ShipModul released firmware V3.36.0 for MiniPlex-3

ShipModul B.V., a Dutch marine electronics manufacturer, announced that a new firmware, V3.36.0 was released for the MiniPlex-3 Series introducing some changes, adding new features plus fixing a bug as follows:

Changes/new features

The NMEA 0183 V1.5 option now truncates the heading field in an HDT sentence to one decimal.

Talker ID fields have been added to the routing table and the NMEA 0183 outputs. This enables the following:

  • The Talker ID of sentences can be individually changed in the routing table by entering a Talker ID in the TID column in the routing table.
  • The Talker ID of a sentence routed to an NMEA output can be changed independently. For example: if a GPS compass transmits a $GPHDT sentence, it can be perfectly accepted by modern navigation software while an older repeater —connected to one of the NMEA outputs of the MiniPlex-3— would not accept this sentence. By setting a Talker ID “HE” for that output, the $GPHDT sentence will be converted to an $HEHDT sentence on that output only.

A received SeaTalk Datagram 84 —containing autopilot heading, rudder angle and autopilot status— is now always transmitted as a $PSMDST,R,84,… sentence. This allows apps like navCenter to show the autopilot status.

Support for Raymarine Alarm PGN 65288 (N2K) added. An Alarm PGN with alarm status “Alarm condition met and not silenced” will close the Switch A/B contacts. An Alarm PGN with alarm status “Alarm condition not met” or “Alarm condition met and silenced” will open the Switch A/B contacts.

This feature can be enabled on the NMEA 2000 tab of MPXConfig3 V3.19.0.

Bug fix

Fixed a bug that prevented a ZTG sentence generated from an NMEA 2000 source of being routed using the Routing Table.

Configuration Tool

The latest MPXConfig3 V3.19.0 which is also released can be used with this latest MiniPlex-3 firmware, providing the following new features:

Talker ID fields have been added to the routing table and the NMEA 0183 outputs. This enables the following:

  • The Talker ID of sentences can be individually changed in the routing table by entering a Talker ID in the TID column in the routing table.
  • The Talker ID of a sentence routed to an NMEA output can be changed independently. For example: if a GPS compass transmits a $GPHDT sentence, it can be perfectly accepted by modern navigation software while an older repeater —connected to one of the NMEA outputs of the MiniPlex-3— would not accept this sentence. By setting a Talker ID “HE” for that output, the $GPHDT sentence will be converted to an $HEHDT sentence on that output only.

Hardware Check does not allow the possibility to connect with MPXConfig3 to a MiniPlex-3PRO and vice versa and load the wrong firmware.

Furthermore, it should be noted that this latest MPXConfig3 version is only available for Windows and not yet for macOS. To use a MiniPlex-3 on a Mac, firmware V2.3.18 must be loaded using MPXConfig3 V2.4.1 for MacOS. The V2.3.18 firmware, however, can only be loaded in multiplexers with serial number ranges 3x00xxxx and 3x02xxxx. This firmware is not compatible with serial number range 3x01xxxx! For these multiplexers, you must use MPXConfig3 for Windows, which can be run in a virtual machine on your 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 more information, you may contact the Official Distributor and Support Center for Greece and Cyprus:

Aegean Electronics SA

4 Zosimadon Str, Piraeus 185 31, Greece

Tel: +30 210 4123000

E-mail: info@aegeanel.com