NMEA-Multiplexer

w i t h S e a Ta l k ® a n d U S B P o r t

Installation- and operators manual

Hardware Version : V 1.0

With galvanic isolation
Software Version : V 1.8

April 2014

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Inhalt
Credits / Warning / Disclaimer.............................................................................................................3
Overview..............................................................................................................................................4
Where to place the device.....................................................................................................................6
Power supply........................................................................................................................................6
Overview NMEA In- und Out-Ports.....................................................................................................7
NMEA-IN Ports (IN 1..4).....................................................................................................................7
NMEA-IN Terminals ......................................................................................................................7
NMEA-OUT ports (Out1..4)................................................................................................................9
NMEA-OUT terminals....................................................................................................................9
SeaTalk® Bus ....................................................................................................................................11
SeaTalk® to NMEA translation ....................................................................................................11
NMEA to SeaTalk® translation ....................................................................................................13
Special Functions......................................................................................................................13
Same type of data from the SeaTalk® network and from NMEA devices....................................14
USB PC Port.......................................................................................................................................15
USB Driver installation.................................................................................................................15
Filters .................................................................................................................................................16
PC Software .......................................................................................................................................17
Installation ....................................................................................................................................17
Configuration software - Main Screen ..........................................................................................18
Computer ↔ Multiplexer communication settings ......................................................................19
Connecting / disconnecting ...........................................................................................................19
The ICON-bar................................................................................................................................20
NMEA logging window.................................................................................................................21
Filter settings .................................................................................................................................22
NMEA Port baud rates...................................................................................................................23
Buffer memory ..............................................................................................................................24
Software update.............................................................................................................................25
Terminals............................................................................................................................................27
Technical data.....................................................................................................................................28

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Credits / Warning / Disclaimer

This NMEA multiplexer has been developed as a research project on data communication, computer
communication and data conversion on computers used on board boats.

Hard- and Software are still under development and have NOT been fully tested.
Malfunctions of the NMEA multiplexer and of any connected device might be possible at any
time.

Do not rely on data from this device for navigation.

Liability cannot be accepted for any damages, personal injuries or malfunctions caused
by this device.

SeaTalk® is a proprietary protocol developed by Raymarine®. This protocol is used for

communication between Raymarine navigation instruments like the ST40, ST50 and ST60 series as
well as the older Autohelm devices.

There are no SeaTalk® technical specifications available from the manufacturer. I have used
the technical Reference of the SeaTalk® protocol, compiled by Thomas Knauf GmbH.
See http://www.thomas-knauf.de/seatalk.htm
Thank you to Thomas Knauf for his work.

DO NOT USE AS PRIMARY SOURCE FOR NAVIGATION

An operating GSM mobile phone should not be placed within 2m of an

unshielded NMEA Multiplexer because of interference from the phone's
radio transmissions. If a phone is brought closer than this 2m distance, the
device may stop operating or data may become corrupted.
( Thank's John Blaiklock for testing on his boat. )

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Overview

The gadgetPool NMEA & SeaTalk® Multiplexer is a NMEA multiplexer with additional SeaTalk®-
and USB interface. This NMEA multiplexer allows you to connect several NMEA devices, one
SeaTalk® network and a board computer.
NMEA devices can send data ( sender ) or they can receive data from other devices ( receiver ).
Sender
Sender Receiver
Receiver
i.E. GPS
i.E. GPS i.E. Autopilot
i.E. Autopilot
Example:

According to NMEA standards, a sender can send it's data to up to 4 receivers.

Sender
Sender Receiver
Receiver
Example: z.B. GPS
z.B. GPS Autopilot
Autopilot

Receiver
Receiver
VHF
VHF

Receiver
Receiver
Radar
Radar

For a receiver it is not possible to receive data from more than one sender at a time. A NMEA
receiver can receive data only from one source. So, as an example, the NMEA input port of an
autopilot can not receive data from a GPS and from a NMEA wind instrument at the same time.

Sender
Sender Receiver
Receiver
GPS
GPS Autopilot
Autopilot

Sender
Sender
Wind
Wind

Apart from hardware problems, this senders would just send their data without waiting for each
other. So the receiver would “hear” a mix-up of different messages.

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To be able to feed a NMEA receiver with data from more than one NMEA sender, a NMEA
multiplexer has to be used.
This NMEA multiplexer receives data from several devices parallel on separate input ports. It stores
and sorts this data and sends them out to a NMEA receiver in an orderly fashion.

