System Architecture

This section explains how the HDS connects to other devices as part of a system. The HDS has a highly scalable system architecture. A system can consist of a basic stand alone fishfinder or chart plotter, or expand to a networked, multi-display system connected to a wide range of accessories.

Networking, Data Interfacing

The HDS display can connect to other devices in the system by Ethernet, NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183.

Ethernet: (NETWORK Ports)

HDS uses an Ethernet network for the transfer of high bandwidth data between other HDS displays and from network modules such as Radar and weather modules.

Each HDS display has an Ethernet network port.

Ethernet does not transfer navigation data such as position, heading etc. This is handled either by NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000. However navigation and display settings are synchronized over Ethernet.

NMEA 2000

NMEA 2000 is an industry standard for marine communications for transfer of navigation data such as wind, Position, AIS, etc between all NMEA 2000 devices on a network.

NMEA 2000 is lower bandwidth than the Ethernet network, but is 50 times faster than NMEA 0183

NMEA 0183

NMEA 0183 is a point to point connection using RS422 or RS232 protocol.

HDS5” & 7” displays have one NMEA 0183 port enabling them to output to one NMEA 0183 “Listener” and receive from one NMEA 0183 “Talker”, (RS422)

HDS8” & 10” displays have two NMEA 0183 ports enabling them to output to two NMEA 0183 “Listeners” and receive from two NMEA 0183 “Talkers” This can be configured to either 1 x RS422 port or 2x RS232,

Note: The Baud rate setting for transmit and receive is fixed for each port. ie. 38400 in, 38400 out.

28