ACR Electronics 2680 Installation instructions

Product Support Manual
Nauticast-B
Class B AIS Transceiver
Product No. 2680
Model: AIS-300
Y1-03-0222 Rev.T4
Automatic Identification System
ACR Electronics, Inc.
5757 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312
Tel : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.acrelectronics.com
Email: [email protected]

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Manual Revision Status ............................................................................................................................................................2
General Warnings................................................................................................................................................................3
1. WHAT IS AIS?............................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 AIS Classes ...............................................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Position Information Source....................................................................................................................................6
2. INSTALLATION..........................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Software Installation.................................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Programming............................................................................................................................................................8
2.3 Hardware Installation.............................................................................................................................................11
2.4 Antenna Installation................................................................................................................................................12
3. USING THE TRANSPONDER..................................................................................................................................13
3.1 Switching On...........................................................................................................................................................13
3.2 Warning And Fault States ......................................................................................................................................13
3.3 Data Port Messages................................................................................................................................................14
3.4 Information Transmitted And Received................................................................................................................14
3.5 Built In Test .............................................................................................................................................................14
3.6 Led Indicators .........................................................................................................................................................15
3.7 Antennas .................................................................................................................................................................15
4. MAINTENANCE .......................................................................................................................................................15
5. SERIAL DATA INTERFACE ....................................................................................................................................16
5.1 Power Connection / Data Connection...................................................................................................................16
5.2 Serial Port Input/Output .........................................................................................................................................16
5.3 Power up messages ...............................................................................................................................................16
5.4 VHF data link messages (NMEA 0183 VDM).........................................................................................................16
5.5 VHF data link own vessel messages (NMEA 0183 VDO) .....................................................................................18
5.6 Regional Assignment Channel Assignment Message (NMEA 0183 ACA)........................................................19
5.7 Channel management information source messages (NMEA 0183 ACS)......................................................19
5.8 AIS Alarm Messages (NMEA 0183 ALR, Text)......................................................................................................20
5.9 ACK messages........................................................................................................................................................20
6. STANDARDS ...........................................................................................................................................................21
6.1 Product Specification.............................................................................................................................................21
6.2 Warnings .................................................................................................................................................................22
7. CONTACT & SUPPORT INFORMATION ................................................................................................................22
Manual Revision Status
Date Rev. Status Comments Responsible
2007-01-16 T4 M.D’Arcangelo, A.Lesch,
B.Cox

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General Warnings
All marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) units utilize a satellite based system such as the Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) network or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) network to determine
position.
The accuracy of these networks is variable and is affected by factors such as the antenna positioning, how
many satellites are used to determine a position and how long satellite information has been received for.
It is desirable wherever possible therefore to verify both your vessels AIS derived position data and other
vessels AIS derived position data with visual or radar based observations.
The compass safe distance of this unit is 0.5m or greater for 0.3° deviation.
IMPORTANT: In most countries the operation of an AIS unit is included under the vessels marine VHF license
provisions. The vessel on to which the AIS unit is to installed must therefore possess a current VHF
radiotelephone 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.
In accordance with a policy of continual development and product improvement the NAUTICAST-B hardware
and software may be upgraded from time to time and future versions of the NAUTICAST-B may therefore not
correspond exactly with this manual.
When necessary upgrades to the product will be accompanied by updates or addendums to this manual.
Please take time to read this manual carefully and to understand its contents fully so that you can install and
operate your AIS system correctly.
Information contained in this manual is liable to change without notice. Please visit our website for the latest
manual revision at www.acrelectronics.com
ACR Electronics, Inc. disclaims any liability for consequences arising from omissions or inaccuracies in this
manual and any other documentation provided with this product.
© 2007 ACR Electronics, Inc.

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1. WHAT IS AIS?
AIS stands 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 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 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, VHF Radio, 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 relevant regulations require:
The system shall 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.

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On the bottom, a typical NAUTICAST-B installation in a common environment is shown. The NAUTICAST-B is
connected to the vessels 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 operating 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).
1.1 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 Coastguard, 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 maybe fitted 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 is a Class B AIS unit.

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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)
1.2 Position Information Source
The marine AIS system uses position information derived from networks such as the Global Positioning Satellite
(GPS) or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) in order to determine the location of the AIS unit
and thus the vessel to which it is fitted. The NAUTICAST-B utilizes the GPS satellite network.
2. INSTALLATION
The Contents of This Box
Before proceeding with the installation of the Nauticast-B, please check the contents of the box, which should
include:
• The Nauticast-B AIS transponder
• Data/Power Cable
• Mounting hardware (4 self tapping screws)
• VHF Antenna (dedicated for AIS use only)
• GPS Antenna (dedicated for AIS use only)
• Nauticast-B User's Guide
• User's Guide
• Link2AIS Software CD
• Link2AIS Technical Guide
Installation should be completed in 3 separate steps. Complete each step before proceeding to the next.
Step 1 - installing the Link2AIS software onto your PC for programming.
Step 2 - programming your MMSI number.

