FAR2xx8 Connection

The "Furuno Radar Module" needs to be unlocked

Configure the Radar

Set the FAR2xx8 IP Address

The PC communicates directly with the FAR2xx8 radar via its LAN1 port. The FAR2xx8 was designed to operate on either a CLASS C or CLASS B network.

CLASS C ("ECDIS") IP

By default, the FAR2xx8 operates on a Class C network 192.168.31.x / 255.255.255.0 ("ECDIS network"). For most application, it is recommended to leave the radar with its default IP address (LAN1: 192.168.31.21 / SCAN: 192.168.31.101) and configure the computer IP address accordingly:

IMPORTANT: With this Class C IP address, you cannot mix and connect any NavNet Sounder (DFF1-UHD for example) with the FAR2xx8. This is because the NavNet sounders were designed to only operate on the "NavNet" network (172.31.x.x). Note that it is NOT possible to use a second Ethernet card on the computer to connect the sounder. This is because TimeZero can only use one Ethernet Card at a time for Furuno Sensor communication (Radar and Sounder). If you want to integrate TimeZero to a FAR2xx8 and a NavNet Sounder, you will have to change the IP address of the FAR2xx8 to a CLASS B network (see below).

CLASS B ("NavNet") IP

If you want to connect a FAR2xx8 radar and a network sounder, it is possible to switch the FAR2xx8 to the CLASS B network (172.31.x.x):

To change the CLASS and IP address of the FAR2xx8, hold “HL OFF” and press the “MENU” key 5 times. The Radar Installation menu will appear. Select “Next” (0), then "Network Settings" (2). Under "LAN 1.3 IP Address", set the Class to "B", then set the "LAN1 IP address" to "172.31.3.35" and "SCAN" to "172.31.3.6".

Once the radar IP is changed, the radar must be restarted to store the new setting.

IMPORTANT: Because TimeZero cannot output any Navigation data on the network (Position, COG/SOG, Heading, Pitch & Roll, Heave) in presence of a FAR2xx8, only basic single beam sounder integration is supported. It is NOT possible to mix a DFF3D and FAR2xx8 on the same network. It is also NOT possible to mix a FAR2xx8 and a DRS radar on the same network. Also, please note that sounder heave compensation is not supported.

Note: If multiple radars are networked or inter-switched together, a unique Radar Number must be assigned to each radar processor and radar sensor. This can be done from the first page of the FAR2xx8 "Installation" menu.

IMO Mode

When TimeZero is interconnected to the FAR2xx8 via the network, the radar should be set to IMO Mode B or W. To set the IMO type, hold “HL OFF” and press the “MENU” key 5 times on the FAR2XX8. The “Radar Installation” menu will appear. Select “Installation” (5), then "Type" (6). Set to "B" or "W" ("W" is recommended).

SIO LAN Output

The FAR2xx8 SIO LAN Output should be turned OFF (which is the default setting on the FAR). To make sure this setting is OFF, right click on the [POSN] box located a the top right of the FAR2xx8 screen:

Select OFF for the “SIO Data LAN Output” (4).

Instruments (GPS, Heading, AIS, ...) need to be connected directly to the FAR2xx8 and to the computer. When connecting instruments to TimeZero (via NMEA0183 or NMEA2000), it is very important to make sure that the same GPS and Heading sources connected to the FAR radar are also used and connected to TimeZero. Connecting a different GPS and/or Heading source will result in radar overlay issue.

Configure the computer

TimeZero connects to the FAR2xx8 radar through an Ethernet connection (100Base-T) via the LAN1 port of the radar processor. The computer needs to have an IP address that “matches” the Radar Network (192.168.31.x / 255.255.255.0 or 172.31.x.x / 255.255.0.0 according to the CLASS selected on the FAR2xx8). We highly recommended using the following IP for the computer:

- 192.168.31.150 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 when the FAR2xx8 is set for CLASS C (Default "ECDIS" network)

- 172.31.3.150 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 when the FAR2xx8 is set for CLASS B ("NavNet" Network)

Open the "Network Connections" control panel of your computer to adjust the IP address. Under Windows 10/11 you can press the combination shortcut Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "ncpa.cpl" and click on "OK":

Double click on the Network Adapter connected to the radar (usually “Local Area Connection”).

Note: If you have multiple Area Connections (multiple Ethernet Cards) and if you don’t know which one is connected to the radar, you can temporary disconnect the Ethernet Cable from the computer and look at which icon will display a red cross. This will indicate the LAN that has been disconnected from the computer, and thus the one that needs to be configured.

Select "Properties" from the "Local Area Connection Status" window. Double click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”. Use the fix IP address 192.168.31.150 / 255.255.255.0 OR 172.31.3.150 / 255.255.255.0 according to the network class you selected :

Once the computer's IP address has been assigned, it is recommended to Ping the IP address of the Radar Processor Unit (192.168.31.21 by default) and the Scanner unit (192.168.31.101 by default) to make sure the network is correctly set up. For more information on how to ping an Ethernet device, refer to the How To Ping chapter. Once connectivity has been confirmed, launch TimeZero.

ARPA Configuration

TimeZero can operate in two modes for ARPA processing. It can either use the ARPA data processed by the Radar (default), or use its own local ARPA processing. This setting is adjusted from the Radar Options using the "ARPA Processing" option. If you want TimeZero and the FAR to share the same ARPA data, make sure to leave this option to "Radar Antenna" and configure the FAR radar and TimeZero with the instructions below.

2XX8 Configuration:
The ARPA target output must be setup through the LAN from one FAR2xx8. Hold “HL OFF” and press the “MENU” key 5 times. The Radar Installation menu will appear. Select “Next” (0), then "Other Settings" (3). Set "ECDIS" (4) to "LAN". Go back to the initial Radar Installation menu (first page), then select "TT Preset" (6), then "TT Data Output" (2). Set "Select Sentence" (2) to "TTM" and "TTM/TTD Reference" (3) to "TRUE".

TimeZero Configuration:
In order for the ARPA target to be received over the network, you need to configure it manually in the software:

  • Open the Connection Wizard

  • Select "Manual Port Configuration" and click on "Next"

  • Select "Add/Configure UDP Connection" and click on "Next"

  • Select the IP address that begins with 192.168.31.x from the "Network Adapter" drop down menu (or 172.31.x.x if the CLASS was changed) and type "10028" for the "UDP Port". Click on "Next"

  • When TimeZero is done analyzing the port, select “UDP 10028” in the list on the left and make sure that “ARPA” is checked in the list on the right.

  • Click "Next" then "Finish" to close the connection Wizard

Note: You can only use the ARPA data from one FAR radar on the network.