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NAIS-400 Class B
AIS Transceiver
Instruction Manual
ENGLISH
simrad-yachting.com
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Preface
As Navico is continuously improving this product, we retain the
right to make changes to the product at any time which may not be
reflected in this version of the manual. Please contact your nearest
distributor if you require any further assistance.
It is the owner’s sole responsibility to install and use the NAIS-400
AIS Class B Transceiver in a manner that will not cause accidents,
personal injury or property damage. The user of this product is
solely responsible for observing safe boating practices.
NAVICO HOLDING AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, BRANCHES AND AFFILIATES DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT
IN A WAY THAT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE OR THAT MAY
VIOLATE THE LAW.
Governing Language: This statement, any instruction manuals, user
guides and other information relating to the product (Documentation) may be translated to, or has been translated from, another
language (Translation). In the event of any conflict between any
Translation of the Documentation, the English language version will
be the official version of the Documentation.
This manual represents the product as at the time of printing.
Navico Holding AS and its subsidiaries, branches and affiliates reserve the right to make changes to specifications without notice.
2 |
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Navico Holding AS.
Warranty
The warranty card is supplied as a separate document.
About this manual
Important text that requires special attention from the reader is
emphasized as follows:
¼ Note: Used to draw the reader’s attention to a comment or some
important information.
Warning: Used when it is necessary to warn personnel that
they should proceed carefully to prevent risk of injury and/or
damage to equipment/personnel.
Preface | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Contents
2 Preface
5 Notices
5 Safety warnings
5 General notices
9 About your AIS class B transceiver
9 About AIS
9 Static and dynamic vessel data
10 Important information for US customers
11 What’s in the box?
14 Installation
14 Preparing for installation
16 Installation procedures
24 Conguring your AIS transceiver
24 Switching on your AIS transceiver for the first time
24 Configuring your AIS transceiver
25 Introduction to proAIS2
27 Operation
27 Using the AIS transceiver
27 Switch functions
27 Using proAIS2 with your AIS transceiver
27 Indicator functions
29 Troubleshooting
30 Specications
Contents | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Table of gures
11 Figure 1 Items included with the product
12 Figure 2 AIS transceiver overview
13 Figure 3 Electrical connections to the AIS transceiver
14 Figure 4 Typical installation configuration
17 Figure 5 AIS transceiver dimensions
18 Figure 6 AIS transceiver mounting
18 Figure 7 GPS antenna mounting
19 Figure 8 Position of the GPS antenna connector
19 Figure 9 Position of the VHF antenna connector
21 Figure 10 Connecting an external switch
22 Figure 11 Connecting to the NMEA0183 data port
23 Figure 12 Connecting the power supply
28 Figure 13 Indicator location on the AIS transceiver unit
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Contents | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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1
Notices
When reading this manual, please pay particular attention to warnings marked with the warning triangle. These are important messages for safety, installation and usage of the product.
Safety warnings
Warning: This equipment must be installed in accordance
with the instructions provided in this manual.
Warning: This AIS transceiver is an aid to navigation and must
not be relied upon to provide accurate navigation information.
AIS is not a replacement for vigilant human lookouts and other
navigation aids such as RADAR. The performance of the transceiver may be seriously impaired if not installed as instructed in
the user manual, or due to other factors such as weather and or
nearby transmitting devices. Compatibility with other systems
may vary and is reliant on the third party systems recognising the
standard outputs from the transceiver. The manufacturer reserves
the right to update and change these specifications at any time
and without notice.
Warning: Do not install this equipment in a flammable atmo-
sphere such as in an engine room or near to fuel tanks.
General notices
Position source
All marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceivers utilise a
satellite-based location system such as the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) network. The accuracy of a GPS position fix is variable and
is affected by factors such as the antenna positioning, the number
of satellites used to determine the position and for how long satellite information has been received.
Compass safe distance
The compass safe distance of this unit is 0.2 m or greater for 0.3°
deviation.
Notices | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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RF emissions notice
¼ Note: The AIS transceiver generates and radiates radio frequency elec-
tromagnetic energy. This equipment must be installed and operated
according to the instructions contained in this manual. Failure to do so
can result in malfunctioning of the receiver or personal injury.
¼ Note: Never operate the AIS transceiver unless it is connected to a
VHF antenna.
To maximise performance and minimise human exposure to radio
frequency electromagnetic energy you must make sure that the antenna is mounted at least 1.5 meters away from the AIS transceiver
and is connected to the AIS transceiver before power is applied.
