Unless otherwise specified, these cables must be provided by the installation shipyard.
RS-232 serial communication
An RS-232 serial port was once a standard feature of a personal computer, used for connections to modems, printers, mice,
data storage, uninterruptible power supplies, and other peripheral devices. However, RS-232 is hampered by low transmission
speed, large voltage swing, and large standard connectors. [...] Nevertheless, RS-232 devices are still used, especially in
industrial machines, networking equipment and scientific instruments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-232 (September 2015)
Maximum length for an RS-232 serial cable is typically 60 meters with 2400 bps data rate, however this depends on the cable
quality. Always check the cable manufacturers specifications for the actual "shunt capacitance". A common figure is 47.5 pF/m, which gives a maximum cable length of about 50 meters.
NoteMost RS-232 cables do not support all the signals in the standard RS-232 specification. Observe that long runs of unshielded cable will pick up noise easily. This is because the RS-232 signals are not balanced.
Even though a standard exist for RS-232 pin configuration, certain manufacturer may still choose their own connector pins
for the various signals used. In order to make the RS-232 connection to your peripheral device work properly, you must always
consult the relevant instructions provided by the device manufacturer.
For more information about the RS-232 serial communication standard, see (for example):
RS-422 serial communication
While RS-232 is the most common serial interface for communicating with external devices using the NMEA standard, it only
allows for one transmitter and one receiver on each line.
RS-422 provides a mechanism for transmitting data up to 10 Mbits/s. This interface format uses a balanced signal on two wires.
This increases both the maximum baud rate and the physical length of the cable, and it reduces the noise. With a high quality
cable, you can use RS-422 on distances up to 1500 meters even in noisy environments. RS-422 is also specified for multi-drop
applications. This means that one transmitter can send data to up to 10 receivers.
NoteThere are no common standard for RS-422 pin configuration. Any manufacturer may choose their own connector pins for the various
signals used. In order to make the RS-422 connection to your peripheral device work properly, you must always consult the
relevant instructions provided by the device manufacturer.
For more information about the RS-422 serial communication standard, see (for example):
RS-485 serial communication
RS-485 (also known as TIA-485–A) is a standard defining the electrical characteristics of drivers and receivers for use in
balanced digital multipoint systems. The standard is published by the Telecommunications Industry Association/Electronic Industries
Alliance (TIA/EIA). Digital communications networks implementing the RS-485 standard can be used effectively over long distances
and in electrically noisy environments. Multiple receivers may be connected to such a network in a linear, multi-drop configuration.
RS-485 offers data transmission speeds of 35 Mbit/s up to 10 m and 100 kbit/s at 1200 m. Since it uses a differential balanced
line over twisted pair (like RS-422), it can span relatively large distances (typically up maximum 1200 m). In contrast to
RS-422, which has a single driver circuit which cannot be switched off, RS-485 drivers need to be put in transmit mode explicitly
by asserting a signal to the driver. This allows RS-485 to implement linear bus topologies using only two wires. The equipment
located along a set of RS-485 wires are interchangeably called nodes, stations or devices.
RS-485, like RS-422, can be made full-duplex by using four wires. Since RS-485 is a multi-point specification, however, this
is not necessary in many cases.
NoteThere are no common standard for RS-485 pin configuration. Any manufacturer may choose their own connector pins for the various
signals used. In order to make the RS-485 connection to your peripheral device work properly, you must always consult the
relevant instructions provided by the device manufacturer.
For more information about the RS-485 serial communication standard, see (for example):