UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

BASE STATION HARDWARE

OPERATION MANUAL
TRANSAS T201/
TRANSAS T201
SKBV.461514.021RE

Annotation
This document contains an AIS T201 station operation manual, which includes the
following information:
AIS station purpose and composition;
Modes of operation;
AIS station shore installation;
Connection to external equipment;
AIS station setup;
Working from the control and display panel;
Serial interface communications protocols.

Contents
OPERATION MANUAL...........................................................................................................................1
Annotation.................................................................................................................................................2
Contents.....................................................................................................................................................3
1
List of Abbreviations.........................................................................................................................5
2
List of Standards................................................................................................................................5
3
Technical specifications.....................................................................................................................5
4
General description............................................................................................................................6
4.1 AIS station composition..............................................................................................................7
4.2 Schematic diagram....................................................................................................................12
4.3 AIS functions.............................................................................................................................14
4.4 Data received by AIS.................................................................................................................14
5
Technical description.......................................................................................................................16
5.1 Main unit mode of functioning..................................................................................................16
5.1.1
Controller.........................................................................................................................18
5.1.2
TDMA AIS receiver.........................................................................................................21
5.1.3
DSC receiver....................................................................................................................21
5.1.4
Transmitter.......................................................................................................................21
5.1.5
Internal GNSS receiver....................................................................................................22
5.1.6
Power supply unit............................................................................................................27
5.2 CDP mode of functioning..........................................................................................................27
5.2.1
Electrical circuit description............................................................................................29
5.2.2
Protocol of communications between CDP and the main unit........................................29
6
AIS station setup..............................................................................................................................32
6.1 Operating CDP..........................................................................................................................32
6.2 Enabling the setup mode of AIS station....................................................................................33
6.3 Recovering a lost password.......................................................................................................34
7
Technical specification.....................................................................................................................37
7.1 Set-up of AIS station purpose and basic parameters.................................................................37
7.2 Setup of alarm messages...........................................................................................................38
7.3 Set-up of serial interfaces..........................................................................................................39
7.4 DGNSS setup............................................................................................................................39
7.5 Test mode...................................................................................................................................40
7.6 Software options........................................................................................................................40
7.7 Event log file.............................................................................................................................41
7.8 Change for working mode.........................................................................................................41
8
Operator manual..............................................................................................................................42
8.1 Operating AIS station................................................................................................................42
8.2 Operating CDP..........................................................................................................................42
8.3 Main menu of the working mode..............................................................................................43
8.4 Checking own coordinates........................................................................................................44
8.5 Base station configuration and control......................................................................................44
8.6 Radio frequencies control..........................................................................................................46
8.7 Viewing the navigational situation............................................................................................48
8.8 Receiving / transmitting text messages related to navigational safety......................................49
8.9 Viewing alarm and information messages.................................................................................51
8.10
AIS station status control......................................................................................................53
8.11
CDP screen brightness control..............................................................................................54
9
Serial interface communications protocols......................................................................................54
9.1 Sensor data receiving interfaces................................................................................................54
9.2 Interfaces for receiving and transmitting AIS data (Main and Aux).........................................55
9.2.1
ABM - addressed binary and safety related message......................................................56
9.2.2
BBM - Broadcast Binary Message..................................................................................56
9.2.3
AIR - AIS Interrogation Request.....................................................................................56
9.2.4
ACA - AIS Regional Channel Assignment Message.......................................................57
9.2.5
Region list control............................................................................................................57
9.2.6
ACK Acknowledge alarm.............................................................................................58
9.2.7
VDM - VHF Data-link Message......................................................................................58

9.2.8
VDO - VHF Data-link Own-vessel message...................................................................58
9.2.9
ALR Alarm status.........................................................................................................58
9.2.10
Transmission on one-time messages (10, 16, etc.)..........................................................58
9.2.11
Sending an address command for control of mobile station radio frequencies (ACM). .58
9.2.12
Sending an address command for assigned mode of the mobile station (ASN)..............59
9.2.13
Base station configuration (BCF)....................................................................................59
9.2.14
Base station control (CAB)..............................................................................................59
9.2.15
Configuration of base station report rate (CBM).............................................................59
9.2.16
Time slot assignment (DLM)...........................................................................................59
9.3 Interface to receive and transmit differential corrections..........................................................60
10
List of alarms, statuses, faults and methods to remove them....................................................60
11
Switching Controller.................................................................................................................63
List of Tables............................................................................................................................................70
List of Figures..........................................................................................................................................71

1 List of Abbreviations
AIS - Automatic Identification System.
MU - Main Unit.
GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite System.
CDP - Control and Display Panel.
VTMS - Vessel Traffic Management System.

2 List of Standards
The AIS station complies with the following standards:
ITU-1371-1, ITU-R M.825-3,
IEC-61993-1, 2, IEC-60945, IEC 1162-1,2,
IALA A124

3 Technical specifications
See Table for AIS station technical specifications:
Table 1. AIS station technical specifications

Frequency range
Channel spacing
Modulation and baud rate
Sensitivity
Transmitter power output
Power consumption
Operating temperature
Storage temperature
Permissible vibration
Weather-proof design
GLONASS/GPS receiver
Channels
Frequency
Positioning deviation
Positioning frequency
Main unit dimensions:
VHF antenna dimensions
GNSS antenna dimensions

Control and Display Panel dimensions

156.025 162.025 MHz

12.5; 25 kHz
AIS GMSK; 9600 bits/sec
DSC FM/FSK; 1200 bits/sec
- 107 dBm
2 W; 12.5W
Main unit: 60 W
Panel: 6 W
-15C +55C
-20C +70C
as per IEC 60945
protected, as per IEC60945, IP22
16
L1, C/A
45 m; for DGNSS 1 to 10 m
1 per second
416 x 308 x 93 mm
height - 1260 mm,
fastenings - M16
GLONASS: truncated cone with the base
diameter of 105 mm, 180.5 mm high.
NAVSTAR: height 73.7mm
diameter 124.5mm
219 x 140 x 76 mm without mounting
frame,
219 x 151 x 76 mm with the mounting
5

Main unit weight

VHF antenna weight
GNSS antenna weight
Control and Display Panel weight

frame,
6.5 kg
0.4 kg
GLONASS: 0.44 kg
NAVSTAR: 0.12 kg
0.8 kg

4 General description
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is designed to enhance safety of
navigation in the coastal and high seas areas by automatic exchange of navigational,
statistical and voyage information, including safety navigation information, between
the ships and VTMS shore stations.
An AIS station is the basic element of the Automatic Identification System (AIS). It
automatically transfers the aforementioned information to AIS. This information is
used in the marine management systems to enhance safety of navigation and to
control the traffic. Usually, an AIS operation region has a base station providing for
control functions; nevertheless the AIS station automatically works outside the
regions providing navigators with information about the navigational situation. AIS
stations are installed at mobile marine objects (vessels of A and B classes, aircraft
participating in the rescue operations, navigational objects) and at the base stations.
Thus, a regional AIS is an array of mobile marine objects provided with AIS stations,
the base station and the area administration.
In addition to the basic functions (transmission of navigational, statistical and route
data) the AIS station can be used for circulation and receiving of GNSS differential
corrections using AIS channels, servicing long-range application requests,
transmission of other binary data determined by ITU-1371-1.
The AIS stations exchange data using two TDMA VHF channels. All AIS stations
divide TDMA VHF channels in time. The AIS stations use their internal GPS or
GLONASS/GPS receivers as uniform time sources. Failure of an internal
GLONASS/GPS receiver doesn't result in an AIS station failure, because a backup
method of AIS station synchronisation in relation to other AIS stations is provided
(indirect UTC synchronisation and semaphore-method synchronization). The
algorithms for TDMA VHF channel time division, the modulation parameters, and the
data formats comply with the ITU-1371-1 standard.
Besides the two TDMA VHF AIS channels, the AIS station can simultaneously
operate DSC (channel 70). A mobile AIS station receives and processes requests sent
by a shore DSC station specified by ITU-1371-1 standard. A base AIS station can use
the DSC channel to transmit data on the operation mode of the ship-borne/shore
stations in the designated AIS regions, and to request for navigational information.
The VHF channel numbers are assigned for each region by the Administration.
Outside the regions, the AIS stations use channels 2087 (AIS1) and 2088 (AIS2).
When a mobile object approaches the region, the AIS station receives numbers of
TDMA VHF channels using one of the following methods:

From a shore AIS station;

From a DSC shore station (in case of a combined use of AIS and DESCRIBED in the region);
From the operator by manual entry (backup method).

The AIS station is connected to the external equipment via interfaces. Usually, the
external equipment is:
Coordinate sources (GPS or GLONASS/GPS receiver);
Electronic devices, e.g. NAVI-HARBOUR, designed for display and processing of data sent by an
AIS station.

The AIS station is equipped with a Control and Display Panel (CDP), which provides
the operator with access to all basic functions of the AIS station, even if external
equipment is not available.

