jotron RA-2500 Operator And Installation Manual

82693_Op&Ins MAN_TR2500_D 1

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 2

EC Declaration of Conformity, available at www.jotron.com

Abbreviations and definitions

AIS -Automatic Identification System.
A shipborne broadcast transponder system in which ships continually transmit their position, course, speed and other
data to other nearby ships and shoreline authorities on a common VHF radio channel.

ALARM

Message by which the navigator signals the occurrence of an event. The alarm is indicated by an audible tone and/or a
message (or icon) on the display.

ALTITUDE
The height of the antenna over mean sea level.

AMBIENT
Surrounding or encompassing environment.

ANTENNA HEIGHT
The height (over the waterline) in which the antenna is installed.

ASM
AIS Service Management – Controlling entity for the whole AIS service

AUX
Auxiliary Port -A communication port on the AIS transponder, which can be used for NMEA or RTCM, input.

BAUD
Transmission rate unit of measurement for binary coded data (bit per second).

BIT
Short form of Binary Digit. The smallest element of data in a binary-coded value.

bps
Bits Per Second.

BSC
Base Station Controller

CHARACTER STRING
Continuous characters (other than spaces) in a message.

CHECKSUM
The value sent with a binary-coded message to be checked at the receiving end to verify the integrity of the message.

CLICK (KEYBOARD)
The audible tone generated when a key is activated

CLOCK
A precisely-spaced, stable train of pulses generated within an electronic system to synchronize the timing of digital
operations within the system.

CLOCK OFFSET
The differences between the times at the CDU/processor tracking a satellite, the satellite itself, and GPS system time.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 3

COG
See COURSE OVER GROUND

COURSE OVER GROUND
Course made good relative to the sea bed.

CURSOR
A flashing rectangle superimposed on a character position in the display window, indicating that a character may be
entered in that position, or that the existing character may be changed via the keyboard.

DEFAULT
A condition that the navigator assumes automatically if no other condition is initiated by the operator.

DGPS
See DIFFERENTIAL GPS.

DIFFERENTIAL GPS (OOPS)
A method of refining GPS position solution accuracy by modifying
the locally computed position solution with correction signals from an external reference GPS CDU (monitor).

ECDIS
Electronic Chart Display and Information System

EPFS
Electronic Position Fixing System (GPS is mostly used)

ETA
Estimated Time of Arrival. Calculated on basis of the distance to the destination and the current (or estimated) speed.

FATDMA
Fixed Access Time Division Multiple Access -Data link access protocol used by base station transponders to allocate
transmission slots on the data link. These slots are fixed and will thus not change until the base station transponder is re­configured.
FM
Frequency Modulation -The method by which a signal offsets the frequency in order to modulate it on a data link.
position (latitude, longitude, altitude, and time). See DILUTION OF PRECISION.

GFSK
Gaussian-Filtered-Shift-Keying -A standardised method of modulating digital data prior to transmission on a data link.

GMSK
Gaussian-Minimum-Shift-Keying -GFSK using BT -products and modulation index, which optimises the modulated
signal.

GNSS
Global Navigation Satellite System -A common label for satellite navigation systems (such as GPS and GLONASS).

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, which consists of or- biting
satellites, a network of ground control stations, and user positioning and navigation equipment. The system has 24
satellites plus 3 active spare satellites in six orbital planes about 20,200 kilometres above the earth.

GLONASS
A satellite navigation system developed and operated by Russia.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 4

GMT
Greenwich Mean Time. See also UNIVERSAL TIME COORDINATED.

GPS SYSTEM TIME
Time corrected to Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and used as the time standard by the user segment of the GPS
system.

HEADING
The direction in which the vessel is pointed, expressed as angular distance from north clockwise through 360 degrees.
HEADING should not be confused with COURSE. The HEADING is constantly changing as the vessel yaws back and
forth across the course due to the effects of sea, wind, and steering error.

IALA
International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation ans Lighthouse Authorities

IEC
International Electro-technical Commission.

IEC 61162-1 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Digital interfaces Single Talker­Multiple listeners: Closely related to NMEA0183 version 2.3, communication at 4800 baud. Definition of both
electrical and protocol to be used.

IEC 61162-2 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Digital interfaces
Single Talker- Multiple listeners, High speed transmission: Closely related to NMEA0183HS version 2.3,
communication at 34800 baud. Definition of both electrical and protocol to be used.

IEC 61993-2 Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Automatic Information Systems
(AIS)
Definitions of the sentences used for AIS in addition to those mentioned in IEC 61162-1 and IEC 61162-2.