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Step 3 - installing your AIS hardware to your boat.
2.1 Software Installation
2.1.1 Prerequisites
The Link2AIS application is designed to operate with Microsoft Windows 200, XP and above. Recommended
minimum system requirements are:
•Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (Windows 2000 and earlier require Microsoft .NET Framework V2.0)
•Display resolution of at least 1024 x 768
•At least one RS232 serial port (or USB to serial converter already installed*)
*If you are using a USB to serial converter please ensure this is fully installed before proceeding.
This software uses the Microsoft .Net Framework V2.0. The framework will be automatically installed during
setup if not already present on the system.
2.1.2 Setup
2.1.2.1 Insert the installation CD and locate the Setup.exe file.
2.1.2.2 Double click the Setup.exe file to begin the installation.
2.1.2.3 Follow on screen prompts to install the .Net framework if required
2.1.2.4 When the security warning below is displayed, select 'Install'
2.1.2.5 The application will install and launch automatically
2.1.2.6 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

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2.2 Programming
NOTE: To program your NAUTICAST-B you will need to connect the AIS to a personal computer and supply
the NAUTICAST-B with 12V of power.
ACR recommends you connect the AIS to your boat’s power and connect it to a laptop in order to easily
program your AIS before physically mounting the transceiver.
2.2.1 Connect the RS232 (9-Pin Connector) to your laptop, this connects between the supplied data
lead and the PC. If the PC being used for programming does not have a 9-pin serial port then a
commercially available USB to serial adaptor (RS 232) may be required.
2.2.2 Connect the AIS to your boats interior power supply (12 V).
2.2.3. Start up Link2AIS software program on PC, the initial application screen will appear as shown:
2.2.4. The application requires a serial connection to an NAUTICAST-B transponder. Connect the
transponder to an available serial port. If your serial port is not located in the drop down box,
select ‘New…’ and create a new connection.

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2.2.5 Select the serial port from the drop down menu, then click 'Connect':
2.2.6 Once a connection is established the application is ready to use. Connection status is indicated
at the bottom left of the application window:
Help
There is a context based Help file which explains what each data entry field means and what
sort of data is expected.
2.2.7 The functions of Link2AIS are arranged in a series of tabs. Each tab contains information
relating to a particular aspect of the connected AIS transponder. Depending on the version of
Link2AIS installed not all tabs shown below may be visible.
2.2.8 Select the Monitoring tab and open the Static Data tab. This will display the 'Static Data' for the
connected AIS transponder. This includes the vessel's name, call sign, MMSI number and other
fixed information.
To configure the transponder all of the data fields must be completed and saved to the AIS.
LCAUTION:
For security reasons the MMSI of the vessel cannot be changed once programmed. Do not program the MMSI
unless you are certain you have the correct information. Please check the number entered carefully. If the MMSI
programmed is incorrect the AIS transponder will need to be returned to the supplier for factory reset.

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2.2.9 Enter the vessels information in the appropriate box:
•Ship's name - enter the name of the vessel (20 characters maximum)
•Call Sign - enter the vessel's radio call sign (7 characters maximum)
•MMSI number - enter the vessel's Maritime Mobile Service Identity number
•Enter the vessels dimensions as follows
oDimension A - distance from bows to GPS antenna location to the nearest meter
oDimension B - distance from the GPS antenna location to the stern to the nearest
meter
oDimension C - distance from the port side to the GPS antenna location to the
nearest meter
oDimension D - distance from the GPS antenna to the starboard side to the nearest
meter
•Select the most appropriate vessel type from the drop down menu.
LCAUTION:
If no MMSI is entered (MMSI is set to 000000000) then the AIS transponder will operate in receive only
mode. The vessels own position will not be transmitted. An MMSI must be entered to allow the AIS
transponder to transmit its own position to other vessels.
2.2.10 When you have entered all of the vessel's data click the 'Save static data to AIS' button to
program this configuration into the AIS transponder:
2.2.11 A warning will be displayed asking you to verify the MMSI number. The MMSI can only be
changed by your dealer once programmed into the transponder. You can change all data
(except the MMSI) at any time, should the need arise. Please check that the number displayed
is correct before proceeding. If the number is incorrect click the 'No' button to cancel
programming of the MMSI:
2.2.12 Click the 'Yes' button if the MMSI is correct
2.2.13 The static data tab will be updated to show the newly programmed vessel information. The
MMSI number will be displayed with a grey background to indicate that it has been programmed
and cannot be changed.
For additional Software applications unrelated to the installation, please refer to the Link2AIS manual for
technical support.