The system has a Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) radius of 1.5
m. This has been determined assuming the maximum power of the
AIS transceiver and using antennas with a maximum gain of 3 dBi.
The antenna should be mounted 3.5 m above the deck in order to
meet RF exposure requirements. Higher gain antennas will require a
greater MPE radius. Do not operate the unit when anyone is within
the MPE radius of the antenna (unless they are shielded from the antenna field by a grounded metallic barrier). The antenna should not
be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other transmitting antenna. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms.
6 |
Warranty
This product is supplied with standard warranty as defined in the
accompanying warranty information.
Warning: Any attempt to tamper with or damage the prod-
uct will invalidate the warranty.
Disposal of this product and packaging
Please dispose of the AIS transceiver in accordance with the
European WEEE Directive or with the applicable local regulations for
disposal of electrical equipment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the packaging for this product
is recyclable. Please dispose of the packaging in an environmentally
friendly manner.
Accuracy of this manual
The AIS transceiver may be upgraded from time to time and future
versions of the AIS transceiver may therefore not correspond exactly
Notices | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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with this manual. Information contained in this manual is liable to
change without notice. The manufacturer of this product disclaims
any liability for consequences arising from omissions or inaccuracies in this manual and any other documentation provided with this
product.
Declaration of conformity
The manufacturer of this product declares that this product is in
compliance with the essential requirements and other provisions
of the R&TTE directive. The declaration of conformity is provided
with the product document pack. The product carries the CE mark,
notified body number and alert symbol as required by the R&TTE
directive. The product is intended for sale in the following member
states: Great Britain, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands,
Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany and Czech Republic.
FCC notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. This device complies
with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Warning: It is a violation of the rules of the Federal Communi-
cations Commission to input an MMSI that has not been properly
assigned to the end user, or to otherwise input any inaccurate
data in this device.
Notices | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Industry Canada notice
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS
standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est
autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :
1. L’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et
2. L’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique
subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le Fonctionnement.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme
NMB-003 du Canada.
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Notices | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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2
About your AIS class B transceiver
About AIS
The marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a location and
vessel information reporting system. It allows vessels equipped with
AIS to automatically and dynamically share and regularly update
their position, speed, course and other information such as vessel
identity with similarly equipped vessels. Position is derived from the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and communication between vessels is by Very High Frequency (VHF) digital transmissions.
There are a number of types of AIS device as follows:
• Class A transceivers. These are similar to class B transceivers, but
they are designed to be fitted on large vessels such as cargo ships
and large passenger vessels. Class A transceivers transmit at a higher
VHF signal power than class B transceivers and therefore can be
received by more distant vessels, and also transmit more frequently.
Class A transceivers are mandatory on all vessels over 300 gross
tonnes on international voyages and certain types of passenger vessels under the SOLAS regulations.
• Class B transceivers. Similar to class A transceivers in many ways,
but are normally lower cost due to the less stringent performance
requirements. Class B transceivers transmit at a lower power and at a
lower reporting rate than class A transceivers.
• AIS base stations. AIS base stations are used by Vessel Traffic Sys-
tems to monitor and control the transmissions of AIS transceivers.
• Aids to Navigation (AtoN) transceivers. AtoNs are transceivers
mounted on buoys or other hazards to shipping which transmit
details of their location to the surrounding vessels.
• AIS receivers. AIS receivers will generally receive transmissions
from class A transceivers, class B transceivers, AtoNs and AIS base stations but do not transmit any information about the vessel on which
they are installed.
This product is an AIS Class B transceiver.
Static and dynamic vessel data
There are two categories of information transmitted by an AIS transceiver: static and dynamic data.
The vessel’s dynamic data, which includes location, speed over
ground (SOG) and course over ground (COG), is calculated automatically using the internal GPS receiver.
About your AIS class B transceiver | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Static data is information about the vessel which must be programmed into the AIS transceiver. This includes:
• Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
• Vessel name
• Vessel call sign (if available)
• Vessel type
• Vessel dimensions
In most countries the operation of an AIS transceiver is included
under the vessel’s marine VHF licence provisions. The vessel on to
which the AIS unit is to be installed must therefore possess a current
VHF radiotelephone licence which lists the AIS system, vessel Call
Sign and MMSI number.
Warning: An MMSI number is required in order for the AIS
transceiver to operate. Please contact the relevant authority in
your country for more information.
