The NMEA standard, a communication standard defined by the NMEA organisation, defines a communication protocol called NMEA-0183, that enables navigation instruments to exchange data with eachother. A compass can, for example, send a bearing to a radar to enable a north-up display. And a GPS can send cross-track information to an autopilot in order to steer a programmed course.
Talkers and Listeners
Communication with the NMEA-0183 protocol involves at least one instrument that sends data and another that receives data. By convention, an instrument that sends data is called a talker, while an instrument that receives data is called a listener. Fig.1 shows such a system.
More details to technical specifications of NMEA and the use of multiplexers you'll find on our website -- "NMEA Multiplexer-NMEA relations " or in the download area - NMEA and Multiplexers.
MiniPlex-Lite The simplest and most cost effective USB enabled NMEA multiplexer in the world! Connect your navigation instruments and AIS receiver to your computer with this 3-channel 'Zero Configuration' NMEA multiplexer with USB interface. Art.no.:0107
MiniPlex-BUF The MiniPlex-BUF is an advanced NMEA buffer featuring one input and seven outputs. It is designed to solve the problem of sharing NMEA data from one NMEA device with multiple other NMEA devices in a trouble free manner. Art.no. 0111
The MiniPlex-2S is an advanced NMEA multiplexer, combining data from up to four navigation instruments into two NMEA outputs and an RS–232 port. It also supports AIS and other high speed NMEA devices up to 57600 Baud.
Using the MiniPlex–2S multiplexer has some major advantages:
Data from multiple instruments is available as one single stream on one single cable. This reduces wiring cost.
Seamless integration into an existing Raymarine Seatalk® network.
All inputs are galvanically isolated, eliminating ground loops between instruments.
Full galvanic isolation on the RS-232 port, eliminating ground loops between multiplexer and computer which are often on separate power grids.
The MiniPlex allows you to fully control the source, the destination and the rate of each individual NMEA sentence by its powerful sentence filtering and routing facility.
Automatic switching between computer navigation and GPS based navigation.
Automatic switching between primary and secondary instruments in case of failure or invalid data.
Two NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments.
The MiniPlex-2S can be connected to a computer through the galvanically isolated RS-232 interface for computerized navigation. Stand-alone operation is also possible, in which case the RS-232 interface is only used to configure the multiplexer.
The MiniPlex-2USB is an advanced NMEA multiplexer, combining data from up to four navigation instruments into two NMEA outputs and a USB port. It is the ideal solution for computers and laptops without a serial port. It also supports AIS and other high speed NMEA devices up to 57600 Baud.
Using the MiniPlex-2USB multiplexer has some major advantages:
Data from multiple instruments is available as one single stream on one single cable. This reduces wiring cost.
Seamless integration into an existing Raymarine Seatalk® network.
All inputs are galvanically isolated, eliminating ground loops between instruments.
Full galvanic isolation on the USB port, eliminating ground loops between multiplexer and computer which are often on separate power grids.
The MiniPlex allows you to fully control the source, the destination and the rate of each individual NMEA sentence by its powerful sentence filtering and routing facility.
Automatic switching between computer navigation and GPS based navigation.
Automatic switching between primary and secondary instruments in case of failure or invalid data.
Connects directly to a USB port without the typical USB problems. Plug & Play as it was meant to be.
Two NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments.
The MiniPlex-2USB can be connected directly to the USB port of the computer without an additional Serial <-> USB converter. The supplied driver creates a virtual COM port on the computer, allowing all existing navigation software to be used with this multiplexer. Stand-alone operation is also possible, in which case the USB interface is only used to configure the multiplexer.
The combination of the MiniPlex-2USB and its virtual COM port driver is a dedicated NMEA solution, as opposed to using a generic Serial <–> USB converter. It therefore does not exhibit the well known problems of these generic converters like false detection of mice when the GPS is switched on or sudden drop-outs in the NMEA data stream.
Any attempt of Windows to detect Plug & Play devices on our virtual COM port is blocked. The result is that the MiniPlex–2USB is a real trouble-free Plug & Play solution. Just plug in the USB cable, insert the driver CD, a few clicks and you're up and running!
The MiniPlex-2S/BT is an advanced Bluetooth® enabled NMEA multiplexer, combining data from up to four navigation instruments into two NMEA outputs, a wireless Bluetooth interface and an RS-232 port. It also supports AIS and other high speed NMEA devices up to 57600 Baud.
Using the MiniPlex-2S/BT multiplexer has some major advantages:
Data from multiple instruments is available wirelessly though a Bluetooth connection, giving complete freedom where to navigate and control on board.
Simultaneous connection to a second computer through the RS-232 port.
Seamless integration into an existing Raymarine Seatalk® network.
All inputs are galvanically isolated, eliminating ground loops between instruments.
Full galvanic isolation on the RS-232 port, eliminating ground loops between multiplexer and computer which are often on separate power grids.
The MiniPlex allows you to fully control the source, the destination and the rate of each individual NMEA sentence by its powerful sentence filtering and routing facility.
Automatic switching between computer navigation and GPS based navigation.
Automatic switching between primary and secondary instruments in case of failure or invalid data.
Two NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments.
The MiniPlex-2S/BT communicates with a computer or a PDA through its Bluetooth wireless interface for computerized navigation. No cables need to be attached. Just placing your laptop at the chart table, or just being on board for that matter, is enough to communicate with your navigation system.
