The following diagrams show integration examples of the original Raymarine C/E series chart plotters, now called "Classic" C/E series. The diagrams do not apply to the Raymarine "widescreen" C- and E- series chart plotters. Please read any reference to "C/E series" as "Classic C/E series".


Integrated systems with Raymarine C- and E-series
Configuration 1 
General

This is the “standard” application of Brookhouse multiplexer model AISC in combination with a Raymarine C- or E-series chart plotter.

This setup without extra multiplexer options installed  allows connection of a computer via  RS232. 

 
System functionality
  • C- or E-series chart plotter, GPS,  instruments and Auto Pilot are interconnected in a Seatalk network, providing the standard Seatalk system features.
  • The multiplexer combines NMEA data from multiple sources to a combined data stream, which is sent to the C- or E-series’ single NMEA input port.
    The AIS receiver     (or transponder) transmits data at 38400 bps, the other NMEA sources (talkers) at 4800bps. The combined data stream is transmitted at 38400 bps.

ü       AIS transmitting vessels are plotted       in the electronic chart and vessels’ details can be displayed.

ü       DSC incoming calls are reported.

ü   The fast heading sensor improves performance of Marpa and radar overlay.               

  • The C/E series NMEA port has to be set to 38400 bps for AIS support. This affects the baudrate for both input and output. As a consequence NMEA output by the C/E series cannot be input directly by standard NMEA listeners. The multiplexer receives the C/E series NMEA output  at 38400 bps and outputs the same data again at 4800 bps. This way GPS data from the Seatalk system is transmitted by the multiplexer to the VHF radio for DSC purposes. The DSC VHF radio displays the lat/lon on its own LCD. Other NMEA listeners can be connected in parallel with the VHF.

 
  • Advanced functions as described in the document Baudrate Conversion Options are available.

 

Explanation of connections

 

a)      NMEA output from multiplexer to C- or E-series at 38400 bps via Raymarine cable R08004.

b)      NMEA output from C-or E-series to multiplexer at 38400 bps via Raymarine cable R08004.

c)       AIS data from AIS receiver to multiplexer AIS input (ch 4) at 38400 bps.

d)      DSC VHF output to multiplexer input ch 3 at 4800 bps. (for NMEA DSC and DSE sentences)

e)      Fast heading sensor 10Hz NMEA output at 4800bps.

f)        DSC VHF NMEA input is connected to the multiplexer’s 4800 bps NMEA output port. This port outputs the data received from the C/E series plotter at 4800bps, after baudrate conversion by the multiplexer from 38400 bps. More NMEA listeners (up to 4) can be connected to the same mux port. Other listeners could be a NMEA repeater instrument, a non-Raymarine Auto Pilot, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Integrated systems with Raymarine C- and E-series
Configuration 2 

 
General

This configuration is the same as configuration 1, but with addition of a computer.

The multiplexer USB option has been installed, but if the computer has a RS232 port,  this could be used instead. Data traffic between the multiplexer and the computer is unidirectional, because the mux baudrate conversion input port is occupied by the NMEA output from the C/E series chart plotter.

For reception of GPS and Seatalk instrument data in NMEA format, the computer relies on the C/E series NMEA output. The computer can therefore not be used as a full backup of the C/E series chart plotter for navigation if the latter is faulty or if it is switched off. The GPS and instrument data received from the C/E series has to be included in the combined data stream to feed the computer via USB. To achieve this, the NMEA output of the multiplexer’s baudrate conversion facility is connected to one of its own free standard NMEA input ports at 4800 bps.

 
System functionality
  • C- or E-series chart plotter, GPS,  instruments and Auto Pilot are interconnected in a Seatalk network, providing the standard Seatalk system features.
  • The multiplexer combines NMEA data from multiple sources to a combined data stream, which is sent to the C- or E-series’ single NMEA input port.
    The AIS receiver     (or transponder) transmits data at 38400 bps, the other NMEA sources (talkers) at 4800bps. The combined data stream is transmitted at 38400 bps.

ü       AIS transmitting vessels are plotted       in the electronic chart and vessels’ details can be displayed.

ü       DSC incoming calls are reported.

ü   The fast heading sensor improves performance of Marpa and radar overlay.               

  • The C/E series NMEA port has to be set to 38400 bps for AIS support. This affects the baudrate for both input and output. As a consequence NMEA output by the C/E series cannot be input directly by standard NMEA listeners. The multiplexer receives the C/E series NMEA output  at 38400 bps and outputs the same data again at 4800 bps. This way GPS data from the Seatalk system is transmitted by the multiplexer to the VHF radio for DSC purposes. The DSC VHF radio displays the lat/lon on its own LCD. Other NMEA listeners can be connected in parallel with the VHF.

 
  • Advanced functions as described in the document Baudrate Conversion Options are available.

