The next release of the N2K specification will include three new Windlass Network Messages PGNs (see this Technical Bulletin.
The Signal K specification has no framework for windlass data.
Proposal
Accept that a windlass is a type of winch (as is a capstan and maybe even hoist) and focus this discussion on supporting winches as a top-level group in Signal K.
Accept that we model the winches group structure simply as winches.id, where id is an arbitrary identifier (in the case of an N2K connected winch this would be the installation's N2K instance number).
Take this draft pull request as an RFC which will allow refinement of the detail of how we represent winch data in Signal K.
Straw man
Windlass identity
Common to all winches and just like some other installation identities in Signal K.
type: [ "capstan" | "generic" | "hoist" | "windlass" ]
state: [ "deploying" | "retrieving" | "stopped" ] // what the winch is currently doing
speed: n, n>=1 // logical speed - a meta object may map this into the physical values
inService: [ "no" | "yes" ] // whether or not the winch is available for use
lastOperation: { // changes when state and or speed change
direction: [ "deploy" | "retrieve" ]
speed: n, n>=1
duration: s
}
meta: { // static winch data
availableSpeeds: [
{
id: n,n>=1,
rate: m/s
}
]
powerType: [ "electrical" | "hydraulic" | "manual" ]
spoolDimensions: {
diameter: m
length: m
}
}
Windlass and capstan properties
Additional properties for windlasses and capstans.
deploymentState: [ "docked" | "nearlyDocked" | "deployed" | "fullyDeployed" ]
rodeType: [ "rope" | "chain" ]
rodeCounter: m
lineSpeed: m/s
This draft pull request includes a very draft winches.json that reflects the straw man for those who like that sort of thing.
Motivation
Proposal
Straw man
Windlass identity
Common to all winches and just like some other installation identities in Signal K.
Winch properties
Common to all winches.
Windlass and capstan properties
Additional properties for windlasses and capstans.
This draft pull request includes a very draft winches.json that reflects the straw man for those who like that sort of thing.