MSA NC-217 User manual

26E, Kibalchicha str., 192174, Phone: [phone] [email protected]
St Petersburg, Russia Fax: [phone] www.unicont.com
Limited Liability Company
“NPK MORSVYAZAVTOMATICA”
SUMMATOR-COMBINER OF NMEA
SIGNAL (SENTENCES)
NC-217
Operating manual

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NC-217 Operating manual
Table of contents
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................3
1DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE PRODUCT.........................................................4
1.1 The Product’s purpose ....................................................................................................................4
1.2 Main technical specifications .........................................................................................................4
1.3 The Product’s structure and operation............................................................................................5
1.4 Measurement instruments, tools and appliances ..........................................................................13
1.5 Marking and sealing .....................................................................................................................13
1.6 Packaging......................................................................................................................................13
2INTENDED USE OF THE PRODUCT .......................................................................................14
2.1 Operational limitations .................................................................................................................14
2.2 Usage preparations .......................................................................................................................14
2.3 Intended use..................................................................................................................................15
3TECHNICAL SERVICE OF THE PRODUCT..........................................................................21
3.1 General instructions......................................................................................................................21
3.2 Safety features ..............................................................................................................................21
3.3 Maintenance routine .....................................................................................................................21
4CURRENT REPAIR OF THE PRODUCT.................................................................................23
4.1 General instructions......................................................................................................................23
4.2 Safety features ..............................................................................................................................23
4.3 Current repair................................................................................................................................23
5STORAGE ..................................................................................................................25
6TRANSPORTATION ..................................................................................................................26
7DISPOSAL ..................................................................................................................27
APPENDIX А (INFORMATIVE) OUTLINE AND INSTALLATION
DIMENSIONS................................................................................................................................28

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INTRODUCTION
This operating manual (hereinafter referred to as OM) is intended to familiarize ser-
vice staff with the design, structure, operating principles and technical service of
Summator-combiner of NMEA signal (sentences) NC-217 type (hereinafter –NC-217,
the Product).
In additionto the instructionsgiven inthis document, the safety regulations and rules
applicable in the field shall be observed.
Only those who have read and understood this document and those who have had
special training shall be permitted to operate with the Product according to the applicable
regulations.
Terms and abbreviations:
AU-106 –alarm unit AU-106;
CH –charger;
CL –check list;
LCD –liquid-crystal display;
LFSG –large fine-pored silica gel granular;
NC-217 –summator-combiner of NMEA signal (sentences) NC-217;
OS –operating system;
OM –operating manual;
PC –personal computer;
SC –short circuit;
SB –storage battery;
TS –technical service

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1DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE PRODUCT
1.1 THE PRODUCT’S PURPOSE
The Product is intended to receive NMEA messages through four input ports with
RS-232 and RS-422/485 interface support, combine the messages according to the customer
settings and send them through 12 output ports with RS-232 and RS-422/485 interface sup-
port. The Product allows for receiving and combining messages of other standards if they
are separated by “carriage return” (CR) and (or) “line feed” (LF).
1.2 MAIN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Technical specifications of the Product are represented in table 1.
Table 1 –General technical specification of the Product
Parameter
Value
Electrical specifications
Input voltage DC, V
24 (9 to 36)*
Max. power consumption, W
20
Galvanic isolation from the mains
+
Overvoltage protection
+
Reverse polarity protection (power supply connection)
+
Ports
Interface input ports
“DATA_IN1” to “DATA_IN4”
4×RS-232 and RS-422/485, opto-isolated
(+2 service)
Interface output ports “OUT1”to “OUT6”
6×RS-232 and RS-422/485,
galvanically isolated
Interface output ports “OUT7”to “OUT12”
6×RS-232 and RS-422/485, galvanically
isolated
With terminals to supply load, max. 15 W,
per port
Fuses 2 А,
Uout port = Upower device (parallel connec-
tion)
Data input (output) ports “DATA_I/O1”,
“DATA_I/O2”
2×RS-232 and RS-422/485,
(RS-232 galvanically isolated,
RS-422/485 opto-isolated input,
RS-422/485 galvanically isolated output)
1×USB (USB port, Аtype), non-isolated
Terminals to connect alarm, pcs.
1
Data reception (transmission) rate “DATA_IN1”to
“DATA_IN4”, “OUT1”to “OUT12”, “DATA_I/O1”,
“DATA_I/O2”, bit/s
4800 to 115200
(individual settings for each port)
Data reception formats
NMEA 0183, versions 2 and 3 (with CRC con-
nection) and others

