Quark-Elec QK-A032 User manual

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QK-A032 NMEA 2000/0183 Bi-directional Converter
Features
Converts the most common NMEA 0183 sentences into NMEA 2000 PGNs
Converts the most common NMEA 2000 PGNs into NMEA 0183 sentences
Galvanic Opto-isolation on NMEA 0183 input
Galvanic isolation on NMEA 0183 / output
Galvanic Opto-isolation on NMEA 2000 CAN bus connection
Compatible with all NMEA 0183 versions without configuring
Configurable baud rate
Free Firmware updates provided when new features and conversions are added. (Update
via USB from Windows PC)
Pre-fitted cables for ease of installation
NMEA0183 messages output through WiFi/USB
NMEA 2000 PGNs output through WiFi/USB (in PCDIN format)
WiFi supports Ad-hoc and station mode

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Contents
1. Set-up Overview............................................................................................................................................3
2. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183..................................................................................................................... 5
4. Mounting.........................................................................................................................................................6
4.1. Connecting to the NMEA 2000 Network......................................................................................7
4.2. Connecting to a NMEA 0183 Device............................................................................................7
5. Connection through WiFi............................................................................................................................. 8
5.1. Ad-hoc mode (peer to peer).......................................................................................................... 8
5.2. Station mode (access point)........................................................................................................10
6. Connecting To a USB Port........................................................................................................................11
6.1. USB Driver Installation................................................................................................................. 11
6.2. Windows Port Number Configuration........................................................................................ 11
7. Configuration............................................................................................................................................... 13
7.1. Baud rate setting........................................................................................................................... 13
7.2. WiFi setup...................................................................................................................................... 13
8. Status LEDs.................................................................................................................................................14
9. Upgrading Firmware...................................................................................................................................14
10. Conversion List.......................................................................................................................................15
10.1. NMEA 0183 to NMEA 2000 conversions..............................................................................15
10.2. NMEA 2000 to NMEA 0183 conversions..............................................................................15
11. Specification............................................................................................................................................17
12. Limited Warranty and Notices..............................................................................................................18
13. Glossary.................................................................................................................................................. 18

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1. Set-up Overview
Before you leave your home: Will you be connecting to the A032 through USB or WiFi?
Consider if you have CD reader/ internet access onsite: ensure you can load the driver and
configuration software through the CD or through internet access (Download any software to your
Windows laptop before travelling to your boat if needed)
Drivers: Will automatically install to your device if it is running Windows 10. If not, it is included on the
FREE CD and to download from our website.
Configuration Software: is optional. It is needed to configure USB and WiFi connections or adjust
baud rates (if not 4800 baud). The software is included on the FREE CD and to download from our
website.
Mounting: Consider your location…
Dry, sturdy location 0.5m from other WiFi equipment
Ensure you have the correct length of wires needed
Connect to you NMEA 2000 backbone You will need a backbone, 2 termination resistors (1 on each
end) and a T piece connector per device.
Connect your NMEA 0183 device following the colour code in the manual.
Need to connect wirelessly?
On your device (phone, laptop etc.): 15 seconds after the QK-A032 has powered up, you can scan
for a WiFi network with an (SSID) to looks similar to ‘QK-A032xxxx’. Connect the device to ‘QK-
A032xxxx’ with the default password: ‘88888888’.
Chart software: set the protocol as ‘TCP’, IP address as ‘192.168.1.100’ and the port number as
‘2000’ in the chart software.
Need to Configure baud rates, USB or WiFi settings?
The device is set to connect wirelessly in Adhoc mode (with no need for a router or access point) If
you want to change to station mode or adjust other setting, see the configuration section.
(This is an overview only; familiarize you with the manual before installation.)

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Fig 1: Multiple QK-A032 connections to backbone
Fig 2: Combining NMEA 0183 devices through QK-A031 to Backbone
NMEA OUT

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2. Introduction
The QK-A032 is intended for use in a marine environment. It provides an easy way to link between
your boat’s old and new data networks. The QK-A032 allows the user to connect NMEA 0183
equipment to a NMEA 2000 network and vice versa. It has a bi-directional converter with wide
support of message types. This will let the boat adopt a NMEA 2000 network, whilst connecting any
existing NMEA 0183 devices to the new bus standard.
Please refer to the QK-A032 Conversion List for details of conversions that can be performed
by the QK-A032 (and just as importantly those that cannot).
The QK-A032 has one NMEA 2000 connection and one NMEA 0183 port which transmit and receive
data lines. The configurable baud rate from 4800 to 38400 allows connection of AIS transceivers
(38400 baud) and standard NMEA 0183 equipment (generally 4800 baud). The QK-A032 is powered
by your NMEA 2000 power supply and provides high voltage galvanic isolation between your NMEA
2000 and NMEA 0183 ports.
3. NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183
NMEA 0183 is a serial data interface operating at 4.8 Kbit/second utilizing standard asynchronous
communications.
NMEA 2000 is a low-cost serial data network operating at 250 Kbit/second utilizing the Controller
Area Network (CAN). The CAN bus was originally developed for the automotive industry but is now
used in numerous industrial applications.
The key difference, apart from the obvious one of operating speed, is that NMEA 0183 is an
interface while NMEA 2000 is a network.
The NMEA 2000 network allows multiple Electronic devices to be connected together on a common
channel for the purpose of easily sharing information. Because it is a network, and because multiple
devices can transmit data, a more comprehensive set of rules is required that dictate the behaviour
of the members of the network. The CAN automatically provides some of these rules – mostly for
control of access to the network, packet transmission, and for error detection.
Similar to NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 defines standard data formats and definitions, but in addition
provides more extensive network management rules for identifying nodes on the network, sending
commands to devices, and for requesting data. Besides the greater amount of control and
integration provided, NMEA 2000 replaces with a single cable the wiring of up to 50 NMEA 0183
interconnections and can handle the data content of 50-100 NMEA 0183 data streams.

