The German research icebreaker RV “Polarstern” now operates with programmable converter boxes by FIELAX. This box can read incoming serial data (interfaces RS232/RS422), convert/transform it by a programmable micro controller and output it serially. Multiple boxes have been installed on “Polarstern” to convert NMEA and binary data from a motion sensor to feed devices requiring specialised input telegram formats. Contractor was Reederei F. Laeisz GmbH.
Programmable converterbox for serial data (front view) 
Installation example of programmable converterbox for serial data and power module on cap rail 
Overview chart of converterboxes
Technical Specification:
| Interfaces | 3x serial RS232 or 3x serial RS422 |
| Max. Data Transmission on serial interfaces | 1 Mbps |
| CPU | 96 MHz |
| RAM | 64 kB |
| Flash Memory | 256 kB |
| Input voltage | 24V ± 10%, 29V absolute maximum |
| Current consumption | 50 mA |
| Temperature range in operation | -20 °C – 70 °C |
| Temperature range in storage | -40 °C – 85 °C |
| Dimension (without power module) | 48 mm x 75 mm x 114 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight (without power module) | 130 g |
| Installation method | Cap rail |
Use case scenario:
Incoming data on port 1: GPS positions as NMEA string $GPGGA$GPGGA,123519,4807.038,N,01131.000,E,1,08,0.9,545.4,M,46.9,M,,*47
Incoming data on port 2: Heading as NMEA string $HEHDT$HEHDT,064.3,T,*2E
Conversion and output on port 3: Propietary binary telegram containing GPS latitude/longitude and heading (shown in HEX format):c7h4 8423