Important information for US customers
There are specific laws in the USA regarding the configuration of AIS
class B transceivers. If you are a US resident and intend to use your
AIS class B transceiver in US waters, you should make sure that your
retailer has configured your product prior to supplying it to you. If
your AIS transceiver has not been pre-configured, please contact
your dealer for details of how to have it configured.
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Warning: In the United States of America, the MMSI and
static data must only be entered by a competent installer. The
end user of the equipment is not authorised to enter their own
vessel data.
About your AIS class B transceiver | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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What’s in the box?
Figure 1 shows the items included with your AIS transceiver purchase. The following sections will give a brief overview of each item.
Please ensure all items are present. If any of the items are missing,
please contact your dealer.
Class B AIS transceiver
Quick
start guide
Warranty
information
Power and data cable
Screws
(packet of 4)
Product CD
Product manual
Figure 1 Items included with the product
Support tools CD
The CD supplied with the package contains the following:
• proAIS2 software tool necessary to configure the AIS transceiver.
Please refer to section 4 for details of the configuration process and
how to use the proAIS2 tool.
• USB drivers required to connect to the AIS transceiver via USB.
• Alternative language versions of this manual.
Quick start guide
The quick start guide gives a handy one-page reference for the
installation process.
Product manual
This document is the product manual and should be read thoroughly prior to any attempt to install or use the AIS transceiver.
About your AIS class B transceiver | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Fixing screws
Four fixing screws are provided with the product for mounting of
the AIS transceiver. Please refer to the Installation procedures, chapter 3 for details of how to mount the AIS transceiver.
AIS transceiver unit
Figure 2 shows an overview of the AIS transceiver unit.
The AIS transceiver has a number of indicators which provide information to the user about the status of the AIS transceiver. Please
refer to Indicator functions, chapter 5 for more details.
The AIS transceiver has an internal GPS antenna. You should ensure
that the transceiver is mounted where it has a clear view of the sky,
or you can alternatively connect an external GPS antenna, which is
available from your dealer as an accessory.
Power, data and USB cable
The power and data cable connects to the AIS transceiver and enables connection to power, NMEA0183, external silent mode switch
and USB.
Warning: Do not attempt to adjust or remove the fixings
next to each of the four mounting holes. These fixings form part
of the sealing of the AIS transceiver and any modification could
affect the product’s performance and will invalidate the product’s warranty.
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Indicator lights
Green Amber Red Blue
Mounting
holes
Power and data
NMEA 2000 VHF antenna
GPS antenna
Figure 2 AIS transceiver overview
About your AIS class B transceiver | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
Mounting
holes
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Electrical connections
The AIS transceiver has the following electrical connections:
• Power supply
• Two independent NMEA0183 data ports for connection to chartplot-
ters and other NMEA0183 compatible equipment
• USB for connection to a PC or Mac
• External switch input for silent mode control
• NMEA2000 port for connection to NMEA2000 compatible equip-
ment.
In addition there are two other connections for the VHF antenna
and an optional external GPS antenna. Figure 3 shows an overview
of the electrical connections to the AIS transceiver.
Power in
Switch
NMEA0183
device
Chartplotter
USB
Figure 3 Electrical connections to the AIS transceiver
AIS Class B
transceiver
NMEA 2000
About your AIS class B transceiver | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Installation
3
Preparing for installation
Figure 4 shows a typical installation configuration for the AIS transceiver. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the system
elements and their connections prior to attempting installation.
Chartplotter
VHF antenna
AIS Class B
transceiver
Power in
Switch
USB
NMEA0183 device
Figure 4 Typical installation conguration
In addition to the items provided with your AIS transceiver the following items will be required for installation:
NMEA 2000
GPS antenna
(optional)
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VHF antenna
Connection to a suitable VHF antenna will be required for the AIS
transceiver to operate. A standard marine band VHF antenna such as
that used with VHF voice radios will be sufficient. Please take note of
the warnings in section 1 regarding the use of antennas.
Alternatively, if you wish to use an existing VHF antenna, antenna
splitter products are available which allow the existing antenna to
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
Page 15
be used with two radio devices, such as a VHF voice radio and the
AIS transceiver.
Warning: When selecting an AIS antenna splitter, make
sure it is capable of operation with an AIS transceiver. Some AIS
antenna splitters are designed to work only with AIS receivers.
Please check with your dealer to ensure you purchase the correct
type of antenna splitter.