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Parameter
Value
Number of bytes sent (received) by ports under 90% of
max. channel capacity:
for 1 sec;
for 20 ms (50 Hz);
for 10 ms (100 Hz)
10370 bytes (max. 11520 baud);
207 bytes;
103 bytes
Select of transmitted NMEA message
Configurable for each output port (select
from a cadre or input manually)
Operational specifications
IP rating
IP22
Dimensions, mm
340.0х290.5х87.7
Operating temperature, °С
−25 to +55
Limiting temperature, °С
−55 to +75
Weight, kg
3.5
* The range of supply voltage is given in brackets.
1.3 THE PRODUCT’S STRUCTURE AND OPERATION
1.3.1 General description
NC-217 receives NMEA messages via input ports “DATA_IN1” to “DATA_IN4”,
combines line by line the received messages and repeats them simultaneously as a single
packet to the inputs of “DATA_I/O 1” to “DATA_I/О2” ports. The data packet, received
on the outputs of “DATA_I/O 1” and “DATA_I/O2” ports, is repeated to the ports “OUT1”
to “OUT12” according to the customer’s settings; while there are data on “DATA_I/O 1”,
the Product operates with this port. When there are no data on “DATA_I/O 1”, in a second
the Product switches to the port “DATA_I/O 2” and receives data on this port unless they
are restored on “DATA_I/O 1”. A user may configure data receive and transmission rate
and rules of combining messages by means of a built-in keyboard and LCD. The LCD indi-
cates data activity by backlight of the active port.
Note –Built-in keyboard and LCD are located under the Product’s top cover.
In case of data loss on port “DATA_I/O 1” and data reception on “DATA_I/O 2”,
and in case of NC-217 power supply failure, dry contacts of alarm relay are actuated.
1.3.2 Controls and LED indicators
The Product has a metal casing where functional elements and indicators are located,
see figure 1. For the description of functional elements and indicators, see table 2.

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Figure 1 –The Product’s layout
Table 2 –Description of main functional elements
Pos.
Element
Type, size, and identifier
Purpose
1
LED indicator
“Power”
To display power status
2
Grounding stud
M6x20
Main grounding element
3
Cable gland
MG-20
To connect power supply
4
MG-16
To connect input data
5
To connect output data
1.3.3 The Product’s connection
Each input port allows for connection of signal sources with output interface
RS-422/485 and RS-232, see figure 2.

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Figure 2 –Connection of NMEA signal sources to ports “DATA_IN1” to “DATA_IN4”
The Product’s output ports allow for connection of NMEA 0183 receivers with
RS-422/485 input interfaces, and RS-232 ports “OUT1”to “OUT6”, see figure 3. Power
supply of NMEA signal receivers may be optionally connected to 6 out of 12 output ports
“OUT7” to “OUT12”, see figure 4.
Figure 3 –Connection of NMEA 0183 receivers to “OUT1” to “OUT6”ports

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Figure 4 –Connection of NMEA 0183 signal receivers to “OUT7” to “OUT12”ports
Transmit and receive ports of the Product allow for connection of NMEA 0183
transmitter-receivers with input interface RS-422/485 and RS-232, see figure 5.
Figure 5 –Connection of NMEA 0183 transmitter-receivers to “DATA_I/O1”and
“DATA_I/O2”ports
NC-217 may be connected to PC through USB interface by a standard USB cable
type A (plug) USB type A (plug). The Product’s board is equipped with a USB connector
type A to connect a cable.
Once NC-217 is connected to PC’s USB-port, the operation system will automati-
cally detect a new device by means of Plug-n-Play. To ensure proper interface operation,
install drivers delivered on a CD disk together with the Product. Once it is done, a virtual
COM-port will appear in the list of OS devices (Virtual COM port).

