ACR Electronics Nauticast AIS-300 Installation instructions

2
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
In the United States WARNING: It is a violation of the rules of the Federal Communications
Commission to input an MMSI that has not been properly assigned to the end user, or to otherwise input any
inaccurate data in this device.
WARNING: This product is a supplemental navigation tool only! The user assumes all responsibility
associated with the use of this device and safe navigation.
It is important to understand that all vessels may not be equipped with AIS transponders and therefore may not
be visible to this transponder. Likewise, certain conditions, such as equipment failures, the environment,
improper use and crowded port scenarios, may exist whereby the vessel equipped with this AIS transponder is
not visible to other AIS transponders.
.
CAUTION: Before proceeding to install, test or use your new ACR Electronics‟ product, please read this
Product Support Manual in its entirety.
If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual, please contact our Technical Service Department at
ACR Electronics, Inc., Telephone [phone]. Please be ready to provide the technician with the page
number you wish to discuss. If you have a question that is not covered in the manual, please visit our website and
access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section for further information or call our Technical Services
Department. The website address is www.acrelectronics.com. If in the future you lose this manual, you may
access and print a replacement on the ACR website.

3
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
Table of Contents
SECTION 1 - WHAT IS AIS? ____________________________________________________________4
SECTION 2 - INSTALLATION ___________________________________________________________6
SECTION 3 - USING THE TRANSPONDER ________________________________________________20
SECTION 4 - MAINTENANCE _________________________________________________________22
APPENDIX A - SERIAL DATA INTERFACE _________________________________________________22
APPENDIX B - SPECIFICATIONS AND WARNINGS __________________________________________28
APPENDIX C - SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM ________________________________________________29
APPENDIX D - DATA POWER CABLE INFORMATION _______________________________________30
APPENDIX E - SUPPORT, WARRANTY, USEFUL LIFE and NOTICES _____________________________31
PLEASE READ ALL WARNINGS,
CAUTIONS AND NOTES CAREFULLY

4
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
SECTION 1 - WHAT IS AIS?
1. Overview
AIS is an acronym for Automatic Identification System. AIS increases navigational safety and collision
avoidance by transmitting vessel identification, helping to reduce the difficulty of identifying ships when not in
sight (e.g. at night, in radar blind arcs or shadows or at distance) by broadcasting navigational intentions to other
vessels by providing ID, position, course, speed and other ship data with all other nearby ships and land based
stations.
According to International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
regulations, AIS is defined as follows:
AIS is a broadcast transponder system, operating in the VHF maritime mobile band. It is capable of sending ship
information such as identification, position course, speed and more, to other ships and to shore. It can handle
multiple reports at rapid update rates and uses Carrier Sense Time Division Multiple Access (CSTDMA)
technology to meet these high broadcast rates and ensure reliable and robust ship to ship operation.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines the performance standards as follows:
Ship to ship working, ship to shore working, including long range application, automatic and continuous
operation, provision of information messaging via PC and utilization of maritime VHF channels
The Modules: GPS system, AIS Transponder, VHF Antenna, and the Data Power Cable (appropriate application
software connects the individual modules).
AIS are required to function flawlessly in a variety of modes. The regulations require that the system be capable
of: An "autonomous and continuous" mode for operation in all areas. This mode shall be capable of
being switched to/from one of the following alternate modes by a competent authority;
An "assigned" mode for operation in an area subject to a competent authority responsible for traffic
monitoring such that the data transmission interval and/or time slots may be set remotely by that
authority;
A "polling or controlled" mode, where the data transfer occurs in response to interrogation from a ship
or competent authority.
This illustration depicts a typical AIS System, where two or more AIS equipped vessels (and shore based
systems) are automatically communicating with each other.

