Maretron NBE100 User manual
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Revision History
Revision
Description
1.0
Original Document
1.1
Changed Company Information to Carling
1.2
Added PGN Filtering Notes
Table of Contents
1Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Firmware Revision.................................................................................................... 1
1.2 NBE100 Features..................................................................................................... 1
1.3 NBE100 Application.................................................................................................. 2
2Installation.............................................................................................................................2
2.1 Unpacking the Box ................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Choosing a Mounting Location................................................................................. 3
2.3 Mounting the NBE100 .............................................................................................. 3
2.4 Connecting the NBE100........................................................................................... 3
2.4.1 NMEA 2000®Connection............................................................................... 3
2.4.2 Checking Connections................................................................................... 5
2.5 Configuring the NBE100........................................................................................... 5
2.5.1 General Tab................................................................................................... 5
2.5.2 Advanced Tab................................................................................................ 6
2.5.3 PGN Filter Tab............................................................................................... 7
2.5.4 Installation Description Tab............................................................................ 8
3Maintenance..........................................................................................................................9
4Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................10
5Technical Specifications......................................................................................................11
6Technical Support ...............................................................................................................12
7Installation Template...........................................................................................................13
8Maretron (2 Year) Limited Warranty....................................................................................14
Table of Figures
Figure 1 –Mounting the NBE100 .............................................................................................. 3
Figure 2 –NMEA 2000®Connector Face Views ....................................................................... 4
Figure 3 –NBE100 Connection Diagram................................................................................... 5
Figure 4 - NBE100 General Tab................................................................................................ 6
Figure 5 - NBE100 Advanced Tab............................................................................................. 7
Figure 6 - NBE100 PGN Filter Tab............................................................................................ 8
Figure 7 - NBE100 Installation Description Tab......................................................................... 9
Figure 8 –Mounting Surface Template ................................................................................... 13
NBE100 User's Manual_____________________________________
1 NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2
1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Maretron Network Bus Extender. Maretron has
designed and built your NBE100 to the highest standards for years of dependable and accurate
service.
Maretron's NBE100 (Network Bus Extender) allows you to extend the maximum node count,
network trunk length and cumulative drop length of any NMEA 2000®network. The NBE100
solves bus errors and other electrical issues caused by exceeding any of these limitations and
makes design of large networks easier. NMEA 2000®networks have a maximum of 50 nodes
allowed on a single network, a maximum network trunk length of 200m and a maximum
cumulative drop length of 78m. If you have a network that exceeds any of these specifications,
you can simply disconnect the network trunk in the middle and connect the ends to the
NBE100, along with additional termination resistors. This will split the network into two
electrical segments, each of which can have up to 50 nodes, for a total of 100 nodes on the
logical network. The NBE100 will transparently route NMEA 2000®messages between the two
network segments, making them work as a single logical NMEA 2000®network. Advanced
priority-based message routing ensures that higher-priority messages are always prioritized
over lower-priority messages, enabling predictable and reliable network operation. For
exceptionally large networks, multiple NBE100’s may be used. Enable NBE100’s PGN Filtering
Mode to pass only the PGNs you desire.
1.1 Firmware Revision
This manual corresponds to NBE100 firmware revision 2.3.1.2
1.2 NBE100 Features
The Maretron NBE100 has the following features.
•Segments a single large NMEA 2000®network into two smaller electrical segments.
•Allows you to exceed the 50 node limitation on a NMEA 2000®network.
•Allows you to exceed the 200m trunk length limitation on a NMEA 2000®network.
•Allows you to exceed the 78m cumulative drop length limitation on a NMEA 2000®
networks.
•Allows all NMEA 2000® devices to operate as if they were still on a single NMEA 2000®
network.
•Priority-based message routing ensures higher-priority messages get through the bus
extender first.
•Optically isolates network segments, increasing signal integrity and network reliability.
•Features one user configurable PGN (Parameter Group Number) “Pass filter” per
NMEA200® Interface where 32 PGNs per interface can be forwarded from one
NMEA2000® Interface to the other.
