AIS RF Monitoring Service Using Application Specific Message

Abstract

The AIS is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels through electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and VTS stations. Defining new application specific message has augmented the functionalities and informational content of AIS. This paper proposes RF monitoring service using AIS application specific message. The vessel, which has an AIS RF monitoring device, measures and monitors the sensitivity of the AIS signal transmitted from other nearby ships, AtoN devices and base stations. It can facilitate maintenance of the AIS devices and can also determine the AIS signal strength.