Simrad MX500 Assembly instructions

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Manual
Simrad MX500
Navigation System
English

Manual
Simrad MX500
Navigation System
English
To the best of our knowledge, the content in this
publication was correct at the time of printing.
As we are continuously improving our products we
retain the right to make changes to the product and
the documentation at any time. Updated manuals are
available from our website www.simrad-yachting.com,
and are free to download.
© Copyright 2009 by Navico Holding AS.
Document no: 500 100 2003
Revision: C
Date: April 2009
The original language for this document is English. In the
event of any discrepancy between translated versions
and the English version of this document, the English
document will be the official version.

2 | MX500
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
THE MX500 IS AN AID TO NAVIGATION ONLY.
Under no circumstances 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 improper operation. The
user is responsible for safe navigation of the vessel.
This includes consulting authorized government charts
and exercising common prudence and navigational
judgement at all times.
How to contact us?
Contact your local Simrad 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. Simrad 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:
MX Marine (USA)
A Division of NAVICO, Inc.
23868 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 201
Torrance, California 90505
USA
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (Fax)
www.mx-marine.com
In Europe:
Navico UK Ltd
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey, Hampshire
SO51 9DH
United Kingdom
[phone] (Telephone)
[phone] (Fax)
www.navico.com

MX500 | 3
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, financial 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 instructions for setting up the instrument and
operating it. Read carefully through the Operator’s &
Installation Manual before you switch on the instrument.
!

4 | MX500
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MX500 | 5
Contents
1 General....................................................... 9
Related Documents .......................................9
About GPS Navigation.................................. 10
Special Notes ............................................. 11
MX500 USB Feature Overview ...................... 12
MX500 Networking Overview ....................... 12
Network Cables & Waterproong:.................. 13
2 Basic Operation ........................................ 15
Functional Description ................................. 15
DGPS Beacon System.................................. 19
Keypad & Display Description ....................... 20
Differential GPS Trafc Light Operation: ......... 21
GPS Trafc Light Operation: ......................... 22
The Display:............................................... 24
+ Virtual Softkeys: .............................. 24
The Function Keys:...................................... 25
Mark Position/MAN OVER BOARD (MOB)
Key 26
AIS
9
YZ
Automatic Identication System (AIS).... 30
Navigate .................................................... 30
Dead Reckoning.......................................... 32
NAV1 - The Panorama Screen ....................... 32
Route ........................................................ 41
RTE1 - The Active Route .............................. 42

6 | MX500
SOG Based on Arrival Date & Time:............... 58
RTE2 - The Route Bank................................ 59
Waypoint ................................................... 61
Creating and Editing Waypoints..................... 62
Removing Waypoints ................................... 69
Moving waypoints ....................................... 71
Uploading Waypoints from a Personal Computer
78
Mark or MOB...................................... 80
GOTO................................................ 81
Plot 83
Man Over Board ................................. 89
Tide 95
Position ..................................................... 99
GPS 103
3 Advanced Operation ............................... 111
Conguration.............................................111
Anchor - Anchor Watch Alarm..................... 112
COG SOG - Course & Speed Filter Settings &
Setup ...................................................... 112
Compass - External Compass Input & Magnetic
Variation Table.......................................... 113
Security....................................................147
Serial I/O..................................................147
Time - Mode and Format Control................. 148
Wpt & Rte Input - Uploading Waypoints into the
Receiver .................................................. 151

MX500 | 7
4 Installation............................................. 153
List of Components ................................... 153
Mechanical and installation drawings ........... 155
MX500 Electrical Installation Drawings......... 160
Installation notes ...................................... 168
Equipment Interfacing ............................... 175
Troubleshooting Guide ............................... 188
Software Update Procedure........................ 191
5 Specications ......................................... 195
MX521/MX525 Smart D/GPS Antenna .......... 195
MX500 Control and Display Unit (CDU)......... 195
Appendix A - Datum List ............................ 201
Appendix B - Beacon List ........................... 203
Appendix C - Engineering Mode ................. 221
Appendix D - Multiple Unit Control (Via LAN
Connection) ............................................... 227
Appendix E - Demonstration Mode ............ 233
Appendix F - Glossary................................ 235

8 | MX500
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Simrad MX500 | 9
1 General
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 equip-
ment that has the many capabilities of this receiver, im-
portant 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 impor-
tant details about special functions and installation of the
MX500.
We hope you find the manual enjoyable and informa-
tive 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
MX500 Quick Reference Guide (P/N 500 100 2003)

