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Quark-elec Manual
2. Introduction
The A032 is intended for use in a marine environment. It provides an easy way to link older NMEA 0183
devices to a newer and faster NMEA 2000 marine network. It has a bi-directional converter with a wide
support of message types.
Please refer to the A032 Conversion List chapter for details of supported (and not supported)
conversions.
The A032 has one NMEA 2000 connection and one NMEA 0183 port which both can transmit and
receive data. The configurable baud rate from 4800bps to 38400bps allows connection of standard
NMEA 0183 equipment. The A032 is powered by the NMEA 2000 backbone and provides high voltage
galvanic isolation between the NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 ports.
3. NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183
NMEA 0183 is a serial data interface operating at 4800 bit/second utilizing standard asynchronous
communications.
NMEA 2000 is a serial data network operating at 250 Kbit/second utilizing the Controller Area Network
(CAN) bus. The CAN bus was originally developed for the automotive industry but is now used in
numerous industrial applications.
The key difference, apart from the obvious one of operating speed, is that NMEA 0183 is an interface
while NMEA 2000 is a network.
The NMEA 2000 network allows multiple electronic devices to be connected together on a common
channel for the purpose of easily sharing information. Because it is a network, and because multiple
devices can transmit data, a more comprehensive set of rules is required that dictate the behaviour of
the members of the network. The CAN automatically provides some of these rules – mostly for control
of access to the network, packet transmission, and for error detection.
Similar to NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 defines standard data formats and definitions, but in addition
provides more extensive network management rules for identifying nodes on the network, sending
commands to devices, and for requesting data. Besides the greater amount of control and integration
provided, NMEA 2000 replaces with a single cable the wiring of up to 50 NMEA 0183 interconnections
and can handle the data content of 50 to100 NMEA 0183 data streams.
4. Mounting
The A032 is aimed at the commercial, leisure, fishing boat and vessel monitoring markets.
It is not waterproof so should be mounted in a dry place such as behind the instrument panel on a flat
surface. Please allow 0.5m between the A032 and other WiFi devices. This will help avoid
interference problems.
If USB is not being used then please use the USB dust cover provided. This will help keeping the port
clean and dust out of the A032.
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V4.32
5 of 20
2021
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