NorthStar MX500 User manual

o Operator’s &
Installation
Manual
MX500 Navigation System

Product Information
The model and serial number of your instrument are given on the
instrument. Enter the model and serial number in the spaces provided
below. Always refer to this information when you contact your dealer.
MX500 CDU Serial No.:_________________
MX421 Antenna S/N: __________________
MX521 Antenna S/N: __________________
MX525 GPS Sensor S/N ________________
 Copyright April, 2006
Doc. P/N 500 100 2003
TCD
MX500 GPS/DGPS
MX500/DC
MX500/BRIM
MX500/MUC
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
THE MX500 IS AN AID TO NAVIGATION ONLY. UNDER NO CIRCUM-
STANCES SHOULD IT BE USED IN LIEU OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT
CHARTS. ITS ACCURACY CAN BE AFFECTED BY MANY FACTORS SUCH
AS EQUIPMENT DEFECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, OR IM-
PROPER OPERATION. THE USER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE NAVIGA-
TION OF THE VESSEL. THIS INCLUDES CONSULTING AUTHORIZED GOV-
ERNMENT CHARTS AND EXERCISING COMMON PRUDENCE AND NAVI-
GATIONAL JUDGEMENT AT ALLTIMES.
MX500 Operator’s & Installation Manual

Symbols Used In This Manual
Danger
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.
Warning
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
Caution
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury and/or appreciable material, finan-
cial and environmental damage. This symbol is also used to alert against
unsafe practices.
Important paragraphs which must be adhered to in practice, as they
enable the product to be used in a technically correct and efficient
manner.
This manual contains important safety directions as well as instruc-
tions for setting up the instrument and operating it. Read carefully
through the Operator’s & Installation Manual before you switch on
the instrument.
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Scope Of This Manual
This manual reflects the software capabilities in version 3.0 software.
We have attempted to take care and develop manuals which provide
in-depth information. Where possible, we have attempted not only to
describe what you see on the screen, but how to understand and use
it as well. Obviously, we can’t teach you how to navigate, but we can
help make your work more thorough and enjoyable. Throughout the
manual, you will find helpful hints about the interaction of various
functions. In a piece of equipment that has the many capabilities of
this receiver, important details can sometimes become obscured in one
or two lines of text. In our effort to ensure you get the most out of this
documentation, and to protect against important details becoming lost,
don’t be surprised if you see the same or similar information more than
once.
This manual is organized by describing first the MX500 model covered
in this book. Then the special front panel features including the traffic
light indicator and USB connector. The sections that follow detail each
primary function as it is presented on the front panel (i.e. NAV, RTE,
WPT, PLOT, ...CFG). The appedixes describe important details about
special functions and installation of the MX500.
We hope you find the manual enjoyable and informative reading. As
always, we welcome your comments on improving our products or
manuals. We wouldn’t mind if you wrote to tell us that we did the job
right the first time either. You can find a Reader Comment Card at the
back of the manual.
Related Documents
MX 500 Quick Reference Guide (P/N 500 100 2005)

How To Contact Us?
Contact your local BNT-ME dealer for:
•Installation, Service, & Technical Support
•Sales of Accessories
•Hardware and Software Upgrades
Unlike many other consumer electronics industries which only
sell consumer electronic devices, your marine dealer is often your
best advisor for installation and service of your new GPS receiver.
BNT-ME strongly encourages you to utilize the knowledge and
experience of your sales and service dealer.
Should you need to contact us directly for new sales, upgrades,
repair service, or technical support, we can be reached at the
following:
International:
BNT-ME Commercial Business (USA)
23868 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 201
Torrance, California 90505-5908
USA
[phone] Telephone (International)
[phone] Fax
In Europe:
BNT Marine LTD. (UK)
Ocean Quay
Southampton SO14 5QY
[phone] Telephone
[phone] Fax
Internet:
www.mx-marine.com

