QK-A034 Manual
V 2.0
6 of 16
2020
2.1.
Status LED’s
A034 features eight LEDs which indicate SeaTalk in, NMEA IN, IN2, IN3, NMEA2000 OUTPUT, USB,
WIFIand Power status respectively.
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.
•
USB:
LED will flash for each valid NMEA message sent to USB output.
•
WiFi:
LED will flash for each valid NMEA message sent to WiFi output.
•
PWR (Power)
: LED light is constantly lit in red when the device is powered.
2.2. NMEA 0183 Inputs
A034 has three NMEA inputs called IN1 to IN3. Each input should be connected to one device only.
These inputs are galvanically isolated from the A034 multiplexer, as specified by the NMEA 0183
standard.
Every NMEA input on the A034 is galvanically isolated (also called opto-isolation). A galvanically
isolated input prevents unwanted currents flowing between the instruments and the multiplexer,
protecting from equipment damage and reducing interference with radio signals.
Each input has an internal filter which can be configured to pass or block specific sentences from the
input devices (See the Configuration section). A034 combines these filtered NMEA 0183 inputs with the
NMEA sentences converted from the SeaTalk input into one NMEA0183 serial data stream.
NMEA baud rates are set to the following default settings:
•
NMEA IN 1: 4800 bps
•
NMEA IN 2: 4800 bps
•
NMEA IN 3: 38400bps
These can be adjusted as required, using the Configuration software (see the Configuration section).
Regarding connection to external NMEA devices: Although the NMEA 0183 standard specifies signal
names, voltage levels and connection methods clearly; in reality, this standard has been interpreted
with variation between manufacturers. To ensure the A034 is not damaged please double-check the
specifications of all devices before connecting them.
Please note:
The A034 NMEA 0183 connects use the RS422 (differential) protocol.
Connect the + and - terminals of the NMEA input on the A034, to the + and - terminals of the output on
the instrument (e.g., wind / depth / heading sensor). These instrument terminals may also be labelled
A/B, Data+/Data-, RX+/RX-, In+/In
–.
If your connecting device uses the older RS232 (single-ended) protocol, you can still connect to the
A034, you may simply need a QK-AS03 Protocol Bridge for your connection. (
elec.com/product/qk-as03-nmea-protocol-bridge/
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