 

 
Explanation of connections

 

a)      NMEA output from multiplexer to C- or E-series at 38400 bps via Raymarine cable R08004.

b)      NMEA output from C-or E-series to multiplexer at 38400 bps via Raymarine cable R08004.

c)       AIS data from AIS receiver to multiplexer AIS input (ch 4) at 38400 bps.

d)      DSC VHF output to multiplexer input ch 3 at 4800 bps. (for NMEA DSC and DSE sentences)

e)      Fast heading sensor 10Hz NMEA output at 4800bps.

f)        DSC VHF NMEA input is connected to the multiplexer’s 4800 bps NMEA output port. This port outputs the data received from the C/E series plotter at 4800bps, after baudrate conversion by the multiplexer from 38400 bps. More NMEA listeners (up to 4) can be connected to the same mux port. Other listeners could be a NMEA repeater instrument, a non-Raymarine Auto Pilot, etc.

g)      The computer is connected by USB for reception only at 38400 bps.

h)       NMEA data output by the mux at 4800 bps is also fed back to mux ch1 for inclusion in the combined data stream. This is NMEA data received from the C/E series after conversion from 38400 to 4800 bps.

 

 

Integrated systems with Raymarine C- and E-series
Configuration 3

 

 
General

In this configuration the multiplexer (model AISC with Seatalk and USB options) is directly connected to the Seatalk network. The NMEA output of the Raymarine C- or E-series can stay disconnected, because all essential NMEA data is already available  from the Seatalk-NMEA conversion. This creates total independence from the C/E series for computer navigation. It also means that the multiplexer’s baudrate conversion can be used instead to convert return data from the computer (received via USB) from 38400 to 4800 bps. Auto pilot NMEA sentences from the computer can now be sent at 4800 bps to the Raymarine auto pilot, so that auto pilot track mode is available to steer to a waypoint or along a route under computer control.

The Seatalk option also allows the multiplexer’s  GPS backup switching feature to be activated.

 
System functionality
  • C- or E-series chart plotter, GPS,  instruments and Auto Pilot are interconnected in a Seatalk network, providing the standard Seatalk system features.
  • The multiplexer combines NMEA data from multiple sources to a combined data stream, which is sent to the C- or E-series’ single NMEA input port and also to the computer via USB.
    The AIS receiver     (or transponder) transmits data at 38400 bps, the other NMEA sources (talkers) at 4800bps. The combined data stream is transmitted at 38400 bps.

ü       AIS transmitting vessels are plotted       in the C/E series electronic chart and vessels’ details can be displayed.

ü       DSC incoming calls are reported.

  • The computer USB port (virtual COM port) has to be configured for 38400 bps for AIS support. This affects the baudrate for both input and output. The multiplexer receives the computer's NMEA output  via USB at 38400 bps and outputs the same data again at 4800 bps. This data stream typically consists of sentences to control an auto pilot.
  • The multiplexer converts Seatalk instrument and GPS data to NMEA. (Seatalk option installed) and includes this data in the combined data stream to feed the computer via USB. As a result, the computer with navigation software is fully independent from the chart plotter and maintains full functionality when the chart plotter is switched off or fails.
  •  If the Seatalk GPS fails, the multiplexer includes NMEA GPS data from the backup GPS in the combined data stream. (Automatic backup switching in mux enabled). Navigation with the chart plotter and/or computer continues without interruption.
  • The DSC VHF receives GPS data directly from the backup GPS. This has the advantage that if all other electronics fail, the VHF still receives lat/lon, which is important for safety. Another advantage of this setup is that the backup GPS is always in use and its operation  can easily be varified  by checking the lat/lon display on its LCD. This ensures that the backup GPS is operational when the main Seatalk GPS stops.

 

 

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  • The auto pilot can be controlled in track mode by the computer.
  • Advanced functions as described in the document Baudrate Conversion Options are available.

 

Explanation of connections

 

a)      NMEA output from multiplexer to C- or E-series at 38400 bps via Raymarine cable R08004.

b)      Direct Seatalk connection to multiplexer from any convenient position in the Seatalk network.

c)       USB connection between multiplexer and computer at 38400 bps (bi-directional). RS232 connection of the computer is also possible if the computer has a RS232 serial port.

d)      AIS data from AIS receiver to multiplexer AIS input (ch 4) at 38400 bps.

e)      DSC VHF output to multiplexer input ch 3 at 4800 bps. (for NMEA DSC and DSE sentences)

f)        DSC VHF NMEA input to multiplexer backup GPS terminals (ch2, 4800 bps). The backup GPS output and VHF input are connected in parallel. The multiplexer and VHF share the 4800 bps GPS signal.

g)      Backup GPS NMEA output at 4800 bps to feed multiplexer and VHF radio.

h)      Loop to connect serial computer return data from USB at 38400 bps to speed conversion input port for auto pilot control at 4800 bps.

i)        Multiplexer baudrate conversion output  (NMEA Out - RS422) to auto pilot at 4800 bps.