4.1 AIS station composition

An AIS station consists of:
- GNSS antenna (or GPS antenna);
- VHF antenna (1-VHF T, 1-VHF R);
- VHF/GNSS antenna cables;
- Main unit;
- Backup module;
- AIS control and display panel (CDP);
- AIS power supply switching controller;
- A set of cables to connect the PS switching controller with the main unit, backup modules and the
server.

See the figures for AIS station components.

Figure 1 - Main unit

Figure 2 - VHF antenna

Figure 3 - Control and display panel

Figure 4 - Combined antenna GPS/GLONASS

10

Figure 5 - GPS antenna.

Figure 6 Switching Controller (socket side view)

11

Figure 7 Switching Controller (face panel view)

See the figures at the end of this manual for dimensional drawings of the combined
antenna, the GPS antenna and the mounting bracket.

4.2 Schematic diagram

See Figure 8 for the schematic diagram of the main unit, backup modules, power
supply module CDP, the server, and the switching controller.

12

Fig. 8 Schematic diagram of the main unit, backup modules, power supply module CDP, the server AIS, and the switching controller

13

4.3 AIS functions

AIS performs the following functions:
- automatic ship identification (ship IMO number, MMSI number, call-sign and the name);
- receiving the route information (destination point, ETA, cargo type ) and static data (ship
dimensions, draught, antenna position, ) via AIS channels;
- transmitting the station MMSI number, and station coordinates;
- identification of station coordinates using the internal GNSS receiver, including the use of the
differential mode;
- transmitting GNSS differential corrections via AIS channels;
- transmitting the values of bearings and distances to the ship, calculated on the station
geographical coordinates and the own coordinates, to the AIS display;
- specification of corresponding modes of operation to the ship-borne station and other shore
stations, including specification of areas, channel A and B frequency numbers, transmitted
power, slots for message transmission, intervals for message transmission, and operational
modes of the retransmitters;
- provision of all receive and transmitted information on the displays of the VTMS/AIS operator;
- provision of information pertaining to AIS status on the control and display panel and the VTMS
operator display;
- switching ON/OFF the backup AIS shore stations (repeaters).

4.4 Data received by AIS

AIS receives the following data:
Static data:
ship IMO Identity number (if available);
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number;
Ship call-sign and name;
Ship length and beam;
Ship type;
Position of the GNSS antenna onboard.
Dynamic data:
Ship coordinates with the accuracy indicator (assessment) (DGNSS, GNSS, GLONASS, GPS)
and the integrity status;
UTC, hours, minutes, and seconds (date is specified by the receive equipment);
Course over ground (track angle);
Speed over ground (absolute speed);
Ship navigational status (anchored, uncontrollable,) is set manually;
Rate of turn;
Voyage data:
Ship draught;
Hazardous (type) cargo onboard (if requested by the Administration);
Port of destination and time of arrival thereto;
Passage (route) plan waypoints.
Short messages concerning navigational safety.
Table 2 List of VHF-messages, received / transmited by the shore station
AIS

MSG Designation
ID (1)
1
Position message

Description

R/P

Planned position message

(Ship equipment of class A)

Yes

Yes

No

14

MSG Designation
ID (1)
2
Position message
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Description

Appointed planned position message;

(Ship equipment of class A)
Position message Special position message in answer to
a request;
(Ship equipment of class A)
Base station
Position, UTC, date/number of the
message
current base-station slot
Static data and
Planned message with static data and
voyage data
voyage data (Ship equipment of class
A)
Addressed binary Binary data for address
message
communication
Binary
Addressed binary message
acknowledgement acknowledgement
Binary broadcast Binary data for broadcast
message
communication
Standard message Position message for the stations
on position of
installed on aircraft participating in the
search-and-rescue search-and-rescue operations
aircraft
UTC/Date request Request of UTC time and date
UTC/date
Current UTC and date, if possible
response
Addressed safety Safety related message for addressed
related message
communication
Addressed safety Acknowledgement of receiving the
related message
addressed safety related message
acknowledgement
Safety related
Safety related message for broadcast
broadcast
communication
message
Request
Request of a certain-type message
(might result in multi-responses from
one or several stations) (4))
Assignment
Assignment of a special UAIS mode
command
of operation to VTMS in the region
DGNSS message Provision of DGNSS corrections
Standard position Standard position message for class B
message for class equipment, should be used instead of
B equipment
messages 1, 2, 3 (8)
Extended position Extended position message for class B
message for class equipment, containing static data (8)
B equipment
too.
Slot reservation
Slot reservation for the base station(s)
message for
subsequent
transmissions

R/P

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

15

MSG Designation
ID (1)
21
Aids to
navigation
message
22
Channel control
message

Description

R/P

Message on position and status of aids

to navigation (AtoN)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Control of the channels and ship UAIS Yes

operation modes by the base station

Yes

Yes

Conventions:
MSG ID message number;
R/P request for message receiving and processing by the AIS station;
O requirement to display the sentence with message on the data representation interface;
T requirement to have the message transmitted by the AIS shore station (Yes permitted or
required; No transmission not permitted).

5 Technical description
This section contains a description of the internal design of an AIS station. The
section is designed for the engineers of the maintenance department of AIS stations;
the AIS users are not required to familiarize themselves with the information given in
this section.
The AIS station is composed of three basic functional units: the main unit, CDP and
the switching controller.
The main unit provides all AIS functions, being able to operate independent of CDP.
CDP is designed for cooperation with the operator. CDP receives control commands
from the main unit via the switching controller (on the level, what symbol or what
graphical element should be displayed without turning to specific AIS notations) and
provides the main unit with notifications on the manual entry events (screen touch by
the operator). The exchange between the main unit and CDP is performed via the
serial interface RS-422 (baud rate=9600, parity=none, num. stop bits=1).

5.1 Main unit mode of functioning

See the drawing for construction of the main unit as viewed from the side of
TDMA/DSC receivers and transmitters.
Figure 9 Construction of the main unit as viewed from the side of TDMA/DSC receivers and
transmitters

16

The main unit is composed of:

-

controller;
GPS/GLONASS (GPS) receiver;
two TDMA UAIS receivers;
one DESCRIBED receiver;
transmitter (common for TDMA UAIS and DSC);
antenna switch;
power supply board.

17

Figure 10 Main unit functional diagram

Interfaces
Controller

Transmitter

Receiver
AIS1

Receiver
AIS2

Internal
GNSS

Receiver
DSC

5.1.1 Controller
Controller unit composition and functions.
Central processor unit
Control of AIS station logic, loading the
signal process program,
receiving data from the GNSS internal
receiver, support of dialog with the
operator with the aid of CDP.
Two external controllers
Control of the serial interfaces
(recognition and generation of NMEA/
VDL/ RTCM/ Long-Range telegrams),
loading the logic matrix program,
monitoring the radio unit parameters,
storing the setup and static data.
Signal processor unit
Modulation and demodulation of the
digital signal,
Radio module control.
Logical matrix unit
Modulation and demodulation of the
digital signal,
radio module control,
support of semaphores for interaction
between the central processor and the
external controllers.
The controller is designed to provide control of the AIS station logic. It consists of the
central processor unit, two external controllers, signal processor and logical matrix.

5.1.1.1 Central processor unit

Composition and functions of the CPU constituents:

18

Central processor

Provides all high-level functions of the controller:

Message generation and transmission;
Control of access to media;
Interaction with the internal GNSS receiver;
Interaction with the operator via CDP.

Starting RAM

RAM
Program Flash

Two-port memory

Logical matrix
High byte register for
registering on the
DSP bus
Control signal
registers

Contains the procedure of self-testing (POST) for the central

processor unit, and the target part of the debugger used for
software development and weaving.
The debugger is started, if there is a jumper on the CDP
interface.
If no jumper, POST is started, which transfers control to the
program written in the program Flash, after successful test of
RAM, ROM and program Flash. In case of CDP errors,
diagnostics messages will be displayed.
Static random-access memory of 512Kb.
Flash memory, containing the basic program code.
The basic program loads and starts the signal processor, starts
the external controllers, and checks communication with
them.
Two chips of the two-port memory are designed for provision
of link between the central processor and the external
controllers. The memory is represented in the address space
of the central processor on the one hand and in the address
space of the respective external controller, on the other hand.
A number of logical matrix terminals are used for arranging
the semaphores for simultaneous access to the two-port
memory.
The register is designed for linking the 8-digit bus of the
central processor with the 16-digit bus of the signal
processor. The central processor has access to the signal
processor memory, which is actually used as a two-port
memory.
The registers are general-purpose input/output ports used for
generation of various control signals (turning LED ON, reset
of external controllers, reset of the internal GNSS receiver).

