October 24, 2008 08:18
NMEA-0183 which is the standard used for most marine electronics dictates an RS-422 interface. It happens that an RS-232 interface works also.
As you note many newer marine devices are offering a USB connector. The way they are able to do that is to integrate a RS-232/422 to USB chipset into their electronics and use driver software that creates a virtual serial port. Two such chipsets/drivers are FTDI and Prolific.
So I don't think RS-232 is going away, but we will see more devices not needing external conversion to USB (i.e. Keyspan adapter, or Shipmodul Multiplexer).
As you note many newer marine devices are offering a USB connector. The way they are able to do that is to integrate a RS-232/422 to USB chipset into their electronics and use driver software that creates a virtual serial port. Two such chipsets/drivers are FTDI and Prolific.
So I don't think RS-232 is going away, but we will see more devices not needing external conversion to USB (i.e. Keyspan adapter, or Shipmodul Multiplexer).
Scott Dillon
Sydney Australia
North Shore 38
CYCA
Sydney Australia
North Shore 38
CYCA