November 06, 2023

NMEA WiFi gateway

WillhelmSK

Updated 2023-11-06 !

I have searched for a solution transmitting the NMEA data, from the navigation network, via WiFi, to for example iSailor or other Tablet/Phone applications.

Most of these applications just accepts NMEA0183(N1) but many boats are also using SeaTalk 1(ST1) and NMEA2000(N2K).

This post will cover, kept compact, my best findings covering both a DIY and a commercial approach to handle the different protocols.

DYI approach
OpenCPN
OpenCPN(OC) is a chart plotter navigation software for Win/Mac/Linux/Raspberry Pi(RPi). It's very well documented and have many add ons and can handle different chart formats. The "only" drawback is that OC can't handle N2K as input, but it's solved since OC accepts Signal K data as input.

Signal K
Signal K(SK) started up as an open dataformat for marine use but now there are many nice plugins. It was made for Linux, including RPi, from the beginning, but there also is a Win port.

OpenPlotter
If you want to wrap these 2 mentioned software packages together you really shall use OpenPlotter(OP). It's an open source package which makes it simple to install.

Hardware
In the OP documentation, feature list, you will find some of the available hardware.

Further reading
I have done 2 posts which explains a little more how things are put together. Included how to send N2K to OpenCPN via SK.

Commercial solution
Yacht devices are doing nice gadgets for the marine network. If you have a mixed environment with both ST1, N1 and N2K I recommend the YDNR-02. It will broadcast, via WiFi, N1 data to your Tablet/Phone app. They also have other WiFi gateways for less complicated environment.

My solution
In our motor yacht I'm using a Raymarine MFD and an Apple iPad, with iSailor, for navigation purposes.

Software, basic
A Raspberry Pi, RPi OS Lite, with just Signal K, install SK ?, is used to collect data from different sources and the navigation network

The WilhelmSK, iOS tablet/phone/watch, application, is used to display the additional data from the network/sources. One of several customized layouts is found above. Please note that the app can connect to several other hardware and a listing is found at the end of this post.

Hardware
NMEA 2000/Seatalk NG to USB

Raspberry Pi CAN hat(NMEA 2000/Seatalk NG)

ST1 to ST NG converter
Raymarine converter (Discontinued)

N2K to WiFi

Volvo Penta engine gateway to N2K

Multi input AIS receiver and dispatcher, the best ! 

SDR receiver, 2 channel AIS input

Digital switching

Temperature measure I

Temperature measure II

Temperature measure III

Measure temperature in wet exhaust systems

Measure temperature, N2K devices, in wet exhaust systems II

Battery monitor

Voltage measurement

Boat and travel router

Security alarm

Additional software
GPS synching RPi system clock

RPi system info and PWM fan control

Eniro charts in SK(Nordic)

OpenPlotter, administration shell for navigation soft/hardware

Raspberry Pi watchdog

Restart network when lost

Victron monitoring software

Creating log files during the boat trip

Another Wilhelm SK layout, used when at anchor


The Wilhelm SK app can also connect directly to some devices:
  • NMEA 0183 over TCP or UDP. (from for example, Digital Yacht's Smart WLN10)
  • Any modern Navico (Lowrance, Simnet or B&G) GoFree MFDs
  • NMEA 2000 via Yacht Device's YDWG-02
  • NMEA 2000 via Actisense W2k-1
  • Victron Venus GX or CCGX
  • Victron VRM
  • Chetco SeaSmart Devices
  • Chetco HelmSmart


4 comments:

  1. Have you looked at Vyacht? Does it all in one package but hasnt been upgraded for a while

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, but as you said, no update in almost a year... dead ? Support is important.

      Delete
  2. I'd be interested in your thoughts on https://www.vela-navega.com/index.php/multiplexers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seems to be a good design and nice priced, but I really miss a CAN interface so you can connect to a NMEA 2000 or SeaTalk NG network. On the other hand I don't know your use case.

      Delete

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