Optional external GPS antenna
The transceiver has an internal GPS antenna. When the transceiver is
mounted in a location with a clear sky view (for example, beneath a
windshield or other non-metallic structure) an external GPS antenna
is not required. Should it not be possible to mount the transceiver in
a suitable location, then an external GPS antenna can be connected.
A compatible GPS antenna is available from your dealer as an accessory.
Optional switch
A switch can be connected to the transceiver to enable and disable
‘silent mode’ (see Step 4 and 5 in Installation procedures, chapter 3.
A latching toggle switch is required to use this feature.
VHF antenna cable
Please check that the VHF antenna you intend to use has sufficient
cable to reach between the VHF antenna and the AIS transceiver
unit. If it is not sufficient, you will need an extension cable. Please
contact your dealer for details of suitable products. For reference,
the VHF antenna connector type on the AIS transceiver unit is SO
239, and is intended to mate with a PL 259 connector.
Power and data cable
The AIS transceiver unit is supplied with a 2 meter long power and
data cable as an accessory. If you require longer cables to reach your
power supply, please ensure the cables are capable of carrying currents of up to 2A peak and 200mA on average. Means of connecting
the cables together will also be required. The use of ScotchlokTM
connectors is recommended for this purpose.
Chartplotter
To display received AIS messages from other vessels on your chartplotter, you will need to connect your AIS transceiver to your chart-
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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plotter. Please refer to the user manual supplied with your chartplotter for details of how to connect and configure your chartplotter
for use with AIS devices. For general guidance, your chartplotter
should be configured to accept NMEA data at 38400 baud (sometimes referred to as ‘NMEA HS’ in the plotter configuration menu).
You may also need to enable the display of AIS targets in the chart
options.
Alternatively, if you use an NMEA2000 network on your vessel, it
is possible to connect the AIS transceiver to the NMEA2000 network via a suitable cable. Please contact your dealer for details of
NMEA2000 cables.
Connection to a PC or Mac
If you choose to use a PC or Mac with suitable charting software
to display received AIS messages from other vessels, this can be
accomplished by connecting the USB connector on the supplied
power and data cable.
Installation procedures
Before beginning the installation of your AIS transceiver, please
ensure you have the necessary additional items as detailed in the
previous section Preparing for installation. It is strongly recommended that you read all of the instructions in this manual prior to
installation.
If, after reading this manual, you are unsure about any element of
the installation process, please contact your dealer for advice.
The following sections explain the installation process step by step
for each of the main elements of the system.
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Step 1 - Installing the AIS transceiver
Please note the following guidelines when selecting a location for
your AIS transceiver:
• The AIS transceiver must be fitted in a location where it is at least
0.5 m from a compass or any magnetic device.
• There should be adequate space around the AIS transceiver for rout-
ing of cables. See Figure 5 for details of the AIS transceiver dimensions.
• The ambient temperature around the AIS transceiver should be
maintained between -25°C and +55°C.
• The AIS transceiver should not be located in a flammable or hazard-
ous atmosphere such as an engine room or near fuel tanks.
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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• The AIS transceiver is fully waterproof to ingress protection rating
IPx7. However, it is recommended that the AIS transceiver not be
subjected to extended periods of exposure to spray or submersion.
• It is acceptable to mount the AIS transceiver either vertically or
horizontally.
• It is recommended that the AIS transceiver is installed in a ‘below
deck’ environment.
• The product is supplied with four selftapping screws for attachment
of the AIS transceiver to a suitable surface. Please refer to Figure 6 for
guidance.
• The AIS transceiver should be mounted in a location where the
indicators are readily visible as these provide important information
on the status of the AIS transceiver.
• If the internal GPS antenna is used, the AIS transceiver should be
mounted in a location with a clear sky view. The internal GPS antenna is mounted below the top surface of the transceiver enclosure.
42 mm
128 mm
140 mm
Figure 5 AIS transceiver dimensions
42 mm
100 mm
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Figure 6 AIS transceiver mounting
Step 2 - Installing an optional external GPS antenna
For mounting of an optional external GPS antenna, you will require
a 1-inch 14 TPI thread pole. You should ensure that the GPS antenna
has a good clear view of the entire sky. It is not recommended that
the GPS antenna is mounted up a mast where the motion of the
vessel will cause the antenna to swing and potentially reduce the
accuracy of the GPS position.
Do not mount your antenna in the direct path of a radar transmitter.
Feed the 10 m long cable attached to the GPS antenna through
the pole and screw the antenna onto the pole mount as shown in
Figure 7.