Version 3.0 i
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Table of Contents
About GPS Navigation ........................................................................ 1
Special Notes ................................................................... 2
GPS ........................................................................ 2
DGPS ...................................................................... 2
Charts and Navigational Aids ................................... 2
Compass Safe Distance .......................................... 2
MX 500 USB Feature Overview .......................................................... 3
USB Formatting ................................................................. 3
USB Waterproofing ........................................................... 3
MX 500 Networking Overview ............................................................. 3
Network Cables & Waterproofing ....................................... 4
Ethernet Switches .............................................................. 5
Functional Description ........................................................................ 6
MX500 Configurations .................................................................. 6
MX500 GPS ....................................................................... 6
MX500 DGPS..................................................................... 6
MX500/DC (Dual Control) ................................................... 7
MX500/BRIM (Backup Receiver Integrity Monitoring) .......... 7
MX500/MUC(MultipleUnitControl) .................................. 8
DGPS Beacon System ...................................................................... 10
Keypad & Display Description ........................................................ 11
Differential GPS Traffic Light Operation: ............................ 12
Red Flashing ......................................................... 12
Red/Yellow Solid................................................... 12
Red Solid .............................................................. 12
Yellow/Green Solid ................................................ 12
Yellow Solid .......................................................... 13
Green Solid ........................................................... 13
GPS Traffic Light Operation: ............................................. 13
Red Flashing ......................................................... 13
Red/Yellow Solid................................................... 13
Red Solid .............................................................. 13
Yellow Solid .......................................................... 14

ii Version 3.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
Green Solid ........................................................... 14
The Display: .................................................................... 14
+ Virtual Softkeys: ................................................... 15
The Function Keys: .......................................................... 15
Mark Position/MAN OVER BOARD (MOB) .. 16
GOTO ......................................................... 17
POWER ON/OFF & LIGHT .......................... 17
CLR
CLR (CLEAR) .............................................. 18
CURSOR .................................................... 18
ENTER ....................................................... 18
1
ABC
FUNCTION ................................................. 19
9
YZ
Automatic Identification System (AIS) ............ 20
Navigate .............................................................................................. 21
Dead Reckoning ....................................................................... 22
NAV1 - The Panorama Screen .................................................. 22
NAV2 - Basic Steering Information.............................................. 25
NAV3 - Expanded Navigation Information .................................. 26
NAV4 - Sensor Input Navigation ................................................. 27
NAV5 - Compass Display Screen .............................................. 30
NAV6 - Compass Display Screen .............................................. 31
Route ................................................................................................... 32
RTE1 - The Active Route ........................................................... 33
Creating a Route Using the GOTO Key: ............................ 34

Version 3.0 iii
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Erasing an Existing Route ................................................ 37
Creating a Multi-Waypoint Active Route ........................... 38
Insert By Number ............................................................. 39
Choose in Bank ............................................................... 40
Insert New Waypoint ........................................................ 41
Insert Route ..................................................................... 42
Maneuvering Within the Route.......................................... 43
Scrolling ...................................................................... 43
Skipping and Unpassing Waypoints ............................ 43
Inserting Waypoints or Routes into an Existing Route.... 44
Reversing the Active Route.......................................... 46
ETA Setup ................................................................................. 48
SOG Based on Arrival Date & Time: ................................ 49
ETA Based on Speed: .................................................... 49
RTE2 - The Route Bank ............................................................. 50
Waypoint ............................................................................................. 52
Creating and Editing Waypoints ................................................. 53
Waypoint Lock/Unlock .................................................... 58
To Lock a Waypoint .............................................. 58
To Unlock a Waypoint ........................................... 59
To Lock all Waypoints ........................................... 59
To Unlock all Waypoints ........................................ 60
Removing Waypoints ................................................................ 60
Moving waypoints ...................................................................... 62
Downloading Waypoints & Routes to Other Devices .................. 63
Rnn - Routes: ......................................................... 64
RTE - Active Route: ............................................... 64
WPL - Waypoint Location - NMEA 0183 Standard: .. 65
WPL - Waypoint with Symbols & Description - NMEA
0183 Expanded: ..................................................... 65
Downloading Waypoints to a Personal Computer ............ 66
Uploading Waypoints from Other Devices ....................... 68
Uploading Waypoints from a Personal Computer ............. 69
Uploading Waypoints from a USB Memory Stick ............. 70

