Since firmware release 3.6.0, several updates have been released, until the latest 3.14.0. It is to be implemented with the latest version of the utility MPX-Config 3.10.0, only available for PC/Windows. Both is to download from ShipModul website, section Downloads. Here is a summary of the main new features…
Sentences NMEA 0183
- Maximum sentence length is now limited to NMEA 0183 from 82 characters to save memory for new features.
- Only the NMEA input 4 (input 8 with MiniPlex-3PRO) supports sentences up to 145 characters.
- ShipModul proprietary sentences ($PSMD…) that control the MiniPlex are now interpreted from all inputs.
- When converting VTG to VHW, only the velocity fields of the VTG sentence are now copied into the new VHW sentence. Heading fields are only filled in if an NMEA heading source 0183, NMEA 2000 or SeaTalk exists.
- Decoding XDR sentences with transducer IDs « AirTemp », « PTCH » and « ROLL » added to support outputs of NKE navigation systems.
- Converting TLL sentence to WPL and PGN 130074 : converts a target specified on a fishing sonar to a waypoint on a plotter.
NMEA sentence rebuilding 0183
A feature of rebuilding sentences has been implemented. This function can be used to build a new NMEA sentence 0183 with arbitrary text and data fields from another sentence. Up to three sentence rebuilding definitions can be stored.
PGN NMEA2000
- The environmental data can now be transmitted using PGNs 130310, 130311 up to 130312 instead of 130313, 130314 up to 130316, for compatibility with older equipment NMEA 2000 (NMEA 2000 V1.300 and earlier). To enable these PGNs, the Device Type of an NMEA input 0183 must be set to “Weather Instrument (<V2) ". Whenever a Device Type “ (<V2) " – is selected for an NMEA input 0183, the Product Information PGN for this input will report NMEA message database 1.300 version.
- Conversion of PGN's 127506 (Dc – Detailed Status) up to 127508 (Battery Status) to XDR sentences.
- Conversion of the PGN 127497 (Trip Fuel Consumption, Engine) to XDR sentences.
NMEA2000
When the MiniPlex receives navigation data (PGN 129283, 129284 up to 129285) from multiple sources, all parameters are randomly assembled in NMEA sentences : APB, BWC/BWR, RMB and XTE. Such a situation occurs when multiple navigation stations are synchronized for redundancy..
To avoid this, a priority is applied to the NMEA Source Address 2000 (SA), which causes only one source to be converted to NMEA 0183. A lower SA has a higher priority. If the sources have a Device Instance (DI) non-zero, then their DI is used to prioritize sources. As the DI of a device can be changed, navigation sources can be prioritized by the user.
Calculation of the actual wind
A new option is added to use SOG instead of STW to calculate the actual wind.
Magnetic variation
A magnetic variation table has been added, covering the world from 88° N to 88°S. A new option called « Use internal variation table » has be implemented to use this table. When this option is enabled and the MiniPlex receives a GPS location, this table is used in the following cases :
- Conversions NMEA 0183 from magnetic heading to true heading.
- Conversions NMEA 0183 from true heading to magnetic heading.
- HDG and RMC sentences generated from NMEA 2000 or SeaTalk sources.
- Transmission of magnetic variation over an NMEA network 2000.
- Transmission of magnetic variation over a SeaTalk network, but only if no other source of variation exists on the SeaTalk network.
The magnetic variation table will be updated once a year.
User Guide
The Manuel has been updated with the latest news and provides clarifications, especially concerning the DHCP server, autopilot controls, NMEA sentence conversions and sentence rebuilding. The French version 3.14.x is online on the ShipModul website.
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