5
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
On the bottom, a typical Nauticast™-B AIS installation in a common environment is shown. The Nauticast™-B
AIS is connected to the vessel‟s power supply, and, in connection with the VHF and GPS antennas, the minimal
requirements for transponder operation are fulfilled.
Both vessels in the above illustration are equipped with an AIS transceiver. Due to “Time –Synchronization”,
they use the same organization of free and allocated windows (slots) in the shared VHF Data Link (this method
is called “Carrier Sense Time Division Multiple Access”) to send and receive messages. Without the necessity of
any operator interaction, both vessels know exactly who or what is cruising nearby and where the individual
object is heading.
The scenario below shows a full AIS coverage area (including all applications and complete shore
infrastructure).
2. AIS classes
There are two classes of AIS units fitted to vessels, Class A and Class B. In addition, AIS base stations may be
employed by the Coast Guard, port authorities and other authorized bodies. AIS units acting as Aids to
Navigation (A to N) can also be fitted to fixed and floating navigation markers such as channel markers and
buoys.
Class A units are a mandatory fit under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention to vessels above 300
gross tons, or which carry more than 11 passengers in international waters. Many other commercial vessels and
some leisure craft also may be fitted with Class A units.
Class B units are designed for fitting in vessels which do not fall into the mandatory Class A fit category. The
ACR Nauticast™-B Automatic Identification System is a Class B AIS unit.

6
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
In order to meet carriage requirements for Class A and Class B AIS systems, dedicated GPS and VHF antennas
must be fit to the transponders. ACR has included GPS and VHF antennas that have been specifically
designed, tested and approved for use with the Nauticast™-B. ACR Electronics Inc. does not recommend or
support using other antennas or sharing data information from existing shipboard installations.
Class B AIS transponders will transmit data to other AIS equipped vessels and shore base stations. Static data
typically identifies the vessel and does not change (i.e. MMSI, Vessel Name). Dynamic data is voyage specific
and will change during the normal operation of the vessel.(i.e. Speed Over Ground, Position, Heading).
In order to complete the programming of your AIS transponder, documentation of your vessel‟s identity needs to
be made available. This would be a good time to update any information that is inaccurate in the MMSI data
base or with your ship‟s radio station license. These databases should be reviewed periodically to make sure
the information is accurate including your emergency contact information.
Per FCC rules (United States users only) the static data can only be programmed into an AIS Transponder by
the vendor or qualified personnel. Once the static data is programmed into an AIS Transponder it can only be
corrected by ACR Electronics. Please check that the static data are entered carefully. If the static data are
incorrectly programmed the transponder will need to be returned to ACR for factory reset.
Information transmitted from vessels that have a Class A AIS transponders on-board include:
• Name of Vessel
• Destination
• Size of Vessel
• Vessel Dimensions
• Speed (SOG)
• Call Sign
• ETA
• Draft
• Position
• Course (COG)
• Type of Vessel
• Status
• MMSI Number
• Navigational Status
• Heading
• Cargo
• Rate of Turn
• IMO Number
Information transmitted from vessels that have a Class B AIS transponders on-board include:
• Name of Vessel
• Vessel Dimensions
• Speed (SOG)
• Type of Vessel
• Position
• Heading
• MMSI Number
• Course (COG)
• Call Sign
NOTE: The marine AIS system uses position information derived from networks such as the Global Positioning
Satellite (GPS) or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) to determine the location of the AIS unit
and thus the vessel to which it is fitted. The Nauticast™-B AIS utilizes the GPS satellite network.
It is desirable wherever possible therefore to verify both your vessel‟s AIS derived position data and other
vessels‟ AIS derived position data with visual or radar based observations.
SECTION 2 - INSTALLATION
1. Product contents
Before proceeding with the installation of the Nauticast™-B AIS, please verify that the content of the box
includes the following:
Nauticast™-B AIS transponder
Data/Power cable
Mounting hardware (4 self tapping screws)
Strain relief cable straps (3)
VHF antenna (dedicated for AIS use only) with connection cable
GPS antenna (dedicated for AIS use only) with connection cable
Nauticast™-B AIS Product Support Manual
Nauticast™-B Mounting Template
Link2AIS™Software CD
Link2AIS™Software User Guide
Warranty card
NOTE: For information reporting
intervals, see Specifications appendix

