NavNet MFD & DRS Connection

The "Furuno Radar Module" needs to be unlocked prior to configure a compatible Furuno MFD and DRS to TimeZero.

IMPORTANT: this chapter assume that you have a compatible NavNet MFD (NavNet3D, TZtouch, TZtouch2, TZtouch3, or TZtouchXL) connected to the network. If the DRS radar is directly connected to the PC (no MFD on the network), please refer to the Direct DRS Connection Chapter.

Configure the computer

TimeZero connects to a Furuno "MFD" (Multi Function Display) and "DRS" (Digital Radar Sensor) through an Ethernet connection (100Base-T). The computer must be assigned an IP address that matches the Furuno network (172.31.x.x / 255.255.0.0) in order to communicate with the MFD and DRS. We strongly recommend configuring the computer with a fixed IP address of 172.31.3.150 and a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0.

To set a static IP address, open the Network Connections control panel on your computer. In Windows 10/11, press Windows Key + R (or right-click the Windows Start button) to open the Run dialog. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK:

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

Note: If your computer has multiple network adapters and you’re unsure which one is connected to the radar, temporarily unplug the Ethernet cable from the computer and observe which network icon shows a red cross. This will identify the LAN that was disconnected and therefore 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 fixed IP address 172.31.3.150 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0:

Configure TimeZero

Once the computer’s IP address is configured, launch TimeZero in Navigation Mode. Open the Options by clicking the TimeZero logo in the top-left corner and select Device List. Verify that the MFD and radar appear in the Local Device List. Do not proceed to the next step until all Furuno Ethernet sensors are correctly listed.

The Furuno MFD automatically bridges data received via NMEA 2000 and transmits it over the network. To allow TimeZero to receive this data, you must add a NavNet connection using the Connection Wizard. Open the Connection Wizard and run the Automatic Detection. TimeZero will automatically detect the navigation data available on the NavNet network that is being bridged by the MFD (GPS, heading, AIS, wind, etc.).

If the NavNet instrument is not detected automatically, you can add a NavNet port manually:

Select "Manual Port Configuration" from the Connection Wizard and click on "Next"
Select "Add/Configure NavNet Connection" and click on "NMEA & AIS" and "Fast Heading" (and "ARPA" if you want to use the ARPA target generated from the Radar Antenna). Click on "Next"
Make sure that the type of data you want to receive from the NavNet network are checked for the various NavNet ports

Note: It is recommended to turn ON the MFD before starting TimeZero so that the bridged data is available on the network.

ARPA Configuration

ARPA Target (Automated Radar Plotting Aid) is a feature that can track vessels using radar data. It calculates their speed, course, and closest point of approach, helping users to assess collision risk and make safe maneuvering decisions.

For ARPA processing, users can choose whether targets are computed by TimeZero or directly by the radar antenna. This setting is available in the Radar Options under ARPA Processing:

By default, "Radar Antenna" is selected, meaning ARPA targets are generated by the antenna itself (using the Furuno algorithm). In this configuration, the NavNet ARPA connection must be added to the Connection Wizard so TimeZero can receive the targets from the network (being sent by the radar). If TimeZero processing is selected instead, NavNet ARPA does not need to be configured in the Connection Wizard and should ideally be disabled for a cleaner setup.

The optimal choice depends on the system configuration. When an MFD is present, antenna-based ARPA is strongly recommended, as targets can be shared across the network and displayed on the MFD.

Important Note about the Use of Managed Switches on NavNet Networks causing "No Sweep" radar error:
Managed or “smart” Ethernet switches are becoming increasingly common. However, when used on a Furuno network, these switches can cause communication issues due to features such as IGMP Snooping. In the absence of a proper IGMP Querier (which is not present on a Furuno Network), the IGMP Snooping feature of the switch may prevent UDP multicast data from being forwarded correctly. This can result in symptoms such as a Radar “No Sweep” status on the Radar Screen, even though the radar appears correctly detected. While some managed switches allow IGMP Snooping to be disabled, others enable this feature internally with no option to turn it off. In such cases, the only reliable solution is to replace the switch with a truly unmanaged Ethernet switch that does not implement IGMP Snooping or any traffic optimisation/QoS.

Important note about DHCP Server and Router on a NavNet3D Network:
Using a Router (with a DHCP server) is absolutely forbidden on a NavNet3D Network. The NavNet3D MFD “Master” is already a DHCP server (and would conflict with any other third party DHCP server). You may setup the computer to acquire an automatic IP address, but in that case, the NavNet3D MFD set as a Master needs to be turned ON before the computer. If the computer is connected to the network or turned ON prior to the NavNet3D MFD set as Master, the computer will not acquire a valid IP address and the Ethernet connection must be repaired manually. That is why it is recommended to setup a fixed IP address (172.31.3.150 / 255.255.0.0).