Dealer Certification
Section 3: Finalizing the Network
Connecting to Other Data Sources
Network Setup
Troubleshooting
Copyright © 2011 NMEA
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183
NMEA 2000 GPS information is sent to
VHF radio for DSC broadcast
DSC VHF
NMEA 2000
0183 Gateway
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 Gateways
 Gateways can convert this data bi-directionally
– NMEA 0183 to 2000 and NMEA 2000 to 0183
 Important for older vessel installations
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Existing & functioning NMEA 0183 installation on-board
Upgrading some (but not all) electronics on-board
Important data may only be available via NMEA 0183
EX- New NMEA 0183 Heading sensor installed last month
• This information that is needed on N2k network
 Most DSC VHF Radios have NMEA 0183 I / O
– Allows for DSC and AIS information on NMEA 2000
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000
NMEA 2000
0183 Gateway
NMEA 0183 Multiplexer
NMEA 0183 Wind Data
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 Gateways
 The gateway translates the NMEA 0183 data
stream to a corresponding PGN.
 These translated PGN’s will show up on the
network.
 NMEA 0183 device will not appear on the
network, but the gateway does because it has a
NMEA 2000 product code.
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-NMEA 2000 to Computers
NMEA 2000
USB Gateway
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-NMEA 2000 to Computers
--USB Gateways
 Sends NMEA 2000 data to a PC via USB connection.
 Ideal for bringing data to Marine Software Programs
– Device calibration- Transducer depth, speed, & temp offsets
 For use with NMEA 2000 diagnostic PC Programs.
– Analyze power distribution & PGN transmissions
 Update firmware to NMEA 2000 devices on network.
– Not all manufacturers support this feature
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-Engine Data on NMEA 2000 Bus
 Engine info to displays
 GPS info to engine
Certified
Gateway
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-Engine Data on NMEA 2000 Bus
NMEA 2000 Certification is Pending
SmartCraft
Gateway & Cable
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-Engine Data on NMEA 2000 Bus
J 1939
Converter
Connecting to Other Data Sources:
-Engine Data on NMEA 2000 Bus
 Engine manufacturers do this differently
 Data protocols such as J1939 can be converted through
gateways
 Some manufacturers have NMEA 2000 certified
products for transferring engine data
– Some connect directly to the bus as a device
– See website for certified manufacturers
Network Setup:
-PGN’s
 Stands for Parameter Group Number.
 NMEA 2000’s version of an NMEA 0183 sentence
– Sentence structure is not the same
– NMEA 2000 is binary, NMEA 0183 is ASCII
– PGN’s & 0183 sentences have NO 1 to 1 correlation
 A PGN defines the data coming from a device.
Network Setup:
-PGN’s
 Most NMEA 2000 products output several PGN’s.
 Examples of PGN’s include Position, Heading etc.
 All PGN’s are defined in the NMEA 2000 spec.
 Mandatory PGN’s
– Define the device characteristics and are required by each
device
– NMEA certifies the product to the mandatory PGN’s
Network Setup:
-PGN Information
– The NMEA.org website has detailed information on all
released PGN’s
– Easy lookup by PGN #, PGN name, or category
Network Setup:
-PGN Information
– The full, released PGN list with detailed information is
also available as a .pdf on the NMEA.org website.
Network Setup:
-PGN’s on Product Data Sheets
Network Setup:
-Selecting Data On a Display
 Allows a display to show various pieces of data
from the network.
Depth
Speed
Heading
Network Setup:
-Viewing PGN Data On A Display
Network Setup:
-Proprietary PGN’s
May be used for device calibration & setup
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Engine Calibration Parameters
Depth offsets
Water speed offsets
Heading Sensor Calibration
 New, un-released PGN’s
– Manufacturers can use these to get a leg up on the market
in anticipation of new technology.
– NMEA 2000 committee reviews, approves, then publishes
Network Setup:
-Device Instances
 A numerical value which can be assigned to a device
 Mandatory that every NMEA 2000 device has an
instance number and the ability for a user to change
this number.
 Allows for installers to configure the network when
multiple devices are outputting the same data
– Dual transducers, one in the bow, one in the stern
– Dual GPS installations
– Fluid levels ( Fuel Tank A, Fuel Tank B, Water tank A, etc.)
Device
Instances
Holding Tank- (Instance 0)
Water Tank- (Instance 1)
Multi-Function Display
Fluid level page displays
Four fluid levels
Port Fuel Tank- (Instance 4)
Stbd. Fuel Tank-(Instance 5)
Testing & Troubleshooting:
-Checklist
Total device network current draw does not exceed power supply current limit.
Voltage drop does not exceed limits
Less than 50 physical devices connected on the network.
No single drop over 6m (20 ft.)
Cumulative drop length does not exceed 78 meters
Testing & Troubleshooting:
-Checklist (continued)
Total network length does not exceed 100m (lite cable) or 250m (mid & heavy
cable).
Terminating resistors are on each end of the trunk line and are properly
connected
Network is grounded, at only one location, preferably in the center of the
network
All connections are inspected for loose wires or coupling nuts. Check for opens
and shorts.
Testing and Troubleshooting:
-Change ONE Variable at a Time!
 Loose connections
– Check entire network
 Voltage fluctuations & data errors
– Poorly made field-attachable connectors
– Open & check screw terminals & be sure heat shrink is
over the shield / drain wire(bare)
 Devices not outputting specific PGN’s
– Check manufacturers datasheets for PGN’s that are ON
or OFF by default
 Not enough power insertion points (Power Tees)
– Low power across the network due to voltage drops
Testing and Troubleshooting:
-Termination Resistors
 Check that termination resistors are properly
connected at each end of the backbone
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Measure the resistance on the communications pair.
Blue & White wires (Pins 4 & 5)
60 ohms = OK
120 ohms = missing one terminator.
40 ohms or less = extra terminators on the network.
Testing and Troubleshooting:
-Terminal Strip Tester (Shop-Made)
 Consists of a micro / lite male & female drop
cable connected to a terminal strip
 Simple way of tapping into a network
 Checks can easily be performed with a meter
Testing and Troubleshooting:
-With Network Power ON
Pin/Signal
Measurement
(2) PWR +
(RED)
Voltage Between PWR +
and Pin (3) PWR- (Ground)
Nominal Tolerance
Value
12 V to
13.84V
≥ 9 V to
≤ 15.75 V
Testing and Troubleshooting:
-With Network Power OFF
Pin/Signal
Measurement
(5) CAN-H
(4) CAN-L
Resistance between CANH(Blue) and CAN-L(White)
Nominal Tolerance
Value
60 Ω
≥ 54 Ω
≤ 71 Ω
End of Training Presentations
Exam
Copyright © 2011 NMEA