iv Version 3.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
Mark or MOB ............................................................................. 71
GOTO ......................................................................................... 72
Plot ....................................................................................................... 75
PLOT 1 - Relative to Boat........................................................... 77
Modifying the Active Route Using the Plot Screen ............ 77
Customizing the Display ................................................... 78
PLOT 2 - Relative to Marker ....................................................... 82
Plot Screen Use Examples ........................................................ 83
Station Keeping ............................................................... 83
Grid Search ..................................................................... 84
Man Over Board ....................................................................... 84
Remote MOB ............................................................................. 86
Auxiliary ............................................................................................... 87
AUX1 - Alarm Log ........................................................... 87
AUX2 - Speed Graph ....................................................... 88
AUX4 - Sun Almanac ........................................................ 88
AUX5 - Moon Phases....................................................... 89
AUX6 - Batteries .............................................................. 89
AUX7 -Unit Information ..................................................... 90
T id e ...................................................................................................... 91
AUX10 - Current Tide Display .......................................... 91
AUX11 - Tide Table Port List ............................................ 92
Adding a Port .................................................................. 94

Version 3.0 v
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Position ................................................................................................ 96
POS1 - Position Display (Large Digits) ....................................... 96
Latitude & Longitude ........................................................ 97
UTM ................................................................................ 97
User GRID ....................................................................... 97
POS2 - Position, Altitude, Magnetic Variation, & Time ................. 98
POS3 - Position & Log................................................................ 98
GPS .................................................................................................... 100
GPS1 - GPS Status Screen ...................................................... 100
GPS2 - GPS Health Screen ...................................................... 100
GPS5 - RAIM Status Screen (For RAIM enabled models) ......... 102
GPS6 - DGPS STATUS ........................................................... 104
GPS7 - DGPS Messages ......................................................... 106
Configuration .................................................................................... 107
Alarms ..................................................................................... 107
Anchor - Anchor Watch Alarm ................................................... 108
COG SOG - Course & Speed Filter Settings & Setup ................. 108
Compass - External Compass Input & Magnetic Variation Table108
Datum - Current Position Calculation ......................................... 110
Depth - NMEA Input Control ...................................................... 111
DGPS - DGPS Configuration .................................................... 112
DR - Dead Reckoning ............................................................. 115
Dual Control - Dual Station Control............................................ 115
GPS - Elevation Mask Control .................................................. 116
Init Pos - Initial Position Entry .................................................... 117
LAN - Local Area Network ........................................................ 118
LAN Output .............................................................................. 119
LORAN-C Integration ............................................................... 120
Raytheon....................................................................... 120
Locus ............................................................................ 123

