The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has just released an extensively upgraded version of NMEA 2000®, the industry's open architecture network standard. New Edition 3.00 replaces version 2.20 and includes updates and additions to the NMEA Network Message Database, NMEA 2000® Main Document, and NMEA 2000® Appendices A and D.
 
"While the NMEA Standards Committee created many improvements in the overall standard, significant changes occurred in the NMEA

Network Messages Appendix B, which contains the Network Message Database," said NMEA Technical Director Steve Spitzer. "The previous version of Appendix B was 1.310; the new version is 2.000.
 
"There are a lot of enhancements to current PGN messages as well as the addition of new ones. New messages include a new suite of Alert and Alarms messages for use on the NMEA 2000® network. These will provide additional safety messages and include more than 890 Alert Codes.
 
"A new Label Message provides the ability to label devices through the network. The Label Message is used to set and retrieve a text label assigned to a particular device or a particular hardware resource within a device. The Label PGN supports multiple-channel devices. In addition, as AIS technologies continued to develop,updates to AIS messages were added as required. These messages, among others, will enhance boaters' experience and safety on the water."
 
Manufacturers are required to certify new products within 18 months of the release date of the new Edition 3.00 of NMEA 2000®. NMEA encourages manufacturers to take advantage of the new edition and to certify products prior to the deadline. NMEA also encourages manufacturers to update their current products' firmware to Edition 3.00, which includes the following NMEA 2000® appendices:
Appendix A New Version 2.000 (previously ver. 1.200)
Appendix B New Version 2.000 (previously ver. 1.301)
Appendix C (no changes)
Appendix D New Version 1.210 (previously ver. 1.200)
NMEA Main Document New Version 1.210 (previously ver. 1.201)
Appendices, E, F, and G (no changes)
 
Appendix A is now included within Appendix B, and there is no additional charge for Appendix A. This appendix directly relates to the structure and definition of the Parameter Group Messages within

Appendix B (NMEA Network Messages). Edition 3.00 provides more clearly defined requirements for proprietary messaging. Proprietary messages provide a means for manufacturers to use the parameter group structure and definitions of this standard to transfer data that is beyond the scope of approved NMEA Network

Parameter Groups. For the benefit of the maritime community as a whole, the NMEA strongly encourages and supports all manufacturers to propose the standardization of their respective proprietary messages.
 
With new requirements for the NMEA Network Messages, Appendix A was updated to illustrate the new requirements of Query and Command Support, and Request and Command definitions. All NMEA Network Messages (Appendix B PGNs) were reviewed, and these enhancements
were added to each PGN and each field within a PGN. The New NMEA Network Message Database (Appendix B) includes these new advancements. Appendix B now contains the following appendices and documents as well as all of the new and updated PGNs:
Appendix A
Appendix B6, which comprises Class and Function Code database (New products have been required to certify using this since November 2012.)
Appendix B7, which comprises 894 Alert Code database and contains the Alert Document illustrating the application for alerts and alarms
Ten (10) new PGNs as well as 23 updated PGNs
 
To learn more visit:  www.nmea.org