Kongsberg AIS BS600 Automatic Identification System - Base Station

The AIS BS600 is a product in the 4th generation AIS base station range

from Kongsberg Discovery. It has a built-in storage capability, a sensitivity

better than -115 dBm, a software defined radio (SDR) and the smooth

design of a 2U 19” rack mountable platform. The BS600 is designed and

tested in accordance with all relevant international standards including

IEC 62320-1/2 and ITU-R M.1371-5.

The AIS Base Station is the primary component in an AIS Physical

Shore Station (PSS), and therefore the most vital component in a

coastal AIS network. The AIS BS600 receives and communicates

AIS data from all AIS sources: AIS mobile stations, other AIS Base

Stations, AIS Aids to Navigation units and Search and Rescue units,

within the VHF coverage area.

The AIS system provides a valuable tool to increase the situation

awareness, the efficiency of operations and safety. Experience

shows that the workload for operators involved in vessel tracking

and monitoring, is considerably decreased after the introduction

of AIS. The base station test standard (IEC 62320-1) introduces two

variants of AIS base stations: dependent and independent. The AIS

BS600 supports both.

Remote configuration and operation

The AIS BS600 has several serial interfaces and multiple Ethernet/

LAN interfaces, making it easy to connect the base station to other

equipment or data networks. From the AIS Service Management

Application Suite a single AIS BS600. or a network of base stations,

can be remotely operated and maintained. The AIS BS600

supports configuration and firmware upgrade via a web interface.

All base station functions can be configured and effectuated via

this interface.

Hot standby

In order to obtain a very high level of service and availability, a

redundant base station configuration can be established. Two AIS

BS600 units will operate autonomously in such a configuration

without any additional hardware. In case of an automatic change

in the redundancy configuration, the control centre will be notified.

Sensitivity

Kongsberg Discovery has been developing satellite based AIS

receivers since 2010 and this space-based AIS technology

has strong focus on receiver sensitivity. The high sensitivity

performance has been incorporated in the AIS BS600. The

increased sensitivity exceeds the requirements in international

standards and regulations, and is an incredible enhancement

in terms of signal reception, greatly increasing the offered base

station range.

Efficient deployment

An integrated display and keyboard enables easy configuration

of essential parameters. Detailed setup can be carried out via the

web interface.

DGNSS correction distribution

The AIS BS600 is capable of broadcasting DGNSS corrections

through the standardized AIS message type 17. Hence, differential

corrections can be transmitted to all vessels which carries an AIS

mobile station if the vessel is located within the coverage area of

the base station. The AIS BS600 also supports RTCM via serial and

LAN interface.