Autopilot Integration Already Working in Latest OpenCPN ?

[s51ta]

HI

I am using now OpenCPN for about a week and have made some initial testing on board and it works great. I really like the SW, as it is simple.
I have connected NMEA GPS, AIS and will connect Seatalk Instruments once the delivery of Seatalk to NMEA converter will arrive .... would be great if this SW would recognise Seatalk and NMEA .... :O)
In the manual I found a topic on Autopilot Integration, however, I was unable to find this feauture in the software itself; Is this a to do thing or I am missing something?

Thanks Ted

[bdbcat]

Ted....

Autopilot output/control is present in OpenCPN Version 2.1.0

Set the port in Toolbox->GPS
Activate a route.
Autopilot control sentences will be sent to the specified port.

Dave

[ON3CHD]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

Ted....

Autopilot output/control is present in OpenCPN Version 2.1.0

Set the port in Toolbox->GPS
Activate a route.
Autopilot control sentences will be sent to the specified port.

Dave

Hi Dave, thanks for this info.

I am probably missing some user manual info ( but I am really new to the use of this software which looks promissing - thanks to the developing team - especially when we will be able to use our charts we have paid for ) to go a little bit further as I am using a MUX.Hope you or any other reader can help.

Data from a GPS and an NMEA interface (to combine depth,sow,wind info) are sent to the MUX to 2 different channels at 4800bds and AIS data to a third one at 34800 bds.
Mux is outputing at 38400 bds all the combined info mentioned hereabove in a single flow to the PC which should be running OpenCPN.
As you will appreciate there is in this case only one port com for GPS data but also other info like wind angle,AIS data...
So which port com to use in OpenCPN? The GPS,the AIS or a port for combined info which I can not find ?

At this stage I should also be able to setup OpenCPN to send back at 38400 bds to the MUX some of the above mentioned info + ROUTE info that a few listeners like an Autopilot will be able to receive.
Again which port to use to send these info to the MUX that should receive the info back from OpenCPN through the PC .It is to be mentioned that the MUX is set up to transform automatically the speed from 38400 to 4800 bds and is outputing these transformed info on RS422 specific output channel.

I look forward to receive any hint. Thanks in advance to all.
Cheers.
ON3CHD

[Islander]

If I understand your problem correctly, you can also output autopilot commands on the same COM port you use to receive data - this is how mine works (COM4, in my case).

Cheers.

[ON3CHD]

Originally Posted by Islander

If I understand your problem correctly, you can also output autopilot commands on the same COM port you use to receive data - this is how mine works (COM4, in my case).

Cheers.

Thanks for the info.
MUX is sending combined (GPS+AIS)and receiving data from Open CPN at 38400 bds on com port 5 in my case.
Data received by MUX from Open CPN are converted by MUX at 4800 bds and output on a specific channel to which an autopilot is supposed to be connected to steer the boat and which I do monitor using Hyperterminal .
In order to reach that goal I have introduced comport 5 everywhere possible.GPS port, Autopilot port , AIS port in Open CPN.
Have then created and activated a route.
THE RESULTS are:
-Open CPN receive the combined (even if very very slowly for AIS data which are incomplete and/or sometimes wrong) info from GPS and AIS through the MUX
-Open CPN send info from GPS back to the MUX
-Open CPN does not however send info related to the route activated to MUX

I would appreciate to know why? and if I have to make an other setup.

Cheers.
ON3CHD

[RhythmDoctor]

Originally Posted by ON3CHD

Data from a GPS and an NMEA interface (to combine depth,sow,wind info) are sent to the MUX to 2 different channels at 4800bds and AIS data to a third one at 34800 bds.
Mux is outputing at 38400 bds all the combined info mentioned hereabove in a single flow to the PC which should be running OpenCPN.
As you will appreciate there is in this case only one port com for GPS data but also other info like wind angle,AIS data...
So which port com to use in OpenCPN? The GPS,the AIS or a port for combined info which I can not find ?...

Go to the AIS tab and select the port that your MUX is feeding to. Then go to the GPS tab. Under "NMEA Data Source" the drop-down list should show an option for "AIS Port (Shared)" (my Windows XP v2.3.1 offers that option). You should select that. For the AutoPilot Output Port select the same port once again.

With these selections, you should get all the data moving both directions on one port. If you've tried this and it's not working, then the problem may go beyond the documentation that I have read.

[Jef & Marin, Netherlands]

ON3CHD,
I am testing almost the same setup as you have. In my living room. You are a bit ahead of me, so I am very much interested in your progress. And I'll report my own progress.
My setup is:
- Open CPN 2.3.1
- Miniplex-2USB multiplexer. Can do a lot of filtering and special tricks for this kind of set-up. See http://www.shipmodul.nl/manuals/miniplex-2usb.pdf. No commercial connection.
- EasyTRX2-is AIS transponder with USB software
- I plan to use the Miniplex software instead of hyperterminal. It is called MPX Config V3.21.
- A Garmin 276C GPS/plotter.

How do you test the output of the multiplexer? Do you use a second PC? Or a second serial to USB converter with a different COM port?

RhytmDoctor, just saw your answer while formulating this message. Thanks.

I am making an Excel with all NMEA signals in it for all talkers in our boat. Well, that is the objective at least. For me that is useful.

[ON3CHD]

Originally Posted by RhythmDoctor

Go to the AIS tab and select the port that your MUX is feeding to. Then go to the GPS tab. Under "NMEA Data Source" the drop-down list should show an option for "AIS Port (Shared)" (my Windows XP v2.3.1 offers that option). You should select that. For the AutoPilot Output Port select the same port once again.

With these selections, you should get all the data moving both directions on one port. If you've tried this and it's not working, then the problem may go beyond the documentation that I have read.

Hi thanks for your suggestion.
You will find my answer under your own post ...
Cheers.
ON3CHD

[ON3CHD]

Hi,
see my answers/comments in red in your text.

Originally Posted by Jef & Marin, Netherlands

ON3CHD,
I am testing almost the same setup as you have. In my living room. You are a bit ahead of me, so I am very much interested in your progress. And I'll report my own progress.
My setup is:
- Open CPN 2.3.1 Seapro 3000 racing version but having now Open CPN on trial and that is why I am on this forum
- Miniplex-2USB multiplexer. Can do a lot of filtering and special tricks for this kind of set-up. See http://www.shipmodul.nl/manuals/miniplex-2usb.pdf. No commercial connection.
Brookhouse AIS 4 channels + option DB 9 pin for BT transponder connection.
An second BT transponder is one of the 3 listeners (+Autopilot +
NMEA box from Tactick to receive proprietary NMEA sentences for racing) connected to the RS 422 output from the MUX to send some signals to a second cheap small PC that I use on deck.
- EasyTRX2-is AIS transponder with USB software Old AIS transmitter + antenna splitter
- I plan to use the Miniplex software instead of hyperterminal. It is called MPX Config V3.21.No experience as I have been working now for 5 years wiyh Hyperterminal.
- A Garmin 276C GPS/plotter. PC runniing above mentioned sofwares +old Raymarine chartplotter totally independant for a "Just in case..."

How do you test the output of the multiplexer? Do you use a second PC? Or a second serial to USB converter with a different COM port?You can do both but as far as I am concerned I try to avoid as much as possible conflict so my preference is a second PC + USB RS232 cables before testing the BT side.

RhytmDoctor, just saw your answer while formulating this message. Thanks.

I am making an Excel with all NMEA signals in it for all talkers and don·t forget what the listeners need in our boat. Well, that is the objective at least. For me that is useful.

Cheers.