Comar Systems CSB200 User manual

Installation
and
Instruction Guide
CSB200
Class B AIS Transponder

CSB200 Class B AIS
R4.0 2
Table of Contents
GENERAL WARNINGS……………………………………..3
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………...5
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)……………….. 5
INSTALLING THE CSB200 UNIT………………………….6
Packing List…………………………………………………6
Electrical Connections…………………………………….6
GPS Antenna………………………………………………7
VHF antenna for AIS use………………………………...7
WARNINGS…………………………………………………8
PROGRAMMING THE TRANSPONDER………………….9
aisPRO Program…………………………………………..9
USING THE TRANSPONDER…………………………….11
Switching on………………………………………………11
Warning and Fault States………………………………11
Data Port Messages…………………………………….12
Information Transmitted and Received………………13
Built in Test……………………………………………….13
LED Indicators……………………………………………14
SERIAL DATA INTERFACE………………………………16
Data Connection…………………………………………16
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION…………………………….. 18

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GENERAL WARNINGS
Comar Systems Ltd is not responsible for damages or injuries caused by
your use of or inability to use the CSB200 correctly. The CSB200 is
intended for use only by persons trained in navigation and only as a
navigational aid, not as the sole method of navigation
All marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) units utilise 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 vessel’s 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 1m or greater for 0.3° deviation.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Hereby, Comar Systems Ltd of Vittlefields Technology Centre, Forest
Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 4LY, United Kingdom, declare that
this CSB200 is in compliance with the essential requirements and other
relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
This product carries the CE mark, notified body number and alert symbol
as required by the R&TTE directive.
This product is intended for sale in the following member states:
Intended Country of Use:
GB FR ES SE
AT NL PT DK
NO BE IT FI
IE LU GR CH

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LICENCING
IMPORTANT: In most countries the operation of an AIS unit is included
under the vessels marine VHF licence provisions. The vessel on to which
the AIS unit is to installed must therefore possess a current VHF
radiotelephone licence 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 CSB200 hardware and software may be upgraded from
time to time and future versions of the CSB200 may therefore not
correspond exactly with this manual.
When necessary upgrades to the product will be accompanied by
updates or addenda 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.
Comar Systems Ltd disclaims any liability for consequences arising from
omissions or inaccuracies in this manual and any other documentation
provided with this product.

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INTRODUCTION
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
How AIS Works
The marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a location and vessel
information reporting system. It allows vessels equipped with AIS to
automatically and dynamically share and regularly update their position,
speed, course and other information such as vessel identity with similarly
equipped craft. Position is derived from a Global Navigation Satellite
System (GNSS) network and communication between vessels is by Very
High Frequency (VHF) digital transmissions. A sophisticated and
automatic method of time sharing the radio channel is used to ensure that
even where a large number of vessels are in one location blocking of
individual transmissions is minimised, any degradation of the expected
position reporting interval is indicated to the user and even if the unit
suffers extreme channel overload conditions it will always recover to
normal operation.
AIS Classes
There are two classes of AIS unit fitted to vessels, Class A and Class B.
In addition AIS base stations may be employed by the Coastguard, port
authorities and other authorised bodies. AIS units acting as aids to
navigation (A to Ns) 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 fit Class A units.
Class B units are currently not a mandatory fit but authorities in several
parts of the world are considering this. Class B units are designed for
fitting in vessels which do not fall into the mandatory Class A fit category.
The CSB200 is a Class B unit

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INSTALLING THE CSB200 UNIT
Packing List
1 x CSB200 Transponder unit
1 x Power Cable
1 x PC 9pin D Male to Female Programming cable
1 x 9pin D Male Plug with wire ends.
1 x CD
1 x Instruction Manual
WARNING: Do not connect the CSB200 unit to a mains (line) AC
electrical supply, as an electric shock or fire hazard could result.
CAUTION: Do not connect the CSB200 unit to a DC supply
exceeding 15.6 V or reverse the supply polarity. Damage to the unit
may result.
CAUTION: The CSB200 unit is designed for operation in the
temperature range -25 °C to +55 °C. Do not install (or use) the
CSB200 unit in environments which exceed this range.
CAUTION: The CSB200 unit should be installed in a location where
it is protected from water and spray.
Electrical Connections
Connect a 12V DC supply (9.6-15.6V) capable of supplying 2A peak to
the DC power lead.
Positive = RED Negative = BLACK
The case of the unit is not isolated from the negative terminal of the
supply and therefore it is recommended that the unit is not attached
to metal parts of the vessel.