5.1.1.2 External microcontroller unit 1

Composition and functions of the external microcontroller unit 1 constituents:
Microcontroller

Two-port memory
UART controllers

Provides receiving and generation of

messages via the serial interfaces: MAIN,
AUX, LongRange.
It contains and loads the logical matrix
program.
Storage of AIS station setup parameters.
Represented in the address space of the
microcontroller and the CPU. Designed
for data exchange between the latter.
Generation and recognition of the serial

19

Serial interface drivers

Logical matrix

interface signal time diagrams. Accessible

for the microcontroller via its
address/data bus.
Conversion of electrical levels from TTL
to RS-422 and vice versa
A number of logical matrix terminals are
used for arranging the semaphores for
simultaneous access to the two-port
memory.

5.1.1.3 External microcontroller unit 2

Microcontroller

Two-port memory
UART

Serial interface drivers

Logical matrix

Provides receiving and generation of

messages via the serial interfaces:
DGNSS, SEN1, SEN2, SEN3
Storage of ship static data and the region
catalog.
Represented in the address space of the
microcontroller and the CPU. Designed
for data exchange between the latter.
Generation and recognition of the serial
interface signal time diagrams. Accessible
for the microcontroller via its
address/data bus.
Conversion of electrical levels from TTL
to RS-422 and vice versa
A number of logical matrix terminals are
used for arranging the semaphores for
simultaneous access to the two-port
memory.

5.1.1.4 Signal processor and logical matrix unit

Signal processor DSP-2181

Two AIS signal demodulators

DESCRIBED signal demodulator
Digital-to-analog coder
Logical matrix

Modulation of digital data; generation

and recognition of the media messages
(flags, bit staffing, checksum); provision
of media access time diagrams.
Demodulation of the received signal.
Demodulation of the received signal.
Conversion of the digital code to the
analogous one at modulation.
Providing exact fixation of slot/bit time
duration receiving and transmitting;
buffering the data flow

20

5.1.2 TDMA AIS receiver

The AIS receiver unit performs amplification, filtration and demodulation of radio
signals for two TDMA channels, and these channels are able to receive signals in the
frequency grid of 25 and 12.5 kHz.
The radio signals received by the antenna goes to the antenna switch and to the SAWfilter, where the AIS frequency working range (156.025-162.025 MHz) is subjected to
the preliminary frequency selection. Then the filtered signal goes to the radio
frequency amplifier (RFA), which performs the required amplification necessary for
correct operation of the subsequent units. After amplification, the signal goes through
the three-channel splitter, which results in a three-fold decrease of its effective output.
Physically, the scheme units described above are located on the receiver board. After
the splitter, the signals go via the mounted cables to the first-intermediate-frequency
mixers of the TDMA / DSC receivers installed in separate shielded boxes. The
heterodyne signals of the radio frequency mixers are represented by the output
oscillation of the frequency synthesizers, which are reset by the AIS controller
commands. The synthesizer frequencies are set so as to provide a useful frequency
response at the central frequency of 21.4 MHz at the mixers' output. Then the firstintermediate-frequency signal of each of the receiving channels is sent via keys to the
quartz filters, which provide the required receiver adjacent-channel selectivity in the
frequency grid of 25.0 and 12.5 kHz. After the quartz filters, the first-intermediatefrequency signal is amplified to compensate for the losses in the upstream radio path
units. Then the first-intermediate-frequency signal is transferred to the second
intermediate frequency, gets restricted and demodulated. All these operations are
conducted on the basis of the second-intermediate-frequency demodulating mixer
microcircuitry. After the demodulator output, the demodulated low frequency
subcarrier is scaled by the operational amplifier, and after this operation the signal
acquires the required DC offset and peak-to-peak amplitude. In addition to the
frequency modulation of the received radio signal, the demodulating mixer
microcircuitry provides assessment of its output, which is used by the controller to
evaluate the occupancy of the selected frequency channel.

5.1.3 DSC receiver

The receiving module of the DSC channel receives the signal from the splitter output,
which is subjected to the similar processing in the scheme units analogous to the
TDMA channel, with the exception of switching with the aid of the quartz filter keys,
which are required for operation on the 12.5 kHz frequency grid.

5.1.4 Transmitter
The system transmitter unit is composed of the transmitter per se, the unidirectional
coupler with an output meter circuit, antenna switch, preamplification unit of the
receive path. The transmitter per se includes the voltage-controlled modulation
oscillator, frequency synthesizer, mixer and final amplification stages with
control/filtration circuits.
The transmitter performs frequency modulation of the subcarrier radio signal of the
AIS /DESCRIBED channel and amplification of the modulated radio signal. To

21

determine the channel for operation, the preliminary setting of the transmitter
synthesizer frequency is performed.
The AIS / DSC channel LF subcarrier from the digital-analog converter filter output,
located in the controller, goes to the modulating input of the voltage-controlled
oscillator, on which the output of the 28,000 MHz central frequency modulated radio
signal is generated. Then the modulated radio signal goes via the key and the LF filter
to the signal input of the mixer, the frequency synthesizer acting as its heterodyne.
The synthesizer frequency is set by the AIS controller so that at the mixer output the
useful constituents of the radio signal spectre matched the specified frequency channel
(the central frequency of the synthesizer working range is 187 MHz). Prior to entering
the mixer, the signal goes from the synthesizer via the LF filter in order to decrease
the harmonics levels and, respectively, the parasitic emission components, in
generation of which they take part. Then the product generated in the mixer is filtered
by the bandwidth filter on SAW to suppress the parasitic components, after which the
filtered radio signal enters the amplification circuit. In the amplification circuit, the
radio signal is first amplified by two intermediate amplifiers, between which another
SAW filter is provided for filtration of parasitic components. After the second
preliminary amplification stage, the signal enters the final amplifier, which ensures
the required level of the transmitter output. The parasitic products of the final
amplifier operating in the non-linear mode, are filtered in the harmonics filter. The
harmonics filter is a LF filter, a 7th-order elliptic (Cauer) filter.
From the final amplifier, the radio signal of a specified output enters the output socket
via the unidirectional coupler and the antenna switch. The levels of the incident power
and reflected power are measured by the unidirectional coupler with a
detection/amplification circuit, which detects and scales the split signals of the
incident and reflected waves. So generated signals enter the analog/digital converter
of the AIS controller for subsequent evaluation of SWR. The antenna switch is
designed for switch the radio signal from the transmitter to the antenna, and from the
latter to the first stage of the receive path (see paragraph 5.1.2).

5.1.5 Internal GNSS receiver

The AIS station can be provided with the following GNSS receiver makes:
- GPS/GLONASS K-161 (T201) combined receiver;
- GPS (T201-1) receiver.

Complete documentation for the receivers listed above can be acquired from the
manufacturers. These receivers are described in brief in the subsequent subsections.

22

5.1.5.1 Brief description of the K-161 receiver

3,3 5

UART1 (out)

UART1(in)
UART2(in)
Figure 11 - Functional diagram of GPS/GLONASS K-161 receiver

See Figure 11 for a functional diagram of the K-161 receiver. Conventions:

RG Reference oscillator;
DCD dedicated computing device;
DCR - differential correction receiver;
CCD control computing device;
RRD - radio receiving device;
DHD digital handling device;
RMU receiving/measuring unit.

23

The satellite signals transmit to the antenna.

Power supply is provided by CCD. CCD also issues commands to operate RMU
through channel 1 RS-232C input.
RG provides bit synchronization of RMUs operation with the received radio signals in
real time.
RRD provides receiving, amplification, frequency filtration of the satellite radio
signals transmitted to the external antenna, and generation of output level-quantized
signals required for subsequent processing.
DHD uses 16 multi-purpose receiving/measuring channels, each of which can operate
on the standard code of GLONASS satellite signals or on the C/A code of GPS
satellite signals.
DCD provides computation of radio navigational parameters measured in each of the
DHD receiving/measuring channels, collection, conversion and storage of overhead
information, solution of navigational task, control of RMU operation, and
organization of exchange with CCD and DCR. DCD includes a reprogrammable readonly memory, part of which is allocated to keep important on-line data (nonvolatile
storage).
He values of differential correction in the RTCM SC-104 format come from the
external DCR via the RS-232C input of channel 2.
RMU output data entering CCD via the RS-232C of channel 1 represent coordinates
and speeds referenced to time; they are generated each 1 second.
In addition, RMU can be requested to issue diverse additional information, e.g. data
on satellite status, values of satellite constellation geometrical functions, and
information on the RMU operational status.
Figure 12 - GNSS receiver wiring diagram

XS1
XP1
XP4
10
-161---SM-02XP3
XP6
01YZ
XS2

XS3

XS4

See Figure 12 for a GNSS receiver wiring diagram.

