The Gateway allows you to see data from NMEA 0183 marine devices on a PC or smartphone. With it, you get marine network data including vessel course, speed, position, wind speed and direction, water depth, AIS messages from vessels and aircraft and other navigation data in popular software applications.
The Gateway has two physical NMEA 0183 ports (two inputs and two outputs) with configurable speed from 300 to 115200 baud. This allows organization of data exchange between two devices with different speeds. Multiple physical listeners can be connected to the Gateway’s outputs. Both “single ended” (RS-232) and “differential” (RS-422) NMEA 0183 connections are supported. Compatible with COM (serial) ports of PC and with USB-to-serial adaptors.
The Gateway creates its own Wi-Fi network (with range of about 30 meters in open spaces) or it can be connected to an existing Wi-Fi network. In the second case, the coverage depends on coverage of the base network; laptops and PCs can be connected to Wi-Fi routers (and the Gateway) by Ethernet; and you can configure remote access to a Gateway over the Internet.
The Gateway supports TCP and UDP network protocols (both can be enabled at the same time). It is compatible with virtually all marine software, including OpenCPN, iNavx, Navionics Boating App, MaxSea and others.
Pictures 2-6. Built-in web gauges (iPhone screenshots)
But to see the data, you don’t need to install applications! Gateway has colorful web-based gauges on an internal web site, and you can see the wind, engine, tanks and batteries, course, speed, depth and other data right from a browser. You can customize any page’s layout and its sets of data bars. You can even watch NMEA logs! Save on apps, save on additional instrument displays and monitor your boat from your sofa with a smartphone! No internet connection is required and it is free. See this guide to learn more about the built-in web gauges.
Pictures 7-13. Screenshots of administrative web site
To change the Gateway’s settings, you need any Wi-Fi enabled device (laptop or smartphone) with any web browser. In the routing settings, you can select one or more outputs (physical port or TCP/UDP server) for any data source, including the same port or server from which data was received. Multiple data sources can be selected for any physical or network output. This turns the Gateway into a simple NMEA 0183 router and multiplexer.
Individual data filters can be defined for incoming and outgoing NMEA 0183 data at any physical port or network server. This allows reduction of traffic on slow connections. The default NMEA 0183 speed is only 4800 baud and that is not enough to transfer AIS data, for example (AIS uses 38400 baud speed).
A pair of Wi-Fi Gateways can act as an NMEA 0183 wireless extender and allows joining of two or more physical devices. To pair the gateways, you need to set up both using UDP protocol and set the same port number. You can also pair this gateway with Yacht Devices NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Gateway in the same way. Its server should be configured to NMEA 0183 protocol; this supports bi-directional conversion between NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183. This forms a wireless bridge between an NMEA 2000 network and NMEA 0183 devices.
The Gateway automatically records your track with weather, depth and other data to the internal memory (up to 32000 points). These data can be saved from the internal web site to GPX (for Garmin MapSource, Google Earth or other cartographic applications) or CSV (spreadsheet) files.
The Gateway:
- can duplicate or replace broken instruments or complement obsolete instruments;
- has built-in web gauges, only a browser is required to view realtime vessel data;
- has two physical NMEA 0183 ports (300 – 115200 baud), with flexible routing and data filtering;
- compatible with virtually all marine applications;
- can act as a NMEA 0183 wireless extender and allows wireless connection of two or more physical devices;
- supports TCP and UDP protocols, works as a Wi-Fi Access Point or can be connected to an existing Wi-Fi network;
- automatically records your track and other data to the internal memory;
- contains an internal web server for diagnostics, firmware updates and configuration.
Despite the fact that the Gateway case is waterproof, the terminals are open and seawater can cause a short circuit. Do not place the device where it can be flooded by water, get wet in the rain or be sprayed with water.