IMO
International Maritime Organisation

INTERFACE
Electronic circuits that permit the passage of data between different types of devices; For example, the speed and
heading interface circuit permits data from a speed log and compass to pass to the navigator processor.

IP
Internet Protocol (

IP) is the central, unifying protocol in the TCP/IP suite. It provides the basic delivery mechanism for
packets of data sent between all systems on an internet, regardless of whether the systems are in the same room or on
opposite sides of the world. All other protocols in the TCP/IP suite depend on IP to carry out the fundamental function
of moving packets across the internet.

ITDMA
Incremental Time Division Multiple Access -Access protocol for pre-announced transmissions of temporary or non­repeatable character. It is also used during data link network entry.

ITU
International Telecommunication Union.

LED
Light Emitting Diode.

LSS
Logical AIS Shore Station. A LSS is a software process, which transform the AIS data flow associated with one or
more PSS into different AIS-related data flow. The SW process of a logical AIS station can run on any appropriate
computer at any appropriate place.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 5

MMI
Man Machine Interface

NMEA
National Marine Electronics Association. The NMEA electronics interface specifications have been developed under

the auspices of the Association. The NMEA 0183 is an internationally recognized specification for interfacing marine
electronics. NMEA 0183 version 2.3 is identical to lEC 61162-1.

POLLED MODE
A transponder is in a polled mode during a request-response session only. Distinguish this from a station, which is

polled into certain slots. This station is first polled and then enters assigned mode.

POSITION UPDATE
The redefining of position by analysis of satellite orbital data as referenced to time.
PROCESSOR
The processor circuit card in the console that controls system operations and computes the positioning/navigation
solutions.

PROMPT
A message on the display instructing the operator to make a keyboard entry.

PSS
Physical AIS Shore Station. The PSS is the most basic AIS-related entry, which can exist on its own in a real physical
environment, as opposed to an AIS base station or AIS repeater station.

PULSE SPEED SENSOR
Speed log whose speed output signal is defined by a pulse mte output.

RATDMA
Random Access Time Division Multiple Access -Access protocol for transmissions which have not been pre­announced. This is used for the first transmission during data link network entry or for messages of non-repeatable
character.

REFERENCE COMPASS
The compass against which the steering compass (see STEERING COMPASS) may be calibrated.

REFERENCE ELLIPSOID
A mathematical description of the Earth's ellipsoidal shape (see ELLIPSOID), which is the reference frame for
positioning computation.

RESET
To return stored values to either the default value or zero in memory.

RMS
See ROOT MEAN SQUARED.

ROOT MEAN SQUARED (RMS)
A statistical measure of probability, stating that an expected event

will happen 68% of the time. In terms of position update accuracy, 68 position updates out of 100 will be accurate to
within specified system accuracy.

SENSOR
A device that detects a change in a physical stimulus and turns it into a signal that can be measured.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 6

SET AND DRIFT
The direction and the speed of the water over ground (current).

SIGNAL- TO-NOISE RATIO (SIN)
Quantitative relationship between the useful and non-useful part of the received satellite signal. A high SIN indicates a

good receiving condition.

S/N See SIGNAL- TO-NOISE RATIO

SOFTWARE
Values programmed and preloaded into memory. The values represent a permanent set of instructions for running the
automatic functions (computations) of the navigator.

SOG
See SPEED OVER GROUND

SOTMA
Self Organised Time Division Multiple Access -An access protocol, which allows autonomous operation on a data link
while automatically resolving transmission conflicts.

SPEED OVER GROUND
Speed in relation to the seabed.

TCP
Transmission Control Protocol (

TCP) provides a reliable byte-stream transfer service between two endpoints on an

internet. TCP depends on IP to move packets around the network on its behalf.

TCP/IP
A name given to the collection (or

suite) of networking protocols that have been used to construct the global Internet.

The protocols are also referred to as the

DoD (dee-oh-dee) or Arpanet protocol suite because their early development

was funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (

ARPA) of the US Department of Defense (DoD).

TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access. An access scheme for multiple access to the same data link.

UDP
User Datagram Protocol provides a packetized data transfer service between endpoints on an internet. UDP depends on
IP to move packets around the network on its behalf.

UNIVERSAL TIME COORDINATED (UTC)
Greenwich mean time corrected for polar motion of the Earth and seasonal variation in the Earth's rotation.

UPDATE
See POSITION UPDATE.

UTC
See UNIVERSAL TIME COORDINATED.

VDL
VHF Data Link.

VHF
Very High Frequency -A set of frequencies in the MHz region.