4 senders send their data parallel The Multiplexer receives and sorts these data
without any order and sends them out one after the other.

Sender 11
Sender Position Seatalk Position, Wind,
GPS
GPS IN-1 Depth, Temperature

Sender 22
Sender Wind Autopilot
Autopilot
Wind OUT-1
Wind IN-2 OUT-2
NMEA
NMEA OUT-3
Sender 33 Depth
Sender Multiplexer
Multiplexer
Log OUT-4
Log
IN-3
Temp
Sender 44 PC
PC
Sender IN-4
Temperature USB (sender)
(sender)
Temperature
(receiver)
(receiver)

Position, Wind,
Depth, Temperature
This gadgetPool NMEA multiplexer can receive data parallel from :
– Up to 4 NMEA devices ( e.g. GPS, Log, Wind, AIS, Depth …. etc. )
– 1 USB device ( e.g. board PC )
– 1 SeaTalk® Network.
It stores, sorts, orders, filters this data and sends them to :
– 1 USB device ( e.g. Board PC)
– Up to 4 NMEA devices

With the USB port, a navigation software on the board computer can receive data from up to 4
NMEA devices and from SeaTalk® devices.
Incoming NMEA- and SeaTalk® messages will be received parallel. Incoming messages are
buffered until the message is received completely. Only once a message has been received
completely, it will be sent out to the USB port and to the NMEA-OUT ports again as a complete
messages.
With this function, a mix-up of messages from different sources can be avoided.

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Where to place the device....

The multiplexer must be mounted on a dry and cool place below deck. It should be fixed securely.
Also the cables should be fixed securely. Shifting in rough sea or vibrations could loose cable
connections and could cause malfunctions or short circuits.

Power supply
This NMEA multiplexer can work on 12 Volt or on 24 Volt.
Connection to the boat supply must be fused. Never connect the device to a battery or generator
without a fuse. In case of a defect or a short circuit this device or it's cables could catch fire. The
NMEA multiplexer draws approx.100 mA – so a 500mA fuse should be sufficient.

+ 12 Volt -12 Volt

Plus Minus

All NMEA-input ports, and also the SeaTalk® port, are electrically isolated. (galvanic isolation)
Therefore the power supply terminals must be connected to 12 Volt ( 24 Volt). The Multiplexer
can not operate alone on SeaTalk® or USB supply.

If galvanic isolation is not needed, it is possible to take the operating power from the SeaTalk®
bus. In order to use the SeaTalk® as power supply for the multiplexer, you need to use two
jumper cables. One goes from SeaTalk® + to +12 Volt (Plus), the other goes from SeaTalk® – to
-12 Volt (Minus).

!!! If SeaTalk® power is used to operate the device, there will be no galvanic isolation between
PC, NMEA-In Ports or the SeaTalk® port. !!!

It is not possible to power the multiplexer from the USB port.

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Overview NMEA In- und Out-Ports
The NMEA multiplexer has
4 * NMEA-In Ports. + NMEA Seatalk
4 * NMEA-Out Ports. - IN-4
+ NMEA USB
- IN-3
+ NMEA NMEA +
- IN-2 OUT-4 -
+ NMEA NMEA +
- IN-1 OUT-3 -
NMEA +
OUT-2 -
NMEA
NMEA +
Multiplexer
OUT-1 -

NMEA-IN Ports (IN 1..4)

The Multiplexer has 4 galvanic isolated NMEA-IN ports.

NMEA-IN Terminals
The 4 MNEA-IN terminals.

NMEA 4 NMEA 3 NMEA 2 NMEA 1

IN - + OUT + - IN - + OUT + - IN - + OUT + - IN - + OUT + -

NMEA-IN - NMEA-IN + NMEA-IN - NMEA-IN + NMEA-IN - NMEA-IN + NMEA-IN - NMEA-IN +

( Minus ) (Plus ) ( Minus ) (Plus ) ( Minus ) (Plus ) ( Minus ) (Plus )

NMEA Port 4 NMEA Port 3 NMEA Port 2 NMEA Port 1

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Some devices sending NMEA data, do not have a “real NMEA” port. They have a RS232 port,
which is a very common serial interface used with computers. Especially hand held GPS often have
this RS232 interface.
The Multiplexer IN-Ports can receive data from “real” NMEA devices, but they can also be used to
connect RS232 devices.

