Actisense NBF-2-A User Manual
NMEA Buffer
NBF-2-A
User Manual
Issue 1.03
1 Galvanically opto-isolated NMEA 0183 “Listener” data input
for complete isolation of the input from ground, meeting all
the specications of the latest NMEA 0183 / IEC61162-1&2
specications.
6 ISO-Drive “Talker” outputs, compatible with both NMEA 0183
(RS422 / RS485) and RS232 listeners.
Compatible with NMEA 0183 standard and “HS” (AIS) baud rates,
and speeds well in excess of this for special applications.
NMEA Buffer - NBF-2-A
Contents
Important Notices 4
Notices 4
Foreword 4
Introduction 4
NMEA 0183 Introduction 5
Electrical specications 5
Technical features 5
Connecting devices together 6
The basics 6
The NMEA signals 6
The different NMEA standards 6
Connections 7
Input Connections 8
NMEA 0183 Input 8
Connecting to the battery supply 8
Output Connections 9
NMEA 0183 / RS422 Outputs 9
Troubleshooting guide 10
Specications 11
Company Information 12
Page 3© 2009 Active Research Limited
Important Notices
Actisense and the Actisense logo are registered trademarks
of Active Research Limited. All rights are reserved. The
contents of this manual may not be transferred or copied
without the expressed written permission of Active
Research Limited. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
The Actisense NMEA Data Buffer (NBF-2) is intended for
use in a marine environment, primarily for below deck use.
If the unit is to be used in a more severe environment,
such use may be considered misuse under the seller’s
warranty.
The NBF-2 has been certied to comply with the European
directive for Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EN60945),
and is appropriately CE marked. Operation of the unit
should be in conjunction with appropriate CE approved
shielded connectors and cabling used in accordance with
the CE directive EN60945. Any EMC related issues should
be reported to Active Research immediately to allow the
company to rectify or resolve EMC related problems in
accordance with its obligations under EN60945.
Foreword
Actisense recognises that instructions are often skipped,
so we have aimed to write this document in an informative,
yet direct manner that will aid the user. We have tried
to cover all the points a typical user may need to know.
Please read all sections before installing and using the
Actisense NMEA Buffer product and any related software
programs.
Introduction
The Actisense NMEA 0183 Buffer (NBF-2) product was
developed to solve a common problem: wanting to share
the NMEA information from an NMEA device with more
than two other NMEA instruments. Most NMEA output’s
(e.g. GPS) can only drive 1 or 2 NMEA devices, any more
and the signal becomes degraded and corruption of the
NMEA data occurs.
The Actisense NMEA Buffer solves all NMEA buffering
problems by allowing distributed buffering of one NMEA
instrument’s data output to a large number of other NMEA
device inputs, and if required, even a PC’s RS232 port.
If the unit is connected such that compliance failure occurs
beyond the company’s control, the company shall not be
held responsible for compliance failure until suitable EMC
guidelines for connection are seen to have been taken.
Notices
When using this document, keep the following in mind:
The products described in this manual and the specications
thereof may be changed without prior notice. To obtain upto-date information and/or specications, contact Active
Research Limited or visit the Actisense website (www.
actisense.com).
Active Research Limited will not be liable for infringement
of copyright, industrial property right, or other rights of a
third party caused by the use of information or drawings
described in this manual.
Active Research Limited will not be held responsible for
any damage to the user that may result from accidents
or any other reasons during operation of the user’s unit
according to this document.
Utilising fourteen years of experience in the marine
industry in creating market leading depth sounders and
other NMEA products, Actisense recognised the need to
produce a full galvanic Opto-isolated, dependable NMEA
buffering solution that meets, and indeed surpasses, all of
the NMEA 0183 requirements.
Full information on the complete Actisense product range
can be found on the Actisense website.
The NBF-2 does not validate the NMEA data it receives
in any way. Neither the NMEA sentence checksum, nor
the data contained within the NMEA sentence is validated.
Therefore, the electronic device(s) supplying the NBF-2
with NMEA data retain(s) the sole responsibility for the
NMEA data’s validity.
Page 4© 2009 Active Research Limited
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