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Seatex AIS Infrastructure

Frontpage

Introduction

In accordance with IMO requirements all SOLAS ships in international traffic above 300 GT shall have AIS mobile stations installed within 2004. This provides competent authorities with valuable information of the ships and their cargo.

A major task for competent authorities such as police, customs, military, Search & Rescue Centers and coastal and harbor authorities, are to monitor traffic in their territorial waters. An AIS service will increase the situation awareness, the efficiency, the safety and decrease the workload for the users and operators.

Kongsberg Maritime, as a leading provider of marine and offshore technology, is represented in more than twenty countries worldwide and has offices in all major harbor cities in the world. Kongsberg Seatex is the supplier of AIS technology from Kongsberg Maritime. Kongsberg Seatex has the full range of AIS equipment for infrastructure and ships. A long record of supplying infrastructure for AIS, GPS reference networks and EGNOS monitoring systems, has provided Kongsberg Seatex with the competence needed to accomplish all types of AIS projects.

Kongsberg Seatex is an active member of IEC, ITU and IALA. The design and development of the AIS product line is based on the standards and recommendations from these organizations.

Presentation of AIS infrastructure

Benefits from AIS

The Seatex AIS infrastructure gives a competent authority the provisions for:

AIS Data

The following data is available from an AIS Service:

Static Data
MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number
Call sign and name
IMO number
Length and beam
Type of ship
Location of position-fixing antenna on the ship
Dynamic Data
Position with accuracy indication and integrity status
Time in UTC
COG (Course over ground)
SOG (Speed over ground)
Gyro Heading (if interfaced)
Navigation status
Rate of Turn
Voyage Related Data
Ship's draught
Hazardous cargo type
Destination and ETA (at Master’s discretion)
Safety-related Messages
Reading and writing safety related messages

General System Description

Design principles

The AIS infrastructure solution from Kongsberg Seatex is divided into three logical levels:

  1. the AIS physical shore stations (PSS)
  2. the AIS Service Management functions (ASM)
  3. the User Access points or Logical Shore Stations (LSS) in IALA terminology.

There are different communication methods available for connecting the different logical levels but the most utilised methode is IP based communication networks (WAN/ LAN) based on proprietary networks, leased lines, dial-up lines or even the Internet.

A series of standardised modules are developed making the Kongsberg Seatex AIS infrastructure a natural choice for a single AIS base station system as well as for national networks consisting of hundreds of AIS Base Station sites.

The communication solution combines minimum data delay, maximum reliability and optimised communication bandwidth efficiency. This prevents unexpected bottlenecks when upgrading from small, local test installations to large national networks.

The flexibility of the system components gives the users the ability to build a system with any level of availability by redundant equipment and alternative data communication paths. Critical components are designed to run in parallel to optimise service availability.

All available AIS infrastructure components from Kongsberg Seatex are in accordance with these design principles.

Physical Shore Station (PSS)

A PSS is the physical site where the AIS data transmitted from the ships are received. Either an AIS Base Station or an AIS Repeater is installed on these sites. Optionally, other supporting equipment such as GPS reference stations, antenna-switching controllers and power control units, can also be part of this system.

Logical Shore Station (LSS)

A LSS is the user access interface for AIS data. The LSS is configured in accordance with the client's requirements.

AIS Service Management (ASM)

The AIS system is controlled and managed from the ASM. The ASM is a collection of applications and services normally installed in operation centers.

AIS Service Management

Secure Communication Network

The AIS network is based on IP communication with encrypted access via Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology. Either proprietary or open (e.g. Internet) network may be utilized safely. The Control Center operator manages all the access rights by utilizing the ASM application suite.

Connection-less oriented protocol (UDP/IP) available for AIS Presentation Interface messages in order to:

Connection oriented protocol (TCP/IP) for configuration and alarm messages to:

AIS Pysical Shore Stations

Network solutions - AIS Service Management

Introduction

Several AIS Physical Shore Stations (PSS) can operate in a network in order to extend the coverage area for the AIS system. The preferred way to connect a PSS and the ASM is by means of LAN or dedicated lines.

The Seatex AIS Service Management System (ASM) is a collection of independent applications and services running under an MS Windows environment. The communication between the ASM applications is IP based, which ensures modularity. Subsets of applications may be chosen making it possible to tailor a system in accordance with each customer's special needs to ensure cost effectiveness.

Remote Operation

Seatex AIS equipment can be remotely operated from the ASM, enabling minimum maintenance and service costs. A remote user-interface with access control capabilities provides platform independent access. This means that an operator can log on any computer in the network in order to get access to the ASM functionality. The different ASM applications are password protected to allow access to permitted personnel only.

PSS Management and Configuration

From the PSS management and configuration application the AIS components may be operated and maintained. This ASM application also features the PSS monitoring tool, which presents all AIS data from the different Physical Shore Stations.