24

Table 3 - XS1 Straight socket SMB 59K101-002 D3 ROSENBERGER

Term. Circuit
Address
1
Radio signal; + 3,3 V, 25 Antenna
mA

Table 4 - XS3 Straight socket SMB 59K101-002 D3 ROSENBERGER

Term. Circuit
1
Reference frequency
signal

Address
UE reference
oscillator

Table 5 - XS4 Socket 4-87456-9 AMP with 141-603-4 AMP terminals

Term. Circuit
1
Key (no pin)

Address

VCC4 (antenna power UE

supply)

AGND

AGND

Table 6 - XS2 Socket 1-87456-9 AMP

Term. Circuit
1
+3-5 V
2

GND

-3,3 V

+ 3.3 V

GND

GND

+5V

+5V

RD1 (RS-232)

Address

AP

25

Term. Circuit
10
TD1 f RS-232)
11

GND (RS-232)

12

GND (RS-232)

13

RD2 (RS-232)

14

TD2 (RS-232)

15

Key (no pin)

16

CLR M

17

SP02

18

IA (failure)

19

SWL (reloading of
firmware)

20

SP01

21

1 Hz

22

SPI l

23

RESET (general reset)

24

GND(1 Hz)

Address

Notes:
1.
2.
3.

Indicated designations for cables 1,2 harnesses 1,2 connectors XS1, XS2, XS3, XS4 are
conventional.
Connectors XS 1, XS2, XS3, XS4 can be delivered included in the RMU installation set.
Conventions:
CLR_M - clearing of reprogrammed memory;
GND - common;
Key (no pin) - key (terminal No);
RD - serial exchange channel input;
SPI1 - input one-time command 1 (backup);
SP01 - output one-time command (backup);
SP02 - output one-time command (backup);
TD - serial exchange channel output;
1 Hz - 1 Hz signal output.

26

5.1.5.2 Brief description of the GPS receiver

To receive signals, the GPS receiver uses the SA-200 antenna. As to its functions, the
GPS receiver operates similar to the GLONASS/GPS receiver. The board supply is
+5V. The GPS antenna is powered with +5V through a HF cable.

5.1.6 Power supply unit

The power supply unit should be connected to the 18 to 36V onboard power supply. It
produces volume rates of +5V, +9V, and +14.5V
5.2 CDP mode of functioning
The control and display panel consists of the following:
- controller with a power supply unit;
- LCD;
- touch-screen.

The CDP functional diagram is represented in Figure 13.

Figure 13 - CDP functional diagram

Interface

Controller

LCD

CD is used to display information. A touch-screen is located in front of the display.

For manual entry, use the "buttons" displayed on the screen, which are to be touched
with your finger.

27

Figure 14 - Example of an image on the CDP screen

The top left corner hosts two active areas, which change the screen brightness, when
touched. In Figure 14, these areas are marked with the red arrows.
The HITACHI single-chip microcontroller is designed to receive commands and issue
notifications via the serial communication interface with the main unit, and to control
the LCD.

5.2.1 Electrical circuit description

The central element of the electrical circuit is the microcontroller. Its serial port is
connected to the RS-422 level converters (drivers).
A number of bi-directional outputs (used in the general-purpose port mode) are
connected with the buses LCD address, data and control. The communications
protocol is software-supported.
Connector X4 is used for weaving the microcontroller program.

5.2.2 Protocol of communications between CDP and the main unit

CDP receives LCD control commands from the main unit and passes them to the main
unit of notifications about manual entry events (screen touching by the operator. In
addition, CDP regularly issues requests and receives commands pertaining to
checking / resetting communication after failures. The commands are byte sequences
(up to several tens in length); the notifications always consisting of one byte.

28

To understand commands, let's introduce a LCD program model. LCD, as a text

display, has 16 lines of 40 symbols each; as a graphical display it has 240x128 points.
LCD can operate in one of its two modes:
- text-with-attributes mode (no graphics);
- text-(no attributes)-with-graphics mode.

In the text-with-attributes mode, any symbol can be normal, inverted or flashing. In

this mode, graphical commands are not permitted. In the text-with-graphics mode
each symbol is always normal, but the graphical commands are permitted. From the
memory arrangement point of view, let's say that text is stored in the text layer, the
attributes are stored in the attribute layer, and the graphics are stored in the graphical
layer, but the attribute layer and the graphical layer cannot be used simultaneously.
There is the so-called current point, where the text to be displayed will be placed. In
addition, there is a blinking cursor, which is usually used to indicate the place for text
display. Nevertheless, the position of the current point and that of the cursor might not
coincide; they are controlled independently. The cursor can be visible or invisible. The
current point is always invisible.
When specifying position for some symbol, current point or cursor, two numerals are
to be entered: the line number (0 to 15) and the column number. When specifying
position of a point in the graphical layer, coordinates x (0 to 230) and y (0 to 127) are
to be entered. It is possible to use the graphics coordinates outside these limits for
specification of elements that are displayed partially (truncated by the screen
boundary).
Entry is performed by touching the button-like active areas of the screen. There are 32
"buttons" altogether (4 lines with 16 "buttons " in each). When a button is touched,
CDP sends a notification to the main unit, each "button" having its own notification
code. In this case it doesn't matter for CDP, what is depicted on the screen (whether
there is actually a button drawn at this place).
The following two tables contain a list of commands and notifications.
Table 7 - CDP command list

Command
00h
01h
02h r chart
03h
04h
05h r1 c1 r2 c2
06h r1 c1 r2 c2
07h r c nc a
08h b t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 t6
09h r c
0Ah

Description
No operation
Clear text layer and attribute layer
Set cursor
Show cursor
Hide cursor
Scroll text area up
Scroll text area down
Set attribute
Draw button
Set current position
New line. Moves current position down.
If it is in the bottom line then all screen
scrolls up.

29

0Dh
0Eh r1 c1 nr nc t
0Fh
10h
11h
12h x y
13h x1 y1 x2 y2
14h x1 y1 x2 y2
15h x y radius
16h

23h x y nc t1 t2 tn
24h

Carrier return. Moves current position to

start of the current line.
Fill text area with specified symbol
Turn ON text mode with attributes
Set text-with-attributes mode
Clear graphical layer
Put pixel
Draw line on two extreme points
Draw box
Draw circle
In order to update the graphical layer as
soon as possible, CDP receives the
graphics commands to the buffer, but
doesn't execute them until the latter is
overfilled. This command is to specify
that image construction is completed; it
forces CDP to execute all commands
accumulated in the buffer.
Enter text to the graphical layer
Confirm communication. This command
should be generated in response to
notification 23h, it the command is not
given within 1 second, CDP will display
"No link with the main unit".

Notations in Table 7:

30

r,c - position in the text layer and in the attribute layer: line number and column number one byte
each;
r1,c1,r2,c2 rectangular area specification: positions of the top left corner and the bottom right
corner;
nr,nc area size: number of lines and number of columns one byte each;
a symbol attribute value: 0-normal, 1-inverted;
t, t1, t2, - displayed ASCII symbols;
x,y coordinates in the graphical layer, two bytes each (signed integer (negative values are in
complementary code), bit order is "LSB-first");
x1,y1,x2,y2 coordinates of the rectangular-area top left corner and the bottom right corner.
radius circle radius. One byte;
Table 8 - CDP notification list

Notification
Codes 41h to 60h

64h

65h

Description
Notification on a screen "button" touch.
All "buttons" are numbered line-at-a-time
from left to right top-down. The first (top
left) "button" corresponds to code 41h.
Link check. Issued by CDP approx. once
each 3 seconds to check link with the
main unit. The main unit should issue
command 24h (link acknowledge) within
3 seconds, otherwise CDP will display
message "No link with the main unit".
Request for screen regeneration. CDP
sends this notification, when powered up,
and after restoration of link with the main
unit. The notification advises the main
unit that the image on LCD is possibly
corrupted. The main unit should redraw
the image.

6 AIS station setup

After instruction and connection of the equipment, the AIS station should be setup,
which can be done from the control and display panel (CDP)1. CDP is connected to
the "Disp" connector of the AIS station via the switching controller with the aid of the
cable included in the delivery set2. Also, the required control channel should be
selected using the switching on the switching controller.

A mobile PC with a special software can be used instead of LCD.

Using a PC require |s the RS422-RS232 adapter .

31

6.1 Operating CDP

CDP contains a liquid-crystal screen, which displays information in the textual and
graphical form3. At the same time, the screen is a panel sensitive to a finger touch, and
as such is used as an entry device. The active screen areas are shown in the form of
square frames (conventionalised buttons), which contain a brief description of the
corresponding functions. A light finger touch on the active area results in execution of
the indicated function4.

More often than not the screen contains a menu listing functions or modes. The
selected menu item is highlighted as shown in the figure. The arrow buttons are used
for navigation through menu items. The menu items can be related to the functions
invoked by touching other virtual buttons. Often it is another menu representing the
selected item in a greater detail. In such multi-level systems, the "Return" button
means return to the previous level.

Digital and text values are entered into the input field shown on the screen with
buttons below for editing the field content. Their designations and functions are
similar to that of a personal computer. Only 16 symbols buttons can be displayed on
3

When using a PC, the LCD screen is shown as a window.