vi Version 3.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
Language - Language Configuration ........................................ 126
Lighting - Display/Keyboard Light & Contrast Control ................ 126
Log - Speed Log Input (Pulse or NMEA 0183) ........................... 126
Log Pulses - GPS SOG Log Pulse Output ................................. 128
Memory ................................................................................... 128
Navigation - Nav Method & Waypoint Pass Criterion Control .... 129
NMEA Out 1 through 2 - NMEA 0183 Output Data Control .......... 132
Other Special Cases Affecting NMEA 0183 Records: ..... 137
Operation - General Setup and Control Settings ....................... 138
Organizer - Automated Message Reminders ........................... 139
Position - Positioning Reference, Mode, & Alarm Control .......... 140
Printout 2 - Printer Output Control ............................................... 142
ROT (Rate of Turn) .................................................................. 144
Security ................................................................................... 144
Serial I/O ................................................................................. 145
Time - Mode and Format Control .............................................. 145
USB - USB Mass Storage Configuration ................................... 147
Wind........................................................................................ 149
Wpt & Rte Input - Uploading Waypoints into the Receiver ......... 150
Appendix A - Datum List ................................................................. 152
Appendix B - Beacon List ............................................................... 154
Appendix C - Engineering Mode ................................................... 168
AUX7 - Unit Information & Self Test ........................................... 168
CDU Cold Start - Clearing Memory to Factory Default ............... 170
GPS - GPS CDU Troubleshooting ............................................ 171
GPS3 - Visible Satellite Information .......................................... 171
GPS4 - GPS Position Uncertainty ............................................. 172
MX Ant. Reset & CSI Reset Tools............................................. 172
Appendix D - Multiple Unit Control (Via LAN Connection) ......... 173
Dual Control Configuration........................................................ 173

Version 3.0 vii
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Multiple Unit Control Configuration ............................................ 174
Appendix E - Demonstration Mode ............................................... 179
Appendix F - Installation Section .................................................. 181
SECTION 1 - LIST OF COMPONENTS..................................... 182
SECTION 2 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................... 185
SECTION 3 - MECHANICAL & INSTALLATION DRAWINGS .... 191
SECTION 4 - ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION DRAWINGS ........ 197
SECTION 5 - INSTALLATION NOTES ..................................... 205
GENERAL...................................................................... 206
Electronic Connections ................................................... 206
Wire Preparation Procedure .................................... 206
External Power ........................................................ 208
Navigator Grounding ............................................... 208
MX GPS ANTENNA INSTALLATION .............................. 209
Antenna Location .................................................... 209
Antenna Options ...................................................... 209
Antenna Connector .................................................. 209
Antenna Cable Options............................................ 210
External Differential Connection ............................... 210
MX500 NAVIGATOR INSTALLATION ............................. 211
Gimbal Mounting ..................................................... 211
Flush Mount Frame .................................................. 211
Turning Power On and Off ........................................ 211
EQUIPMENT INTERFACING ......................................... 212
Introduction.............................................................. 212
External Man Over Board & Event ............................ 213
Speed Over Ground Pulse Output ............................ 213
External Alarm Output .............................................. 214
NMEA Interface ....................................................... 215
NMEA Interface to other Equipment ......................... 216

viii Version 3.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
MX500 NMEA 0183 Sentences ................................ 217
Data Format ............................................................ 217
NMEA Output Sentences ......................................... 218
Input NMEA 0183 Sentences ................................... 219
Viewing Input Data................................................... 220
Dual Control (Remote) Interface ............................... 221
MX500 Dual Control with Integrity Monitoring ............. 224
Troubleshooting Guide ............................................ 225
Memory Backup Battery .......................................... 227
Backup Battery Replacement .................................. 227
MX500 PC Interface ................................................. 227
Software Update Procedure .................................... 228
Using LAN Port ................................................. 228
Using Serial Port ............................................... 234
Using USB Port ................................................. 238
USB Device Format Procedure ............................... 240
USB Flash Drive Hardware Compatibility List .......... 241
Glossary ............................................................................................ 242
PRODUCT WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ........ 266

