Related Manuals for ShipModul MiniPlex-3 Series
Summary of Contents for ShipModul MiniPlex-3 Series
- Page 1 MiniPlex-3 series NMEA 0183/2000 multiplexer Manual This manual covers: MiniPlex-3USB MiniPlex-3USB-N2K MiniPlex-3E MiniPlex-3E-N2K MiniPlex-3 series, V1.0 Firmware V1.0.x/1.9.x Rev. C, 11-9-2015 © CustomWare, 2015...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Introduction ..........................4 NMEA 0183 ..........................4 NMEA Sentences ........................4 Talkers and Listeners ........................ 4 The Multiplexer ......................... 5 The Host ..........................5 The MiniPlex-3 Multiplexer ......................6 Galvanic Isolation ........................6 ... - Page 3 $PSMDIN – Input options ...................... 54 $PSMDLDR – Loader message ....................54 $PSMDOP – Set Options ......................55 $PSMDOV – Overflow ......................56 $PSMDRESET – Reset the multiplexer ..................56 $PSMDSP – Set Speed ......................56 ...
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Page 4: Introduction
NMEA 2000 interface. This manual covers all models of the MiniPlex-3 series. There is a chapter for each type of host port. The remaining part of the manual covers NMEA 0183 connections and configuration, which are the same for all models. -
Page 5: The Multiplexer
Depth Radar Wind Auto- pilot Figure 2 The left part of Figure 2 shows such a situation: one GPS sends data to four devices. It gets complicated when several talkers must send data to one listener (the PC) as shown in the right part of Figure 2. -
Page 6: The Miniplex-3 Multiplexer
The MiniPlex-3 Multiplexer The MiniPlex-3 multiplexer is an advanced NMEA 0183 multiplexer with four NMEA inputs or listener ports, two NMEA outputs or talker ports and one or two host interfaces. It combines NMEA sentences that are received on the NMEA inputs and it can send these sentences to the NMEA outputs Host and to the host interface(s). - Page 7 Raymarine SeaTalk network, the multiplexer translates SeaTalk data into NMEA sentences and combines these with NMEA sentences that are received on the other inputs. Only one SeaTalk input is needed since the SeaTalk bus connects all instruments together through one single cable. SeaTalk to NMEA translation in the MiniPlex works one-way only: no NMEA sentences are converted into SeaTalk, the multiplexer just listens on the SeaTalk bus.
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Page 8: Host Port
Host Port The host port is the port that connects to a PC, laptop, smartphone, PDA, tablet or any device that is connected to the multiplexer to receive the combined NMEA data for processing and display. The type of host port differs for each type of multiplexer. The host port is always bi-directional: it delivers the combined NMEA 0183/2000/SeaTalk data from the multiplexer to the host and it also receives NMEA data from the host to be sent to the NMEA outputs of the multiplexer. -
Page 9: Driver Installation
To install the drivers for the MiniPlex manually, open the Control Panel, choose “System and Security” and then “Device Manager”. The Device Manager will show a “ShipModul MiniPlex- 3USB” listed under “Other Devices” as shown in Figure Figure 6 Right-click on the MiniPlex entry and choose “Update Driver Software...” from the menu that appears. - Page 10 A new window opens (Figure 8) where you must choose the location of the driver. The driver is located in the subfolder “\USB Driver\Windows” on the MiniPlex Driver & Utility CD. If you click on “Next”, Windows will install the driver. Figure 8 When Windows has successfully installed the driver, the window as shown in...
- Page 11 The Device Manager will now list a “USB Serial Port” under “Other Devices” (Figure 10). For this port to work, a second driver needs to be installed. Right-click on the USB Serial Port entry and choose “Update Driver Software...” from the menu that appears.
- Page 12 Figure 13 appears. You can close this window. Figure 13 The Device Manager will now list a “ShipModul MiniPlex NMEA Multiplexer” under “Universal Serial Bus controllers” and a “MiniPlex-3 Serial Port (COMx)” under “Ports (COM & LPT)”.
