Signal K Implementation

[bdbcat]

Bram...


First question:
1. on rPI4, where do you get raspbian, 64 bits?


Dave

[verkerkbr]

Originally Posted by verkerkbr

Hi Dave,

just tried the SignalK on my Linux Mint Tricia 64 AMD and with this version there is no problem with the automatic setting to on.

The problem only occurs with my RPI 4 Raspian 64 bits.

I use the compilation made by Tdan version 5.0522. It is only a small problem if you know the cause.

With automatic set to on, then there is no SignalK input in O.. Setting this to off then it works again. There must be a small difference in the sources that Tdan uses.

In the RPI I use the NMEA2K input in SignalK with the setting canbus(canboatjs).

This setting however does not work in the Linux 64 system. Then I must use canbus(canboat).

I'am using this mall canbus adapter called Canable.

Regards,

Bram

I forgot to mention: OpenPlotter add-ons are not only available for the Raspberry Pi, but also for other Linux systems. It has the option to setup serial connection by giving the connection an "alias" so that the connection is known at the usb serial bus.

Then it can switch the serial connection to the SignalK server.

The idea is to input and output all the connections to one uniform format in the SignalK server.

Input of NMEA2000 works this way with my very small Canable canbus adapter (non opticlal isolation version cost $ 29,-). Bitrate is 250000 the standard for NMEA2K.

All running here on my RPI 4, Linux AMD64 Mint Tricia and on 386 system with several Linux versions.

Bram

[verkerkbr]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

Bram...


First question:
1. on rPI4, where do you get raspbian, 64 bits?


Dave

This the version I use:

https://github.com/sakaki-/raspbian-nspawn-64

The V8 kernel for 64 Raspian support is allready available for some time. But the Raspian organisation does not yet release the 64 bits version. Because it then has to support 2 versions. One for the older 32 bits RPI but the latest P3 and Pi4 working on 64 processor.

The Oesenc plugin does not work in the 64 bits version. It is available, but OpenPlotter will only release it when the 64 Raspian is offical.


Regards,


Bram

[jean_pfoumf]

Raspbian seems to be already 64 bits
https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.co...or-a-64-bit-os

[verkerkbr]

Originally Posted by jean_pfoumf

Raspbian seems to be already 64 bits
https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.co...or-a-64-bit-os

a simple test is to look at the kernel version:

uname -r

*V7 is 32 bits and *V8 is the 64 kernel version, which is allready available for some time. But is not installed if you are running the 32 bits.

sudo rpi-update gives the latest (beta) kernel.

Regards,

Bram

[bdbcat]

Bram...


OK, I'll take a look.
But we should consider raspbian (10) 64bit as "Advanced Users only" at this point, since your average rPI user will not be using it yet. We have the same support issues as rPI organization


Dave

[transmitterdan]

There is no obvious advantage to 64 bits on a small ARM like the RPi. In fact, one could argue that a 64 bit OS is going to be more bloated that 32 bit. The RPi 4 only has 4GB of RAM max anyway so what is the point of going to 64 bits OS?

[verkerkbr]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

Bram...


OK, I'll take a look.
But we should consider raspbian (10) 64bit as "Advanced Users only" at this point, since your average rPI user will not be using it yet. We have the same support issues as rPI organization


Dave

For your information as a proof of concept.

NMEA2000 data cable parts (blue and white) connected to the Canable canbus board.
USB from this board connected to the RPI or other Linux system.
SignalK server running.
GPS position from my NMEA2000 GPS antenna now shows the data in OpenCPN in SignalK format.

Conversion to other NMEA183 connections is also possible.

Board costs $ 29,- and is very small and running at 250000 bitrate. The default speed of NMEA2K

[verkerkbr]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

There is no obvious advantage to 64 bits on a small ARM like the RPi. In fact, one could argue that a 64 bit OS is going to be more bloated that 32 bit. The RPi 4 only has 4GB of RAM max anyway so what is the point of going to 64 bits OS?

Hi Tdan,

more and more software is only 64 bits.

NPM has announced that they are no longer supporting 32 bits systems.

To get the SignalK server working on an 32 bits Linux systems I had to step back to version 8 instead of version 10.

I'am now running the 64 bits version for some time and it works excellent.

Regards,


Bram


Thanks for the RPI OpenCPN version with signalk support.

[Sailoog]

Originally Posted by verkerkbr

NPM has announced that they are no longer supporting 32 bits systems.

To get the SignalK server working on an 32 bits Linux systems I had to step back to version 8 instead of version 10.

If I am not wrong they no longer support i386 32 bits but they will keep suporting arm 32 bits.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by verkerkbr

Hi Tdan,

more and more software is only 64 bits.

NPM has announced that they are no longer supporting 32 bits systems.

To get the SignalK server working on an 32 bits Linux systems I had to step back to version 8 instead of version 10.

I'am now running the 64 bits version for some time and it works excellent.

Regards,


Bram


Thanks for the RPI OpenCPN version with signalk support.

Bram,

It really comes down to Java Script isn’t supported on some 32 bit systems. I hope NPM continue to support 32 bit ARM. But if they don’t that could be a lot of lost platforms for them. There is no inherent advantage in having a 64-bit OS with a maximum 4GB RAM. There are actually a number of disadvantages even.

[seandepagnier]

There are 64bit instructions that can perform an operation faster. This is an advantage regardless of memory. For other applications the overhead of needing more bytes for every pointer causes a performance decrease.

[verkerkbr]

The debug function is no longer working with input from SignalK instead of NMEA183. But it is (was) an handy tool to see what is passing.

Now an old favorit has reappeared in the OpenPlotter applications called SK filter. Herewith you can see the SignalK flow working.

Tried it with GPS mouse and with my NMEA2K GPS. See image of NMEA2k GPS.

Replace the debug NMEA183 option for such an application ?


Regards,


Bram

[verkerkbr]

And the image of the outcome of my GPS mouse.

[verkerkbr]

So it looks like with the SignalK input in OpenCPN, the instruments panel, tactical panel, MxTommy KIP and SignalK Filter.