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GPS Antenna
The GPS antenna used must be of the active type (i.e. it should
incorporate an LNA) and must be suitable for marine shipboard
applications (index of protection, ruggedness, means of mounting, etc.).
An antenna should be selected with a gain (in dB) depending on the
length of cable between the antenna and the AIS unit; after subtraction of
cable and connector losses a minimum total gain of 25 dB should be
available at the CSB200 unit GPS antenna connector.
The GPS antenna to be used for AIS use must be a dedicated antenna,
i.e. not shared with any other GPS receiver.
Installation of the GPS antenna is critical for the performance of the built
in GPS receiver which is used for timing of the transmitted time slots and
for the supply of navigational information should the main navigational
GPS fail. We strongly recommend that:
1. The GPS antenna is mounted in an elevated position and free of
shadow effect from the ship’s superstructure.
2. The GPS antenna has a free view through 360 degrees with a
vertical angle of 5 to 90 degrees above the horizon.
3. As the received GPS signal is very sensitive to noise and
interference generated by other onboard transmitters, ensure that
the GNSS antenna is placed as far away as possible from radar,
Inmarsat and Iridium transmitters and ensure the GPS antenna is
free from direct view of the radar and the Inmarsat beam.
4. It is also important that the MF/HF and other VHF transmitter
antennas are kept as far away as possible from the GNSS antenna.
It is good practice never to install a GNSS antenna within a radius of
5 meters from these antennas.
VHF antenna for AIS use
The VHF antenna employed for AIS use:
Must be a dedicated antenna, i.e. not shared with any other VHF
transmitter/receiver.
Must be suitable for marine shipboard applications (index of
protection, ruggedness, means of mounting, etc.)
Should be omni-directional and vertically polarised with unity gain
(0 dB) with a bandwidth sufficient to maintain VSWR <1.5 over
the frequency range 156 –163 MHz. As a minimum the 3dB

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bandwidth must cover the two AIS channels and the DSC
Channel.
Should be mounted with at least a two metre vertical separation
distance from any other VHF antenna used for speech or DCS
communication.
WARNINGS
VHF Antenna Connection
Connecting a badly mismatched VHF antenna, leaving the VHF antenna
port disconnected, or shorting the VHF antenna port will activate the
VSWR alarm, cause the unit to stop sending position reports or cause
damage to the transponder.
Radio Frequency Exposure
To meet the requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure it is necessary
to install the VHF antenna correctly and operate the AIS equipment
according to the instructions.
The VHF antenna must be mounted at a minimum distance (vertical
separation) of 3 metres from the head of any person standing on deck in
order to meet international safety directives on Maximum Permissible
Exposure (MPE) / Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
Where no suitable structure exists to achieve a 3 metre vertical
separation then the antenna base must be mounted at least 1 metre
above the head of any person within range, all persons should stay
outside the 3-metre safety radius and if practical a grounded RF shield
should be interposed between people and the antenna.
Failure to adhere to these limits could expose persons within the 3 metre
radius to RF radiation in excess of the MPE / SAR limits.

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PROGRAMMING THE TRANSPONDER
aisPRO Program
Before the CSB200 can transmit it requires to be programmed with your
own vessels information. This is done via the CSB200 field programmer
aisPRO2
This software is designed to be installed on a PC running Windows, and
to use the programming lead provided as standard with the CSB200 unit.
If the PC being used for programming does not have a 9-pin serial port
then a commercially available USB to serial adaptor may be required.
This connects between the supplied data lead and the PC.
The programming process operates as follows:
A data record is created for an individual CSB200
The CSB200 unit is then programmed
If required the programming can then be checked by ‘reading’ the
CSB200
The CSB200 personalisation data required is the ship’s MMSI number,
the name, its dimensions, position reference, type and call sign.
Programming the CSB200
Connect the CSB200 to a suitable 12VDC Power supply and to
the PC with the programming cable
Install the program from the CD onto your PC
Once the program is running select “Static Display” if not already
shown
Enter the Ships Name, Radio Callsign, Dimensions and Type of
Vessel in the boxes provided
Enter the ships MMSI number, WARNING, this number can only
be programmed into the unit once, ensure it is correct
Check the details are correct then click “ Send Static data to AIS”,
a warning box will appear asking you to confirm that the MMSI
number is correct, press OK if correct, the unit is now
programmed. In the event that you have inadvertently entered the

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incorrect MMSI number this can only now be changed by an
authorised dealer, other information can be altered as required
Program Utilities
Additional screens are available from the menus to monitor the operation
of the unit.
GPS Status: Displays the signal levels of reception from
individual satellites, green indicating locked and in use
Diagnostics: Displays the operational status of the unit
Serial Data: Allows you to monitor the output port of the unit
Software Update: For future internal program updates, or
enhancements of the unit which may occur