The RS-232 port can be used in the same way as the Bluetooth interface. Data from the instruments is available on both interfaces simultaneously. Data from connected computers is received on both interfaces, combined and sent to the NMEA Outputs. This is very useful when a fixed computer is permanently connected to the RS-232 port, while a PDA with a Bluetooth interface is used as a portable system or a repeater. Using the routing feature of the MiniPlex, it is also possible to transfer data between both interfaces.
The MiniPlex-2USB/BT is an advanced Bluetooth® enabled NMEA multiplexer, combining data from up to four navigation instruments into two NMEA outputs, a wireless Bluetooth interface and a USB port. It also supports AIS and other high speed NMEA devices up to 57600 Baud.
Using the MiniPlex-2USB/BT multiplexer has some major advantages:
Data from multiple instruments is available wirelessly though a Bluetooth connection, giving complete freedom where to navigate and control on board.
Simultaneous connection to a second computer through the USB port.
Seamless integration into an existing Raymarine Seatalk® network.
All inputs are galvanically isolated, eliminating ground loops between instruments.
Full galvanic isolation on the USB port, eliminating ground loops between multiplexer and computer which are often on separate power grids.
The MiniPlex allows you to fully control the source, the destination and the rate of each individual NMEA sentence by its powerful sentence filtering and routing facility.
Automatic switching between computer navigation and GPS based navigation.
Automatic switching between primary and secondary instruments in case of failure or invalid data.
Connects directly to a USB port without the typical USB problems. Plug & Play as it was meant to be.
Two NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments.
The MiniPlex-2USB/BT communicates with a computer or a PDA through its Bluetooth wireless interface for computerized navigation. No cables need to be attached. Just placing your laptop at the chart table, or just being on board for that matter, is enough to communicate with your navigation system.
The USB port can be used in the same way as the Bluetooth interface. Data from the instruments is available on both interfaces simultaneously. Data from connected computers is received on both interfaces, combined and sent to the NMEA Outputs. This is very useful when a fixed computer is permanently connected to the USB port, while a PDA with a Bluetooth interface is used as a portable system or a repeater. Using the routing feature of the MiniPlex, it is also possible to transfer data between both interfaces.
The MiniPlex-2E is an advanced NMEA multiplexer, combining data from up to four navigation instruments into two NMEA outputs and an RS–232 port. It also supports AIS and other high speed NMEA devices up to 57600 Baud.
Using the MiniPlex-2E multiplexer has some major advantages:
Data from multiple instruments is available as one single stream on the Ethernet network. This reduces wiring cost and the data is available to any device or computer on the network.
Supports TCP/IP for a point-to-point connection and UDP Broadcast to communicate simultaneously with all computers and devices on the network.
All computers and devices can send data to the MiniPlex−2E.
Seamless integration into an existing Raymarine Seatalk® network.
All inputs are galvanically isolated, eliminating ground loops between instruments.
Full galvanic isolation on the Ethernet port, eliminating ground loops between multiplexer and network.
The MiniPlex allows you to fully control the source, the destination and the rate of each individual NMEA sentence by its powerful sentence filtering and routing facility.
Automatic switching between computer navigation and GPS based navigation.
Automatic switching between primary and secondary instruments in case of failure or invalid data.
Two NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments.
The firmware inside the MiniPlex−2E can be updated over the network.
The MiniPlex-2Wi is an advanced WiFiNMEA multiplexer, combining data from up to four navigation instruments into two NMEA outputs, a Wifi interface and a USB port. It also supports AIS and other high speed NMEA devices up to 57600 Baud.
Using the MiniPlex-2Wi multiplexer has some major advantages:
Data from multiple instruments is available wirelessly though a Wifi connection, giving complete freedom where to navigate and control on board. It acts as a wireless access point for your iPad, iPhone or other WiFi enabled device.
A galvanically isolated USB port allows you to connect to a fixed computer simultaneuously.
Seamless integration into an existing Raymarine Seatalk® network.
All inputs are galvanically isolated, eliminating ground loops between instruments.
Full galvanic isolation on the USB port, eliminating ground loops between multiplexer and computer which are often on separate power grids.
The MiniPlex allows you to fully control the source, the destination and the rate of each individual NMEA sentence by its powerful sentence filtering and routing facility.
Automatic switching between computer navigation and GPS based navigation.
Automatic switching between primary and secondary instruments in case of failure or invalid data.
Connects directly to a USB port without the typical USB problems. Plug & Play as it was meant to be.
Two NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments.
The MiniPlex-2Wi also has a USB port for a fixed connection to a computer. The WiFi and USB connection can co-exist and data can be routed between both interfaces. The USB port is also used for firmware updates and configuration of specific WiFi settings. Future firmware updates will be made available.
Serial cable with DB-9 connector, for the MiniPlex-
Serial cable to connect the MiniPlex-41 to a computer. Length: 1m. Connections:Further technical information and documents for download you can receive under "Downloads" - Netzwerke / Networks / Réseau" - NMEA Connections ShipModule. To get the downloads to have to register first.
creates up to 255 virtual serial ports, dispatching incoming NMEA data to multiple applications. Applications can also talk back to the serial ports.
Further technical information and documents for download you can receive under "Downloads" - Netzwerke / Networks / Réseau" - NMEA Connections ShipModule. To get the downloads to have to register first.
