ShipModul released firmware V3.32.0 for MiniPlex-3

ShipModul B.V., a Dutch marine electronics manufacturer, announced that a new firmware, V3.32.0 was released for the MiniPlex-3 Series providing the following changes and new features:

  • Input mode NMEA (ERR) now applies full routing to sentences with an erroneous checksum instead of applying the default route only.
  • The internal magnetic variation table has been updated with new data for 2025.
  • Added an option to the TLL to WPL conversion which always generates a waypoint name “TGT-xxxxx”, regardless of the contents of the originating TLL sentence.
  • Support added for Vaisala WXT5xx weather stations, which transmit $WIXDR sentences with unusual Transducer ID’s and units.

A production error fix is also included with this latest firmware, regarding some MiniPlex-3 multiplexers. These have been programmed with the wrong hardware ID, a code that determines their exact model. In this case, these multiplexers are NMEA 2000 models, but they identify and report as non-NMEA 2000 models. Thus, the NMEA 2000 interface on these multiplexers does not work. This update identifies these multiplexers by their serial number and enables the NMEA 2000 interface. The serial numbers involved are:

  • 31010141: MiniPlex-3USB-N2K, reporting as a MiniPlex-3USB.
  • 32010357 – 32010364: MiniPlex-3E-N2K, reporting as a MiniPlex-3E.

Furthermore, included there is also a bug fix in Sentence Rebuild: an empty field in the source sentence would inhibit a proper rebuild.

Configuration Tool

The existing MPXConfig3 V3.17 can be used with this latest MiniPlex-3 firmware. While it should be noted that this latest MPXConfig3 is only available for Windows and not yet for macOS. To use a MiniPlex-3 on a Mac, firmware V2.3.17 must be loaded using MPXConfig3 V2.4.1 for MacOS. The V2.3.17 firmware, however, can only be loaded if the fourth digit of the MiniPlex-3 is either 0 or 2. If the fourth digit of the serial number is 1, MPXConfig3 for Windows must be used, which can be run in a virtual machine on the Mac.

ShipModul provides advanced solutions for the reliable communication of NMEA data between multiple talkers and listeners. They are offering several interfacing options (NMEA0183, N2K, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi …) a rich set of features and configurations while eliminating ground loops. This makes the outputs compatible with all sorts of inputs, whether they are isolated or not, differential (RS-422) or grounded (RS-232). Any combination of networks using NMEA 0183, N2K or SeaTalk data integrates seamlessly via the latest MiniPlex-3 Series NMEA multiplexers. They offer the ultimate solution to connect old and new worlds and the perfect gateway to computers and tablets onboard.

 

For further information you may contact the Official Distributor and Support Center for Greece:

Aegean Electronics SA

4 Zosimadon Str, Piraeus 185 31, Greece

Tel: +30 210 4123000

E-mail: info@aegeanel.com