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AIS 110 BF

Automatic Identification System

Blue Forces is a common term for own units or friendly forces. The AIS 110 Blue Force is an AIS class A mobile station that also offers secure com- munication in addition to standard AIS functionality. This means that all users of the Blue Force units can monitor each other and be monitored by AIS Base Stations prepared with Blue Force tracking capabili- ties which are covering the area. In secure mode this AIS mobile station will still be able to see all AIS Mobile Stations within the coverage area, but are not revealing own position to others than friendly forces. mission and reception of data is being used, an almost unlimited number of users may operate on the system at the same time without causing interferance problems.

Secure Mode

The AIS 110 BF feature three different modes. These are: 1. Standard AIS mode 2. Receive only mode 3. Secure mode.In mode 1 the AIS unit will act as a standard AIS class A mobile station. In mode 2 the unit will only listen, without any transmitting. In mode 3 it will encrypt trans- mitted AIS data, making AIS information unavailable (unreadable) for others except blue forces.

Chart and Radar Interfacing

AIS can be interfaced to electronic charts or radar pro- vided they support the AIS interface. When interfacing AIS to radar and chart plotters, AIS target information as position, heading course and speed becomes available to the mariner and increase reliability of received naviga- tion data from other vessels.

Optional external MKD GPS Position Interface

AIS 110 BF can be provided with an eksternal MKD for graphical display of received AIS targets. The vessel´s primary GPS receiver narmally will be interfaced with the AIS and is used as the main position- ing source. However, the AIS 110 BF also incorporates an ”all-in-view” GPS receiver which can be used as back up for the primary GPS receiver.

Heading Interface

Vessel heading as derrived from the gyro compass may be interfaced to the AIS. This may require a gyro con- verter if the heading output from the gyro compass is a stepper or synchro signal and not a serial line signal which uses the NMEA data protocol for data exchange.

VHF data communication

Dedicated VHF frequencies are used for AIS data com- munication and the range is dependant on the height of the VHF antenna. In order to avoid interference with the ship’s VHF voice communication, the AIS VHF antenna must be installed in accordance with IMO requirements. As the AIS protocol, which utilizes time-slots for trans- Vessels posing the potential risk of a collision are shown in red. Vessels passing safely are shown in green.