PC Navigation Nuts and Bolts

[jokinjoel]

OK, I’m going with a 12 volt PC for my new navigation, communication, entertainment system. What I don’t understand is how all the NMEA / USB inputs and outputs are going to plug into that micro PC. Monitor (12v flat screen TV), keyboard, mouse, GPS, Satphone for email, autopilot,… I’m thinking I need way more sockets than the little box is coming with.

http://www.islandtimepc.com/

http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.101/.f

http://www.sd-omega.com/carpc.html

I have some experience with a GPS with a USB going into my laptop using a USB to Serial driver. But all my documentation talks about COM ports and the 9 pin connector. These little PCs don’t really have any of that. Then there is the Holy Grail of using my existing radar (1980 vintage) and over laying that on the navigation software I will eventually use. What software does that? Thanks in advance.

[xymotic]

you need a "NMEA multiplexer"

Originally Posted by jokinjoel

OK, I’m going with a 12 volt PC for my new navigation, communication, entertainment system. What I don’t understand is how all the NMEA / USB inputs and outputs are going to plug into that micro PC. Monitor (12v flat screen TV), keyboard, mouse, GPS, Satphone for email, autopilot,… I’m thinking I need way more sockets than the little box is coming with.

http://www.islandtimepc.com/

http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.101/.f

http://www.sd-omega.com/carpc.html

I have some experience with a GPS with a USB going into my laptop using a USB to Serial driver. But all my documentation talks about COM ports and the 9 pin connector. These little PCs don’t really have any of that. Then there is the Holy Grail of using my existing radar (1980 vintage) and over laying that on the navigation software I will eventually use. What software does that? Thanks in advance.

[Paul Elliott]

Yes, you want an NMEA multiplexer:
Shipmodul, Brookhouse, and others make some good ones.

You will then use a serial / USB adaptor, or a direct USB input into the computer. The USB connection creates "virtual" COM ports that the computer can use.

Some multiplexers can deliver the combined NMEA signals as an ethernet or bluetooth connection. Bluetooth usually looks like another serial port, but with the ethernet link you will need software that can use a network connection. Some software (such as NavMonPc, which I wrote and give away) can bridge or route the serial and network connections, delivering them as serial and / or network ports.

All the above is assuming NMEA-0183 data protocol. There is the newer NMEA-2000 standard that is another kettle of fish.

When it comes to overlaying the display from a 1980-era radar, I think that's not going to happen.

[W32PAMELA]

Originally Posted by jokinjoel

I have some experience with a GPS with a USB going into my laptop using a USB to Serial driver. But all my documentation talks about COM ports and the 9 pin connector. These little PCs don’t really have any of that.

IslandTime PC's come with 1 to 7 COM ports and 8 to 10 USB ports. You won't need to get a multiplexer. Your navigation software will merge the NMEA data streams.

[jokinjoel]

Are you the Paul Elliott that used to work at DSC/Alcatel/Cerent? Wait I'm hijacking my own thread! Could you email me when you get a chance? joelhoyt@vom.com.

[jokinjoel]

Originally Posted by W32PAMELA

IslandTime PC's come with 1 to 7 COM ports and 8 to 10 USB ports. You won't need to get a multiplexer. Your navigation software will merge the NMEA data streams.

Boy do I wish I had gone with island time. I found a 12 v PC but when I added on the multiplexer the Island Time system would have been cheaper.. Plus I would have had someone other than myself to be mad at when the bugs were being worked out!