Nmea2Wifi (2021) - SMD, TH and KIT Upgrades
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:01 pm
Hello,
From 2020 to 2021 the Nmea2Wifi multiplexer has gone through significant improvements. The main modification is the use of faster optocouplers and making the software to be almost identical to the Nmea4Wifi multiplexer. With firmware 6.4 it is possible to communicate with a computer or laptop through a USB cable as it was (and is) the case of the Nmea4Wifi multiplexer. If you have an older version and want to take advantage of this new feature you need to make a small modification as shown here. In this post I describe the technical details of the present multiplexer. Normal users do not need to read this as everything concerning the operation of the multiplexer is described in the acknowledgement webpage that you see when you type 192.169.4.1 on the navigation bar of your browser.
The multiplexer is available in versions built with SMD (Surface Mounting Devices) and TH (Through-Hole) technologies. So I am using 3 designations:
The circuit diagram of the multiplexers can be downloaded from the links at the bottom of this post.
The remaining part of this post is addressed to the builders of the Nmea2Wifi KIT. Kits are supplied with the original Instruction Manual which does not reflect the present version. In the following we emphasize the main differences to the original Instruction Manual. The parts list is as follows:
The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and the new parts in this KIT (voltage regulator and resistor arrays) are shown in the following pictures
Note that the diodes, LEDs and ICs are the only components that need proper orientation. The resistor arrays have no orientation. The diodes have a bar that indicates the cathode. You need to insert them so that the bar that exists in the body of the component coincides with that shown on the PCB. The LEDs have 2 terminals (anode and cathode). The cathode terminal wire is shorter than that of the anode and should go on the hole that is next to the connectors. As for the ICs please follow the indications on the Instruction Manual. Please see the following pictures that show some stages of the assembling. Also note that you need to flash the Wemos module as described here.
When ready your multiplexer will look this:
Regards, Luis
From 2020 to 2021 the Nmea2Wifi multiplexer has gone through significant improvements. The main modification is the use of faster optocouplers and making the software to be almost identical to the Nmea4Wifi multiplexer. With firmware 6.4 it is possible to communicate with a computer or laptop through a USB cable as it was (and is) the case of the Nmea4Wifi multiplexer. If you have an older version and want to take advantage of this new feature you need to make a small modification as shown here. In this post I describe the technical details of the present multiplexer. Normal users do not need to read this as everything concerning the operation of the multiplexer is described in the acknowledgement webpage that you see when you type 192.169.4.1 on the navigation bar of your browser.
The multiplexer is available in versions built with SMD (Surface Mounting Devices) and TH (Through-Hole) technologies. So I am using 3 designations:
- Nmea2Wifi SMD
- Nmea2Wifi TH
- Nmea2Wifi KIT
The circuit diagram of the multiplexers can be downloaded from the links at the bottom of this post.
ADDITIONS TO THE KIT INSTRUCTION MANUAL
The remaining part of this post is addressed to the builders of the Nmea2Wifi KIT. Kits are supplied with the original Instruction Manual which does not reflect the present version. In the following we emphasize the main differences to the original Instruction Manual. The parts list is as follows:
The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and the new parts in this KIT (voltage regulator and resistor arrays) are shown in the following pictures
Note that the diodes, LEDs and ICs are the only components that need proper orientation. The resistor arrays have no orientation. The diodes have a bar that indicates the cathode. You need to insert them so that the bar that exists in the body of the component coincides with that shown on the PCB. The LEDs have 2 terminals (anode and cathode). The cathode terminal wire is shorter than that of the anode and should go on the hole that is next to the connectors. As for the ICs please follow the indications on the Instruction Manual. Please see the following pictures that show some stages of the assembling. Also note that you need to flash the Wemos module as described here.
When ready your multiplexer will look this:
Regards, Luis