VSWR
Voltage standing wave ratio

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 7

Amendment Record

AMENDMENT

NO.

INCORP.

BY

DATE PAGE(S) VERSION REASON

FOR CHANGE

A

2 ES 08.11.2006 58 B Kontroll med documenter.doc

3 ES 31.03.2007 Total: 59 C New company name

New logo

4 ES 04.01.2008 5-16 D Talker identifier

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 8

The information in this book has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate. However,

no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.

Jotron AS reserves the right to make changes without further notice

to any products or modules described herein to improve reliability, function or design.

Jotron AS does not assume any liability arising

out of the application or use of the described product.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Do not place liquid-filled containers on top of the equipment.

2. Immediately turn off the power if water or other liquid leaks into the equipment.

Continued use of the equipment can cause fire or electrical shock. Contact a Jotron AS
agent for service.

3. Immediately turn off the power if the equipment is emitting smoke or fire.

4. Do not operate the equipment with wet hands.

5. CAUTION!
This equipment contains CMOS integrated circuits. Observe handling precautions
to avoid static discharges which may damage these devices.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 9

LIST OF CONTENTS

1 GENERAL .............................................................................................................1-1

1.1 Features......................................................................................................................1-1

1.1.1 The main features are:.........................................................................................1-1

1.2 Receiver module description......................................................................................1-2

1.2.1 Front board..........................................................................................................1-2

1.2.2 Digital board........................................................................................................1-2

1.2.3 RF board..............................................................................................................1-2

1.2.4 Power board.........................................................................................................1-2

1.2.5 Connector board..................................................................................................1-2

1.3 System overview........................................................................................................1-3

2 SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................................................2-1

2.1 RA-2500 environmental specifications and integrated GPS .....................................2-1

3 RA-2500 CONFIGURATION ..............................................................................3-1

3.1 Using serial interface (th rough “External display” port)..........................................3-1

3.2 Using Ethernet interface............................................................................................3-2

3.3 Not all ships carry AIS...............................................................................................3-2

3.4 Use of AIS in collision avoidance.............................................................................3-2

3.5 Erroneous information ...............................................................................................3-2

3.6 AIS in an Operational Environment ..........................................................................3-3

4 INSTALLATION...................................................................................................4-1

4.1 Antennas ....................................................................................................................4-1

4.1.1 GPS antenna location..........................................................................................4-1

4.1.2 VHF antenna location..........................................................................................4-1

4.1.3 GPS/VHF combined antenna..............................................................................4-2

4.2 Cabling.......................................................................................................................4-3

4.2.1 Cable installation.................................................................................................4-4

4.3 Receiver unit ..............................................................................................................4-5

4.3.1 Desktop Mounting...............................................................................................4-5

4.3.2 Roof Mounting....................................................................................................4-6

4.3.3 Bracket mounting hole measurements ................................................................4-7

4.3.4 Flush Mounting...................................................................................................4-7

4.3.5 19``Rack Tray Mounting.....................................................................................4-8

5 OPERATION .........................................................................................................5-1

5.1 Description of keys ....................................................................................................5-1

5.2 Menus.........................................................................................................................5-2

5.2.1 Menu Flowchart ..................................................................................................5-2

5.3 Connecting power ......................................................................................................5-3

5.3.1 LAN configuration..............................................................................................5-3

5.4 Normal use.................................................................................................................5-5

5.4.1 Display received vessels......................................................................................5-5

5.4.2 Current Sensors / Dynamic Data menu...............................................................5-6

5.4.3 Internal GPS Menu..............................................................................................5-7

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 10

5.4.4 Diagnostic Menu.................................................................................................5-7

5.4.5 Config Menu .......................................................................................................5-9

5.5 Description of sentence format................................................................................5-13

5.6 Input.........................................................................................................................5-14

5.6.1 Definitions.........................................................................................................5-14

5.6.2 Receiving actions ..............................................................................................5-14

5.6.3 Format BCF:......................................................................................................5-15

5.7 Output ......................................................................................................................5-16

5.7.1 Definitions.........................................................................................................5-16

5.7.2 VDM VHF Data-link Message ........................................................................5-16

5.7.3 ALR - Set alarm state........................................................................................5-17

5.7.4 TXT Text transmission.....................................................................................5-17

5.7.5 GLL Geographic position latitude/longitude ..................................................5-18

5.7.6 GGA Global positioning system (GPS) fix data..............................................5-19

6 EQUIPMENT LIST .............................................................................................. 6-1

6.1 Standard supply 80500...............................................................................................6-1

