Quadro NMEA User manual

Quadro
™
NMEA Concentrator Box
Technical Manual
KVH #54-0098 Rev. C
17 October, 1997

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Quadro is a trademark of KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries, Inc. KVH Europe A/S
50 Enterprise Center Ved Klaedebo 12
Middletown, RI 02842 USA 2970 Hoersholm Denmark
tel: [phone] tel: [phone]
fax: [phone] fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected] email: [email protected]
internet: http://www.kvh.com internet: http://www.kvh.dk

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Table of Contents
1. System Description
1.1 Purpose and Function............................................................................................1
1.2 Technical Specifications .......................................................................................3
2. Installation Procedures
2.1 Mounting and Wiring Directions..........................................................................4
2.1.1 Mounting the Concentrator Box ...............................................................5
2.1.2 Connecting to the Terminal Strip..............................................................5
2.2 Replacing the Fuse................................................................................................5
Appendices
A. Interconnecting Diagrams.....................................................................................6
B. NMEA Message Formats......................................................................................8

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1. System Description
1.1 Purpose and Function
The Quadro™ NMEA Concentrator may be used to collect sailing and navigation
information from a variety of devices and display that data on Quadro displays using the
Quadro remote control feature. For example, you might have a GPS receiver and an
instrument system manufactured by another maker, both transmitting complete NMEA
data, and you want to display that data on Quadro Dual and Maxi displays controlled by a
Quadro remote control keypad.
The Concentrator has several functions.
•It allows NMEA 0183 information from numerous navigation systems and
devices to be used by Quadro Dual and Maxi displays;
•It allows Quadro outputs to be sent to NMEA 0183 equipment;
•It combines multiple NMEA 0183 inputs into a single stream for distribution to
other NMEA 0183 devices whether or not a Quadro Network System (QNS) is
installed.
The Concentrator is designed to multiplex, prioritize and organize NMEA 0183 data from
numerous sources into a single unified data stream. The prioritization scheme is most
important, since it allows the user to specify primary and secondary inputs and prevents
data bus contention. If several devices are inputting the same data, the Concentrator
ignores lower priority devices and accepts the highest priority information. If a higher
priority (primary) device fails, the Concentrator selects the next highest priority device to
fill that function. If all inputs to the Concentrator are unique (no duplication), all inputs
are used. Input priorities are as follows:
1. Information from the Quadro system via the QNS bus.
2. Information on the NMEA 2 TX channel.
3. Information on the NMEA 3 TX channel.

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Figure 1. NMEA Data Flow in a QNS
Figure 1 shows the data flow among NMEA compatible devices through a QNS interface.
Inputs from the NMEA 1 RX channel are fed directly to the QNS bus. They are not sent
out of the Concentrator on either NMEA TX channel. When pin 11 is jumpered to pin 13
and when pin 12 is jumpered to pin 14, as shown in Figure A-2, Concentrator with Two
GPS Receivers, the full prioritized output stream is sent to the QNS bus.
The NMEA 2 TX channel outputs ‘‘unprioritized’’ NMEA information coming into the
Concentrator. It is meant to be used as a diagnostic tool, but may be used when there are
no redundant inputs to the Concentrator. It is more convenient to connect multiple
devices to the NMEA 1 TX channel, since up to eight ‘‘listeners’’ can be connected by
splitting the outputs from this channel.

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1.2 Technical Specifications
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions 7.7" (19.5 cm) x 4.7" (12 cm) x 2" (5 cm)
Weight 23 oz (600 gm)
Operating temperature -4º F (-20º C) to +158º F (+70º C)
Operating voltage +9 Vdc to +15.5 Vdc at 100 mA maximum*
Input/Output Signal Levels
Receiving data levels -20 Vdc to +20 Vdc ±10%*
Receiving minimum trigger +2 Vdc ±10%
Output signal levels 0 to 5 Vdc ±10%
Data current sink 0.5 mA
Data current source to 20 mA*
Data Interface Format
NMEA communication 4800 baud, 1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit,
no parity
*Caution: Voltage and/or levels outside these limits may cause permanent damage to
the NMEA Concentrator Box.