Version 3.0 ix
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual

Version 3.0 1
About GPS Navigation Operator’s Manual
About GPS Navigation
This GPS receiver is a precision navigation instrument utilizing the
latest technology available today to provide optimum performance
from the GPS satellite and Beacon land signals received. As with all
other forms of radio signals, the ultimate navigation result is depen-
dent upon the quality of these signals. Radio signals may, on occa-
sion, be distorted, jammed, or otherwise incorrect. As a result, your
position accuracy may occasionally be less than that which can nor-
mally be expected.
The Navstar Global Positioning System, commonly referred to as
GPS, is a satellite navigation system developed by the U.S. Depart-
ment of Defense to provide both militaryand civilian users with highly
accurate, worldwide, three dimensional navigation and time. By re-
ceiving signals from orbiting GPS satellites, authorized users are able
to continuously navigate with an accuracy on the order of 5 meters
2D RMS or better
A technique referred to as Differential GPS (DGPS), allows users to
obtain maximum accuracy from the GPS system. DGPS requires the
use of two GPS receivers. One receiver, known as the Reference Sta-
tion, is placed at a surveyed location, the coordinates of which are
precisely known. The purpose of the differential GPS system is to use
the reference station to measure the errors in the GPS signals and to
compute corrections to remove the errors. The corrections are then
communicated in real-time to the navigators, where they are com-
bined with the satellite signals received by the navigators, thereby
improving their navigation or positioning. The geographic validity
of these corrections decreases with distance from the reference sta-
tion, but the corrections are valid for navigators hundreds of kilome-
ters from the reference station.
Marine radio beacons operating in the 283.5 to 325.0 KHz frequency
range are in widespread use for direction finding in coastal naviga-
tion. Because the beacon system has been in place and widely used
for many years, it provides an effective means for the transmission of
DGPS signals. Depending on their local environment and power out-
put, their signals may be usable to several hundred miles. Marine
beacons provide an economical means of obtaining DGPS accuracy
for coastal navigators. GPS receivers with built-in beacon receivers
are designed to provide low cost reception of DGPS corrections broad-
cast (normally free of charge) by coastal authorities.
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2Version 3.0
Operator’s Manual About GPS Navigation
Special Notes
GPS
Never rely solely on any single navigational aid. Always use what-
ever information is available, and cross-check information when pos-
sible. GPS expected position accuracy is dependent upon multipath
environment, number of satellites in view, baseline length (for local
services), ionospheric activity, and HDOP. The derived speed and
course readings may be hampered accordingly. The GPS system was
declared operational in 1994; however, the system’s availability and
accuracy are subject to change at the discretion of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Defense.
DGPS
This GPS receiver’s position accuracy is dependent upon ionospheric
activity, multipath, subject to the availability, accuracy, and control
of the DGPS correction transmission from the Beacon Station.
The beacon radio signal which carries the DGPS corrections may be
hampered by weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and thun-
der storms. The beacon radio signal may also be interrupted by pow-
erful radio transmitters operating in long wavelength bands.
Charts and Navigational Aids
Positions obtained from charts are not always as accurate as your
navigator (due to environmental changes, the dates of charts, and
datum offsets if the datum differs from the one in use by the naviga-
tor). The position of a floating aid can differ due to tide, set and drift.
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Compass Safe Distance
> 1 meter