6.2 Optional supply..........................................................................................................6-1

7 WIRING AND CONNECTIONS .........................................................................7-1

7.1 RA-2500 Rear Connections.......................................................................................7-1

7.2 Description of Junction Box Connector.....................................................................7-2

7.3 Description of 24VDC connection to receiver...........................................................7-3

7.4 Description of LAN connector...................................................................................7-3

8 ALARM MESSAGES ...........................................................................................8-1

8.1 Receiver malfunction.................................................................................................8-1

9 LIST OF VHF CHANNELS .................................................................................9-1

10 OUTLINE DRAWINGS .....................................................................................10-1

10.1 TR-2500 AIS Transponder ......................................................................................10-1

10.2 Procom CXL 2-1/l....................................................................................................10-2

10.3 Procom GPS 4 Antenna...........................................................................................10-3

10.4 BNC connector.........................................................................................................10-4

10.5 FME Connector Female...........................................................................................10-4

10.6 BNC Connector Male ..............................................................................................10-5

10.7 TNC Connector Male...............................................................................................10-5

10.8 N Connector Male...................................................................................................10-6

10.9 24VDC Power Connector........................................................................................10-6

11 REGISTRATION FORM...................................................................................11-1

82693_Op&Ins MAN_TR2500_D 1-1

1 GENERAL

1.1 Features

The RA-2500 is a ship borne AIS Receiver (Automatic Identification System) capable of receiving
navigation data and ship data from other ships and costal stations.

The RA-2500 system consists of a receiver, a cable and connector to PC (RS-232), a AC adaptor
and a combined VHF/GPS antenna.

1.1.1 The main features are:

Safety of navigation by automatically receiving navigational data from ships and coast stations.

● Static data:

- MMSI ( Maritime Mobile Service Identity).

- IMO number (where available).

- Call sign and name.

- Length and beam.

- Type of ship.

- Location of position-fixing antenna on the ship.

● Dynamic data:

- Ships position with accuracy indication and integrity status.

- UTC.

- Course over ground (COG).

- Speed over ground (SOG).

- Heading.

- Navigation status (manual input).

- Rate of turn (where available).

● Voyage related data

- Ships draught.

- Hazardous cargo (type).

- Destination and ETA (at masters discretion).

● LCD panel.

● GPS and VHF antenna, separate or combined, for easy installation available.

● Built-in GPS receiver for UTC synchronization and backup position fixing.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 1-2

1.2 Receiver module description

The receiver consist of:

1.2.1 Front board

The Front board consist of keyboard, LCD panel and four status lights for alarm, power and RX.
The Front board communicates directly with the MMI micro controller at the Digital board.
The LCD panel displays all required information about static data, dynamic data, voyage related
data and short safety related messages. The information and messages are automatically updated
according to the necessary international standards.

1.2.2 Digital board

The Digital board consist of Timer/MMI chapter, PC module and DGPS module.

Timer/MMI chapter

The Timer MMI chapter main task is to receive DGPS information.

PC module

The PC module is the communication centre for the RA-2500: analysing data, building and
controlling data base, communication with external units and controlling RX messages into the right
time slots.

DGPS module

The DGPS board receive GPS information from the GPS network. The internal GPS is a 12 channel
all-in-view receiver with a differential capacity, and provides UTC reference for system
synchronization to eliminate synchronisation problems among multiple users. It also gives COG
and SOG when the external GPS fails.

1.2.3 RF board

The RF board consist of two TDMA receivers.

1.2.4 Power board

The Power board consist of a DC/DC converter giving the necessary internal voltages to operate the
RA-2500.

1.2.5 Connector board

The connector board is the interface between the internal modules in RA-2500 and external units.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 1-3

1.3 System overview

The system is based on the IMO regulation for Universal AIS.
The system is synchronized with GPS time to avoid conflict among multiple users.

The VHF channels 87B and 88B are commonly used in addition to local AIS frequencies.

The AIS receiver receives various data as specified by IMO and ITU on the frequency manually set
up by the user.

