NMEA 2000

Communication runs at 250 kilobits-per-second and allows any sensor to talk to any display unit or other device compatible with NMEA 2000 protocols.

CrossControl’s open and modular software platform includes both the underlying OS, different tool chains of choice and prebuilt application modules that help developers efficiently enable commonly required functionality.

The Fieldbus Access module makes it easy for the developers to access and control communication protocols like J1939 and CANopen, most often from the Qt/QML application. The module eliminates the complexity of managing high-level CAN protocols, allowing the software developer to focus on access and usage of the signals and data. The module includes a configurator for both J1939 and CANopen, integrated into the Qt development environment, simplifying the process and managing everything within the same Qt project.

The newest addition to Fieldbus Access is the support for NMEA 2000, a protocol widely used in the marine business and applications. This higher-level protocol format is based on SAE J1939, with specific messages for the marine environment. NMEA 2000 carries information like GPS/GNSS position, compass heading, depth, speed, wind, AIS targets, waypoint information, engine data, battery, and more.

The protocol can be used on vessels to create a network of electronic devices including marine instruments. Connected to a network, one display can show different types of information for each sector, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated units. The interconnectivity among instruments in the network also allows for data sharing across the system, for example, the GNSS receiver can be used to auto correct the course that the autopilot uses for navigation. NMEA 2000 is designed to be "plug and play" to allow devices made by different manufacturers to communicate with each other similar to ISOBUS in agricultural machinery.