- Page 13 Windows XP When the multiplexer is connected to a USB port for the first time, Windows will detect new hardware and prompts you for a driver. Insert the supplied CD into the drive and follow the instructions on your screen. If you have an Internet connection, you can let Windows search the Internet for updated drivers. Otherwise, when asked to automatically search for drivers, answer no and choose the option to tell Windows where to find the driver.
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Page 14: Network Interface
Network Interface (MiniPlex-3E, MiniPlex-3E-N2K) A network interface connects the multiplexer directly to a network with possibly more than one device. There can be more than one multiplexer connected to a network and/or more than one device that needs to communicate with a multiplexer. Network Basics In order to understand how a networked multiplexer works and how to connect to it, it is necessary to know a little bit about IP addresses, port numbers and protocols. -
Page 15: Protocols
The use of different port numbers allows us to use the same physical device on a network for different services. Port numbers are not chosen arbitrarily, they are standardized and controlled by an organization called IANA. Our multiplexers all use port number 10110, which is a registered port for NMEA data. Protocols Two transport protocols are available for sending data over the network: UDP and TCP. -
Page 16: Miniplex-3E Network Setup
In a typical network environment, a router acts as a DHCP server while other devices such as computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones are DHCP clients, receiving IP addresses from the DHCP server. This ensures that you can connect these devices to the network without worrying about IP addresses, netmasks and gateways - al of this is taken care of by the DHCP server. -
Page 17: Search
These are the factory default settings. The IP address shown here is 0.0.0.0, which means the multiplexer is set to DHCP. This address is different from what you have entered in the Host address field on the main window because that is the address that the MiniPlex received from the DHCP server. -
Page 18: Network Recovery
Network Recovery In rare cases a MiniPlex-3E might not show up in the search results window due to a possible misconfiguration in the Network Settings. This might happen when duplicate IP addresses exist on the network or the multiplexer has an illegal IP address. To recover from such a situation, a new IP address can be assigned with menu option “Tools ! MiniPlex-3E ! Assign IP”. -
Page 19: Nmea 0183 Ports
Data In and Signal Ground. Mix these with standard NMEA connections and confusion is imminent! The MiniPlex-3 Series multiplexers takes away the confusion by offering galvanically isolated NMEA inputs and outputs. Because of this isolation, a ground reference no longer exists: both the A and B signals of an NMEA port are completely “floating”. -
Page 20: Nmea 0183 Outputs
Out A/+ In A TX/Out In A Out B/- In B Ground In B Instrument Multiplexer Instrument Multiplexer Differential Single ended Figure 20 NMEA 0183 Outputs The MiniPlex has two NMEA 0183 outputs called Out1 and Out2. Each output is capable of driving up to four NMEA 0183 inputs. -
Page 21: Combining Ports
Combining Ports It is sometimes necessary to combine an input and an output of the multiplexer to connect to an instrument. One of the most common cases is the connection between a TxD/Out In A GPS and the multiplexer. While some GPS receivers have Ground In B properly designed NMEA ports, many only have an RS-232... -
Page 22: Nmea 2000
NMEA 2000 MiniPlex-3 multiplexers with an NMEA 2000 port (the “-N2K” models) are capable of communicating on an NMEA 2000 network. NMEA 2000 messages, frequently called PGN’s, are translated into NMEA 0183 sentences. The MiniPlex-3 will also translate NMEA 0183 sentences and SeaTalk data into NMEA 2000 PGN’s. -
Page 23: Connecting To The Nmea 2000 Network
Connecting to the NMEA 2000 network The MiniPlex-3 is equipped with a standard Micro-C style male connector. Connect the multiplexer with a spur cable and a T-piece to the NMEA 2000 backbone. NMEA 2000 networks must always consist of a powered backbone with terminators, to which the multiplexer and other devices must be connected. -
Page 24: Power Supply
Power Supply The multiplexer must be powered from an externally supplied DC voltage from 8 to 35V. The power supply connection is protected against reversed polarity. Indicators The LEDs on the MiniPlex provide information about the status and operation of the multiplexer. When the multiplexer is power up, all LEDs flash once. -
Page 25: Data Throughput
Data Throughput A multiplexer is not the Holy Grail for connecting NMEA 0183 devices. It should be fairly obvious that if a device combines data from four sources, the total amount of data that must be forwarded is the sum of the amount of each source. - Page 26 when a burst of sentences is received. The queues in the MiniPlex are quite large and can contain up to 30 sentences of GPS data. A couple of occasional blinks of the red LED over a period of a few seconds means that large bursts of sentences are received and a queue is hitting its limit.