82693_Op&Ins MAN_TR2500_D 2-1

2 SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 RA-2500 environmental specifications and integrated GPS

RA-2500 ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS AND INTEGRATED GPS

STANDARDS

IEC 60945 (2002), IEC 61993-2 (2001),
IEC 61162-1 (2000) –2 (1998), IEC 61108-1 (1996)

Temperature range -15°C to +55°C (operating) -40°C to +70°C (storage)
Humidity 90% at +40°C (non condensing)
Seal standard IP64

GENERAL RECEIVER

Size 244 x 108 x 146mm
Weight 2.8kg

Colour Slate Grey (RAL7015) / Black (RAL9004)
Enclosure Polycarbonate / Aluminium
Compass safety distance Standard magnetic: 0.9m Steering magnetic: 0.65m

Frequency range 156 – 162.025MHz
Data ports RS232 and RS422
Supply voltage, DC 21.6 - 31.2VDC negative ground.
Power consumption <20W

DISPLAY / KEYBOARD
Display Monochrome STN-LCD, 24 characters x 4 lines. Adjustable backlight.

Keyboard 19 keys. Adjustable backlight.
LED 4 LED for identification of: Alarm, OK, RX and TX.

INTEGRATED GPS

No. of channels 12 channels parallel
Tracking 12 channels simultaneously
Frequency L1 – 1575.42MHz
RX code C/A code
Velocity >500m/s

Acceleration

Up to 5G

Accuracy

Horizontal: <3m (CEP), 5m (2dRMS). 3D:<5m (SEP). DGPS: <1m

Timing < 100ns (absolute), < 40ns (1 sigma).
Acquisition/Reacquisition

<23s TTFF with time, pos. and ephemeris. <45s with almanac,
time and pos. <120s cold start

DGPS interface RTCM SC-104

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 2-2

TR-2500 RECEIVER UNITS

RECEIVER TDMA

25kHz 12.5kHz

-107dBm (n.c.)

-101dBm (e.c.)

-101dBm (n.c.)

Sensitivity

-98dBm (e.c.)

20% at

Packet error rate

sensitivity

20% at

sensitivity
Receive BT product 0.5.GMSK 0.3/0.5.GMSK
Co-channel rejection > -10dB > -16dB

Adjacent channel
selectivity

70dBm (n.c.) 50dBm (n.c.)

50dBm (e.c.) 60dBm (e.c.)
Modulation

GMSK , 9600 bits/s ± 50ppm.
Frequency range 156 - 162.025MHz
Frequency error

± 3ppm.
Spurious response

rejection

> 70dB two channels away from

frequency
Intermodulation

rejection
Blocking

/desensitisation

>=74dB at PER 20% for 1 tone – 15dBm at

FO ±5.725MHz and 2 tones of -27dBm at

+500kHz and FO +1MHz, when usable signal

has a level of -101dBm.

Large signal PER < 1% between -7dBm and -77dBm
Spurious emission

from RX

< -57dBm (150kHz to 1 GHz)

< -47dBm (1GHz to 2 GHz)

82693_Op&Ins MAN_TR2500_D 3-1

3 RA-2500 CONFIGURATION

Figure 3.0, Complete Tron RA-2500 system.

(Dotted lines in the figure above, means options)

3.1 Using serial interface (through “External display” port)

When using this port, the RA-2500 needs a PC to connect and control the data flow.
For connection details, see chapter-------

PC with compatible
charting software

Figure

3.1, Communication between the RA-2500 and the PC is through the RS232 interface

communicating on 38400 bits/second (baud).

RA-2500

VHF & GPS Antenna

Protection
and filters

Serial interface cable

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 3-2

3.2 Using Ethernet interface

Using this port, the RA-2500 is connected to the Ethernet port on a PC or a network node.
See chapter 7.3 for description of LAN connector.

3.3 Not all ships carry AIS

It is important to remember that not all ships carry AIS, in particular leisure crafts, fishing boats,
warships and some costal shore stations including Vessel Traffic Service Centers.

3.4 Use of AIS in collision avoidance

As an anti-collision aid the AIS has some advantages over radar:

- Information provided in near real-time.

- Capable of instant presentation of target course alternations.

- Not subject to target swap.

- Not subject to target loss in clutter.

- Not subject to target loss due to fast maneuvers.

- Able to detect ships within VHF/FM coverage.

-

IMPORTANT

When using the AIS for anti-collision purposes it is important to remember that the AIS is an
additional source of navigation information. It does not replace other navigational systems. The AIS
may not separately always give the right picture of the traffic in your area.

3.5 Erroneous information

Erroneous information implies a risk to other ships as well as your own. Poorly configured or
calibrated sensors might lead to transmission of incorrect information. It is the users responsibility
to ensure that all information entered into the system is correct and up to date.

82694_Op&Ins MAN_RA2500_D 3-3

3.6 AIS in an Operational Environment

This illustration shows a typical AIS system where equipped ships, vessels and shore-based
systems are automatically communicating with each other.

Figure

3.6, The total UAIS system.