When using a PC not equipped with a touch-screen, the touching of the active area is simulated with
a mouse left click.
4

32

the screen at a time. If a parameter contains text (ship's call-sign, for example), it is
obviously not enough as there are more letters in the alphabet. To change the set of
symbols on the screen use PrSet and NxSet buttons. OK button confirms enter,
Cancel cancels it.
6.2

Enabling the setup mode of AIS station

The transponder can operate in one of its two modes:

Working mode;
Setup mode.

When powered up, the AIS station switches to the working mode. In this case the
main menu of the working mode will appear on the screen. To setup the AIS station, it
should be switched over to the setup mode. Select the "Enter setup" menu item and
press "Select".

The AIS station will ask for confirmation. Press "Yes".

33

The AIS station will prompt you for your password. At the factory, the setup mode is
not protected with a password, therefore you should just press "OK". If the AIS
station has been operated, you should enter the password, which is to be known by
responsible persons.
ATTENTION: If the password is lost, no access to the setup mode is possible.
The password can be recovered with the aid of the service department using
phone, fax or email (see paragraph 6.3).
6.3 Recovering a lost password
The password protects against access to the most important AIS station settings. It
should be kept in a safe place and known by responsible persons only.
If you have forgotten the password, you should turn to the service department using
phone, fax or email (the service department address and phone number can be found
in the accompanying documents). When applying, you should prove that you have the
right of access to the AIS station setting data (for such proof you can produce e.g. an
official form, a signature of an official etc.)
Password recovery procedure:
1.

In the main menu select the menu item "Show status", and then in the inserted menu select the
menu item Have you forgotten password?

34

2.

Confirm your intention to recover the password:

3.

Read your request code and advise it to the service department (the request code will be different
for each invocation of this function):

35

4.

After checking your authority, the service department will advise you the confirmation code. Press
Yes and enter the code:

5.

The display will show the password:

Technical specification

This section contains a description of the AIS station internal design. The section is
designed for engineers of the maintenance department and for developers of future
AIS station versions; the AIS users are not required to familiarize themselves with the
information given in this section.
The AIS station is composed of three basic functional units: the main unit, CDP and
the switching controller.
The main unit provides all AIS functions, being able to operate independent of CDP.
CDP is designed for cooperation with the operator. CDP receives control commands
from the main unit via the switching controller (at the level of indicating what symbol
or what graphical element should be displayed without turning to specific AIS
notations) and provides the main unit with notifications on the manual entry events
(screen touch by the operator). The exchange between the main unit and CDP is

36

performed via RS-422 serial interface (baud rate=9600, parity=none, num. stop
bits=1).
Main setup menu

Main set-up menu allows you to select the group of parameters you wish set-up.
Select the desired menu options and presses Set-up.
7.1

Set-up of AIS station purpose and basic parameters

From the main set-up menu select "General setup" option. The screen will show the
menu, using which you will be able to set:
RAIM present
The sign of RAIM present (usually, the AIS station will determine the presence of RAIM by the
presence of $--GBS sentence on Sens1, Sens2 or Sens3 inputs; nevertheless, the user can manually
activate the RAIM "presence" check, even not receiving the $--GBS sentence).
Setup password
Password for entering the set-up mode (recommended as protection against unauthorised access).
Addressed message filter
Enables filtering of addressed AIS messages. (Usually, when addressed message filter is on, the
station does not display messages addressed to other AIS stations, but this filtration can be turned
off in order to have all received addressed messages displayed.).

37

Media analyser mode

The mode is designed for combined work with media analyser, manufactured by Transas.

7.2

Setup of alarm messages

From the main set-up menu select "Alarm signals". The screen will show the menu,
using which you will be able to enable or disable different AIS station alarm
messages.
7.3

Set-up of serial interfaces

From the main set-up menu select "RS-422 setup". The screen will show the menu,
using which you will be able set parameters for each AIS station serial interface.
The menu item "Test interfaces" allows you to test and perform diagnostics of serial
interface for faults, using external or internal loop. A more detailed description of this
function designed to be used by the service department is given in the "Testing and
diagnostics manual" design documentation.

38

7.4 DGNSS setup

AIS station can transfer differential data via AIS channels (message 17) received by
its RTCM input. It is usually a base station function. AIS station can send differential
data only to the reference stations it knows the geographical co-ordinates of. Coordinates of two stations can be set up manually. If the reference station is
transmitting RTCM message 3, it is showing its own co-ordinates. AIS station can
store co-ordinates of no more than 4 reference stations.

To set up differential corrections transmission via AIS channels select DGNSS setup from the main menu of set-up mode. You can specify the IDs and coordinate of
two reference stations, as well as the transmission method (via one or two AIS
channels).
7.5 Test mode
The "Entering test mode" option of the main setup menu is designed for AIS station
testing and setting up at the factory. The user must not activate the test mode.
7.6 Software options
The Software option of the main set-up menu is designed for checking software
configuration by service personnel of the AIS station.

39

7.7 Event log file

The Log file menu item of the main setup menu is designed for viewing the logged
information on the basic events:
-alarm messages correspond to the ALR telegrams returned to the ports MAIN and
AUX
- text messages on operation mode change correspond to the TXT telegrams
returned to the ports MAIN and AUX
-messages on fatal errors and failures
-messages on facts of power failures
-messages on entering the setup menu

7.8

Change for working mode

After having completed the set-up process press the Exit button of the main set-up
menu. If any changes have been done to the settings the AIS station will ask to

40

confirm saving of changes in the nonvolatile storage; and in case of confirmation it

will ask for the password.
8

Operator manual

8.1 Operating AIS station

When powered up AIS station runs though a self-test and if completed successfully it
goes into working mode. There are the following means of controlling status and
operation of the station:
CDP, as described in this document;
External equipment connected to the interfaces of the AIS station, which should process the
messages output by the AIS station and provide the operator with all necessary information.

As a rule, the AIS station is controlled from external devices connected to the AIS
station interfaces, which generate commands to control the AIS station automatically
or by the operator. Operator can also control transponder via control and display
panel.
Interaction of the external equipment with the AIS station is described in the
"Description of AIS station interfaces".
8.2 Operating CDP
CDP contains a liquid-crystal screen, which displays information in the textual and
graphical form. At the same time, the screen is a panel sensitive to a finger touch, and
as such is used as an entry device. The active screen areas are shown in the form of
square frames (conventionalized buttons), which contain a brief description of the
corresponding functions. A light finger touch on the active area results in execution of
the indicated function.

More often than not the screen contains the menu listing functions or modes. The
selected menu item is highlighted as shown in the Figure. The arrow buttons are used
for navigation through menu items. The menu items can be related to the functions
invoked by touching other virtual buttons. Often it is another menu representing the

41

selected item in a greater detail. In such multi-level systems, the "Return" button
means return to the previous level.

Digital and text values are entered into the input field shown on the screen with the
below for editing the content of the field. Their designations and functions are similar
to that of a personal computer. Only 16 symbols buttons can be displayed on the
screen at a time. If a parameter contains text (ship call-sign, for example), is obviously
not enough as there are more letters in the alphabet. To change the set of symbols on
the screen use PrSet and NxSet buttons. OK button confirms enter, Cancel
cancels it.
8.3

Main menu of the working mode

When powered up, the AIS station switches to the working mode, and the main menu
of the working mode will appear on the screen. It makes it possible to select desired
AIS station functions. Each item of the main menu will be described in detail in the
next sections.

42

8.4

Checking own coordinates

Select the "Own position" option of the main menu. He screen will display the own
coordinates of the base station, date and time, and the mode of receiving them
(GPS/Glonass). The coordinate source (external, internal or preset) is specified in the
$--BCF sentence or using CDP in the BS settings->BCF menu.
8.5 Base station configuration and control
As a rule, the base station is controlled via the Main or Aux. serial interface. The base
station accepts sentences $--BCF, $--CAB, $--CBM, $--DLM. The data corresponding
to these sentences can also be entered through CDP.
ATTENTION: one should be very careful, when changing the base station
working parameters, because it can result in violation of operation for not only
the base station alone, but for the whole AIS region and the adjacent AIS regions.
The following figures show settings menus. The way to set respective parameters is
described in section 9.2, as well as in the IALA Recommendation on AIS Shore
Stations and networking aspects related to the AIS Service.

43

44

8.6

Radio frequencies control

The base station stores and regularly transmits the region list, which includes the radio
frequency numbers and other parameters. The mobile AIS stations will use them,
when inside the regions.

45

To view the area list stored in memory select VHF regions option from the main
menu. The list items are numbered and indicate distances to regions (in the ascending
order) and frequency numbers. Letter R means the frequency is used for receiving,
letter T frequency is used for transmitting
Detailed information on a selected region is shown at the top of the screen:
geographical coordinates, BW, power of transmitter, time of entering or leaving the
region.
Usually, the regions are specified using the Main and Aux interfaces ($--ACA
sentence). In addition, you can enter and edit regions using CDP.