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Page 27: Mpx-Config-3
MPX-Config-3 The MiniPlex-3 multiplexer can be configured with a configuration tool called MPX-Config-3. This tool can be found on the accompanying CD. There is no installer for this tool, just start it from the CD or copy it to a suitable folder on the hard disk of your computer and start it from there. The multiplexer itself is configured with proprietary NMEA 0183 sentences. -
Page 28: Menu
Menu The menu contains two sub-menus: File and Tools. Some options of these menus are disabled or not visible, depending on the type of connected multiplexer or on the status of the connection. The File menu offers the following choices: Log NMEA…... -
Page 29: Controls
Controls MiniPlex Connection Before being able to configure the multiplexer, a connection must be set up. Use the Port selector either to select the COM port of the multiplexer or to select TCP or UDP when using a network connection. COM Port When using a multiplexer with a USB port, select the COM port that was assigned after installing the driver. -
Page 30: Viewer Options
Manual NMEA input MPX-Config-3 allows manual entry of NMEA sentences for testing, configuration etc. Type the desired NMEA sentence in the edit box and click on the Send button or press the enter key. MPX-Config-3 will keep a history of entered sentences/commands. These can be selected by clicking on the small arrow on the right side of the input field. -
Page 31: Nmea Inputs/Outputs
NMEA Inputs/Outputs This page allows you to set the communication speeds of the NMEA inputs and outputs of the multiplexer, various options related to the inputs or outputs and the default routing of NMEA sentences. The settings are grouped together for the inputs and the outputs. Figure 33 Speed This sets the speed of each NMEA 0183 input or output. - Page 32 press the Del or Backspace key on your keyboard and finally press Enter. An empty Talker ID setting will show two dashes. To Output 1 & 2 These options allow you to set the default route from the NMEA 0183 inputs, the NMEA 2000 port and the conversion results to the NMEA 0183 outputs.
- Page 33 NMEA 2000 NMEA 2000 PGN’s are converted into NMEA 0183 sentences, which receive the same processing as NMEA 0183 sentences received on In1 to In4. They can be routed accordingly using the default route settings and the “Sentence Filtering & Routing feature”. NMEA Conversions The results of NMEA conversions (see Options page, Figure 35) are available as if these NMEA 0183 sentences were received on a separate -virtual- input.
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Page 34: Options
Options On the Options page, several operational options and NMEA 0183 conversions can be enabled. Figure 35 Priority This option deletes duplicate NMEA 0183 sentences received on multiple inputs. When enabled, the multiplexer assigns a priority to incoming NMEA 0183 (and NMEA 2000) data based on the input on which it is received. -
Page 35: Nmea Conversions
When “Check GPS status” is enabled however, the multiplexer will check the status field of the GPS sentences, detect the invalid position fix and fall back to the secondary GPS. Sentences of which the Status flag is checked are APB, GGA, GLL, RMA, RMB, RMC, VTG and XTE. Time Out This setting allows you to set the time it takes before sentences from a lower priority input are passed. -
Page 36: Wind: Vwr <-> Mwv
Reverse True Heading (HDT) This option allows you to reverse the true heading in a received HDT sentence. When an HDT sentence is received, the multiplexer generates a new HDT sentence with 180° added to the original heading. This can be used to provide two opposing navigation stations on ferries with a heading from the same source. Use the default route or Sentence Filter to route each sentence to a different NMEA output and only one to the host if needed. -
Page 37: Sentence Filtering & Routing
Sentence Filtering & Routing The “Sentence Filtering & Routing” feature is the most powerful feature of the MiniPlex. It allows you to filter and route NMEA sentences based on the Address Field of an NMEA sentence (the “GPRMC” part) and optionally reduce the rate of the sentence. - Page 38 The Sentence and Divisor fields can be edited by selecting it with the cursor. Edit mode is entered in several ways: Press function key F2 on your keyboard. This enters Edit mode with the cursor at the end of the text. ●...