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NC-217 connection to the PC through USB-port facilitates settings of input and out-
put ports.
The Product is equipped with a special output “ALARM OUT_AU-106”, based on
closing and opening of relay dry contacts; this output enables to notify personnel about
emergency operation of the Product, see figure 6.
Figure 6 –Dry contacts status of “ALARM OUT_AU-106”output
Dry contacts are actuated in case of input data loss on “DATA_I/O 1” port; in this
case, the Product starts to receive data on “DATA_I/O 2”port.
Attention! Powered from terminal “Pwr_Out”, an alarm unit AU-106 will be
de-energized in case of supply voltage failure on “POWER IN”terminal of the Product.
If a user needs to ensure alarm signaling of the Product’s power failure along with the
main/standby ports switching, AU-106 should be powered from SB
AU-106 or similar unit that causes closing or opening of relay dry contacts may be
connected to “ALARM OUT_AU-106” alarm output of the Product. Terminal “ALARM
OUT_AU-106” includes a special group of contacts “Pwr_Out”intended to power supply
an alarm unit. Voltage on “Pwr_Out”power terminal is equivalent to voltage on
“POWER IN” terminal.
Depending on the operation principle of AU-106, one of the following connection
types may be used:
a) alarm actuation by closing of relay contacts, see figure 7;
b)alarm actuation by opening of relay contacts, see figure 8.
Actuation mode of AU-106 is selected by jumper JP2 located on the AU-106 printed
circuit board.

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NC-217 Operating manual
Figure 7 –Connection of AU-106 (alarm actuation by closing of relay contacts)
Figure 8 –Connection of AU-106 (alarm actuation by opening of relay contacts)
Figure 9 describes an assignment of jumpers on the Product’s PCB:
Data input ports “OUT1”to “OUT12”, “DATA_I/O1”and “DATA_I/O2”are
outfitted with Rt jumpers (JP4, JP5, JP6, JP7, JP8, JP9, JP10, JP11, JP12, JP13, JP14, JP15,
JP17, JP18) resistors-terminators 120 Ohm, used to match interface lines RS-422, and ter-
minals JP41, JP47 etc., connected in parallel to the corresponding lines of output ports and
intended for service check of output data test;
JP1 (Master), JP2 (Slave2), JP3 (Slave1) –service terminals are not used;
JP16, JP19 –select of interface type (RS-232 or RS-422/485) for the main and
standby channel.

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Figure 9 describes a purpose of potentiometers:
Р1 (+5 Set) –a service trimmer potentiometer to adjust in-circuit power supply;
it is prohibited to change its position;
Р2 (Contrast) –a trimmer potentiometer to adjust contrast ratio of LCD.
Figure 9 describes light-emitting diodes:
Each output “OUT1”to “OUT12”and input port “DATA_IN1”to “DATA_IN4”
is outfitted with an individual LED of channel activity (D3, D5, D6, D7, D11, D12, D13,
D16, D17, D20, D21, D24, D25, D26, D30, D34,) that lights up with green if data are avail-
able on the port;
Each “DATA_I/O1”and “DATA_I/O2”port is outfitted with LEDs D27, D33
and D44, D47, two LEDs per port to indicate input and output data on each port, respec-
tively;
LED D41 (MAIN) –lights up if the Product operates from “DATA_I/O1” port;
LED D40 (RESERVED) –lights up if the Product operates from “DATA_I/O2”
port;
LED D38 (TEST OK) –not used;
LED D42 (Power) –lights up if power supply is available;
LED D39 (Alarm) –lights up in case of emergencies.

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NC-217 Operating manual
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Figure 9 –Layout of jumpers, potentiometers and LEDs on the Product’s PCB

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1.4 MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS,TOOLS AND APPLIANCES
Consumables required for the TS are represented in table 3.
Table 3 –Consumables required for the TS
Name and identifier of consumables
Amount of consumables
Note
Cleaning cloth
0.10 kg
To clean contamination from the
surfaces
Technical ethyl alcohol
0.01 l
1 To remove severe contamination.
2 To clean the Product’s surface in
case of coating damage
Varnish
0.05 kg
To cover surfaces of the Product in
case of paint coating damage
Abrasive cloth
0.06 х 0.06 m
To polish surfaces of the Product in
case of paint coating damage
1.5 MARKING AND SEALING
The Product has a nameplate indicating name, serial number, date of manufacturing,
weight, protection degree, rated input voltage and power consumption.
The sealing of the Product is not provided.
1.6 PACKAGING
At the time of delivery the Product is packed in a corrugated board box and inner
packaging (air bubble film) ensuring its transportation and storage at the warehouse.
Transport packaging is also used as a returnable packaging for transportation of the
Product to the repair location and back.
The sealing of transport packaging is not provided.

