Using RayNmeaSimulator Safely

Safety

RayNmeaSimulator is intended for software development, bench testing, simulation, training, and controlled equipment evaluation.

Do not use RayNmeaSimulator as a source of navigation, collision-avoidance, vessel-control, engine-control, or other safety-critical information on an operating vessel.

Generated or simulated NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, AIS, position, heading, speed, depth, engine, route, and other data may appear valid to connected equipment. A chartplotter, display, gateway, logging system, or other receiver may not be able to distinguish simulated data from actual vessel data.

When transmitting generated data:

Use an isolated or otherwise controlled test network whenever practical.
Verify the selected connection and connected equipment before enabling Sending.
Do not connect simulated data to an operational vessel network while underway unless the entire test environment has been specifically isolated from navigation, steering, propulsion, alarm, and other safety-critical systems.
Do not rely on RayNmeaSimulator, its Autopilot mode, simulated AIS, routes, or generated sensor values for real-world navigation or vessel operation.
Loading a Layout, Template, route, or received data does not authorize external Sending. Transmission requires explicit user authorization.
F12 / Stop is an application control, not an emergency-stop or safety system. Already queued or transmitted data cannot be recalled.

RayNmeaSimulator is provided as a Public Engineering Reference — AS-IS. Users are responsible for the configuration, isolation, wiring, network topology, connected equipment, and safe operation of their test environment.

Prepare a session

Choose Viewer to inspect incoming data or Generate to configure outgoing instrument values.
Confirm source/instance identity, units and valid or unavailable fields.
Start with manual values; add generators when you need changing data.
Check the interface and receiving equipment before explicitly enabling Sending.
Keep an independent copy of important Layouts, Templates and routes.

Fetching weather or changing modes does not enable external Sending. Generator Enable and Dispatch control local operation and instrument updates; global Sending authorizes external output separately.

Find instructions and application details

Use Contents or Search Help to find a task or message number. Press F1 for context-sensitive Help. Select an illustration to enlarge it and use Fit or 100% to read detailed controls.

Help → About RayNmeaSimulator provides the version, publisher and license notices. Include the version, platform, connection type and status in a support request. Review shared screenshots and logs for private vessel information.

Operational judgment

Follow the connected device's safety procedures. Environmental effects are not a model of all real vessel dynamics.

Illustrated controls

Figure 108. About RayNmeaSimulator shows the version, publisher, license and acknowledgments. Click to enlarge.

Engineering Units · NMEA PGNs and Sentences · Security and Privacy · Licensing and Credits · Connection Troubleshooting · Enable, Dispatch and Sending · Route Overview

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