NMEA 2000 DBC File: Decode Data from Boats and Ships
NMEA 2000 is the CAN-based network that connects engines, GPS receivers, wind and depth sensors, batteries and displays on boats and ships. The NMEA 2000 DBC file decodes its standard messages into readable values such as speed through water, wind angle, engine temperature or battery state.
It is built on the official NMEA 2000 PGN database, version 3.000 (2022), and the bundle includes the NMEA 2000 Appendix A and B documents themselves, which also gives you the license to use them. If you already own the appendices, a lower-priced version without them is available against proof of purchase.
Highlights
- 170+ NMEA 2000 PGNs and about 1500 signals
- Single-frame and fast-packet messages
- Value tables included where meaningful
- Includes NMEA 2000 Appendix A and B (v3.000, 2022) with license
- IDs matched on the 18-bit PGN, so it works across source addresses
- Works in any CAN tool that imports DBC files, including the CANedge and CANsub software and the free asammdf GUI
Where it earns its keep
- Vessel monitoring: log engine, fuel, battery and navigation data on yachts and work boats
- Marine equipment development: test NMEA 2000 devices against real network traffic
- Fleet operations: track usage and performance across boats with a CANedge2 or CANedge3
- Research vessels: combine environmental and navigation data on one timeline
Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | NMEA 2000 DBC file (CSS Electronics) |
| SKU | S012 |
| Source | NMEA 2000 PGN database v3.000 (2022), Appendix A and B included |
| PGNs | 170+ |
| Signals | About 1500 (of about 1800 in the database) |
| Message types | Single-frame and fast-packet PGNs |
| ID matching | VFrameFormat J1939PG (matched on 18-bit PGN) |
| Value tables | Included where meaningful |
| Versions | Including Appendix A and B, or excluding them (proof of purchase required) |
| Delivery | Digital download |
Frequently asked questions
Why is the NMEA 2000 appendix included?
The NMEA 2000 PGN definitions are licensed by the NMEA. Including Appendix A and B in the bundle gives you that license with the DBC, so no separate purchase is needed. Owners of the appendices can buy the version without them.
How much of my vessel data will it decode?
Most standard NMEA 2000 data on a typical vessel, with the remainder being manufacturer-specific messages. The DBC covers about 1500 of the roughly 1800 signals in the NMEA database; the rest cannot be represented in DBC format.
Can I test it before buying?
Yes. Send us a sample CANedge log from the vessel and we will help arrange a free sample decoding with CSS Electronics.
Need a quote or help choosing the right setup? Contact Pertech, the CSS Electronics distributor in Israel.