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2INTENDED USE OF THE PRODUCT
2.1 OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS
Install the Product in compliance with overall and connection dimensions.
Caution! Distance between the place of installation and magnetic compass shall not
be less than 1 m!
Select a place for installation in compliance with operational limitations (operating
temperature and protection degree –IP).
2.2 USAGE PREPARATIONS
2.2.1 Safety features
While preparing the Product for operation, check it visually after unpacking; me-
chanical damage shall be absent.
Switch the Product off and provide its grounding before connection.
While using the Product the staff shall follow “The technical rules for operation of
electric installation” and “Safety rules for operation of electric installation” while testing
electrical circuits and insulation resistance.
2.2.2 Visual check procedure
Before switching the Product on:
a) observe visually the integrity and initial position of the functional elements on
the Product’s casing;
b) check the absence of dust and dirt on the Product casing; clean it with a soft cloth
if necessary;
c) check that cable connectors are securely connected to the Product.
2.2.3 Switching on instructions
While connecting the Product and preparing it for operation follow the steps below:
a) transfer a circuit breaker of the main power switchboard to “OFF”position;
b) connect the Product by means of an interface cable;
c) transfer the circuit breaker of the main power switchboard to “ON” position.
Disconnect the Product in the following order –switch off the mains power supply
and disconnect the interface cable.

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2.3 INTENDED USE
2.3.1 Indication of inputs’ status
When switched on, the Product performs the primary initialization, and then LCD
displays data on the active input channels. LCD represents the data in the following view,
see figure 10.
Figure 10 –Data on the active NC-217 inputs
The top line of LCD displays numbers of active input (output) channels; numbers of
active input channels are displayed on the right. When the Product is receiving NMEA mes-
sages via any channel, the line displays the corresponding number, otherwise, the Product
displays “-”. In a similar way, the bottom line displays status of output channels.
To activate backlight, press Enter button. The backlight will automatically switch
on in 3 seconds.
Attention! Indication of active input channel starts onlywhen the sentence is fully
received. If a checksum test mode is enabled for this input (see cl. 2.3.3), then indication
of activity requires not only full, but also correct reception of the sentence (i.e. calculated
checksum shall comply with the checksum of the received sentence)
2.3.2 Menu structure
Figure 11 shows the structure of the user menu.

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NC-217 Operating manual
Figure 11 –The structure of the Product’s user menu

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2.3.3 The Product’s settings
2.3.3.1 Make settings for input and output ports by means of the user menu. To
access the menu, in the mode of active channel display press Enter after backlight activation
(see cl. 2.3.1). Once it is done, the Product transfers to the mode where a user can select an
input (output) to configure, see figure 12.
Figure 12 –Select of input (output) to configure
Using keys ▼ and ▲ select a port and press Enter. Then, a configuration menu of
the selected port will open, see figure 13.
Figure 13 –Configuration menu of the selected port
Using keys ▼ and ▲select a parameter (“Baudrate”, “Stop bits”, “Parity”,
“CRC checking”, “Messages” (for ports “OUT1” to “OUT 12”)) and press Enter. Make
further settings depending on the selected parameter.
Note –To return to port select menu, as well as exit the port select menu and access
the mode that displays inputs (outputs) status, press ◄key.
2.3.3.2 Select “Baudrate”in the menu to provide the settings, LCD will display the
following information, see figure 14.
Figure 14 –Select of port rate
Using keys ▼ and ▲ choose baud rate from the list: 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200,
28800, 38400, 57600, 76800, 115200 bit/s. Press Enter.The Product will save the baud rate
in the non-volatile memory and return to the parameter select menu.
Note –If a user needs to cancel the made settings, press ◄button to return to the
parameter select menu.
2.3.3.3 Select “Stop bits”in the menu to provide the settings, and LCD will display
the following information, see figure 15.