Example for connection of NMEA or RS232 devices.

NMEA
NMEA NMEA
NMEA
Sender
Sender Multiplexer
Multiplexer
NMEA-OUT NMEA-IN
Connecting a NMEA sender to
the multiplexer. + +
NMEA-OUT NMEA-IN
Example: NMEA Wind instrument - -
sends data to the Multiplexer.

RS232
RS232 NMEA
NMEA
Sender
Sender Multiplexer
Multiplexer
Connecting a RS232 sender to TxD NMEA-IN
the multiplexer (Data Out) +
Example: Garmin hand GPS sends NMEA-IN
GND -
data to the multiplexer.

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NMEA-OUT ports (Out1..4)

The NMEA multiplexer has 4 seperate NMEA-OUT ports.

With this four out ports, four different nautical devices can get exactly the type of data they need.
(E.g. Autopilot and GMDSS radio).
Different Out-Ports can have different filter settings, so that the NMEA devices attached only have
to deal with data they can work with.

NMEA-OUT terminals

NMEA Port 4 NMEA Port 3

NMEA-OUT + NMEA-OUT - NMEA-OUT + NMEA-OUT -

(Plus) (Minus) (Plus) (Minus)

NMEA 4 NMEA 3 NMEA 2 NMEA 1

IN - + OUT + - IN - + OUT + - IN - + OUT + - IN - + OUT + -

NMEA-OUT + NMEA-OUT - NMEA-OUT + NMEA-OUT -

(Plus) (Minus) (Plus) (Minus)

NMEA Port 2 NMEA Port 1

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The multiplexer NMEA-OUT ports can be connected to NMEA receivers or to RS232 receivers.
Even though NMEA ports have different electrical characteristics than RS232 ports, most RS232
receivers can operate on signals from a NMEA port.

Example for connection of NMEA or RS232 receivers.

NMEA
NMEA NMEA
NMEA
Multiplexer
Multiplexer Receiver
Receiver
Connecting the multiplexers to
a NMEA receiver. NMEA-OUT NMEA-IN
Example: Multiplexer sends Data to + +
NMEA-OUT NMEA-IN
a GMDSS radio that has NMEA ports.
- -

NMEA
NMEA RS232
RS232
Connecting the Multiplexer to Multiplexer
Multiplexer Receiver
Receiver
a RS232 receiver. NMEA-OUT RxD
+ (Data in )
Example: Multiplexer sends Data to
NMEA-OUT
a Garmin hand GPS which has RS232 GND
-
ports.

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SeaTalk® Bus
The multiplexer has a galvanic isolated SeaTalk® Bus port.
SeaTalk® is a proprietary protocol developed by Raymarine®. This protocol is used for
communication between Raymarine navigation instruments like the ST40, ST50 and ST60 series as
well as the older Autohelm devices.
The SeaTalk® Terminal is a detachable 3-pin screw terminal.

- Minus Silber + Rot

ST Data

Description Color Function

+ RED + 12 Volt SeaTalk® Bus
ST YELLOW SeaTalk® Data
SILVER - SeaTalk® Bus
-
Please make sure, that the cables are connected as shown in the picture. A wrong connection might
damage the device or other devices on the SeaTalk® bus and it will interrupt data communication
between any device on the SeaTalk® network.

SeaTalk® to NMEA translation

The multiplexer will translate data from SeaTalk® devices into NMEA sentences and sends this
generated NMEA sentences to it's NMEA-OUT ports. With this generated NMEA sentences, the
information from SeaTalk® devices are now available and can be used by other NMEA devices and
– via USB Port – they are available on a board computer.
Currently this NMEA sentences will be created from SeaTalk® data :
$IIDBT Depth below transducer
Optional a $IIDPT sentence is also available.
$IIVHW Speed through water
$IIMTW Water temperature
$IIVLW Total milage, trip milage
$IIMWV Wind speed and wind direction ( apparent / true )
$IIHDM Compass course
$IIRMC Speed over ground, course over ground, Lat, Long , Time, Date
Optional an additional $IIGLL sentence can be produced.
$IIRSA Rudder

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Each of this NMEA sentences can be switch on or off.

You can switch on/off each sentence with the configuration

software.
• Ticked – Sentence will be created on data available
from SeaTalk®
• Empty – Sentence will NOT be created, even if data is
available on the SeaTalk® network.

