Feature: Interconnectivity
Lack of space and awkward areas for wires to run through are just some of the reasons why creating a wired network can be difficult
depth, engine data and AIS messages – all without checking the source display unit. However, the range of Wi-Fi
is limited, making ship-to-shore connectivity difficult without using the Internet of Things (IoT) in conjunction with a ship-to-shore connection, either over a 4/5G data link, or if way offshore, over a satellite connection. The IoT allows Internet-connected devices to communicate with each other, enabling the collection, sharing, storing and analysis of data on and off a cloud server.
Standardisation Standardisation is another reason Wi-Fi is becoming more widely used in marine electronics. Wi-Fi is a universally-recognised
increasing time spent around the helm area where displays are usually found. Connecting marine electronic devices to a Wi-Fi-enabled systems, such as a phone or portable computer, allows viewing navigational data wirelessly anywhere on a floating vessel. Wi-Fi gateways, such as Actisense’s W2K-1 (Figure 1), have the ability to transfer data messages from marine electronic devices (NMEA 2000 data in the W2K-1’s case) to any device connected to it via the vessel’s on-board Wi-Fi network. This allows the end user to view a variety of information, such as position, speed, course, wind speed,
standard, making Wi-Fi-enabled devices especially compatible and offering users flexibility. Being such a recognised standard means that Wi-Fi will inevitably become a built-in feature in most marine electronic devices. It is also license-free for the user.
Other standards used in marine
electronics, such as NMEA 2000 (CANBUS), require manufacturers to go through certification and licensing processes. They also use a wired connection, removing the benefit of wireless connectivity. Nevertheless, there’s still a very
important use for a hard-wired network. A Wi-Fi connection is not always 100% reliable since it uses microwave frequencies, meaning devices will be sharing bandwidth. With it, devices experience interference, especially in marinas, and responsiveness to commands is significantly reduced. This is where a hardwired connection is beneficial.
NMEA 2000 and CANBUS are much
quicker at reacting to commands and more reliable than a wireless connection. This wired connection is essential for high-reliability data, such as throttle commands, alarm systems and engine trim tabs, so it is highly unlikely that Wi-Fi will become the main way to interconnect all equipment on board. Although Wi-Fi is increasing its
Figure 1: Actisense W2K-1 NMEA 2000 to Wi-Fi gateway
presence in the marine industry, there is still a vital necessity for hardwired networks. Therefore, we created the W2K-1 Wi-Fi gateway to provide a means to share the data between the hard-wired NMEA 2000 network and Wi-Fi – both being so important for the function of a boat or ship. The W2K-1 combines the advantage of the highly- reliable NMEA 2000 backbone, with the convenience of logging data and the ability to view it wirelessly on a Wi-Fi- connected device.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk December/January 2021 51
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