QK-A034 Manual QK-A034 Manual Bi-directional NMEA 2000 to WIFI and USB Multiplexer with NMEA 0183 and SeaTalk1 input options Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • V 2.0 Bi-directional WiFi, USB and NMEA 2000 Combines inputs data from up to three NMEA 0183 input devices and one SeaTalk input Galvanically isolated NMEA 0183 and SeaTalk input ports. (also called opto-isolation.
QK-A034 Manual Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Mounting .................................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Connections ..................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Status LED’s .......
QK-A034 Manual 1. Introduction The QK-A034 is a sophisticated NMEA 2000 to WiFi and USB multiplexer, with added flexibility for your growing system. In addition to bi-directional NMEA 2000 to WiFI and USB, the A034 provides a seamless connection of NMEA 0183 and Raymarine SeaTalk1 input devices to your NMEA 2000 network, WiFi and USB devices. The internal SeaTalk converter allows the A034 to listen on the SeaTalk bus and convert SeaTalk data to NMEA 0183 and then NMEA 2000 messages.
QK-A034 Manual Mounting The A034 was designed for the small-commercial, leisure and fishing boat and vessel monitoring markets. Although the A034 case is water resistant, the terminals are open and seawater can cause a short circuit. A034 comes with an extruded aluminium enclosure with external dimensions of 114.5 x 110 x 32 mm. The A034 should be mounted in a dry place such as behind the instrument panel on a flat surface. Ensure there is enough space around the multiplexer to connect the wirings.
QK-A034 Manual 2. Connections Figure 2: Typical system connection The A034 multiplexer has the following options for connection to inputs, outputs and host devices. • NMEA 2000 input and output • WiFi input and output • USB input and output • 3x NMEA 0183 inputs • 1x SeaTalk1 input Figure 1: Side view drawing Power off all the devices before connecting! V 2.
QK-A034 Manual 2.1. Status LED’s A034 features eight LEDs which indicate SeaTalk in, NMEA IN, IN2, IN3, NMEA2000 OUTPUT, USB, WIFIand Power status respectively. Power WiFi USB N2K OUT NMEA IN 3 NMEA IN 2 NMEA IN 1 SeaTalk IN The status LEDs on the panel show port activity and system status. Figure 2:LED indications • • • • • SeaTalk and NMEA IN1/2/3: LEDs will flash for each valid message received. NMEA 2000 OUT: LED will flash for each valid NMEA 2000 PGN sent out on NMEA 2000 port.
QK-A034 Manual 2.3. SeaTalk1 Input The built-in SeaTalk1 to NMEA converter translates SeaTalk data into NMEA sentences. The SeaTalk port has 3-Pin terminals for connection to the SeaTalk bus. Ensure the connection is correct before powering up. Inaccurate connection could damage the A034 and other devices on the SeaTalk Bus. The SeaTalk converter converts the SeaTalk messages in the conversion table below. When a SeaTalk message is received, A034 checks if the message is supported.
QK-A034 Manual 2.4. NMEA 2000 Port The A034 converter provides a NMEA 2000 network connection. The A034 combines all the NMEA 0183 data inputs and then converter them to be NMEA 2000 PGNs and visa-versa. With A034, WiFi data, USB data and NMEA 0183 input and SeaTalk1 input data can be available on new NMEA 2000 capable instruments, such as NMEA 200 chart plotters. The A034 requires power from a NMEA 2000 backbone.
QK-A034 Manual VTG* Course Over Ground and Ground Speed 129026 VWR Relative (Apparent) Wind Speed and Angle 130306 XTE Cross Track Error, Measured 129283 ZDA Time & Date 126992 VDM AIS Message 1,2,3 129038 VDM AIS Message 4 129793 VDM AIS Message 5 129794 VDM AIS Message 9 129798 VDM AIS Message 14 129802 VDM AIS Message 18 129039 VDM AIS Message 19 129040 VDM AIS Message 21 129041 VDM AIS Message 24 129809.
QK-A034 Manual 2.6. WiFi Output The A034 allows users to send and view data through WiFi on a PC, tablet, smartphone or other WiFi enabled device. Users can access marine network data including vessel course, speed, position, wind speed, direction, water depth, AIS etc. These can be viewedin the chart software. The IEEE 802.11b/g wireless standard has two basic modes of operation; Ad-hoc mode (peer to peer) and station mode (also called infrastructure mode). The A034 supports 3 modes.
QK-A034 Manual 2.7. USB Output The A034 is supplied with a type B USB connector and USB cable. The USB cable can be linked directly to a USB port on the PC. The USB connector provides data input and output as standard (multiplexed information from all input instruments will be sent to this connection). The USB port is also used to configure the multiplexer and to update its firmware. 2.7.1.
QK-A034 Manual 3. Configuration (via USB) The A034 Configuration tool software can be found on the free CD provided with your product or at https://www.quark-elec.com/downloads/configuration-tools/. The A034 Windows configuration tool can be used to setup the port routing, sentence filtering, NMEA baud rates, and WiFi settings for the A034. It can also be used to monitor and send NMEA sentences through the USB port.
QK-A034 Manual 3.2. WiFi - Station mode WiFi is set to Ad-hoc mode as standard. Station mode however, allows your router/access point to handle the data from your device. This data can then be picked up through your router anywhere on your local area network (Similar to plugging the device directly into the router, but using wireless technology). This allows your mobile device to still receive Internet while viewing your marine data.
QK-A034 Manual 3.4. Filtering The A034 features filtering of NMEA 0183 sentences. Each input has a flexible filter that can be configured to pass or block specific sentences from entering the multiplexer. NMEA sentences can be passed or blocked, specified by input. This frees up bandwidth, significantly reducing the possibility of data overflow and resulting loss of data. Black listed input data isfiltered out and ignored by the A034 multiplexer, remaining desired data is then transmitted to the outputs.
QK-A034 Manual 3.5. USB - Monitoring NMEA Messages Connect A034 and then click ‘Open port’, all the sentences will be displayed in the application. Figure 6: Monitor via USB 4. Upgrading firmware The current firmware version can be verified through the configuration tool (When connected, the firmware version will showin the bottom of the Configuration software window). To upgrade the firmware, 1. Power up A034 and then connect it to Windows computer via USB. 2. Run the Configuration software. 3.
QK-A034 Manual 6. Limited Warranty and Notices Quark-elec warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and manufacture for one year from the date of purchase. Quark-elec will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts and labour. The customer is, however, responsible for any transportation costs incurred in returning the unit to Quark-Elec.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