Any change in the configuration settings is saved immediately – but the changes will only become
active after the multiplexer is switched off and on again. Instead of switching it off/on you can also
reboot it with the button “Multiplexer reboot”
RMC+GLL / RMC :
If RMC+GLL is switched on, the multiplexer will create and send a RMC sentence and a GLL
sentence when it receives position data from seatalk.
If RMC+GLL is switched off, the multiplexer will create and send only a RMC sentence when it
receives position data from seatalk.
MWV true:
SeaTalk sends only apparent wind information. When “MWV true” is switched on, the multiplexer
will calculate true wind direction and true wind speed from apparent wind data and from speed
through water data.
Depth offset:
If depth offset is “0”, the multiplexer will create and send a DBT Nmea sentence.
If depth offset is not “0”, the multiplexer will create and send a DPT Nmea sentence
Depth offset can go from -32000 mm to 32000 mm. ( mm = 1000th of a meter )
Positive value = distance from transducer to water line.
Negative values = distance from transducer to keel.

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NMEA to SeaTalk® translation
The multiplexer will translate data from NMEA devices into SeaTalk® sentences and sends this
generated SeaTalk® sentences to the SeaTalk® bus. With this generated SeaTalk® sentences, the
information from NMEA devices are now available and can be used by SeaTalk® devices.
Currently this SeaTalk® sentences will be created from NMEA data :
Depth below transducer – From NNMEA DBT / DPT sentence
Apparent Wind Angle – From NNMEA MWV / VWR sentence
Apparent Wind Speed – From NNMEA MWV / VWR sentence
Trip Milage – From NMEA VLW sentence
Total Milage – From NMEA VLW sentence
Water temperature – From NMEA MTW sentence
GPS Position – From NMEA RMC / GLL sentence
Speed over ground – From NMEA RMC / VTG sentence
Speed through water – From NMEA VHW sentence
Course over ground – From NMEA RMC / VTG sentence
Navigation to Waypoint – From NMEA RMB / APB / BWC sentence
Waypoint name – From NMEA RMB / APB / BWC sentence
Waypoint Arrival Info – From NMEA RMB / APB sentence
Compass heading – From NMEA HDG / HDM sentence
Time / Date – From NMEA RMC / ZDA sentence

Special Functions

SOG->STW :
If SOG->STW is switched on, the multiplexer will send speed-over-ground data (i.e. received from
a GPS) as speed-over-ground and as speed-through-water data to the SeaTalk® bus.
With this special function, SeaTalk® devices will “see” speed-through-water even if only speed-
over-ground information is available.
If COG->CMAG is switched on, the multiplexer will send true heading data (i.e. received from a
GPS) as true heading and as compass course data to the SeaTalk® bus.
With this special function, SeaTalk® devices will “see” compass data even if only true heading
information is available.

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Same type of data from the SeaTalk® network and from NMEA devices.

Information available from like instruments on both Busses ( SeaTalk® & NMEA ) are not
converted.

Example:
We have a depth sounder on the SeaTalk® network and another depth sounder on the NMEA
bus.

So, on both sides depth information is available.

In this case no depth information in transferred from one bus to the other.
( If depth information is not updated within 30 sec. on one bus, sending to the other bus is
activated again. )

This function can be switched off, if you would like to send new data to the NMEA port, regardless
if this type of data is already available on the NMEA bus.

Send SeaTalk® to NMEA bus even if already available on

NMEA bus.

Send NMEA data to SeaTalk® even if already available on

SeaTalk® bus.

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USB PC Port

The NMEA multiplexer has one USB port. It can be used to connect it to a computer or notebook.
After connection the multiplexer, a new serial port will be available on your computer ( See below –
Com Port assignment )
With this serial port, the computer can act as a NMEA sender and as a NMEA receiver. It can
receive data from the devices attached to the multiplexer, and it can send data to this devices.
In every navigation software, an option can be found to select the serial port to be used.