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USING THE TRANSPONDER
Switching on
When the 12VDC supply is switched on the green ON LED will light and
the other six LED’s visible on the front panel of the unit will illuminate
twice for a period of one second on each illumination. The Status, Error,
TX Off and TX LEDs will then go out. The green RX LED will flash when it
is receiving data from other AIS units. When the internal GPS is locked
the yellow LED will go out and the green Status Led will light; note that
this process may take up to 30 minutes depending on the switch-on state
of the GPS receiver. The red TX LED will flash momentarily every time
the unit transmits.
Warning and Fault States
If the unit has not been able to transmit a position report during the last
expected two reporting intervals (i.e. the nominal reporting interval cannot
be maintained for operational reasons such as a Message 23 quiet
period, high channel load conditions, etc) the yellow LED will illuminate.
This is a warning condition only and indicates that your vessels
position is not currently being reported to other vessels. Reception of
other vessel AIS information by the CSB200 is not affected. When the
unit is able to commence reporting the yellow LED goes out.
If a fault occurs the red Error LED will illuminate. This may illuminate
briefly if the power supply is interrupted or if the VHF antenna
characteristics are briefly affected.
If the Red Error LED illuminates continuously the unit should be assumed
to be faulty and should either be switched off (power removed) or if this is
not practical any other vessel position information derived from the unit
should not be used and it should also be assumed that the unit is not
transmitting valid position information for your vessel.

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The unit should be examined by an authorised service agent at the
earliest opportunity.
More details on LED indications can be found in the Operation section of
this manual.
Data Port Messages
The data port will output the following:
(At power-up) boot-loader and main application splash text
screens including version numbers, and memory status
Details of relevant AIS transmissions received
Details of AIS transmissions sent
Details of channel management messages received
Alarm messages generated by the BIIT function
The data port will accept the following inputs:
Programming information
Alarm acknowledgements
Please see the ‘Data Interface’ section of this manual for
more details of the data port messages.
When in operation an AIS unit:
Uses one of two VHF channels within the international marine
band allocation (channel 87B; 161.975MHz, or channel 88B;
162.025MHz) to regularly transmit information such as the vessel
position, Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), name, speed,
course, etc.
Receives similar information from other AIS equipped vessels
within VHF range and outputs that information for use by an
external display medium (AIS enabled chart plotter, PC using AIS
enabled chart plotter software etc.)

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Information Transmitted and Received
A Class A unit will transmit its IMO number (if known), MMSI, Call sign
and Name, length and beam, ship type, time, course over ground (COG),
speed over ground (SOG), heading, navigational status, rate of turn,
draught, cargo type, destination and safety related messages via a short
message service (SMS) facility. Message lengths are variable with static
and voyage related information being transmitted less often.
A Class B unit will transmit its MMSI, Call Sign and Name, length and
beam, ship type, time, course over ground (COG), speed over ground
(SOG) and heading.
Built in Test
The CSB200 is equipped with Built In Integrity Testing (BIIT). BIIT tests
run continuously or at appropriate intervals simultaneously with the
standard functions of the equipment. The BIIT detects any failure or
malfunction that will significantly reduce integrity or stop operation of the
CSB200 unit.
The tests include:
AIS TX malfunction (synthesiser not locked and TX time-out not
exceeded)
Antenna VSWR exceeds limit
Rx channel 1 malfunction (synthesiser not locked)
Rx channel 2 malfunction (synthesiser not locked)
Internal GNSS not in use
No valid SOG information
No valid COG information
Background noise > -77dBm
GPS failure
VSWR exceeding the maximum allowed level
The input voltage is out of the specified range

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LED Indicators
ON
This is a green LED which indicates, when lit, that power has been
connected correctly to the transponder.
Status
This is a green LED which indicates, when lit, that the transponder
hardware has been configured, that the operating software is present,
that the CPU has booted up, the application software is running and
everything is correct.
RX
This is a green LED which indicates when flashing that the CSB200 is
receiving data from other AIS transponders and is outputting this data as
VDM NMEA sentences on the output data ports. If the Green LED is on
continuously the unit has not been programmed with its personalised
data, it will still send received data to the output port but will not transmit.
TX
This is a red LED which flashes momentarily when the CSB200 transmits
its own AIS data.
Timeout
This is a yellow LED which indicates when lit that the transmitter is
prevented from transmitting. Reasons for this include the following:
The transponder’s internal GPS receiver is not operating or is not
yet ready
The transponder was unable to transmit an AIS message due to
the channel being already occupied, e.g. by transmissions from
other AIS transponders, or the TX Off function is in operation

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Error
This is a red LED which indicates, when lit, one of the following status
conditions is possible:
Transmitter lockout timer (1 second maximum) has operated
GPS is unable to gain lock after 30 minutes
VHF antenna VSWR is out of range
Power Supply is out of range
Background noise level is above the threshold level (-77dBm)
TX Off
This is a Blue LED which indicates that the remote TX Off switch has
been operated to manually stop the CSB200 transmitting data.
MAINTENANCE
WARNING: Unauthorized opening of the CSB200 unit will invalidate the
warranty.
CAUTION: Avoid using chemical solvents to clean the CBS200; solvents
may damage the case material.
NOTE: The CSB200 contains no serviceable parts. Contact your local
Dealer if the unit fails to function correctly.