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NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2 2
1.3 NBE100 Application
The NBE100 can be applied, not only anytime a NMEA 2000® bus needs extending, but also
can be used to make only specific communication messaging to be passed between
NMEA2000® busses possible. Apply the PGN (Parameter Group Number) Pass Filter and the
NBE100 will allow only the desired PGN messages to be passed between the connected
NMEA2000® buses. Because NBE100 features a pass filter for each of the two NMEA2000®
Interfaces it has, Pass Filters will obtain and forward the specific information messages you
desire from one bus onto the other or vice versa. This feature is great for reducing
unnecessary traffic but still share data without physically combining busses. The NBE100
allows up to 32 “Pass” PGNs per filter.
For an example of when NBE100 pass filtering is necessary, suppose there is a vessel with
two separate NMEA2000® buses. One Bus is for used for “Navigation Devices”and the other
bus is used for the vessel’s Distributed Power System. The Distributed Power System has a
Time display feature, the Time feature is set manually however, has the ability to update it’s
Time via NMEA2000® message. Because the Distributed Power System’s NMEA2000®
network does not have any devices with updated Time messaging the Time display does not
update automatically when the vessel crosses time zones. Separately, the Distributed Power
System only sends alerts within its own NMEA2000® network and would be beneficial if these
messages could be shared to the “Navigation Devices” NMEA2000® network giving the ability
to acknowledge Distributed Power System alerts using the vessel’s navigation display that is
attached to the “Navigation Devices” NMEA2000® network. An NBE100 is applied to this
vessel to connect the Distributed Power System’s NMEA2000® network and the “Navigation
Devices” NMEA2000® network. Using the NBE100 Pass Filter, the Distributed Power System
can get updated Time information from the “Navigation Devices” NMEA2000® network and the
“Navigation Devices” NMEA2000® network can receive Distributed Power System alerts. The
vessel’s captain can now acknowledge the Distributed Power Systems alerts while underway
using the vessel’s navigation display. The NBE100 provides such a solution with only
necessary bus traffic messaging being passed.
Please note that the NBE100 will not filter and always pass ISO Address Claim, Request, and
Acknowledgement messages, as well as Product Information allowing for “visibility”of all
devices connected to the two NMEA2000® networks as if they were one.
2 Installation
2.1 Unpacking the Box
When unpacking the box containing the Maretron NBE100, you should find the following items:
1 –NBE100 –Network Bus Extender
1 –Parts Bag containing 4 Stainless Steel Mounting Screws
1 –NBE100 User’s Manual
1 –Warranty Registration Card
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact Maretron.
NBE100 User's Manual_____________________________________
3 NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2
2.2 Choosing a Mounting Location
Please consider the following when choosing a mounting location.
1. The NBE100 is waterproof, so it can be mounted in a damp or dry location.
2. The orientation is not important, so the NBE100 can be mounted on a horizontal deck,
vertical bulkhead, or upside down if desired.
3. The NBE100 is temperature-rated to 55°C (130°F), so it should be mounted away from
engines or engine rooms where the operating temperature exceeds the specified limit.
2.3 Mounting the NBE100
Attach the NBE100 securely to the vessel using the included stainless steel mounting screws or
other fasteners as shown in Figure 1 below. Do not use thread locking compounds containing
methacrylate ester, such as Loctite Red (271), as they will cause stress cracking of the plastic
enclosure.
Figure 1 –Mounting the NBE100
2.4 Connecting the NBE100
The NBE100 requires one type of electrical connection: the NMEA 2000®connections (refer to
Section 2.4.1).
2.4.1 NMEA 2000®Connection
The NBE100 has two NMEA 2000®connectors. The NMEA 2000®connectors can be found on
either end of the enclosure.
The NMEA 2000®connectors are round five pin male connector (see Figure 2). You connect the
NBE100 to an NMEA 2000®network using a Maretron NMEA 2000®cable (or compatible cable)
by connecting the female end of the cable to the NBE100 (note the key on the male connector
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NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2 4
and keyway on the female connector). Be sure the cable is connected securely and that the
collar on the cable connector is tightened firmly. Connect the other end of the cable (male) to
the NMEA 2000®network in the same manner. The NBE100 is designed such that you can plug
or unplug it from an NMEA 2000®network while the power to the network is connected or
disconnected. Please follow recommended practices for installing NMEA 2000®network
products.
