Lighthouse II R17 update affecting AIS650 silent mode

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum john744,

The AIS650/500's silent mode leads are primarily intended to support placing the AIS transceiver into an out of silent mode within
- systems in which the Raymarine MFDs have been switched OFF, yet there is a desire to control whether the AIS will transmit or be silent
- systems feature third party chartplotting products
- systems in which the operator prefers to use a switch to control the Silent Mode state.

In systems featuring Raymarine MFDs, the Silent Mode leads would not typically be used, would be insulated to prevent a closed circuit, and the MFD would be used to control the Silent Mode state. However, should the AIS650's Silent Mode leads be interfaced to a switch, then it would be recommended that
- the AIS650 not be interfaced to the system via SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 communications protocol
- the AIS650/500 instead be interfaced to the MFD to support one way NMEA 0183 communications (AIS650/500 -> MFD).
- alternatively, the AIS650/500 instead be interfaced to the SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 backbone to support one way NMEA 0183 communications (AIS650/500 -> backbone) using a NMEA 0183 to SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 data bridging device (ex. Actisense NGW-1-STNG.
- all control of Silent Mode will be performed via the switch.

However, when the Silent Mode leads are interfaced to a switch, the following behavior should be expected:
- with the MFD's power circuit switched OFF, the AIS650/500 will enter and remain in Silent Mode when a closed circuit is created with the Silent Mode leads.
- with the MFD's power circuit switched OFF, the AIS650/500 will enter Transmit and will remain in Transmit Mode when an open circuit is created with the Silent Mode leads and the AIS650's GPS receiver is able to maintain a GPS position FIX. Should the AIS650/500 lose its GPS position FIX, then the AIS650/500 will remain enter Silent Mode and remain in Silent Mode until the AIS650/500 has reacquired a GPS position FIX.
- with the MFD's power circuit switched ON and the AIS650/500 in Transmit Mode, the AIS650/500 will enter and remain in Silent Mode when a closed circuit is created with the Silent Mode leads. At that time, the MFD's Silent Mode state will also be changed to ON.
- with the MFD's power circuit switched ON and the AIS650/500 in Silent Mode, the AIS650/500 will remain in Silent Mode when an open circuit is created with the Silent Mode leads. The AIS650/500 may be commanded to enter Transmit Mode by configuring the MFD's Silent Mode state to OFF.