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2. Installation Procedures
The Quadro NMEA Concentrator is illustrated in Figure 2. It has two BNC coaxial
connectors that link the Concentrator to the QNS bus and a 16-pin terminal strip to
connect to other NMEA navigation devices. Connections are listed in Table 1.
Figure 2. Quadro NMEA Concentrator Unit
Table 1. Concentrator Terminal Connections
Pin # Function
1 +12 Vdc @ 2.5 A supply to external equipment
2 External equipment return
3 NMEA 3 input (POS) - lowest input priority
4 NMEA 3 input (NEG)
5 NMEA 2 output (POS) - outputs all input sentences
6 NMEA 2 output (NEG)
7 NMEA 2 input (POS) - highest input priority
8 NMEA 2 input (NEG)
9 (not used)
10 (not used)
11 NMEA 1 input (POS) - direct access to QNS bus
12 NMEA 1 input (NEG)
13 NMEA 1 output (POS) - outputs follow input priorities
14 NMEA 1 output (NEG)
15 +12 Vdc power input to Concentrator
16 Input power return

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2.1 Mounting and Wiring Instructions
2.1.1Mounting the Concentrator Box
Choose a mounting location where the terminal strip and coaxial connectors are easy to
get at. Hold the box in position and mark screw spots through the diagonal holes in the
bottom flanges. Drill screw holes and mount the box in position.
2.1.2Connecting to the Terminal Strip
Interconnections to external navigation systems and devices are made through the
terminal strip. Connections to the QNS are made using the coaxial connectors. Refer to
the drawings in Appendix A to wire different installations. The terminal strip connector
accepts wire sizes up to 14 gauge.
Strip about 1/8" insulation from the conductor; tin the strands if desired. Loosen the
slotted screw at the terminal and insert the wire upward into the slot under the screw.
Tighten the screw securely. Be sure that no loose strands are left to cause short circuits.
Caution: Terminal pins 2 and 16 are not at chassis ground. Ensure that the negative
power leads to the Concentrator and from the Concentrator to any external equipment are
not grounded to the vessel’s ground bus; they must be connected to the Concentrator
terminal strip.
2.2 Replacing the Fuse
Internal electronics and externally connected equipment are protected by a replaceable
3.15 ampere glass cartridge fuse mounted on the circuit board. If the fuse blows
continually, disconnect all external equipment from the terminal strip and check for short
circuits and grounds. If the fuse blows with no external equipment connected, the fault is
in the Concentrator Box. Return the unit to KVH Industries for servicing.
To replace the fuse, turn off all power to the Concentrator. Using the supplied 8 mm hex
wrench (allen key), remove the four socket head screws located on the enclosure end
panel (terminal strip end). Slide the printed circuit board out of the enclosure to expose
the fuse at the near left corner on top of the board. Replace the fuse with a similar fuse of
the same value. Reassemble the Concentrator and reconnect power.
Note: The Concentrator operates on unregulated +9 to +15.5 volts input power. The
same power source is passed out through terminal pins 1 and 2 to external equipment. Do
not connect any equipment which requires filtered and regulated power or which draws
more than 2.5 amperes peak total load.

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Appendix A. Interconnecting
Diagrams
Figure A-1. Concentrator with Single GPS Receiver
Figure A-2. Concentrator with Two GPS Receivers

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Figure A-3. Single GPS Receiver and Chart Plotter

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Figure A-4. Single GPS, Chart Plotter and Autopilot

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Appendix B. NMEA Message
Formats
B.1 Quadro System with Concentrator Only (No Brain Box)
Quadro Display Function NMEA Input Sentence
Boat speed $IIVHW
Trip distance $IIVLW
Total distance $IIVLW
Sea temperature $IIMTW
Depth $IIDBT
Apparent wind speed $IIVWR, $IIMVW
Apparent wind angle $IIVWR, $IIMVW
True wind speed $IIVWT
True wind angle $IIVWT
Wind direction $IIMWD
VMG wind $IIVPW
VMG waypoint $IIWCV
Magnetic heading $IIHDM, $IIVHW
NOTE: When the Concentrator is the QNS Master there is a 1.5 second delay between
power up and display self-test.
B.2 Quadro System - General
Quadro Display Function NMEA Input Sentence
Speed over ground $aaVTG, $aaRMC, $aaRMA
Course over ground (magnetic) $aaVTG, $aaRMC, $aaRMA
Course over ground (true) $aaVTG, $aaRMC, $aaRMA
Bearing to waypoint (magnetic) $aaBWC, $aaBWR, $aaBWW,
$aaBOD, $aaAPB, $aaAPA
Bearing to waypoint (true) $aaBWC, $aaBWR, $aaBWW,
$aaBOD, $aaAPB, $aaAPA, $aaRMB
Distance to waypoint $aaBWC, $aaBWR, $aaRMB
Cross track $aaXTE, $aaAPB, $aaAPA, $aaRMB
Drift speed $aaVDR
Drift course $aaVDR
Latitude, longitude $aaGGA, $aaGLL, $aaRMC, $aaRMA
Distance to layline $aaZDL
Time to layline $aaZDL
Time of arrival $aaZTG

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