- Page 39 The default routes are set in the “Input Settings” section on the “NMEA Inputs/Outputs” page. Note that the multiplexer will not pass any sentence if the filter list is empty and the “No Match” setting is set to Block. Received NMEA 0183 sentences are following a specific processing route, as shown in Figure 39 below: Conversions Sentence NMEA...
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Page 40: Nmea 2000
NMEA 2000 The NMEA 2000 page currently only shows two options regarding processing of PGN’s. Figure 41 Show unknown PGN’s Normally, unknown PGN’s are simply ignored by the multiplexer. When this option is enabled, these unknown PGN’s are converted into an $MXPGN sentence. This is an NMEA 0183 sentence containing the PGN number, an attribute field and the binary data of the PGN, all represented as hexadecimal ASCII field. -
Page 41: Firmware Update
Firmware Update Firmware updates with new features or bug fixes will be available through our web site. These firmware files can be downloaded to your computer and loaded into the multiplexer using option “Update MiniPlex Firmware…” from the File menu. Procedure Make sure the multiplexer is connected to your computer via USB or Ethernet, start MPX-Config-3 and connect to the multiplexer. -
Page 42: Mounting
Mounting The multiplexer is not waterproof. It should be mounted at a dry place such as behind the instrument panel on a flat surface. Make sure there is enough space around the multiplexer to connect the NMEA 0183 wiring at the bottom, the NMEA 2000 connector on the left side and USB/Network connector on the right side of the housing. -
Page 43: Technical Reference
Technical Reference NMEA 0183 Glossary This glossary lists the most common Talker ID’s and Sentence Formatters in alphabetical order. Talker ID’s Autopilot (general) Autopilot (magnetic) Automatic Identification System Communications: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Data receiver Satellite Radio telephone (MF/HF) Radio telephone (VHF) Scanning receiver Decca navigator Direction finder... - Page 44 Expanded digital selective calling DSC transponder initialise DSC transponder response Datum reference Frequency set information GNSS Satellite fault detection Global positioning system fix data Geographic position, LORAN-C Geographic position, latitude/longitude GNSS fix data GNSS range residuals GNSS DOP and active satellites GNSS pseudo range error statistics GNSS satellites in view Heading, deviation and variation...
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Page 45: Supported Nmea 2000 Pgn's
Supported NMEA 2000 PGN’s Description Decimal 059392 E800 ISO Acknowledge " " 059904 EA00 ISO Request " " 060928 EE00 ISO Address Claim " " 126996 1F014 NMEA Product Information " 126992 1F010 System Time " " 127237 1F105 Heading/Track Control "... -
Page 46: Translated Seatalk Datagrams
Translated SeaTalk datagrams When the SeaTalk translation is enabled, the following datagrams are translated into NMEA sentences: SeaTalk NMEA Description Depth below transducer Wind angle, (10 and 11 combined) Wind speed, (10 and 11 combined) Speed through water, includes heading when present Trip mileage (21 and 22 combined) Total mileage (21 and 22 combined) -
Page 47: Firmware Update Error Messages
Firmware Update Error messages During a firmware update, the following warnings or error messages may be displayed: The firmware update failed This message appears when the overall update process failed without any other error message. It is shown when the updated multiplexer firmware does not report a version message after start-up. Not a valid firmware file The file you are trying to open is not a valid firmware file. -
Page 48: Standard Nmea 0183 Sentences
Standard NMEA 0183 Sentences The following standard NMEA 0183 sentences are used by the MiniPlex-3. $MXSTN – Multiple Data ID When STN sentences are enabled ($PSMDOP, option 11), the multiplexer transmits a $MXSTN sentence before every NMEA sentence that is sent from the host interface. Format: $MXSTN,xx*hh<CR><LF>... - Page 49 The Destination Address of a non-global PGN can also be specified by loading it into the lower byte of the PGN. The Address field of the Attribute word must be set to 0x00 for this. The DLC field must be set to the size of the Data field (1 to 8 bytes) and the actual size of the Data field must match with the DLC.