7
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
2. Installation overview and prerequisites
In the United States WARNING: It is a violation of the rules of the Federal Communications
Commission to input an MMSI that has not been properly assigned to the end user, or to otherwise input any
inaccurate data in this device.
The US FCC regulation states that “The entry of static data into a Class B AIS device shall be performed by the
vendor of the device or by an appropriately qualified person in the business of installing marine communications
equipment on board vessels. In no event shall the entry of static data into a Class B AIS device be performed by
the user of the device or the licensee of a ship station using the device. Knowingly programming a Class B AIS
device with inaccurate static data, or causing a Class B AIS device to be programmed with inaccurate static
data, is prohibited.”
In the USA, some of the following steps must be performed by your vendor or a professional installer. Outside of
the USA, the owner may perform all of these steps. The installation process has four separate steps. Complete
each step before proceeding to the next.
Compile ship‟s static data for installation (MMSI, vessel name, call sign, AIS GPS antenna position)
Have static data programmed into transponder
Install the Link2AIS™Software onto your PC.
Install your AIS hardware to your vessel.
NOTE: In most countries the operation of an AIS unit is included under the vessel‟s marine VHF license
provisions. The vessel onto which the AIS unit is to be installed must therefore possess a current VHF Ship
station license which lists the AIS system and the vessel Call Sign and MMSI number.
Please contact the relevant authority in your country for more information.
The application will install and launch automatically. A Start Menu folder and shortcut will be created with the
name 'Link2AIS'. This short cut should be used to re-launch the application as required.
Prerequisites
The Link2AIS™Software is designed to operate with Microsoft Windows® 2000 (SP 3), Windows® XP (SP 2)
and above. Recommended minimum system requirements are:
Microsoft Windows® 2000 SP3 or Microsoft Windows® XP SP2
Display resolution of at least 1024 x 768
At least one RS232 serial port (or serial to USB converter already installed)
A pointing device (mouse or equivalent)
This software uses the Microsoft .NET® connection software V2.0. The framework will be automatically installed
during setup if not already present on the system.
NOTE: In most countries the operation of an AIS unit is included under the vessel‟s marine VHF license
provisions. The vessel onto which the AIS unit is to be installed must therefore possess a current VHF Ship
station license which lists the AIS system and the vessel Call Sign and MMSI number.
Please contact the relevant authority in your country for more information.
3. Software installation
Before installing a new version it may be necessary to remove any prior version of the Link2AIS™ software from
your PC. When the old version cannot be overwritten, the installation program tells you to uninstall the previous
version first. The program can be removed (uninstalled) at any time using the uninstall feature located in the
program directory within the start menu (if applicable) or with the “Add or Remove Programs” function within
Windows®.
Insert the installation CD.
If the installation does not start automatically, locate the file “setup.exe” on the CD-ROM drive and double-
click on this file to start the installation process.

8
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
Or, when you have downloaded an upgrade:
Unzip the package when necessary and start the installer program as described in “Installation of the
Link2AIS™ Software” (later in this section).
If one of the following dialogs is shown when the installation process is started, the .NET® framework and/or the
Windows® Installer needs to be installed. See the following sections for the installation of these required
products. If neither of these dialogs is shown, the installation continues as described in “Installation of the
Link2AIS™ Software Program” (later in this section).
4. Installation of the .NET® Framework
You may install the .NET® framework from the original CD or you can download it from the Microsoft
website. When downloading the .NET® framework or the Windows® Installer manually, you need to look for
version 2 of the “dotnetfx.exe” and the required installer, named “WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe”.
From the internet
The Link2AIS™ software will automatically find, download, and install the .NET® framework directly from
the Microsoft website if your computer has an active internet connection.
When downloading over a 56k-modem, the .NET® framework will take about one hour to complete: The
size is approx. 23MB.

9
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
When you are not connected to the internet, an error message like the one below will be shown.
From the CD
If you do not want to download the .NET® framework from the Microsoft website, terminate the download
process by clicking the “Cancel” button in the download dialog box and install the package directly from the
CD. Locate the file “dotnetfx.exe” and double-click it to start the installation. Follow the instructions.
5. Installation of the Windows Installer
Locate the file “WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe” and double-click it to start the installation.

10
Y1-03-0222 Rev. C
When the installation process has finished, you MUST reboot your computer in order to install the
Link2AIS™Software:
6. Installation of the Link2AIS™ Software
Unzip the downloaded package when necessary.
Locate the files “setup.exe” and the accompanying “msi” file, then double-click on “setup.exe”
The installation process of the application starts with the Welcome screen: