Improvement and optimization of NMEA2000 based on an autonomous and controllable platform

  Objectives  In order to expand the application of NMEA2000 communication protocol standard and optimize and improve its transmission efficiency, an NMEA2000 data acquisition and transmission system based on an autonomous and controllable platform is developed. Non-NMEA2000 devices can be connected to the NMEA2000-based network and improve the transmission efficiency.

  Methods  The autonomous and controllable platform consists of a GD32F207 microcontroller and RT-Thread embedded real-time operating system. The protocol format conversion is accomplished by data mapping according to the original device protocol and NMEA2000 standards. Further, it uses unused identifier fields in the NMEA2000's data frames and a priority dynamic adjustment method to improve the transmission efficiency of NMEA2000-based network.

  Results  The NMEA2000 board based on the platform achieves non-NMEA2000 device access. The optimized network's transmission efficiency is improved to some extent with the number of bytes transferred. The real-time and reliability are also improved.

  Conclusions  The NMEA2000 data acquisition and transmission system based on the proposed platform has a variety of interfaces, can help non-NMEA2000 devices access the network. The data transmission efficiency, real-time operation and reliability can fulfil the needs of data transmission among shipborne devices.