Testing an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD's NMEA 0183 ports

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Testing an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD's NMEA 0183 ports

When troubleshooting a NMEA 0183 communications problem between an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD and another device having a NMEA 0183 interface, a simple test with a analog voltmeter is often used to test for NMEA 0183 transmissions. However, such testing will not be able to assess the operational state of a NMEA 0183 port. Instead, a wrap-around test may be used to determine the operational state of the MFD's NMEA 0183 ports. To do so, the MFD must first have something to transmit (ex. GPS data, instrument (wind, depth, etc.). After verifying that the MFD is receiving GPS or instrument data by examining the corresponding data item(s) within the MFD's GPS status dialog, Databar, Databoxes, or Data application panels, the test may proceed.

NMEA 0183 Wrap-around Test Procedure:
1) Confirm that the MFD is receiving a GPS position FIX or instrument data
2) Configure both of the MFD's NMEA 0183 ports to NMEA 4800 (HOME->SET-UP->SYSTEM SETTINGS->NMEA SET-UP->NMEA INPUT PORT 1/2->NMEA 4800).
3) The MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 may be tested as follows:
a) Splice/connect the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA IN1+ lead (white) to the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA OUT1+ lead (yellow).
b) Splice/connect the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA IN1- lead (green) to the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA OUT1- lead (brown).
4) The MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 buffer will then be monitored to verify that it is receiving data. The MFD's NMEA 0183 Rx buffers may be viewed as follows:
a) HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->INTERFACES->NMEA0183-1->BUFFER
b) DIRECTION->RX
c) Configure the DIRECTION function key to Rx
d) START BUFFER
e) Should NMEA 0183 sentences be observed within the buffer featuring the Rx direction indicator, then the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1 would be deemed to be operational. Should no NMEA 0183 sentences be observed within the buffer featuring the Rx direction indicator, then the MFD's NMEA 0183 port would be deemed to be not operational and should be serviced by Raymarine’s Product Repair Center.

1) The MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 2 (receive-only) may be tested as follows:
a) Splice/connect the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA IN2+ lead (white/orange) to the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA OUT1+ lead (yellow).
b) Splice/connect the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA IN2- lead (green/orange) to the MFD Power/NMEA0183/Video Input Cable's NMEA OUT1- lead (brown).
4) The MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 2 buffer will then be monitored to verify that it is receiving data. The MFD's NMEA 0183 Rx buffers may be viewed as follows:
a) HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->INTERFACES->NMEA0183-2->BUFFER
b) DIRECTION->RX
c) Configure the DIRECTION function key to Rx
d) START BUFFER
e) Should NMEA 0183 sentences be observed within the buffer featuring the Rx direction indicator, then the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 2 would be deemed to be operational. Should no NMEA 0183 sentences be observed within the buffer featuring the Rx direction indicator, then the MFD's NMEA 0183 port would be deemed to be not operational and should be serviced by Raymarine’s Product Repair Center.

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