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Figure 15 –Select of stop bits
Using keys ▼ and ▲ select a number of stop bits (1 or 2) and press Enter to save it.
Once it is done, the Product returns to the parameter select menu.
Note –If a user needs to cancel the made settings, press ◄button to return to the
parameter select menu.
2.3.3.4 Select “Parity”in the menu to provide the settings, and LCD will display
the following information, see figure 16.
Figure 16 –Select of parity parameters
Using keys ▼ and ▲ select parity check mode (“N”, “Even”, “Odd”) and press
Enter to save it. Once it is done, the Product returns to the menu parameter select.
Note –If a user needs to cancel the made settings, press ◄key to return to the
parameter select menu.
2.3.3.5 Select “CRC checking”in the menu to provide the settings, and LCD will
display the following information, see figure 17.
Figure 17 –Select of CRC checking mode
Using keys ▼ and ▲select a mode (“On” –checking is switched on, “Off” –check-
ing is switched off) and press Enter to save it. Once it is done, the Product returns to the
parameter select menu.
Note –If a user needs to cancel the made settings (not to save the selected value),
press ◄key to return to the parameter select menu.
Attention! CRC checking enables to avoid incorrect data, and NMEA messages
with errors. However, when NC-217 operates with NMEA 0183 signals, version 1 or
other signals that have format different from NMEA 0183 version 2, and CRC checking
is enabled, it will disregard any received messages

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2.3.3.6 Operation algorithm of the Product provides flexible settings of data acqui-
sition from input ports to forward them via “Messages”output ports. A user may customize
an individual scheme of data acquisition for each “OUT1” to “OUT12” port.
Note –“Messages”parameter is available only for “OUT1” to “OUT12”outputs.
When a user accesses “Messages” mode, LCD takes the following view, see
figure 18.
Figure 18 –Data transmission
The bottom line displays a sentence headline, received on the Product’s input, and
its status, and if this sentence is transmitted from this output (“ON”opposite the sentence
headline) or not.
The list of sentences in this menu item changes; it is formed by select of NMEA
sentences headlines received on “DATA_I/O 1”or “DATA_I/O 2”ports as part of single
frame (duplicate data packet).
To select sentences, use ▼, ▲ and Enter; to send all sentences from the port, select
–“All”. To return to the parameter select menu, press ◄key.
If a received packet does not include required headline of NMEA sentence (for ex-
ample, if one data source is not connected), a user needs to input a sentence manually
(see 2.3.3.7).
2.3.3.7 Select “Custom messages” in the main port select menu to provide settings.
LCD will display the following information, see figure 19.
Figure 19 –“Custom messages” settings
Using keys ▼ and ▲ select a message (1 to 20) and press Enter to transfer to the
mode of sentence headline input. Then, at the bottom of the screen using keys ▼, ▲ and ►
input a headline and press Enter. Once it is done, the Product will return to the parameter
select mode.

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NC-217 Operating manual
2.3.4 Recommendations on output ports rate
2.3.4.1 Output interface capacity shall meet the following condition: sum of input
data streams per time unit shall be less than channel capacity.
Output data baud rate shall be higher than value of output channel capacity, which
is calculated using the following formula

nnn fC )(E
,
(1)
where n–a number of input channel;
Сn–size of message on channel n;
fn–transmission frequency on channel n;
E –required capacity of output channel in byte/s.
Since there are various options for data coding in serial transmission, then under the
following conditions required capacity bit per second shall comply with the parameters de-
scribed in table 4.
Table 4 –Capacity value under various options of coding
Stop bits
Parity
Capacity
1
No
Е * 9
1
Even or Odd
E * 10
2
No
E * 10
2
Even or Odd
E * 11
Max. output channel capacity is 115200 bit or 14400 byte; it is recommended to use
not more than 90% of channel capacity 102400 bit or 12800 byte.
2.3.4.2 To calculate output channel capacity, it is necessary to sum data on three input
channels and parameters represented in table 5.
Table 5 –Parameters to calculate output channel capacity
Channel №
Size of message, byte
Transmission frequency, Hz
1
50
10
2
30
5
3
100
1
Therefore, output channel capacity shall make:
E = (50 * 10) + (30 * 5) + (100 * 1) = 750 byte/s.
For the output port set parity –“No”, number of stop bits –1. Then output channel
capacity shall be at least:
E = 750 * 9 = 6750 byte/s.
Hence, output port rate shall be set at least 7200 byte/s; output port rate is selected
in available settings of the Product.