Navico B&G User Manual - System Architecture
14 | System Architecture
System Architecture
6.
This section explains how the Zeus connects to other devices as part of a system. The
Zeus has a highly scalable system architecture. A system can consist of a basic stand
alone chart plotter, or expand to a networked, multi-display system connected to a wide
range of accessories.
The system architecture is modular with a wide range of peripherals and accessories
that can be connected to SimNet or NMEA2000 devices such as instrument systems,
AIS, GPS and heading sensor to Ethernet devices such as Radar and Echosounder. For
multi display installations the system can be set up to be truly masterless, i.e. have no
dependency on other displays being powered on.
A Zeus display can connect to other devices in the system by Ethernet, SimNet /
NMEA2000 or NMEA0183.
A system can have:
between one and six displays, the displays can be any mix of Z8 and Z12
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one or two radars
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one echosounder
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one StructureScan
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Networking, Data Interfacing
The Zeus system can use four data protocols. SimNet (NMEA2000), Ethernet, NMEA0183.
and H-Link.
SimNet / NMEA 2000
SimNet is a proprietary CAN bus network for transfer of navigation data such as wind,
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Position, AIS, etc between all SimNet or NMEA2000 devices on a SimNet/NMEA2000
network.
SimNet is lower bandwidth than the Ethernet network, but is 50 times faster than
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NMEA0183
Ethernet: (NETWORK ports)
Zeus uses an Ethernet network for the transfer of high bandwidth data between other
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Zeus displays and from network modules such as Radar, Echosounder and Weather
module
Each Zeus display has three Ethernet network ports. An optional 5 port expansion
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port is available. (Recommended for multiple Zeus displays)
Ethernet does not transfer navigation data such as position, heading etc. This is
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handled either by SimNet and or NMEA 0183. However navigation and display settings
are synchronized over Ethernet
NMEA0183
NMEA0183 is a point to point connection. Each Zeus display has one NMEA0183 port
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using RS422 protocol. Each display can output to one NMEA0183 “Listener” and
receive from one NMEA0183 “Talker”.
B&G H-Link
H-Link is B&G’s protocol for comprehensive and efficient interfacing of the B&G H3000
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processor range with the Zeus chartplotters and external PC navigation programs.
H-Link Communications are available with Zeus via USB cable.
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