A Scalable I/O Hub for Auxiliary Ship Systems needs strong hardware. The Moduline IV offers stable and flexible control on board modern vessels.

A Scalable I/O Hub for Auxiliary Ship Systems helps vessels manage pumps, control other actuators and read all kind of sensors. Ships often use many subsystems that all need stable signals. These include bilge pumps, ventilation units, ballast controls, cooling loops and so on. Because these systems run day and night, the controller must be durable and reliable.
The GOcontroll Moduline IV fits this role well. It offers a strong aluminium housing, flexible module slots and a fast processor. As a result, it can act as the central brain of the ship. It reads all inputs, sends control signals and helps automate key tasks. Its modular design also makes it easy to expand or adjust when the vessel changes.

Marine environments are demanding. Ships face vibration, salt moisture, hot engine rooms and sudden temperature shifts. The Moduline IV was built for rough field use. Its CNC-milled EN-AW5083 aluminium housing protects the electronics from impact and stress. In addition, the enclosure includes a pressure-vent plug that reduces moisture buildup inside the controller. This helps keep internal parts safe during long voyages.
The controller works from −20 to 85 °C, so it handles heat near engines and cooling loops. It also accepts 8–32 VDC supply voltage and includes load-dump protection designed according to ISO 7637-2. Because of this, the unit stays stable even when power lines on a ship fluctuate due to generator switchovers or battery transitions.

A Scalable I/O Hub for Auxiliary Ship Systems must support many signal types. Ships have analog sensors, relay contacts, high-current outputs, flow meters and pressure lines.
The Moduline IV supports up to eight IO modules. Each module adds different functions, so you can build the exact setup needed for the vessel.
Typical uses include:

• Reading pressure sensors from cooling and ballast systems

• Controlling pumps and valves through output modules

• Monitoring ventilation fans and engine-room sensors

• Tracking temperature in cabins, storage rooms and engine spaces

• Receiving safety alarms through digital inputs

All connectors use sealed automotive-grade SUPERSEAL housings. This keeps connections safe from vibration and humidity. The modular approach also lets operators add new features when the ship is upgraded.

Marine automation needs quick reactions. The Moduline IV uses an NXP i.MX 8M Mini processor with four ARM Cortex-A53 cores. Because of this, it supports real-time control models built in MATLAB Simulink. Engineers can design pump logic, valve control or alarm handling using simple visual blocks. They do not need to write code.
Node-RED comes preinstalled on the controller. It helps build simple dashboards for the vessel. These dashboards can show tank levels, pump states or temperature values. In addition, Node-RED makes it easy to send data to the ship network or to a local HMI inside the control room. This helps the crew see problems early and react fast.

Ships often combine modern and legacy systems. The Moduline IV supports this by offering:

• 4 CAN 2.0B interfaces

• 1 LIN interface

• Ethernet 10/100 Mbps

• USB for service tools

Optional wireless features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular and GNSS. These options allow onboard technicians or shore-based teams to access data. GOcontroll’s remote services include secure cloud access, software updates and monitoring tools. As a result, the controller integrates well into mixed marine networks and long-term service plans.

Below is a simple control workflow using the Moduline IV as a Scalable I/O Hub for Auxiliary Ship Systems:

Sensor reading

The controller reads tank levels, temperatures, pressures and safety contacts through the chosen IO modules.

Control logic

A Simulink model adjusts pumps, opens valves or switches ventilation fans. It reacts to alarms and keeps systems inside set limits.

System protection

The controller checks for high water in bilge zones, pump failures or blocked filters. When needed, it sends alarms to the bridge or shuts down parts of the system.

Monitoring

Node-RED dashboards show real-time ship data. Crew members can see subsystem states at a glance.

Remote access

If the ship has wireless or satellite links, service teams can review logs, plan maintenance and update software while the vessel is at sea or in port.