PSS management

Logical Shore Station (LSS) Management

User access to the AIS Service is configured and managed from the LSS Management application. ALSS is created by choosing the type of data and from what geographical area AIS data is of interest. Filtering of the data according to each client’s specific needs ensures an effective use of the available bandwidth. There is no limitation of the number of Logical Shore Stations which can be established.

Database Management and Replay Service

All AIS data is stored in a database. An ASM replay service allows incident playback in order e.g. to investigate the course of events of an accident or near accident. Further, the large volume of stored data on vessel movements in a specific area enables easy retrieval of data for sale to commercial organizations for research or statistical analysis.

Replay Service

Alarm Service

All Seatex AIS equipment has Built-In Test Equipment (BITE). The ASM alarm service gives provisions for fast response to irregularities. The alarm service also includes functionality for alarm relay by SMS and e-mail. The system is maintainable through the network, so actions can be taken remotely.

Shore to Ship Messaging

The shore to ship messaging application feature the possibility to send information to ships individually or as broadcast messages. Efficient use of this application will lessen the use of VHF voice communication, and reduce the workload for navigators, and thereby enhance the navigation safety.

AIS Mobile Station Control

A competent authority may also use the AIS Base Stations as a tool for controlling AIS mobile stations. The Seatex AIS Base Station provides for ‘channel management’ by using "Digital Selective Call" technology. This enables the AIS administrator to send channel information that invokes automatic channel switching in areas not using the dedicated AIS frequencies. Further, the reporting rate of the AIS mobile stations within the AIS coverage area of a competent authority can be adjusted. This is valuable if e.g. the capacity of the AIS VHF data link is fully used, and fewer reports are necessary to unburden it. If a situation needs special supervision, the reporting rate for those ships involved can be increased. This control functionality is operated remotely from the Seatex ASM application suite.

Aids to Navigation Management

The Seatex ASM provides the means for advanced Aids to Navigation (AtoN) management in order to enhance navigational safety. This management is divided into different categories.

AtoN control

Management of AtoN such as navigational buoys, lights and racons

If AtoNs are interfaced to the AIS network or to the Seatex ASM by other means, the AIS Service will be able to send navigational warnings when the AtoNs have malfunctions or are out of position. If an AtoN fault is observed in other ways, this may also be warned from the AIS Service.

Management of AIS AtoN

An AIS AtoN is an AIS device placed on an actual navigation aid. This unit will send out information on the AIS dedicated frequency, and make AtoN data available on the navigator’s presentation interface. The transmitted data will also include integrity data for the actual AtoN, such as power level, light status etc. Alarms will be generated in the ASM if irregularities occur and the proper actions can be taken.

Establishments of synthetic AtoN

AtoN information can be transmitted from another location than the AtoN location itself as e.g. a PSS. This is called a synthetic AtoN. This means that the ship will receive AtoN information and status as if the data is sent from the AtoN itself. The synthetic AtoN configuration is performed from the Seatex ASM AtoN application.

Establishment of virtual AtoN

The Seatex ASM AtoN application is also able to create virtual AtoN. This means that coastal authorities can establish navigational aids in dangerous waters before the actual physical AtoN is deployed. Temporary navigational hazards may also be marked in the same fashion.

AtoN configuration

DGPS Corrections

The Seatex AIS system can be utilized to distribute differential GPS corrections on the AIS VHF data link. All ships with AIS may then receive and utilize these data. The differential GPS service is monitored and maintained from the Seatex ASM.

Navigation Integrity Messages

The new satellite based European Global Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) will enhance GPS accuracy, availability and integrity by using a network of reference and monitor stations in Europe (EGNOS) and North America (WAAS). Geostationary satellites are used for the data distribution. The Seatex AIS Infrastructure solutions are also able to enhance EGNOS/WAAS coverage in difficult areas by the retransmission of EGNOS/WAAS data over the AIS VHF data link.

AIS Components

AIS Service management center Physical Shore Station

International AIS Coverage

It is possible to provide International AIS coverage by connecting AIS Services from different countries, giving an extended coverage area. The Seatex AIS infrastructure can be configured to be interfaced to equivalent systems in other countries, and the data received and sent can easily be monitored and controlled by the system.

Long-range Capability

The AIS mobile stations have the capability to be interfaced to long-range communication equipment. Inmarsat-C is a candidate to facilitate the long-range application, but this is not mandatory. The Seatex ASM has provisions for automatic polling of AIS data from ships utilising a long-range communication system.

Geographical Presentation Interface

AIS data can be presented on electronic charts such as ECS, ECDIS and VTS charts. All categories will be provided upon request.

Geographical presentation

World-wide Sales and Support Network

Kongsberg Seatex are part of the Kongsberg Maritime Group and has at its disposal a world-wide network of sister companies, agents and distributors. These are used to provide our AIS users with operational back-up and service support.

World-wide support

24 Hour Service Call

Should assistance be required the AIS 24-Hour Helpline is available. One of our engineers is always available to provide technical advice.

Kongsberg Seatex AIS Product Line