How to Connect the NDC-4 to a PC or Laptop

If you need to configure your NDC-4 using Control Centre, or if you wish to share your combined NMEA 0183 data with third party software, you will need to connect the NDC-4 to a PC or laptop.  Here’s how to do that.

USB Connection

Use the NDC-4 USBKIT lead. This lead consists of a USB plug on one end, and a small white plastic connector on the other.  The plastic connector plugs in to the socket on the NDC-4’s printed circuit board.

Power is provided to the NDC-4 when the USB is plugged in at both ends and the drivers have been successfully installed and downloaded on your PC.  USB drivers will download and install automatically if your OS allows it and when a working internet connection is present.  If the download fails, the same USB driver files can be downloaded from actisense.com

This option should not be used if the NDC-4 will be connected to a battery power supply.  Doing so will create a ground loop and cause irreparable damage to the NDC-4 USB chip.  This is not covered by the guarantee.

NDC-4 USB connection

Serial Connection

Using a serial cable.  A USB to serial converter will also be needed if your PC doesn’t have a serial connection.  Ensure the NDC-4 is powered using a battery connected the “BATT” terminals.

Connect the serial cable to the NDC-4 in accordance with these instructions:

Serial cable pin 2 connects to NDC-4 “OPTO IN 0 +/A”

Serial cable pin 3 connects to NDC-4 “ISO OUT 0 +/A”

Serial cable pin 5 connects to NDC-4 “OPTO IN 0 -/B”  AND  “ISO OUT 0 -/B”

The wiring colours in this diagram are for illustration purposes only.  Please check the wiring instructions for your serial cable to ensure the correct connections.

NDC-4 PC serial connection

 

For more information on NMEA 0183 and how it works, please download our free guide to NMEA 0183 networking here: https://actisense.com/everything-to-know-about-nmea-0183-guide/