Miniplex-2Wi, the new WiFi multiplexer for iPad and iPhone

The company ShipModul website has just presented on its website its brand new WiFi multiplexer, Miniplex-2Wi. The Miniples-2Wi only regards boats owners with NMEA 0183 and/or RAYMARINE SeaTalk instruments. For boats with NMEA 2000, network, refer to the excellent SeaSmart WiFi Recently featured on this blog.

The MiniPlex-2Wi

The MiniPlex-2Wi is a NMEA 0183 multiplexer with four input ports (IN), two output ports (OUT), a WiFi interface and a USB port. The multiplexer combines the NMEA data received on the IN1 to IN4 ports and sends this data to the OUT1 ports, OUT2, WiFi interface and USB port. The WiFi interface and USB port are bi-directional, allowing data to be returned to the multiplexer from a computer to be transmitted to the OUT1 output port, and also to configure the multiplexer.

The MiniPlex's NMEA inputs are galvanically isolated by the use of opto-couplers (¹). The USB port is also galvanically isolated, which protects the navigation network computer from potential damage caused by ground loops or voltage spikes.

The two NMEA outputs can address up to four receivers each. Adjustable routing options allow you to specify which NMEA phrases are sent to these outputs. In addition to multiplexing, The device offers several functions for managing NMEA data through a configuration utility (²) : Flow Adjustment, Filtering and routing, Inbound priority management with automatic failover, Integrity Testing, SeaTalk to NMEA translation, etc,.

The MiniPlex can certainly be integrated into a Raymarine network by simply enable SeaTalk mode in configuration utility, modifying an input port NMEA for receiving SeaTalk data format. Connected to a Raymarine SeaTalk network, the multiplexer will translate SeaTalk data in NMEA sentences and combine them with NMEA sentences that are received on other input ports. Only one input is required since the SeaTalk bus is a single-cable system that connects all instruments together through a single cable. However, This translation is unidirectional, we can not return NMEA data to the SeaTalk network..

WiFi Interface

With its WiFi interface, The MiniPlex-2Wi can communicate with a wireless device like an iPad, iPhone, a PC or Mac. The multiplexer creates a WiFi access point with the settings :

• SSID (Nom): MiniPlex-25001234
• IP address: 10.0.0.1
• Port: 10110
• Protocol: TCP/IP

Implementation with iNavX :

• Open them Settings from iPhone / iPad
• Select "WiFi"
• Activate "Wi-Fi" to "ON"
• Choose « MiniPlex-2Wi:Xx:xx". If another network is already selected, click on the blue arrow-button, then on “Forget this network”.

(:Xx:xx are the last two digits of the multiplrxer MAC address as printed on the sticker serial number identifying the device).

Leave the settings and launch iNavX. In the Preferences select "TCP / IP NMEA Client" :

• Host : to input " 10.0.0.1 ”
• Port : to input " 10110 ”, " TCP » or " UDP ”
• Enable "Location Services" to "ON" if no GPS receiver is connected to Miniplex. This will allow iNavX to use the iPhone/iPad's "Location Services"
• Activate "Repeat AP" to " ON "to send active waypoint data to Out1 Miniplex-2Wi output
• Set "Active" to "ON"
• Close with the “Save” button

The MiniPlex-2Wi supports only one WiFi connection at a time in TCP mode, up to 5 in UDP mode. Wireless interface and USB port operate simultaneously with the same priority. This allows an onboard computer and a wireless device to be simultaneously connected.

CAREFUL : The MiniPlex USB driver must be downloaded from the ShipModul website On the page "Downloads".

The MiniPlex-2Wi is available on the French website iTabNav.fr.

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(¹) An opto-coupler is a device that carries information by means of light instead of electricity, preventing parasitic currents from flowing between the instruments and the multiplexer. These currents can damage equipment or interfere with radio signals, galvanic isolation of inputs is required by the NMEA standard 0183.
(²) The utility MPX-Config as well as a User Manual in English are available on the manufacturer's website on the "Downloads" page.
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