(EN)Link w. galvanic isolation + autopilot control functions

[FWallenwein]

Hi,

we have a new version of the USB-SeaTalk NMEA Link.
This new version has two new features

* Galvanic isolation
* software to control autopilot.

Galvanic isolation
Galvanic isolation protects your board computer and your instruments.
Galvanic isolation is especially interresting if your have different power sources for the board computer and the instruments.
I.e. the board computer can be connected to shore power, if you have different batteries for computer and instrumentation. It also protects your computer and your instruments in case the SeaTalk Nmea Link should accidently be connected with reversed polarity.
Alltogether - It simply makes the whole system more more reliable and safer.



Autopilot control software

The SeaTalk NMEA Link now can now send all data necessary for an autopilot to steer the vessel to the next waypoint.

The SeaTalk NMEA Link reads NMEA sentences $xxRMB or $xxAPB/$xxBWC.
Infomation regarding the next waypoint are read from this NMEA sentences and are sent to the SeaTalk bus.

* Name/Number of the next waypoint
* Distance to waypoint
* Bearing to waypoint
* Cross Track Error
* Steering direction ( Left/Right )
* Arrival alarm

With this data available the autopilot can be switched into "Track-Mode".
In "Track-Mode" the autopilot controls vessel on straight legs. Autopilot receives cross track error and bearing to destination from navigation software on the board computer.

This "Autopilot Control Software" is still in a field-test-phase.
We are still looking for SeaTalk Nmea Link users who would like to test this feature and to give feedback.

[zeildude]

Hi,

Last week I succesfully tested the STL (SWV 1.50) with Ozi-Explorer. SWV 1.54 has been succesfully flashed now to the STL and this weekend will test it with Ozi-Explorer again, but now in Ozi autopilot mode.

Since auto-pilot mode is also experimental in Ozi-Explorer, I'm interested in other peoples experience with these dual experimental modes.

I'll post my experience soon.

Thanks,
Paul.

[FWallenwein]

> I'll post my experience soon.

Looking forwared to get your results.
Regards
Frank