Description
Below is the maker with a link to the manufacturer's website and the model with a link to that unit. The unit can be purchased directly on that website. However, it is also available via other resellers. Google the make and model and purchase at a convenient place.
Maker: Waveshare
Model: RS485 TO ETH (B)
Price: ~25 EUR
Wiring:
The unit has screw terminals for the power supply and the serial input. The top label has the terminal descriptions.
Installation:
The unit uses DIN rail mounting.
Initial login
The computer and the converter must be set to the same network, 192.168.1.0/24. To do this, manually set your computer’s IP address to 192.168.1.1 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Then, connect the LAN cable from the computer to the unit.
Enter the IP address in the browser: http://192.168.1.200
No login password is set by default in the factory; you can enter a password at will and click the Login button to log in. After setting the password to log in, the "Modify webpage login password" settings will take effect.
Network settings
Below are the necessary settings to send the AIS data to Marine Traffic.
For commercial vessels, ask your ship’s IT department for the IP address.
Setting | Description |
Device IP | When the IP mode is “static,” type in the unit's IP address here. If the IP mode is “DHCP,” leave it empty, and it will populate automatically. |
Device port | Leave it default. This is the port from which the data will be sent. |
Device Web Port | 80 |
Work Mode | Either “TCP client” or “UDP”. |
Subnet Mask | When IP mode is “static,” type in the unit's Subnet Mask address here. If it is “DHCP,” leave it default. It will be set automatically. |
Gateway | When the IP mode is “static,” type in the Gateway IP address here. If the IP mode is “DHCP,” leave it default. It will be set automatically. |
Destination IP/DNS | provided via email after MarineTraffic registration |
Destination Port | provided via email after MarineTraffic registration |
IP mode | static - requires the device IP, subnet mask, and gateway to be put manually. DHCP - the router to which the device is connected will automatically set (or be assigned by the administrator) the device IP, subnet mask, and gateway. |
Serial settings:
Select the baud rate for the interfaced serial input. The AIS baud rate is 38400. Leave everything else as default.
Reset to factory default:
While the unit is powered on, shorten the NC terminals for 5 seconds.
Verify the forwarding:
Check the PWR LED - it should be lit, indicating the converter is powered on
Check the LINK LED - it should be lit, confirming the Ethernet cable is connected and there's a network link
Check the ACT (or COM) LED - it should blink, indicating that AIS data has been received from the AIS. Constantly lit indicates the wrong serial input polarization