Along with the region coordinates, you should specify the width of the passage area
(in miles), within which the alternate switching of radio frequencies is performed for
channels A and B. For channels A and B of the AIS station, specify the numbers of
corresponding radio channels, the band width, the use mode (transmitting and
receiving or just receiving), and the transmitter output power.
The base station disseminates the list of regions via the AIS channels automatically
(message 17).

46

8.7

Viewing the navigational situation

To view the list of AIS stations that can send messages to your AIS station, select
Targets option from the main menu. The list contains direction and distance to
stations and the ships names (if the station is installed onboard a ship). At the top of
the screen there is more detailed information about selected station. For full details on
the selected station, press the Detail button.

47

To send a text message to a particular station, press the SndMsg button. For more
details on sending text messages see paragraph 8.8.

To view the navigational situation in graphics press GrView button. The screen will
show the surrounding AIS stations and their velocity vectors. You can control the
image scale with + and - buttons. To view or hide text captions use the
TxtOn/TxtOff button.
8.8

Receiving / transmitting text messages related to navigational safety

To view text messages received by your station select Radio exchange option from
the main menu.

48

Before displaying the message list, the AIS station will ask you if you want to see all
the AIS messages (including the ones sent between other stations) or only messages
addressed to your station or broadcast. Press No to view the full list of messages or
press Yes to ignore messages irrelevant to your station.

The screen will show list of messages with time of transmission (sent or received),
call sign (both sender and recipient), if they are known. If call sign is not known,
MMSI will be shown instead. For broadcast messages, the recipient is marked as
All. Text of the selected message is shown at the top of the screen.

49

To reply to the selected message (or simply send one), press Reply. You will have to
enter recipients MMSI (or 0 for broadcast addressing), message text and AIS channel
for transmission. Initially, when the menu appears, the To field will contain MMSI
of the sender selected in the previous menu, and Channel field will have AIS
channel number used to receive the last message from this source (i.e. the station is
trying to send a reply back).

8.9 Viewing alarm and information messages

From the main menu select Alarms & faults option. The screen will show a
submenu with list of accidents arranged by categories (seeError: Reference source not
found and Error: Reference source not found).
The Alarm status contains a list of active alarms, which were not prohibited during
AIS station setup (see paragraph 7.2). Each line in the list corresponds to the sentence
ALR, sent to the Main and Aux ports.

50

Even a single alarm will result in lighting the CTRL LED on the AIS station cover
and closing the BIIT relay contacts. The alarm can be acknowledged by pressing the
Clear button (or by the ACK sentence via the Main /Aux ports). When all active
alarms are acknowledged, the LED will turn off and the relay contacts will open.
The "Fallback status" contains a list of functional limitations, which appear due to the
alarms.

The "Non-alarm status" contains a list of statuses and operation modes. Each line in
the list corresponds to the TXT sentence, sent to the Main and Aux ports.

51

8.10 AIS station status control

From the main menu select Status option. The screen will show information on
station status: presence and efficiency of internal GPS, synchronisation mode, coordinates source, memory used and available, report rate. You will also see additional
technical information used by service engineers for malfunction diagnosis.
The items Log file (unfiltered), Log file (alarms) and Log file (security) are
designed for viewing the event log file. The CDP can display up to 40 recent
messages. The event log file can button sent to PC in full (up to 4Mb) with the aid of
the AisLogUpload program.
Log file (unfiltered) displays 40 recent messages on CDP regardless of their
importance.
Log file (alarms) displays 40 recent messages on CDP, containing information on
the alarm status change, fatal errors, power turning ON/OFF, and AIS station software
reloading.

52

Log file (security) displays 40 recent messages on CDP, containing events that
affect transmission of reports (transmitter failure, fatal errors, power outage, software
reloading).
The Have you forgotten password? menu item is designed for recovery of a
forgotten password. The procedure to recover a forgotten password is described in
paragraph Recovering a lost password.
8.11 CDP screen brightness control

From the main menu select Display brightness option. The screen will show active
areas that are used to adjust the brightness/contrast of the screen and. Please note that
these areas are always active no matter what menu or page is being displayed on the
screen.
9 Serial interface communications protocols
The AIS station has the following RS-422 interfaces:
Three sensors data receiving interfaces;
Two bi-directional interfaces to receive and transmit AIS data;
One bi-directional interface to receive and transmit differential corrections;
One bi-directional interface to receive requests and send responds about your information (long
range application interface)5;

The communications protocols comply with IEC-61993 standards. This section

describes realization features.
9.1

Sensor data receiving interfaces

Sensors data input interfaces are used for generating navigational data in NMEA-183
format. This data will be later transmitted to other AIS stations and is also used by
algorithms to set up permissions for media access.

Not support |ed by the software version being described.

53

AIS station will understand the following sentences: GNS, DTM, RMC, GGA, GBS,
GLL.
Navigational data must be received via AIS station input with certain intervals (see the
table below). If different NMEA sentences contain identical information AIS station
chooses the ones with the highest priority level (see the table below). If no data is
received via external outputs the station will try to use its internal GPS/Glonass
receiver. Please note that when used for transmission to other stations, current date
and time received via sensors input have higher priority than GPS/Glonass data.
However, in order to organise the media time division internal GPS/Glonass receiver
is used all the time..
Table 7 List of messages received from sensors

Navigation
al data type
Date
UTC
Lat, Lon
Datum
RAIM
9.2

Max update
interval (s)
3
3
3
30
10

NMEA sentences in the

priority descending order
RMC
GNS, RMC, GGA, GLL
GNS, RMC, GGA, GLL
DTM
GBS

Default parameter value (if the

update period is exceeded)
Year 2000, month. 0, day 0
24:60:60
910000 nl, 1810000 wl
Not defined
Ok

Interfaces for receiving and transmitting AIS data (Main and Aux)

Specific AIS station functions are accessible via two functionally identical interfaces
i.e. Main and Aux. Communications protocols are text, but quite non-readable
sentences which contain compressed binary data: requests, acknowledgements,
messages etc.
AIS station input can receive:
Request to send a short text message or a small binary data array to a specified address (MMSI of
the recipient station has to be put in) or to all;
Request to send static or voyage information request to a specified address;
Request to send instruction to a specified station (permitted for base stations only) to change the
intervals of the data updating (reports);
Self-static and self-voyage data (similar to sensors data interface);
Request to change AIS radio frequencies and/or parameters of access to AIS channels (radiating
power, frequency band etc.);
Erroneous situations message acknowledgement.

AIS station output can send:

Notifications about every VHF message received and transmitted via AIS channels with the VHF
message included;
Acknowledgement of requests from other stations;
Erroneous situation messages received by AIS.

The sentences transmitted and received through this interface are described in IEC
61993-2 (Annex G) and in the IALA Recommendation on AIS Shore Stations and
networking aspects related to the AIS Service. Realization features are dealt with in
the following subsections.

54

The base AIS station can receive the following message: ABM, BBM, AIR, ACA,
ACK, VDM, ACM, ASN, BCF, CAB, CBM, DLM.
The AIS station can send the following message via these channels: VDM, VDO,
ALR, ABK.

9.2.1 ABM - addressed binary and safety related message

ABM sentence calls for communication session with a particular station. During the
session a text or binary message is sent to this particular station and
acknowledgement is awaited. If the acknowledgement is not received the message is
sent again. This procedure is repeated up to 4 times. Session is terminated with
ABK sentence containing session termination code.
Each ABM message has got the number of its order in the data flow (from 0 to 3).
ABM message may contain more information than a NMEA message is able to store.
In this case the message has to be split into sections; a message can contain sections
from different messages - it is not prohibited.
All requests to send an addressed message are logged for tracking and later generation
of ABK message. It should be noted that 4 transmission attempts can take up to 30
seconds and this can impact on further transmissions.
This is how it works:
Message is checked against the list of messages awaiting acknowledgement
(matching MMSI, order number and channel number are used as criteria);
If the message matches other messages by these criteria it is copied into a
transmission-awaiting list;
If there are no matches found the message is transmitted and it goes onto an
acknowledgement-awaiting list.
The communication sessions, initiated by ABM messages, should end with sending
the ABK message including the result.

9.2.2 BBM - Broadcast Binary Message

BBM sentence is used for broadcast messaging of text or binary data. Returned ABK
sentence (see paragraph ABM - addressed binary and safety related message to
compare) only confirms that the message was sent successfully, it does not contain
acknowledgement. Thus, BBM messages do not require waiting lists as described in
paragraph ABM - addressed binary and safety related message.
The communication sessions, initiated by BBM messages, should end with sending
the ABK message including the result.

9.2.3 AIR - AIS Interrogation Request

55

AIR sentence is used to request static and voyage data from another station when
required data is not transmitted automatically. For this request a communication
session is established as described in paragraph ABM - addressed binary and safety
related message.
The communication sessions, initiated by AIR messages, should end with sending the
ABK message including the result.

