Adding NMEA Data from External Devices

You can display on Scala data received from external devices such as GPS, sonar, winch control system, compass or anemometer.

Before you begin

  • Check the equipment from which you want to receive data to help you complete the parameters.
  • Check that your version of Scala is able to read information sent by the device: see Compatible Incoming NMEA Sentences.

Procedure

  1. Click Menu > Settings.
  2. Under the NMEA Inputs tab, click Add.
  3. Choose the type of connection between serial port, UDP or TCP socket.
  4. If using a serial port:
    1. In Port, select the incoming data you want to add.
    2. In Baud, choose the transmission speed (bit per second).
    3. Leave the other default parameters if you have no specific requirements.
    4. Select a different input format if you have Marelec or Rapp Marine/Rapp Hydema equipment. Otherwise, select Standard NMEA format.
    5. To broadcast the data received on this serial port to other equipment than Scala, select Output to UDP, then enter a port above 1000 and enter 255.255.255.255 to broadcast to all equipments, or enter a different subnet mask.
  5. If using UDP:
    1. enter the port of the server sending data.
  6. If using TCP:
    1. Enter the IP address of the server and the port.
    2. Select a different input format if you have Marelec or Rapp Marine/Rapp Hydema equipment. Otherwise, select Standard NMEA format.
  7. Click OK.
    Note: Minimum data requirements to have trawl positioning are: heading, GPS position, warp length and relative bearing angles from door positioning sensors.

Results

In the control panels, new data appears under Sensors Data > NMEA.

LEDs blink green when data is received (it may be steady green if data are received continuously). When communication with the NMEA devices is lost, LEDs do not blink anymore.

What to do next

Deactivate the Customize mode when you have finished customizing pages: click Menu > Customize again.