STAR-Tank User Manual

Functionality of STARSHIP - What it does

Devices connected in a marine world have defined protocols such as NMEA 2000 for wired connectivity. However, for non-essential, comfort and convenience devices like lighting, air-conditioning, fans, and appliances there is now a connectivity alternative with wireless digital switching. This alternative Wireless connectivity can be in parallel with the wired system. STARSHIP offers two layers of wireless communication, both with Open Protocols as well as preserving NMEA 2000. More and more devices and appliances have inbuilt wireless connectivity, because more advanced functions can be selected using wireless connectivity to purposeful Apps. However, it isn’t practical nor customer focused to require a collection of Apps to fully operate these devices. So sometime in 2019, Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung agreed to commit to a common standard for IOT devices and appliances that any of their platforms would connect with using one native app on the smartphone or tablet. The Standard was published in December 2022 and is called “Matter”. Matter is a published open protocol with IPv6 endpoints. Once provisioned, it does not require the internet. It has a high encrypted security feature and uses conventional WiFi and/or ethernet between devices. STARSHIP is compliant with Matter but with a significant difference: It also has integration of both Wired NMEA2000 and Long Range Bluetooth (uses 802.15.4 transport layer). This means a light can be turned on and colour changed from an MFD display then turned off or the colour changed using wireless STAR-Switches in a cabin. However, the really important functionality is the automation. Apart from convenience of one “Home Control” app for multiple devices (currently over 2,000), there is the Energy Management Automation that is particularly useful. Matter includes this as well as battery monitoring such that load shedding of devices can be done when energy needs to be conserved. Simply departing a boat can trigger automation that turns off all non-essential devices. STARSHIP is the only DC powered Matter compliant device available. Layer on to that the 2 other communication methods. We envision a future where most appliances and lighting will be available under the WiFi standard protocol.