USB Driver installation

Depending on the operating system of the computer, it might be necessary to install a driver
software. The multiplexer is using a standard FTDI USB Serial Converter Chip.
Drivers for this chip can be found on the CD and on the FTDI webpages.
(http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm)
A reasonable modern LINUX system does not need a special driver installation. The FTDI chip will
be recognized and the system will provide a new serial port. Usually this is /dev/ttyUSB0. If there is
already another USB-Serial converter attached to your system, the new multiplexer port will be
/dev/ttyUSB1 or /dev/ttyUSB2 etc. .
On a MS-Windows system, it might be necessary to install the driver software. If there is already
some other devices using FTDI chips, this driver will be available already. Otherwise the driver
needs to be installed. You'll find the driver software on the CD in the subdirectory /DRIVERS.
Com Port assignment
MS-Windows assign a COM
port automatically. In order to
find out which port has been
assigned, please check the MS-
Windows device manager. In
the device manager you'll find
“Ports – COM & LPT “.
In this example, windows has
put the NMEA multiplexer on
COM4

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Filters
Every NMEA device sends a lot of different data.
The more NMEA devices are in our network, the more data has to be transferred. Sometimes two
different NMEA devices send the same information. Since the capacity of a NMEA network is
limited, it can happen, that the NMEA interface will be overloaded with data. The board computer
and all attached devices have to deal with a large amount of – partly unnecessary or redundant –
data.
The NMEA multiplexer offers adjustable data filters. With this filters the user can adjust which data
will be sent to which NMEA port. This helps to remove unnecessary or redundant information.
With the 2 separate NMEA-OUT ports, different NMEA receivers can be supplied with exactly
that kind of data they need. Unnecessary information can be removed or limited.
Example : A wind instrument can show not only apparent wind but also true wind direction and
speed, if it knows how fast the boat goes. So if it is feed with speed information, it can give us more
detailed information.
But - this wind instrument does not need to know things like waypoint names, water temperature or
maybe engine oil pressure. This unnecessary information might slow down the data flow of
important information, it can lead to slower operation of the instrument or might even cause loss of
data. With the filters, the stream of data can be adjusted, so that our wind instrument only receives
what it needs, and all the other data can be filtered out.

Or maybe – you have a modern high speed 10 Hertz GPS device and a depth sounder in your
network. This fast GPS will certainly help the autopilot to steer better – but a GMDSS VHF does
not need an position update 10 times per second.
With the filters you can adjust the data, so that the autopilot gets the fast 10 Hertz update but no
depth information, and the other devices only get every 10th position information and the depth
information.

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PC Software
In normal operation the NMEA multiplexer does not need a connection to a computer. It will work
“stand alone” and the computer can do other jobs – or it just can be switch off.
The connection to the computer is used to make settings or adjustments to the multiplexer or to
monitor or record data. Of course, the computer also can be used in connection with the multiplexer
to run some navigation software, which receives it's data from the multiplexer.

Installation
For configuration settings of the multiplexer, you'll find a configuration software on the CD

Pic 1: Start screen

The configuration software needs no installation procedure. It simply should be copied from the CD
to the computer. On the CD you'll find subdirectories for different operating systems, which contain
all the files needed.
Linux32 Directory for “normal” Linux PC's like Ubuntu etc.
Linux64 Directory for Linux PC's with a 64 Bit Processor like e.g. Ubuntu.
Windows32 Directory for “normal” MS-Windows PC's with Windows XP,Windows 7
Windows64 Directory for MS-Windows 7 PC's with 64 Bit Processor

Just create a subdirectory on the hard disk of you computer, where you would like the configuration
software to be stored. Copy all files form the appropriate CD - Subdirectory into this newly created
hard disk directory. Here you can start the configuration software by double clicking on the program
file stConfig (or. stConfig.exe under MS-Windows).
Connect the NMEA multiplexer to the USB port of your computer and start the configuration
software.

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Configuration software - Main Screen

Menu ICON bar

Pic 2: Main Screen

NMEA window.
Special
sentences
marked with
colors.

Reboot
Multiplexer.
( Used to
activate changes
in settings )

Buffer and Memory Baudrate ( Speed ) Settings Settings

usage. Used for filter selection for each SeaTalk to NMEA to
fine tuning. NMEA port. NMEA SeaTalk
translation translation

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Computer ↔ Multiplexer communication settings
Before the configuration software can talk to the NMEA multiplexer, the software has to know
where it can find the multiplexer. So we have to select the communication port, the operating
system has chosen for the multiplexer.
Under Linux it will be /dev/ttyUSB0 or /dev/ttyUSB1.
Under MS-Windows it will be COM1: or COM2: or COM3 1.

In the “Menu”, open

Port → Parameters

Pic 3: COM Port Parameters

Here you choose the com port assigned by the operating system. If the port is not in the list, please
just type it in. After that you should choose the communication speed ( baud rate ) and press OK.

