4GXtream - Digital Yacht

KEY FEATURES

4GXtream is our latest, premium LTE (cellular) internet access on board product with a NMEA 2000 interface.  It ships as a complete package with dual external antennas, deck mounting hardware and cabling.  Alternative antenna mounts are available as options.

Using MIMO technology and two external wide band LTE antennas, it offers fast connectivity at up to 300 MBs (network dependent).  It has a built in dual band wifi router supporting multiple connections, dual SIM slots (with auto fail over if required), built in GPS (for IOT and tracking applications) as well as an NMEA 2000 interface for navigation and instrument data connectivity and wireless interfacing.  There’s also a Bluetooth interface for future connectivity applications.

It will sit alongside our existing 4G Connect Pro as a premium product and is ideal for use on large yacht, workboats, tugs and commercial ships where reliable, low cost coastal internet and in port connectivity is required. 4GXtream features independent dual band (2.4 & 5GHz) wifi for interconnection to mobile devices.  This also provides the connectivity for NMEA data so apps on mobile devices can utilise the boats navigation and instrumentation data.

For external hi-power wifi (to access shoreside hotspots) our WL510 is recommended which connects to the WAN port.  4GXtream can then act as a router for this connection and allow the user to switch from wifi to LTE.

Read our full presentation about 4GXtream by clicking here.

FEATURES

• Latest Cat 6 LTE MIMO technology with range up to 25NM offshore (network dependent)
• Dual SIM slots with auto fail over or manual selection
• Two external, high gain, wide bandwidth antennas
• Dual band integrated wifi router (2.4 & 5 GHz) – independently configurable
• Built in NMEA 2000 interface to transmit NMEA 2000 data over the wireless and wired network to compatible apps
• Built in GPS with external patch antenna for IOT and tracking applications
• Built in Bluetooth with antenna for future applications
• 3 x LAN ports
• 1 x WAN port for additional internet connectivity – eg: WL510 high power wifi system
• Digital input/output connectivity for IOT/control applications (Available Q3 2021)
• SMS addressable

FAQs

How about 5G?

5G is now becoming well developed.  5G is basically about short range, very fast communications.  Its applications are in dense population, urban areas with very fast downloads.  Some of the bands allocated to this are in the 3.4-3.6 GHz and even 24-52 GHz frequency range so ultra high frequencies which have very short range.  For the maritime and coastal market, this isn’t ideal so we’ll find that 4G continues to be prevalent.  That said, 5G will be used for a lot of 4G internet back haul so it will improve traditional 4G LTE infrastructure too.  4G LTE technology continues to be the best option for maritime internet access.  4GXtream can, of course, support additional internet on board sources though its WAN port.

Can I view my NMEA 2000 navigation data remotely?

4GXtream has a built in NMEA 2000 interface which allows NMEA 2000 data to be utilised by apps on mobile devices connected to the system.  GPS, AIS and instrument data is streamed from the boat’s system across the wifi network. The simplest method of viewing this data remotely would be to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which effectively builds a data “tunnel” from one network (say on the shore) to another (eg: on the boat).  4GXtream supports VPNs and this technology is well proven but requires specialist 3rd party IP network knowledge to implement.  4GXtream also supports MQTT for IOT applications and ZeroTier for remote access and we expect to see 3rd party marine applications develop for these platforms.  4G tream also supports text message polling of GPS data and alerts through its internal GPS function.

Where should the external antennas be mounted?

4GXtream ships with dual external antennas.  They should be mounted at least 2ft apart for optimum performance.  While height is advantageous, consideration should also be given to cable runs.  The standard cables (LMR200) are 23ft in length and should not be extended. Typical mounting locations would be the 1st set of spreaders on a sailboat, radar arch or stern pole/solar panel platform.  Optional 33 and 66ft assemblies are available and these use LMR400 specialist coax for minimum losses.

Can I use the internal wifi network to connect to shore side wifi?

Yes this is possible. One wifi network can be used to access a shoreside hotspot (2.4GHz) and the 5GHz network bridged to provide local access however this isn’t recommended or supported.  We recommend the use of our WL510 connected to the WAN port if long range wifi hotspot access is required.