MX500 Overview Operator’s Manual
Version 3.0 3
MX 500 USB Feature Overview
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is a data port in the MX
500 that allows the use of USB flash drive (memory stick) to save
and restore waypoints, routes and configuration data. In addition it
can also be used to download the MX 500 firmware for software
updates (refer to page 228). Not all commercially available USB
flash drives are compatible with the MX 500. A hardware compat-
ibility list is available on page 241 of this manual.
USB Formatting:
Before the USB device (i.e. flash drive) can be used for the MX
500, it is important to format it to FAT32 file system. This is
available from any PC running Windows XP or higher (refer to
page 240 for formatting procedure).
USB Waterproofing:
When the USB port in the MX 500 is not in use, please close the
rubber flap in order to maintain splashproof integrity.
Warning: Do not remove the USB rubber flap completely
from the MX 500 unit. This will affect the splashproof integ-
rity.
MX 500 Networking Overview
The MX 500 networking technology lets you connect two or more
MX 500 units in Dual-Control or Multiple Unit Control configura-
tion via LAN (Local Area Networking) in order to share navigation
data among the units. A change to routes and waypoints in the
master or in a slave unit is mirrored on all the networked units.
One MX 500 is designated as the master and all others as slaves or
repeaters. The only restrictions on the networking are the follow-
ing:
• There must be one and only one master unit operating in a
network.
•All MX 500 units must have the same software version.
•A maximum of five units may be connected in a network.
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Operator’s Manual MX500 Overview
4Version 3.0
• In a Multiple Unit Control (three or more units) networking
system, all Slave and Repeater units must be enabled in
CFG1/Dual Contrl (see page 115) before enabling it in the
Master unit.
The MX antenna sensor is connected to the master unit and in turn
shares its position to all the slaves. Please refer to page 115 and
Appendix D on page 173 for more details about networking with
Multiple Unit Control configuration.
Network Cables & Waterproofing:
If all components are located in dry areas and do not require
waterproof cables and connectors, standard off-the-shelf Ethernet
cables can be used. These cables are available in a variety of
lengths and can be obtained from sources that carry computer
networking supplies. The installer should ensure that the cable is
category 5 (CAT5) or category 5e (CAT5e) cable. Other cables,
particularly voice grade cables, look very similar but will not work
as part of the MX 500 network system.
Anyconnectorexposedtotheweatherorpossibility ofexposure
need to be waterproof. Cables can be ordered from BNT-ME with
waterproof connectors installed on both ends. Cables are also
available with a waterproof connector on one end and a non-
waterproof connector on the other end.
The simplest way to interconnect a network consisting of just two
MX 500 units (Dual Control configuration) is to use an Ethernet
cross-over (null) cable. A cross-over cable eliminates the need for
an Ethernet switch.
When more than two MX 500 units (Multiple Unit Control
configuration) are being connected, or if you wish to leave room for
future expansion, use an Ethernet switch that serves as a common
connection point for all the units. Do not use cross-over cables
with an Ethernet switch.

Version 3.0 5
MX500 Overview Operator’s Manual
The table 1a below shows all the waterproof network cables that
BNT-ME offers for the MX 500.
Item Component Part Number
1.0
LAN Patch Cable Assembly (3 m)
(RJ45, single-ended waterproof
connector)
1.1 LAN Cross-over Cable (3 m)
(RJ45, double-ended waterproof
connectors)
500 100 4004
500 100 4005
Type
CAT5
Cross-over
Table 1a: MX 500 Waterproof Network Cables
Ethernet Switches:
Ethernet switches allow for the interconnection of more than two
MX 500 units. Each MX 500 can exchange data with any other
MX 500 connected to the switch.
For non-waterproof switches, any standard 10/100 Mbit Ethernet
switch can be used. These devices generally come with a power
adapter which is plugged into a 110VAC (or 220VAC) power
outlet.
Fully waterproof, 10-32VDC powered switches are available from
Woodhead Connectivity Ltd.
BNT-ME recommends the following Ethernet switches using
standard Category 5 cables:
Manufacturer Northstar P/N
Speed(Mbits)
Model
Netgear
Ports
FS108 10/100 Auto 8
ADAM 6520 SW103 5
Table 1b: Ethernet Switches

6Version 3.0
Operator’s Manual Functional Description
Functional Description
MX500 Configurations
The MX500 Navigation System is available in several configura-
tions. Please refer to the Auxiliary Unit Information section of the
manual to view sample screens to identify your particular model.
Described below are the various MX500 configurations and their
differences.
MX500 GPS
This MX500 CDU configuration is equipped with two (2) bidirec-
tional user NMEA ports and one (1) high-speed Local Area Network
(LAN) port. It is supplied with a GPS only smart antenna unit.
MX 422 Profe ssion al DG PS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
Basic MX500 GPS & DGPS Configuration
MX500 DGPS
This MX500 CDU is supplied with an MX combined GPS and Bea-
con smart antenna (MX421B-10, MX521, MX525, MX575). The
smart DGPS antenna unit can achieve 1-2 meter accuracy in areas
with good beacon differential coverage.