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4. Mounting
The QK-A032 is aimed at the small-commercial, leisure, fishing boat and vessel monitoring markets.
It is not waterproof so should be mounted in a dry place such as behind the instrument panel on a flat
surface. Please allow 0.5m between the A032 and other WIFI devices. This will help avoid
interference problems.
Fig 3: casing dimensions in mm
Fig 4: QK-A32 technical drawing

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4.1. Connecting to the NMEA 2000 Network
Please note the main communication channel of a NMEA 2000 network is a backbone to which
NMEA 2000 devices connect. Each NMEA 2000 device connects to the backbone with a T- piece
connector. A NMEA 2000 backbone must be connected to power and two termination resistors
are required at each end of the backbone.
QK-A032 is pre-fitted with a five-core screened cable for the NMEA 2000 connection, fitted with a
male micro-fit connector. Simply connect the cable to the network backbone using a T-piece
connector.
Fig 5: 5 pin NMEA 2000 male micro-fit
4.2. Connecting to a NMEA 0183 Device
A pre-fitted five-core screened cable is provided for connecting to the NMEA 0183 devices.
The user can use the configuration tool to setup NMEA 0183 input and output baud rate. The
standard 4800bps or 38400bps can be selected.
Fig 6: 5 loose cables for NMEA 0183 connection
Wire Colour
Wire Name (Function)
Blue
NMEA out-
White
NMEA out+
Black
NMEA in-
Grey
NMEA in+
Brown
GND

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5. Connection through WiFi
QK-A032 allows users to view their data through WiFi or USB port on a PC, laptop or tablet. Users
can access marine network data including vessel course, speed, position, wind speed, direction,
water depth and AIS messages from vessels. These can be viewed in applications like OpenCPN.
QK-A032 supports both
Ad-hoc mode: (Ad-hoc is your device connecting straight to the A032, without a router
or access point)
Station mode: Station mode is when you want to use another device (middle man device) to
connect and pass through. For example going from your A032 to your ships router and then to your
mobile or chart plotter over WIFI.
The A032 is set to Ad-hoc mode as a default setting, but can be easily setup to station mode
through the configuration tool (GUI).
Through USB and WiFi, QK-A032 can output NMEA 0183 format messages as well as converted
NMEA 2000 PGN data into NMEA 0183 sentences. The following is a typical PCDIN message
outputted through WiFi and USB. Your chart software converts this into meaningful information.
---Received message: $PCDIN, 01F119, 00000000, 16,0064050800FFFF0C*5B---
Header
PGN
Time
Stamp
Source
ID
Data
Termination
Check
Sum
$PCDIN
01F119
00000000
16
0064050800FFFF0C
*
5B
5.1. Ad-hoc mode (peer to peer)
Fig 7: Working in Ad-hoc mode

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ON YOUR DEVICE (phone, laptop etc.):
15 seconds after the QK-A032 has powered up, you will be able to scan for a WiFi network with an
(SSID) similar to ‘QK-A032xxxx’.
Connect the device to ‘QK-A032xxxx’ with the default password: ‘88888888’.
Device SSID
Similar to ‘QK-A032xxxx’
WiFi password
88888888
IN YOUR CHART SOFTWARE:
Set the protocol as ‘TCP’, IP address as ‘192.168.1.100’ and the port number as ‘2000’ in the chart
software.
Protocol
TCP
IP address
192.168.1.100
Port
2000
With the above settings, wireless connection should be established and the user will be able to
receive the data through the chart software. Note: In Ad-hoc mode, the IP address should not be
changed and the password should be between 8 to 12 characters.
The user can always check the wireless connection with TCP/IP port monitoring software as shown
below:
Fig 8: TCP/IP setting check

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5.2. Station mode (access point)
QK-A032 can also be connected in Station mode by changing these parameters to those of your
Wireless Access Point as illustrated below:
Fig 9: Station mode settings
Fig 10: Station mode connection
The Configuration Software (GUI) can be used to adjust these settings; including NMEA input/output,
baud rates and WiFi settings. You can download the software here:
https://quark-Elec.com/doc/QE_MUX_configTool.zip
Detailed instructions on how to use the Configuration software are available here:
https://www.quark-Elec.com/doc/QK-A0xx_GUI_application_note.pdf