AIS Tester

Description

AIS Tester is professional equipment for surveyors to provide mandatory annual testing of the Class A and Class B AIS mobile stations and AIS-SARTs.

AIS Tester is manufactured under standards and recommendations ITU R M-1371-3, M.1371-5 (02/2014) and IEC 61993-2 and able to operate on AIS Channel 1 (ch87B), AIS Channel 2 (ch88B). And thus, this tool can provide checking of any Automatic Identification System.

The last requirements set out in IMO Resolution MSC.308(88) under new regulation 18.9 to Chapter V of SOLAS state: 

"The automatic identification system (AIS) shall be subject to an annual test. The test shall be conducted by an approved surveyor or an approved testing or servicing facility. The test shall verify the correct programming of the ship static information, correct data exchange with connected sensors as well as verifying the radio performance by radio frequency measurement and on-air test using, e.g., a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). A copy of the test report shall be retained on board the ship".

AIS Tester M1 fully complies with these requirements and also with IMO circular letter “Guidelines on annual testing of the AIS unit MSC.1/Circ.1252”.

The equipment represents the results of testing immediately on its LCD screen, stores them in memory and then the reports can be transmitted on PC or laptop and printed.

This AIS Tester assumes checking of all types of AIS transponders of any manufacturer and verification of AIS-SARTs (Search and Rescue Transponders).

Besides, Tester allows checking as terminal the pilot plug or external sensor.

Standard delivery set includes attenuator for connecting and providing measurements through a cable. 

Specification / Features

AIS Tester is user-friendly and easy to use test device.

During the tests the AIS Tester allows to:

• Measure AIS frequencies (on channels 1, 2);
• Measure or estimate the AIS transmitted power (on channels 1, 2);
• Receive and decode the AIS messages;
• Send the data to AIS stations;
• Pass the DSC polling information (channel 70);
• Check AIS answer to so called “virtual vessel”;
• Simulate NMEA data transmissions;
• Simulate AIS data transmissions, such as ship’s name, position, length, course, speed, power and beam;
• Transmit and receive the DSC messages of different types for VHF stations;
• Check the AIS-SART operation facilities;
• Receive the data from pilot plug or external sensors.

All data can be viewed on the tester’s LCD or can be transmitted to PC for procession.

All data will be saved in memory for further processing, 10 memory blocks are available.

The tester power supply is performed by 4 AA batteries 1.5V, as well as by external DC source with voltage 4.5…7V and load current no less than 500mA.

Features:

• Any AIS Class A and Class B station are supported
• Carrier frequency measurement in range of 156-162MHz within the accuracy  ± 99Hz
• Pilot plug and external sensors support
• Internal database of received data with possibility to save up to 10 test results
• Easy connection to PC, laptop, notebook to process the stored data
• Windows user friendly desktop application for database storage and review, process and test reports printout
• Long life batteries, easy replace
• Easy recalibration without returning back to factory
• 2 years warranty

Connection to PC

After all tests are done usually it is required to process the measured data, prepare and print the test reports.

Thus the AIS tester can be easily connected to any PC or laptop. The connection is carried out by means of standard USB A-USB A cable and special software available on this website. The minimal requirements are Microsoft OS, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 and at least 1 USB port. No special hardware configuration is required.

Also the special FTDI driver should be installed for proper connection. It can be downloaded at our web-site as well.

So, it is very simple to connect the tester to PC. Connect one side of the cable to tester and other to PC. Then install the drivers following the standard Windows wizard. After the driver is installed run the software. No installation is required. Just run the executive file and press DOWNLOAD MESSAGE button. All saved data will be transferred to PC.

Download the examples of test reports from "Downloads" section.

Complete set of AIS Tester

• AIS Tester
• Attenuator
• PC Cable (USB A – USB A) 1.5m
• PC Cable (DB9 - NMEA ) with open wires
• RF Cable TNC-TNC
• RF Cable BNC-BNC
• RF Connector BNC-UHF
• Technical Description and User Manual (English)
• Package
• Software and software user’s guide manual
• Cable (DB9 - NMEA) with ready output for connection to pilot plug (Pilot plug cable) - optional
• Antenna to make measurements through broadcast - optional

Technical description

• AIS operational frequencies are: channel 1   -  161,975 MHz ; channel 2   -  162,025 MHz;
• DSC operational frequency channel 70 - 156,525 MHz;
• Setting accuracy of output frequency – no less than ±1ppm;
• Output power of AIS channel 1 and 2 and channel 70 DSC not less than (-7) dBm or 100 mW;
• AIS modulation - FM-GMSK;
• AIS channel band rate - 9600 Baud;
• DSC channel band rate - 1200 Baud;
• Tester provides carrier frequency measurement in range of 156-162MHz within the accuracy  ± 99 Hz;
• Input\Output resistance - (50 ± 1.5) Ohm.

Approximate continuous operation time using the battery – about 5 hours.

The tester power supply is performed by 4 AA batteries 1,5V, as well as by external DC source with voltage 4,5…7V and load current no less than 500 mA.

TESTER displays internal battery voltage with accuracy ± 5%.

The tester is designed to operate at the temperature range from 5оС to + 45оС  and relative air humidity should be no more than 95%, which is determined by used LCD.