9.2.4 ACA - AIS Regional Channel Assignment Message

ACA sentence is used to provide the base station with the region list. AIS station can
store information about 10 areas.
Area information coming from any source goes into the catalogue where it is checked
against all the entries and if its overlapping with any of the old areas the latter is
deleted.
Coordinates of regions from the list of regions together with the operating modes for
these regions are regularly transmitted by the base station in the form of message 22

9.2.4.1 Deleting regions from the base station memory

IEC-61993 using $xxACA sentence is able to advise the AIS station a list of
geographical regions, including operation mode for each of them. Each $xxACA
sentence adds one region to the list. IEC-61993-2 doesn't foresee any method to delete
regions. IEC-61993-2 is extended by the following form of $xxACA sentence, where
all fields are empty but the geographical coordinates:
$xxACA,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,a,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,a,,,,,,,,,,*hh<CR><LF>
ITU-1371 standard defines that geographical regions cannot intersect. This property
makes it possible to assign the following interpretation to the introduced form of
$xxACA sentence:all regions that intersect with the region specified in this sentence
are deleted from the list of regions.
9.2.4.2 Base station RF control
The special form of $xxACA sentence, not specifying the geographical coordinates,
but the numbers and other parameters of the radio channels is used for control of the
base station per se similar to BCF sentence.

9.2.5 Region list control

The list of regions stored by the AIS station can be received after the following
request:
$xxyyQ,ACA*hh<CR><LF>
where yy talker ID of the base station specified in BCF sentence.

56

In answer to such request, the base station will send a number of $yyACA sentences,
each of them describing a region.

9.2.6 ACK Acknowledge alarm

ACK message is received by AIS station as acknowledgement of the fact that external
device connected to the presentation port has reacted to erroneous situation sent using
ALR message.
After receiving this message the second ALR transmission is done with the set
acknowledgement attribute.
External device must send an acknowledgement for each received ALR message

9.2.7 VDM - VHF Data-link Message

Every time station receives a VHF message from another station it generates VDM
sentence. The sentence contains the whole of VHF message which allows external
devices to have all the data broadcast in media.

9.2.8 VDO - VHF Data-link Own-vessel message

Every time the station sends a VHF message it generates a VDM sentence. The
sentence contains the whole of the VHF message which allows external devices to
have all the data broadcast in media.

9.2.9 ALR Alarm status

ALR sentence is used to inform external devices about station operational faults. For
each identified fault an ALR message is transmitted with 30 seconds intervals. Error
codes are given in Error: Reference source not found.

9.2.10 Transmission on one-time messages (10, 16, etc.)

The base station can receive, using the MAIN / AUX interfaces, !xxVDO and !
xxVDM sentences in accordance with IEC-61993 syntax (IEC-61993 defines!xxVDO
sentence as an outgoing one from the base station).
Both these sentences are accepted by the base station as a command to just transmit
the contained data in media.
The base station checks only the length of the contained data (maximum 1008 bits)
without performing neither data interpretation nor check.
After transmission the base station sends !--VDO sentence in the general order
according to IEC-61993.
9.2.11 Sending an address command for control of mobile station radio
frequencies (ACM)

57

ACM sentence allows radio channel numbers and parameters to be sent to one or two
specified mobile stations. ACM sentence initiates the sending of message 22 with the
same data specified in sentence ASEE
9.2.12 Sending an address command for assigned mode of the mobile station
(ASN)
ASN sentence allows a mode to be assigned to a specified mobile station. ASN
sentence initiates the sending of message 16 with the same data specified in sentence
ASN.
9.2.13 Base station configuration (BCF)
BCF sentence configures base station parameters, including own MMSI, talker ID,
numbers/parameters of radio channels, etc.
Note: as configuration and control of the base station using sentences BCF, CAB,
CBM and DLM is quite a serious operation, its actual execution starts with a 5 to 10
second delay after receiving these sentences. It allows for specification of a group of
concordant sentences, preventing a short-time work of the base station in
uncoordinated modes.
9.2.14 Base station control (CAB)
CAB sentence allows the individual transmission at A/B AIS channels to be turned
ON/OFF.
See the note in paragraph Base station configuration (BCF)

9.2.15 Configuration of base station report rate (CBM)

CBM sentence allows for specification of slots for transmission of messages 4, 17, 20,
22. If no slot for these messages is reserved, they won't be able to be transmitted.
Slots for such messages should be reserved using DLM sentences.
All other messages will be transmitted by the base station using slots reserved by
DLM sentences with L attribute, but not engaged for transmission of messages 4, 17,
20, 22.
Note: when assigning slots, the user answers for avoiding conflicts with the base
stations within VHF-listening distance.
See the note in paragraph Base station configuration (BCF)

9.2.16 Time slot assignment (DLM)

DLM sentence makes it possible to reserve slots for both your own use (L attribute)
and for other stations' use (R attribute). The slots reserved for local use, but not
engaged in CBM sentence, will be used for transmission of other messages - not 4, 17,
20, 22 (i.e. for messages 16 specified mode, 6,7,8,10,12,13 transmission of text

58

and binary data, 15 request, 11 response to request on UTC and others). If such
slots are not available, the messages cannot be sent.
Note: when assigning slots, the user answers for avoiding conflicts with the base
stations within VHF-listening distance.
See the note in paragraph Base station configuration (BCF)

9.3 Interface to receive and transmit differential corrections

The AIS station has an interface to receive and transmit differential corrections. It is
assumed that the base AIS station receives differential corrections (in RTCM format)
via this interface with subsequent passing them to the AIS channels; while the mobile
AIS station receives differential corrections from the AIS channels and sends them to
the output interface in RTSEE format. Thus the interface is only used in one direction,
but the station itself does not have such limitation.
The differential corrections are transmitted in a not-transparent mode. ITU-1371
standard requires geographical coordinates of the reference station to be transmitted
via AIS channels with every sent message. To meet this standard AIS station stores
coordinates of up to 4 reference stations. Differential corrections coming from
reference stations and not found in AIS station are ignored. Reference station
coordinates can be entered manually via control and display panel (during setup
procedure) or they can be calculated from Cartesian coordinates by station itself
(some stations broadcast Cartesian coordinates see RTCM message 3). In any case,
accuracy for transmitting geographical coordinates is 0.1 minute of latitude and
longitude.
After receiving the differential corrections via AIS channel the station sends them in
RTCM format via output interface. In order not to waste geographical coordinates of
reference station, AIS station converts them into Cartesian coordinates and presents
them as additional RTCM message 3. As the transfer accuracy value is not very high
for geographical coordinates, inaccuracy value for Cartesian coordinates will be
somewhat like 400m.

10 List of alarms, statuses, faults and methods to remove

them
All faults are divided into five groups:
Entire failure of the main unit, including failure of the self-testing system;
Entire failure of the main unit, with diagnostics results shown on CDP;
Partial failure of the main unit, $--ALR diagnostics messages going to presentations interface and
CDP.
Failure of some components where self-testing is not supported.
Control and display panel failure (full or partial) with main unit still functioning..

59

When discovered, faults of group 3 are displayed on CDP with the same code as in
$AIALR message sent via the presentations interface.
List of alarms and respective codes:
"Tx malfunction" (1)
"Antenna VSWR exceeds limit" (2)
"Rx channel A malfunction" (3)
"Rx channel B malfunction" (4)
"Rx channel DSC malfunction" (5)
"General failure" (6)
"MKD connection lost" (8)
"External EPFS lost" (25)
"No sensor position in use" (26)
"No TDMA synchronization" (72)
"Tx amplifier malfunction" (78)
"No own reports mode" (79)

List of conditions:
"UTC clock lost" (7)
"UTC clock found" (57)
"External DGNSS in use" (21)
"External GNSS in use" (22)
"Internal DGNSS in use (beacon)" (23)
"Internal DGNSS in use (message 17)" (24)
"Internal GNSS in use" (25)
"Surveyed position in use" (26)
"Channel management parameters changed" (36)
"Ext.pos.src. in normal mode" (60)
"Ext.pos.src. in diff. mode" (61)
"Ext.pos.not available" (62)
"Ext.pos.is manual entered" (63)
"Ext.pos.is dead reckoning" (64)
"Ext.pos.src. is inoperative" (65)
"Int.pos.src. in normal mode" (66)
"Int.pos.src. in diff. mode" (67)
"Int.pos.not available" (68)
"Int.pos.is manual entered" (69)
"Int.pos.is dead reckoning" (70)
"Int.pos.src. is inoperative" (71)
"Direct TDMA synchronization" (73)
"InDirect TDMA synchronization" (74)
"TDMA Sync. by base station" (75)
"TDMA Sync. by semaphore" (76)
"No TDMA synchronization" (77)

Table below gives a list of potential faults and failures, with category number,
description and possible cause.
Table 8. List of faults

Description
1

Main unit is powered up but LED

power indicator does not show there
is power, control and display panel
has a message No link with the
main unit and there are no other

Gro
up
1

Cause
No power supply or the fuse is
blown: check or replace.