10 | Simrad MX500
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 dependent 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 normally be expected.
The Navstar Global Positioning System, commonly re-
ferred to as GPS, is a satellite navigation system devel-
oped by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide both
military and civilian users with highly accurate, world-
wide, three dimensional navigation and time. By receiv-
ing 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), al-
lows users to obtain maximum accuracy from the GPS
system. DGPS requires the use of two GPS receivers.
One receiver, known as the Reference Station, is placed
at a surveyed location, the coordinates of which are pre-
cisely 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 combined
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 station, but the corrections
are valid for navigators hundreds of kilometers from the
reference station.
Marine radio beacons operating in the 283.5 to 325.0 KHz
frequency range are in widespread use for direction find-
ing in coastal navigation. 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 output,
their signals may be usable to several hundred miles.
Marine beacons provide an economical means of obtain-
ing DGPS accuracy for coastal navigators. GPS receivers

Simrad MX500 | 11
with built-in beacon receivers are designed to provide low
cost reception of DGPS corrections broadcast (normally
free of charge) by coastal authorities.
Special Notes
GPS
Never rely solely on any single navigational aid. Always
use whatever information is available, and cross-check
information when possible. GPS expected position accu-
racy 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. Department 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 transmis-
sion from the Beacon Station.
The beacon radio signal which carries the DGPS correc-
tions may be hampered by weather conditions such as
heavy rain, snow, and thunder storms. The beacon radio
signal may also be interrupted by powerful radio trans-
mitters operating in long wavelength bands.
Charts and Navigational Aids
Positions obtained from charts are not always as accu-
rate as your navigator (due to environmental changes,
the dates of charts, and datum offsets if the datum dif-
fers from the one in use by the navigator). The position
of a floating aid can differ due to tide, set and drift.
Compass Safe Distance
> 1 meter

12 | Simrad MX500
MX500 USB Feature Overview
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is a data port
in the MX500 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 MX500 firmware for software updates. Not
all commercially available USB flash drives are compat-
ible with the MX500.
USB Formatting:
Before the USB device (i.e. flash drive) can be used for
the MX500, it is important to format it to FAT32 file sys-
tem. This is available from any PC running Windows XP or
higher.
USB Waterproong:
When the USB port in the MX500 is not in use, please
close the rubber flap in order to maintain splashproof
integrity.
Do not remove the USB rubber ap completely from
the MX500 unit. This will affect the splashproof
integrity.
MX500 Networking Overview
The MX500 networking technology lets you connect two
or more MX500 units in Dual-Control or Multiple Unit
Control configuration 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 MX500 is designated as the master and all others as
slaves or repeaters. The only restrictions on the network-
ing are the following:
There must be one and only one master unit operat-•ing in a network.
All MX500 units must have the same software version.•

Simrad MX500 | 13
A maximum of five units may be connected in a net-•work.
In a Multiple Unit Control (three or more units) net-•working system, all Slave and Repeater units must be
enabled in CFG1/Dual Contrl 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.
Network Cables & Waterproong:
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 in-
staller 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 MX500 network system.
Any connector exposed to the weather or possibility of
exposure need to be waterproof. Cables can be ordered
from SIMRAD 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 MX500 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 MX500 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.
The table 1a below shows all the waterproof network
cables that SIMRAD offers for the MX500.

14 | Simrad MX500
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
Ty p e
CAT5
Cross-over
Table 1a: MX500 Waterproof Network Cables
Ethernet Switches:
Ethernet switches allow for the interconnection of more
than two MX500 units. Each MX500 can exchange data
with any other MX500 connected to the switch.
For non-waterproof switches, any standard 10/100 Mbit
Ethernet switch can be used. These devices gener-
ally come with a power adapter which is plugged into a
110VAC (or 220VAC) power outlet.
Fully waterproof, 10-32VDC powered switches are avail-
able from Woodhead Connectivity Ltd.
SIMRAD recommends the following Ethernet switches us-
ing 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

Simrad MX500 | 15
2 Basic Operation
Functional Description
MX500 Congurations
The MX500 Navigation System is available in several con-
figurations. 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)
bidirectional 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 Professional 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 Beacon smart antenna (MX421B-10, MX521A,
MX525A, MX575A). The smart DGPS antenna unit can
achieve 1-2 meter accuracy in areas with good beacon
differential coverage.
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature. The
units can be connected over an Ethernet cross-over cable
or using an Ethernet switch.

