logic blocks and switch sets of output solid state switches and relays. Thus when suitably programmed as an analogue positional controller it can provide full follow-up steering and even with progressive non linear rudder control.
The Controller sees the signals from the rudder reference units, steering wheel, or steering joystick potentiometers and then operates the power pack solenoids. The controller also monitors the Full Follow Up, Non Follow Up, Auto Pilot, and Steering Position mode selectors. This feature makes the TMS System ideal for use when the Rudders are not mechanically synchronised.
The Smart Controller can be used to adjust the gain and offset for each potentiometer. These gain blocks also have maximum and minimum value restraints allowing each steering joysticks range and the rudder movement to be limited. This permits adjustment for misalignments during installation.
The controllers have inbuilt liquid crystal displays that indicate which steering position is in control, what steering mode is selected, and the angles of the rudder and steering wheels to 1/10 of a degree. The system accuracy, at best, is 1/3 of a degree. Typical analogue controlled systems of the past require large dead bands to avoid overshoot and hunting conditions with progressive control the rudder movement decelerates as the rudder moves closer to the required position. It is also more noise immune at the required position due to its inbuilt digital input filtering allowing finer dead bands and more accurate rudder alignment without hunting.
As well as giving a smooth steering control system the Controller is used to switch modes and positions. With simple analogue amplifiers of the past, steering wheels were required to be aligned with the rudder before control could be passed. With this system a steering position handover is only completed when the new positions steering wheel or joystick is within a preset distance / angle from the rudder.

STEERING PUSH BUTTON CONTROLS

The default steering type is NFU since this can quickly take control. In NFU mode switching steering position is immediate. The Main Steering Position has position switches for Main and Auxiliary positions. It can thus pass control to position Auxiliary, and take control from Auxiliary. The auxiliary steering position is only normally fitted with a switch to pass control back to the Main position, but cannot take control itself. The active position is shown by the illumination in the select switches.  

In NFU there are two steering modes, synchronous, and non synchronous, for dual rudder systems without mechanical links. In Non synchronous mode rudders are independently selectable, this is shown by the 'select port' and select stbd' switches being illuminated. In Synchronous mode both rudders are held in syncronisation. Switching between modes is achieved by pressing the select NFU button whilst in NFU mode. 

When pressing the FFU select button the lamp in the button will flash as will the station in control button. The flashing indicates that the wheel or joystick needs to be aligned with the rudder, the system remains temporarily in NFU mode with the NFU lamp also lit. When slightly moved, the wheel or joystick steering passes to FFU, the steering position lamp, and FFU lamp light, the NFU lamp goes out.

Changing between steering position is similar. Press the button for the other position and its select lamp will flash to say align steering. When aligned control will automatically pass to the selected position.

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