60

 Description
2

4
5

6
7

1
0

messages.
Same as under item 1, but power
indicator is showing power.
According to external device
diagnostics (NAVI-HARBOR,
ECDIS, etc.) main unit is not
functioning.
When control and display panel is
powered up one of these messages
comes up:
ROM: Error
RAM: Error
Flash: Error
Control panel produces Fatal
error message, followed by a
diagnostics message.
Control and display panel screen is
not illuminated, there are no
messages.

Gro
up

Cause

Power unit of the main unit is burnt

out: contact service department.

Central processor failure: contact

service department.

Main unit components failure:

contact service department.

Power is not supplied to control

panel: check and correct. Control
panel power unit is burnt out:
contact service department.
Illumination bulb is blown: contact
service department.

Control panel screen is not

illuminated, but is showing normal
messages.
When pressing buttons on control
panel screen there is no sound, or
response is incorrect (i.e. cursor
moves in the wrong direction).
Control panel screen is showing
No link with the main unit
message, but AIS station appears to
be functioning properly (according
to NAVI-HARBOR, ECDIS
diagnostics report).
One or more external devices
connected to main unit are not
functioning properly with AIS
station.

AIS station does not have any

navigational data.

One or two infra-red pairs are

blown: contact service department.

Connection cable is damaged:

repair cable if possible. Control
panel or main unit port may have
blown: contact service department.

Check interface set-up in the setup

menu first (see paragraph "Serial
interface setup"). If it is correct
check the cable: maybe the
connecting cable is broken: repair
the cable, if respective tools and
materials are available.
Serial port may have blown: contact
service department.
Data sources are not connected:
check and correct. Interfaces may
be set up incorrectly: correct (see
paragraph 7.4 for set-up
instructions). If it is correct check
the cable: maybe the connecting
61

 Description

Gro
up

Cause

1
1

Message about malfunction of internal

GPS/Glonass receiver.

1
2
1
3
1
4

Message about standing-wave ratio

limit being exceeded.
Message about malfunction of
transmitter.
Message about malfunction of
receivers.

cable is broken: repair the cable, if

respective tools and materials are
available.
Serial port may have blown: contact
service department.
Check internal GNSS antenna
connection. If antenna is connected
correctly but GNSS receiver is not
functioning within 30 minutes
(necessary to load the almanac),
contact service department.
Check VHF antenna connection.

Contact service department.

Contact service department.

11 Switching Controller
The switching controller is an independent device designed to control the main unit
and the backup unit. It has the following functions:
turning ON/OFF the AIS station power supply;
AIS station power supply control;
Electrical conversion of the signals between RS-422 and RS-232 interfaces;
Switching CDP from one AIS station to another one.

Pwr In1
+24V

Pwr Out1
+24V

Pwr In2
+24V

Pwr Out2
+24V

micro
controller

RS-422
AIS1

RS-232
CTRL1

RS-232
Status

RS-422
AIS2

RS-232
CTRL2

RS-422
Display

The figure shows a functional diagram of the switching controller.

The switching controller has two +24V power supply inputs with the common ground,
each of which being used for energizing its AIS station.

62

Working in the transparent mode, the switching controller retransmits data from an
external control computer, from CTRL1 port to AIS1 port and back, and also from
CTRL2 port to AIS2 port and back.
Aside from retransmission via ports CTRL1 and CTRL2, the controller receives the
power supply control commands. Regardless of rate/mode of exchange with the AIS
stations, the commands should be forwarded in mode 38400-8-N-1 (38400 baud, 8 bit
without parity, one stop bit).
Command format: !xxAIQ, UNIT=m, POWER=n
where:
xx command source code (ignored by the controller),
m address of one of two AIS stations (0-AIS1 station or 1-AIS2 station),
n command (0-OFF, 1-ON).

The command should end with the "Carriage Return" symbol or the "Line feed"
symbol. The checksum can be generated at the telegram end in accordance with
IEC61162-1.
The controller sends the status of AIS station power supply via the Status port (port
operating mode is 38400-8-N-1).
Message format: !AIPWR, UNIT=m, POWER=n
The checksum and the symbols "Carriage Return" and "Line Feed" are to be added at
the end of the telegram.
Messages are transmitted, if the status is changed (i.e. if the corresponding command
is received), if the power supply is turned ON, and by request. The status request can
also be sent via ports CTRL1 and CTRL2 similar to the sending of a control
command.
Request format: !xxAIQ, UNIT=m, POWER=?
The "ON/OFF" status for each AIS station is stored in the nonvolatile storage,
therefore, when the unit is reenergized, the status will be restored.
The Display socket is used for the special triple cable connecting the Display sockets
of two AIS stations with CDP. The face panel of the controller has a switch used to
connect CDP to one of the AIS stations.
The following tables show purpose of connector terminals and diagrams of the
connecting cables.
Table 9. Display socket (DB-15M)

Circuit
COM 1
Y1
Z1
B1
A1
COM P

Term. #
1
2
3
4
5
6

Cable
To Disp socket
of AIS1 station

To CDP
63

YP
ZP
BP
AP
COM 2
Y2
Z2
B2
A2

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

To Disp. Socket
of AIS2 station

Table 10. UAIS1 and UAIS2 (DB-9M) connectors

Circuit
COM
A
B
Z
Y

Term. #
6
4
3
2
1

Table 11. CTRL1 and CTRL2 (DB-9F) connectors

Circuit
Rx
Tx
SGND

Term. #
3
2
5

Table 12. Status (DB-9F)

Circuit
Tx
SGND

Term. #
2
5

Table 13. Connectors Pwr In1 and Pwr In2 (218451) and Pwr Out1 and Pwr Out2
(218451)

Circuit
+24V
Gnd

Term. #
1
4

The face panel of the switching module hosts the following control LEDs:
- INPUT +24V DC for UAIS I and UAIS II, showing +24V at power supply
inputs;
- OUTPUT +24V DC for UAIS I and UAIS II, showing +24V at power supply
outputs;
- RS-422 RECEIVE for UAIS I and UAIS II, flashing during data transmission
to ports UAIS I and UAIS II;
- RS-422 TRANSMIT for UAIS I and UAIS II, flashing during data
transmission from ports to ports UAIS I and UAIS II;

64

PROCESSOR for UAIS I and UAIS II, briefly flashing each 5 to 10 seconds,
confirming operational integrity of the processors and availability of link
between them. Constant glowing or no-flashing is a sign of failure.

65

Figure 13 - GPS antenna/GLONASS, dimension drawing

66

Figure 14 - GPS antenna, dimension drawing

67

Figure 15 - Bracket, dimension drawing

68

List of Tables
Table 1. AIS station technical specifications.............................................................................................4
Table 2 List of VHF-messages, received / transmited by the shore station.............................................13
Table 3 - XS1 Straight socket SMB 59K101-002 D3 ROSENBERGER................................................24
Table 4 - XS3 Straight socket SMB 59K101-002 D3 ROSENBERGER................................................24
Table 5 - XS4 Socket 4-87456-9 AMP with 141-603-4 AMP terminals.................................................24
Table 6 - XS2 Socket 1-87456-9 AMP....................................................................................................24
Table 7 List of messages received from sensors......................................................................................53
Table 8. List of faults...............................................................................................................................59
Table 9. Display socket (DB-15M)..........................................................................................................62
Table 10. UAIS1 and UAIS2 (DB-9M) connectors.................................................................................63
Table 11. CTRL1 and CTRL2 (DB-9F) connectors.................................................................................63
Table 12. Status (DB-9F).........................................................................................................................63
Table 13. Connectors Pwr In1 and Pwr In2 (218451) and Pwr Out1 and Pwr Out2
(218451)...................................................................................................................63

69

12
List of Figures
Figure 1 - Main unit...................................................................................................................................6
Figure 2 - VHF antenna.............................................................................................................................8
Figure 3 - Control and display panel..........................................................................................................9
Figure 4 - Combined antenna GPS/GLONASS.........................................................................................9
Figure 5 - GPS antenna............................................................................................................................10
Figure 6 Switching Controller (socket side view)................................................................................10
Figure 7 Switching Controller (face panel view)..................................................................................11
Fig. 8 Schematic diagram of the main unit, backup modules, power supply module CDP, the server
AIS, and the switching controller....................................................................................................12
Figure 9 Construction of the main unit as viewed from the side of TDMA/DSC receivers and
transmitters.......................................................................................................................................15
Figure 10 Main unit functional diagram..................................................................................................17
Figure 11 - Functional diagram of GPS/GLONASS K-161 receiver .....................................................22
Figure 12 - GNSS receiver wiring diagram.............................................................................................23
Figure 13 - GPS antenna/GLONASS, dimension drawing......................................................................65
Figure 14 - GPS antenna, dimension drawing.........................................................................................66
Figure 15 - Bracket, dimension drawing..................................................................................................67

70