Figure 2 –NMEA 2000®Connector Face Views
The NBE100 is installed on an NMEA 2000®network between the two sections that you wish
to physically isolate. Because the port on the NBE100 are optically isolated, there is no
electrical connection through the NBE100, so you must ensure that each of the two NMEA
2000®networks connected to the NBE100 have separate power sources and two termination
resistors. This means that if you use an NBE100 to split an existing network into two separate
networks, you must provide one additional power connection and two additional termination
resistors (one for each side of the NBE100).
The two NMEA 2000®connectors are labeled “N2K PORT A(PWR)” and “N2K PORT B”.
Logically, these connectors are identical; that is, you can connect the NBE100 between two
networks in either way and it will function identically. However, the NBE100 sources power
only from the connector marked “N2K PORT A(PWR)”. It uses no power from the connector
labeled “N2K PORT B”.
Figure 3 below shows the installation of an NBE100 into a simple NMEA 2000®network.
For exceptionally large networks, multiple NBE100’s may be used to segment the network into
more than two segments. Each segment must have its power connection and two termination
resistors.
NBE100 User's Manual_____________________________________
5 NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2
Figure 3 –NBE100 Connection Diagram
2.4.2 Checking Connections
Once the NMEA 2000® connections to the NBE100 have been completed, check to see that
information is being properly transmitted by using an appropriate NMEA 2000®display to
observe a sensor on the opposite side of the NBE100. If you don’t see data from that sensor,
refer to Section 4, “Troubleshooting”.
2.5 Configuring the NBE100
The NBE100 will function on the NMEA 2000 network as it is shipped from the factory; no user
configuration is required. The NBE100 features PGN filtering if enabled. Configure the NBE100
using Maretron’s N2KAnaylzer®. See details below for information on how to configure your
NBE100.
2.5.1 General Tab
The “General Tab” for the NBE100 features a blank field for entering a Label. Enter any Label
desired in the field such as the NBE100’s location on the vessel or an NBE100 reference
number such as “Box 2”. See example below of the “General Tab”.
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NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2 6
Figure 4 - NBE100 General Tab
2.5.2 Advanced Tab
In the “Advanced Tab” there is a field for Device Instance. NMEA 2000®provides a unique
device instance for each device on a vessel. This value should be programmed in each
NBE100 so that each NBE100 is associated with a unique device instance number. The
default instance number is 0, which is used to indicate the first NBE100 that is hooked to the
network. Subsequent NBE100’s connected to the network would be numbered 1, 2, and so on.
See preceding figure of the NBE100 Advanced Tab containing this field.
NBE100 User's Manual_____________________________________
7 NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2
Figure 5 - NBE100 Advanced Tab
2.5.3 PGN Filter Tab
The NBE100 has a feature with which only certain messages will be passed from one port to
the other, as opposed to the default state, in which all messages are passed between both
ports. Messages to be passed are selected on the basis of the Parameter Group Numbers
(PGN’s) of the messages. This is useful for passing only certain information from the NMEA
2000 network on one port of the NBE100 to the NMEA 2000 network on the other port.
If the PGN Filter is enabled the NBE100 will filter all PGNs except for the PGNs entered into the
“Exception Field”. Where “CAN1” refers to the NBE100’s “N2K Port A” and “CAN2” refers to the
NBE100’s “N2K Port B”, the PGN Filter can filter PGNs traveling from CAN1 to CAN2, CAN2 to
CAN1 or PGNs traveling both directions. To enable PGN Filtering, select “Enable” in the drop-
down box located under the desired PGN traveling direction to be filtered. To enable PGN
filtering exceptions, enter the PGN number into the “PGN” field located under the “Filter Enabled”
dialog. See example of the NBE100 PGN Filter Tab in the preceding figure for example of this
feature.
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NBE100 User’s Manual Rev.1.2 8
Figure 6 - NBE100 PGN Filter Tab
2.5.4 Installation Description Tab
In the “Installation Description Tab” you can store data to the NBE100 for information about the
installation or any notes required. See preceding figure of the NBE100 Installation Description
Tab to see it’s content.
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