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SERIAL DATA INTERFACE
Data Connection
If an external display unit is to be used to show other AIS units within
range (such as a chart plotter, PC serial terminal or other display device)
connect the user end of the data interface cable to the display device.
Note that the software in the display device must be configured for AIS
operation.
There is a 9-way D-type female connector mounted at the rear of the
CSB200. The standard wire ended data cable assembly provided mates
with this connector.
9 Pin D
Cable Colour
Signal Name
1
BROWN
-NMEA Output (RS422)
2
RED
+RS232 Output
3
ORANGE
+RS232 Input
4
YELLOW
+NMEA Output (RS422)
5
GREEN
Ground
6
BLUE
TX Off Switch +
7
VIOLET
Not Used
8
GREY
+NMEA Input (RS422)
9
BLACK
-NMEA Input (RS422)

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Connections to a PC
Connections to a Plotter
CSB200
Plotter/Radar
1 –Brown- NMEA Output B
NMEA Input B- Return
4 –Yellow NMEA Output A
NMEA Input A - Positive
Transmit Off facility
The transmit off facility is provided in the event that you do not wish to
disclose your position to other users or to conserve power when it is not
necessary to transmit your position.
The transmitter can be turned off by connecting a simple switch between
the Blue cable on pin 6 and the Green cable on pin 5. Closing this switch
will cause the Blue-TX off LED and the Yellow Timeout LED to light, the
Green Status LED will extinguish. Opening the switch will resume
transmissions. Reception of AIS data during this operation will not be
effected.
Data
The default baud rate of the data link is 38.4kBaud with 8 data bits, one
stop bit and no parity. No handshaking is used.
The data interface conforms to IEC 61162-1.
The CSB200 outputs the following NMEA 0183 messages VDM, VDO,
RMC, ACA, ACS, ALR, TXT and ACK.
CSB200
PC 9 Pin Serial Port
2- Red -TX Data
2- RX Data
3- Orange- RX Data
3- Transmit Data
5 –Green-Ground
5 -Ground

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PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
Physical:
Dimensions 190 x 128 x 50 mm (L x W x H)
Weight 600g
Power
DC (9.6-15.6V)
Average power consumption 4W
Peak current rating 2A
GPS Receiver (AIS Internal)
IEC 61108-1 compliant
Electrical Interfaces
RS232 38.4kBaud bi-directional
RS422 NMEA 38.4kBaud bi-directional
Connectors
Power
VHF Antenna connector BNC
GPS Antenna connector TNC
Interface RS232/RS422
VHF Transceiver
Transmitter x 1
Receiver x 2
(One receiver time shared between AIS and DSC)
Frequency: 156.025 to 162.025 MHz in 25 kHz steps

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Output Power
33dBm ± 1.5 dB
Channel Bandwidth:
25kHz
Channel Step:
25kHz
Modulation Modes
25kHz GMSK (AIS, TX and RX)
25kHz AFSK (DSC, RX only)
Bit rate
9600 b/s ± 50 ppm (GMSK)
1200 b/s ± 30 ppm (FSK)
RX Sensitivity
Sensitivity - 107dBm 25kHz (Message Error Rate 20%)
Co-Channel 10dB
Adjacent Channel 70dB
IMD 65dB
Blocking 84dB
Environmental
IEC 60945
Operating Temperature: -25ºC to +55ºC
Indicators
On, TX, RX, Status, TX timeout, Error, TX Off

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STANDARDS
This product complies to all the necessary standards under the European
R&TTE directive for Article 3.1(a), 3.1(b), 3.2 and 3.3(e). The following
standards have been followed in pursuance of this:
IEC62287-1: 2006-03 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication
equipment and systems –Class B shipborne equipment of the automatic
identification system (AIS) –Part 1: Carrier-sense time division multiple
access (CSTDMA) techniques
IEC60945: 2002-08 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication
equipment and systems –General requirements –Methods of testing and
required test results
IEC61162-1: Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment
and systems –Digital interfaces –Part 1: Single talker and multiple
listeners
IEC61108-1: GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEMS (GNSS) –
Part 1: Global positioning system (GPS) -Receiver equipment -
Performance standards, methods of testing and required test results
EN 301 843-1 v2.1: Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum
Matters (ERM); Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for marine
radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common technical requirements
EN 50383: 2002 Basic standard for calculation and measurement of
electromagnetic field strength and SAR related to human exposure from
radio base stations and fixed terminal stations for wireless
telecommunications system (110MHz –40GHz)
EN60950-1:2002 Information technology equipment –Safety –Part 1:
General requirements.