My NMEA configuration, updated with AIS
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Summer 2008 --
Last year I got everything integrated, but
I had one HUGE problem.
According to the Fugawi
software, my position would skip hemispheres every few minutes,
and I'd end up with a track that looks like this:
The Nexus NX2 Server is no longer the core
for connections. The Brookhouse multiplexer has that function.
The NX2 is still critical, though, as it performs a lot of data manipulation
on all the NMEA inputs and Nexus instruments, and controls all the displays
in the cockpit, companionway and nav station.
The Brookhouse
mux can accept 38400 baud AIS input from the Milltech
reciever, but I decided not to integrate it. The only thing I have that
can process AIS is the Fugawi software on the laptop, so there's no reason
to clog the network with AIS information.
Because of the Fugawi / NX2 integration hassle, I've been
constantly fussing around with NMEA configurations.
Here's what they were, but the next time I'm at the boat I need to update
these spreadsheets:
A list of Generic NMEA Sentences, which cover everything I need.
Nexus
NX2 Settings
Note: I am still fussing with NMEA outputs to get
the best result.
Brookhouse Mux Settings
Milltech AIS settings
This drove me nuts.
I tried SeaClear,
and other packages, and it didn't happen. I spent many hours capturing NMEA
log files, and it only happens when Fugawi is reading from the
Nexus NX2 server.
The Fugawi log files said it was recieving bad position information with a
valid checksum. Capturing directly from the NX2 using Hyperterminal never
found a bad sentence, and plugging the GPS into Fugawi worked fine. I was
convinced that Fugawi had a bug, but they didn't think so.
I was about ready to toss Fugawi
and get Nobeltec VNS.
However, I needed to add a Brookhouse
multiplexer to integrate the Furuno into the system, and also to integrate
the Milltech
AIS if necessary. Doing this allowed me to hook the Fugawi software into
the RS-232 port on the Brookhouse multiplexer instead of the Nexus NX2 server,
and the problem disappeared. So I still don't know if Fugawi has a bug, or
if my NX2 server is screwing up the output. The NX2 server was purchased when
the product was first released, and might have "Revision 1.0" firmware.
I wanted to talk with the Nexus folks at the annual west coast Strictly Sail
boat show,
but they didn't have a booth in 2008. Perhaps over time I'll figure this out.
Anyway, everything is working now. This is how everthing is connected in 2008:
The Milltech SR161 has an RS-232 output
only,
so the 38400 baud differential RS-422 port on the Brookhouse multiplexer
doesn't have any value at this time.
But it can also be used as a normal 4800 baud NMEA port.
The Milltech SR161 can accept 4800 baud NMEA on the RS-232 port, and integrate it with the AIS data, outputting a single 38400 baud stream. It requires a custom cable, which you can make yourself or buy from Milltech.
Back in 2005, I had put a spare VHF antenna
on the radar mast, just as a backup.
Now it is for AIS. This means that I don't need a splitter on my main VHF
antenna. Cool.
It made the installation really easy.