The NASA AIS Engine is a low cost AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver which enables the monitoring of vessels fitted with AIS transponders. The NASA AIS Engine transponder receives an AIS message from other vessels utilising VHF frequencies. Connected to a compatible on-board PC program such as TMQ C-Plot, the information can be displayed on screen, giving the skipper a visual indication of the vessel’s name, call sign, position, speed and course over ground for all vessels within VHF range. This information is updated every 3 seconds to 6 minutes depending on speed and rate of turn, enabling all vessels with AIS in VHF range to be plotted.

The AIS Engine and a conventional marine antenna are all you need to start plotting vessels on your PC. The software runs in windows 95, 98, ME, Xp, 2000 and NT, it includes a world map on which vessels are plotted. Any vessel on the screen can be selected and its AIS data displayed. This includes the vessels name, MMSI number, position, call sign and destination etc. Also included on the AIS Engine is an optional input for a GPS (RMC sentence). With this connected the users own vessel is shown on the chart with its latitude and longitude displayed in a window.

The unit can receive ships on either the A or B AIS channels. In default setting it alternates between the two channels.

The AIS engine can also be used with plotters or other PC software that have an AIS input facility. Check compatibility with your software supplier. An NMEA 0183HS input at 38,400 baud is required to accept the VDM AIS strings corresponding to ITU-1371.

Technical Data
• Operating frequencies - 162.025 and 161.975 mHz
• Supply voltage - 10 to 16 volts DC
• Supply current - 43mA
• Messages relayed - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 18, 21 and 24
• Antenna input - 50 ohm BNC
• Data connector - 9 pin 'D' type
• Mounting - via two moulded flanges
• Dimensions - 115 x 100 x 30mm
• Output format - NMEA 0183 (38400 Baud)
• VDM encapsulation string conforming to ITU-1371
• NMEA RMC from GPS
(Various receiver parameters are factory preset but can be altered from the PC if software is available.)

• AIS Engine.pdf