The NMEA multiplexer default speed is set to 38400 baud. So if you have not changed it previously
– select 38400 here.
The selected settings can be saved for later use.
If you don't want to select the port and baud rate at each program start, just save them and they will
be loaded automatically on program start.

In the “Menu”, choose

Port → save settings.
The next time the configuration software is started, this settings will loaded automatically.

Connecting / disconnecting
After choosing the port and baud rate, the configuration software can connect to the multiplexer.
In the “Menu”, open
Port → connect, or just click at the icon
The program will now read the current configuration settings from the multiplexer. It will show the
currents baud rate settings for each NMEA port, the SeaTalk®->NMEA settings etc.
As soon as the multiplexer receives any NMEA or SeaTalk® Data, they will be displayed in the
NMEA windows.

1 If you don't know which port has been assigned. please check the Windows system manager

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Disconnecting
In the “Menu”, choose
Port → disconnect, or just click on the icon

The ICON-bar
With the icon-bar, you can start functions or actions with just one click.
Icon Funktion
In the “Menue”, choose . Previously selected port and baudrate will be
used. Multiplexer settings will be read and displayed.

Disconnect computer from the multiplexer.

Filter settings. This opens a new windows for filter settings.

NMEA Data logging. All incoming NMEA or SeaTalk® data will be

saved in a file „nmealog.txt“.
New data will be appended to this file. The log file might become very
large if this function is enabled for a long time.
SeaTalk® Data Protocoll. All incomming SeaTalk® data will be shown
as a special „$STALK“ sentence. This function should be used for
configuration, network checking or tests mainly. It causes additional
load on the NMEA port.
You will also find all this functions in the main menu.

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NMEA logging window

Pic 4: NMEA window

In this NMEA window, all incoming NMEA data are shown. Different types of data are shown in
different colors.

Yellow NMEA sentences, produced by the multiplexer itself on incoming SeaTalk® data.

Red Configuration and control data. These are special sentences,

the configuration software sends to change multiplexer settings.

Green Configuration and control data for SeaTalk® to NMEA translation. These are
special sentences, the configuration software sends to change multiplexer settings.

White Incoming NMEA data from attached NMEA devices.

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Filter settings
Filter settings is activated by clicking the icon
The program will read and display current filter settings.
Some examples for filter settings

„GSA“ sentence is NOT accepted

from any In-Port. Any GSA sentence
will just be dropped
( All In-Port's OFF )

When receiving „RMM“ sentence

from port 1,2,3 or 4 : send only every
11 th sentence to Out-Port 1 and 2
( Discard# 10 )
Every 10 th „GGA“ sentence will be
forwarded to the USB Port.
It will not be sent to NMEA out
ports
( Discard = 10, All Out-Port's off )
Every „RMZ“ sentence will be
rewritten to a „ABC“ sentence

Accept „RMC“ only from NMEA

In-Port 1,3,4. Not from USB port.
It will be forwarded to USB and
NMEA-OUT Port 1 and Port 2

Column Function
NMEA-ID Defines for which NMEA sentence ID the rest of the setting in this line are done.
I.e. „RMC“ → This filter is valid for sentences „$GPRMC“, „$IIRMC“ ...
Rename-ID The new ID, that the sentence will get.
Example line 4 : A sentence „$GPRMZ“ will be sent out as „$GPABC“
IN port Defines from which IN-Port this sentence will be accepted.
This can filter out unwanted sentences.
Example line 1 : Any GSA sentence will be dropped. All In-Ports are deactivated
Example line 5 : A RMC sentence will only be processed, when it comes in from port 1,3 or 4.
RMC sentences from port 2 or from USB port are ignored and will be dropped.
Discard # Some devices send data too often. ( Up to 10 times a second ) . With this function, the data update
rate can be reduced.
Example line 2 : Only every 11th „RMM“ sentence will be forwarded to the out-ports
Example:
1 → One sentence is dropped, every second sentence will be forwarded.
2 → Two sentences are dropped, every third sentence will be forwarded.
Out port Defines to which out-port the sentence will be forwarded. ( Data will additionally always be sent
to the USB port)
Example line 3: GGA sentences will sent to USB port only.
They will not be sent to NMEA out 1 or NMEA out 2.
Update This button is active whenever a filter line was changed.
By pressing this button, this changes will be updated on the multiplexer
All sentences, to which no filter condition applies, will be sent to NMEA out 1..4 and to the USB
port. If filter settings is empty, every incoming NMEA sentence will be forwarded to all out ports.

