Garmin EmpirBus MCU v2

Garmin EmpirBus MCU v2

Allowing you to control and monitor all onboard electronic systems from your Garmin chartplotter or compatible third-party display, the MCU device is an essential component of larger, more complex digital control installations. It is the central processor that drives the system and provides the computing power, intelligence and decision-making functions — plus coordination between the system’s distribution control modules (DCMs), including the NXT^™ DCM and Connect 50^™ DCM units from EmpirBus.

In addition, there are various interfaces for connection to external devices. The updated MCU v2 boasts two auxiliary CAN ports and two RS485 ports that are galvanically isolated and can be configured for additional third-party integrations in parallel.

The MCU device talks to all the other system components via the NMEA 2000^® network. Configuration files for the installation are stored in the MCU, so if a DC module is ever damaged it can simply be replaced, and it will be programmed by the MCU device. While the MCU is designed to support larger, more complex switching systems, on smaller systems one of the Connect 50 or other DCM units can be set up to function as the master control for the system.