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Page 50: Proprietary Nmea 0183 Sentences
All MiniPlex proprietary sentences have the following format: $PSMDxxx,a,b,…*hh<CR><LF> Start of a proprietary sentence as dictated by the NMEA standard SMD: ShipModul manufacturer mnemonic xxx: One, two- or three-character sentence formatter a,b,…: Optional fields... -
Page 51: Psmdc - Get Configuration Record
$PSMDC – Get Configuration record This command outputs all configuration settings at once. When $PSMDC is sent to the multiplexer, it responds with a $PSMDC sentence with the following format: Format: $PSMDC,x,c--c*hh<CR><LF> Configuration record number c--c: Configuration record data, 64 hexadecimal characters representing a block of 32 bytes. $PSMDN –... -
Page 52: Psmdfl - Set Filter Rules
0: NMEA In 1 1: NMEA In 2 2: NMEA In 3 3: NMEA In 4 4: NMEA 2000 5: NMEA Conversions When a bit is 1, the input is routed to output 1, otherwise the input is not routed. Host data to NMEA Out1: 0: Host data is not routed 1: Host data is routed... -
Page 53: Psmdid - Set Talker Id
0: NMEA Out1 1: NMEA Out2 2: SeaTalk bus 3: NMEA 2000 4: Wireless output 5: Host output When a bit is 1, the sentence is routed to that output. When this field is omitted, a default of ‘C0’ is assumed, routing the specified sentence to all the Host and Wireless output only. -
Page 54: Psmdin - Input Options
$PSMDIN – Input options Set the operating mode of an NMEA input. Format: $PSMDIN,a,x,x,x,x Sentence Status flag: R = sentence is a response with current settings C = sentence is a command to change settings Operating mode field for input 1 to 4: 0: Normal NMEA processing. -
Page 55: Psmdop - Set Options
$PSMDOP – Set Options This sentence is used to enable or disable various options. Format: $PSMDOP,a,o,e*hh<CR><LF> $PSMDOP,a,xxxxxxxx*hh<CR><LF> Sentence Status flag: R = sentence is a response with current settings C = sentence is a command to change settings option number 0 = off/disable 1 = on/enable xxxxxxxx: all options at once as a 32 bit hexadecimal number. -
Page 56: Psmdov - Overflow
16: Velocity translation. Generate a VTG sentence when a VHW sentence is received. This is the opposite translation of option 7. 30: Output unknown NMEA 2000 PGN’s as an $MSPGN sentence. 31: Output all NMEA 2000 PGN’s as an $MSPGN sentence. When a PSMDOP sentence without any parameters is sent, the multiplexer returns an OP sentence with a 32 bit hexadecimal number. -
Page 57: Tag Block
TAG Block When TAG Blocks are enabled ($PSMDOP, option 12), the multiplexer adds a TAG block to every NMEA sentence that is sent from the host interface. This TAG block has one source parameter, containing the UI of the multiplexer and the input the sentence was received on. It has the following format: \s:UI-x*hh\ where UI is the Unique Identifier of the multiplexer and ‘x’... -
Page 58: Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications MiniPlex-3USB Supply voltage: 8 – 35 V , protected against reversed polarity. Current consumption: 50 mA (100 mA max. with fully loaded talker ports) Host interface: USB, galvanically isolated Inputs: 4 x NMEA 0183/RS-422, galvanically isolated. Input 1 can be set to SeaTalk mode Input resistance: >1.4 kOhm... -
Page 59: Miniplex-3E
MiniPlex-3E Supply voltage: 8 – 35 V , protected against reversed polarity. Current consumption: 100 mA (150 mA max. with fully loaded talker ports) Host interface: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet Supported protocols: TCP/IP and UDP, port 10110 for NMEA communication TCP/IP, port 10110 for firmware updates TCP/IP and UDP, port 30718 for network configuration ARP, ICMP and DCHP for network management Inputs:...
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