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NMEA Port baud rates

The baud rates ( communication speed ) for all 4 NMEA in ports and the 2 NMEA out ports can be
configured. This allows you to adjust the NMEA ports to different NMEA devices attached.
NMEA devices usually send and receive with 4800 Baud.
AIS devices or fast GPS usually send and receive with 38400 Baud.

Baudrate for port 1 and port 2

is the baud rate for sending and
receiving. Sending and receiving can
not have different baud rates.

For every NMEA port and for the USB-PC port, the baud rate can be selected between 1200 and
38400 Baud.
All Ports are NMEA receivers and NMEA senders at the same time. The selected baud rate for any
port is the sending and the receiving speed.
Baud rate changes are stored on the multiplexer immediately. They will be effective after the next
start of the multiplexer. This is the next time the multiplexer is switch on.
Instead of switching it off/on you can also reboot it with the button “Multiplexer reboot”

Warning :
Whenever the baud rate of the USB port is changed, it is necessary to also set the baud rate of the
computer ( configuration software ) to the same value.

© gadgetPool, 2011-2014 Page 23 of 28

Buffer memory
If one device sends data faster as they can be received by the other devices, data will be lost.
The multiplexer offers a function to check the settings and to see if data are received faster as they
can be sent out again.
NMEA Data received by the multiplexer are temporarily stored in it's internal memory. After that,
they are processed and sent out to the different out ports.
The “fill level” of this internal memory can be monitored. This function should only be switched on
to check the filters and baud rates, as it causes additional load on the USB port.

In the example above, you can see that buffer memory for out-port 2 is nearly used up.
Here we received data from port 1 with 4800 baud.
This data will be sent to a device attached to out-port 2 - which is configured to 1200 baud only.
That means, that data can be sent out only with half the speed as they are received.
New data come in faster as they can be sent out again. This causes the buffer memory to fill up
slowly, and after some time, this would result in a loss of data.
What can be done ?
- For all ports that sent out data (USB, Port 1..4), the baud rate should be equal or faster than the
fastest receive port baud rate.
- If this is not possible, is is necessary to configure filters, so that only really necessary data are
forwarded to the slow out port.

© gadgetPool, 2011-2014 Page 24 of 28

Software update

The software of the multiplexers is constantly extended and improved.

You can find new software versions on our website.
(http://www.gadgetpool.de)
Every update consists of two files. One file containing the actual software, and one file containing
configuration preset data.
The file with the ending .hex contains the new multiplexer software.
This file must be loaded with every software update.
The file with the ending .eep contains configuration preset data.
This can be loaded optionally, to restore the device's settings and configurations to factory default
values.
If the .eep file is not used during a software update, all the old configurations and settings remain as
they are.
Please read any manuals, texts or descriptions that might come with a new software version.

If you'd like to update your multiplexer to a new software version, please get the latest software
release from the gadgetPool website. Save the two files ( xxx.eep xxx.hex ) on your computer
harddisk.
You find the software update function in the configuration program.
Menue → Device configuration → Softwareupdate.

Select the two previously saved

files with the Button and
press “Update Software”.

© gadgetPool, 2011-2014 Page 25 of 28

During update process, the multiplexer MUST NOT BE SWITCHED OFF.

© gadgetPool, 2011-2014 Page 26 of 28

Terminals

Terminals Terminals
12 Volt (24 Volt) Power supply from boat. NMEA IN 4
NMEA OUT 4

SeaTalk Bus NMEA IN 3

NMEA OUT 3
PC USB port NMEA IN 2
NMEA OUT 2
NMEA IN 1
NMEA OUT 1

© gadgetPool, 2011-2014 Page 27 of 28

Technical data

Power supply : 10-30 Volt DC.

Current consumption : typical 60 mA ( max 100 mA )
In-Ports : 4 * NMEA-0183 ( RS-422 ) ( galvanic isolated )
Out-Ports : 4 * NMEA-0183 ( RS-422 ) ( not isolated )
Bus-Interface : 1 * SeaTalk input ( galvanic isolated )
PC-Interface : 1 * USB virtual serial port. ( not isolated )
NMEA in and NMEA out.
Dimensions
Length 15,5 cm ( with terminals )
Width 13,0 cm
Height 4,0 cm

© gadgetPool, 2011-2014 Page 28 of 28