16 | Simrad MX500
MX500/DC (Dual Control)
This is a dual-control CDU system where one MX500 (op-
erating as a master) and the other (operating as a slave)
are supplied. Only one smart DGPS antenna is required.
The antenna unit is connected only to the MX500 master
unit.
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature. The
units can be connected together over an Ethernet cross-
over cable or using an Ethernet switch.
MX 422 Professional DG PS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
MX 422 Professional DG PS Navigator
MX500 CDU
LAN
(Host) (Client 1)
Master unit Slave unit
MX500 BR Beacon and Remote Configuration
MX500/BRIM (Backup Receiver Integrity
Monitoring)
This is an enhanced Dual-Control configuration wherein
two MX500 CDUs and two smart DGPS antennas are sup-
plied. The two MX500 units are connected in dual-control
configuration but they operate as independent navigator
units with dedicated antennas. The Dual Control Integrity
Monitoring (IM) feature is a software option that works in
the MX500 CDU hardware.
This configuration allows data to be shared between two
remotely separated stations (i.e. navigator’s station and
helmsman’s station), with independent access to vari-
ous information fields. The purpose of this configuration
is to enable each CDU to calculate its own position, then
check the operational status of the other GPS receiver.
The GPS receiver with the best overall operational status
then provides the system position. This provides a fully
redundant system, with self-recovery capabilities.

Simrad MX500 | 17
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature. The
units can be connected over an Ethernet cross-over cable
or using an Ethernet switch.
MX 422 Professional DG PS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
MX 422 Professional DG PS Navigator
MX500 CDU
LAN
(Host) (Client 1)
Master unit Slave unit
MX Smart GPS Antenna
MX500/BRIM System Configuration
MX500/MUC (Multiple Unit Control)
This is a multiple unit control CDU system where one
MX500 operates as a master, at least one (maximum of
two) MX500 operates as a slave, and up to three (if any)
MX500 operate as a repeater are supplied. The multiple
unit control CDU system must contain a minimum of
three MX500 and a maximum of five MX500 units alto-
gether. Only one smart DGPS antenna is required. The
antenna unit is connected only to the MX500 master unit.
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature.
The units must be connected together using an Ethernet
switch.

18 | Simrad MX500
MX422 ProfessionalDG PSNavigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
MX422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
LAN
(Host)
(Client 1)
MX422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
(Client 2)
MX422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
(Client 3)
MX422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
(Client 4)
Master unit
Slave unit #1 Slave unit #2
Repeater unit #1 Repeater unit #2
Hub/Switch/Router
LAN
LAN
LAN
LAN
1) In general, this manual will refer to all versions of
this product line simply as the MX500 CDU or navigator.
Where distinction between models is necessary, the par-
ticular model type will be indicated.
2) Six smart GPS/DGPS antenna models are compat-
ible with the MX500 CDU. They are the MX421-10 (GPS),
MX421B-10(DGPS), MX525A (DGPS only), MX521G(GPS),
MX521A(DGPS), and MX575A Satellite Compass.

Simrad MX500 | 19
DGPS Beacon System
As Maritime Safety Administrations, Navy, and Coast
Guard Organizations realize the limitations of standard
GPS positioning, many have begun installing DGPS
Beacon Stations. While an understanding of this system
is not necessary for operating receivers with internal
beacon receivers, you may want to read on to have a
better understanding of how your receiver is capable of
achieving the high levels of accuracy made possible by
this network of transmitters.
The DGPS Beacon System is comprised of three seg-
ments: the reference station, Integrity Monitor (IM)
equipment located at the beacon site, and the Navigator
equipment located on board the user’s boat or vehicle.
The DGPS beacon system design is illustrated below.
5271-01C.500
Navigator Site
MX 50M
DGPS Beaco n Modulat or
MX 9400R
DGPS Refere nce
Reference Station Site
MX 9400N
DGPS Na vigat or
MX 51R
Integrity Monitor Site
Surveyors / Commercial
Users
Professional / Commercial /
Personal Craft Users
Because of the limited range of the beacon transmitters,
typically 150 to 400 km, the corrections generated by
the reference station are always valid for users who can
receive the correction signals and maintain a 5 meter or
better accuracy figure.