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Figure 7 GPS antenna mounting
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Route the cable to your AIS transceiver unit, adding any necessary
extension cables. Connect the cable from the GPS antenna to the
GPS connector on the AIS transceiver as shown in Figure 8.
Power and data
NMEA 2000 VHF antenna
GPS antenna
Figure 8 Position of the GPS antenna connector
Step 3 - Connecting the VHF antenna
Route the cable from the VHF antenna to the AIS transceiver and
connect to the VHF connector on the AIS transceiver as shown in
Figure 9.
A standard marine band VHF antenna or AIS antenna should be
used with the AIS transceiver. The connector type on the AIS
transceiver is SO239. Your chosen VHF antenna requires a PL259
connector to mate with this. If your VHF antenna does not use this
type of connector, please contact your dealer for details of available
adaptors.
Power and data GPS antenna
NMEA 2000 VHF antenna
Figure 9 Position of the VHF antenna connector
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Step 4 - Connecting the accessory cable
An accessory cable is supplied with the product to provide connections to power, the external switch, the NMEA0183 data ports
and USB. The cable has a pre-moulded connector at one end which
should be connected to the connector on the unit marked ‘PWR/
DATA’. The other end of the cable has eight colour-coded bare wires
ready for connection and a USB connector for use with a PC or Mac.
The table below lists the function of each colour-coded wire for
reference.
Wire colour Description Function
Red Power in + Power supply connections
Black Power in -
Light green Switch input- External switch connection for
Orange Switch input+
Brown NMEA0183 port 1 TX+ High speed NMEA0183 output
Blue NMEA0183 port 1 TX-
Grey NMEA0183 port 2 RX+ Low speed NMEA0183 input
Yellow NMEA0183 port 2 RX-
silent mode
(38,400 baud) intended for
connection to chartplotters
(4,800 baud) intended for
connection to other NMEA0183
compatible sensors for
multiplexing of data to the
chartplotter
Colour-coding of wires in the accessory cable
20 |
Warning: Please check your wiring very carefully before ap-
plying power to the product. Failure to wire the product correctly
could result in permanent damage.
Step 5 - Connecting an external switch
A toggle switch can be connected to the AIS transceiver to provide
remote control of silent mode. Connect the toggle switch between
the light green and orange wires as shown in Figure 10. Connection
of an external switch to toggle silent mode is optional and not essential for normal operation of the product.
Warning: Do not connect a voltage source across the switch
inputs, as this may damage the transceiver.
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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Red
Black
Light green
Orange
Brown
Blue
Grey
Yellow
Power in +
Power in –
Switch input +
Switch input –
Transmit +
Transmit –
Receive +
Receive –
NMEA0183
38,400 Baud
NMEA0183
4,800 Baud
USB
Figure 10 Connecting an external switch
Step 6 - Connecting to NMEA0183 compatible equipment
The two independent NMEA0183 data ports provide connection
to your chartplotter and other NMEA0183 compatible equipment.
Each port consists of two colour-coded wires, as shown in the table
(Step 4) and in the diagram in Figure 11. Connect the wires to the
appropriate connections on your NMEA0183 compatible equipment. Please refer to your equipment manual for more information.
The AIS transceiver has a high speed output port, which operates
at 38,400 baud and a low speed input port, which operates at 4,800
baud. The high speed port is intended primarily to connect to a
chartplotter, while the low speed port is intended to connect to
other NMEA0183 devices. A multiplexing feature is provided, which
means any messages received via the low speed port are automatically transmitted via the high speed port. This is particularly useful
when using a chartplotter having only a single NMEA0183 port. An
additional sensor, such as a gyro-compass, can be connected to the
AIS transceiver via the low speed port and the AIS transceiver can be
connected via the high speed port to the chartplotter resulting in
the chartplotter receiving both AIS information and heading information simultaneously. Please ensure your equipment is configured
to use the correct baud rate for the port it is connected to.
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Red
Black
Light green
Orange
Brown
Blue
Grey
Yellow
Power in +
Power in –
Switch input +
Switch input –
Transmit +
Transmit –
Receive +
Receive –
USB
NMEA0183
38,400 Baud
NMEA0183
4,800 Baud
Figure 11 Connecting to the NMEA0183 data port
Step 7 - Connection to an NMEA2000 network (optional)
The AIS transceiver can be connected to an NMEA2000 network by
a suitable NMEA2000 network cable available from your local dealer.
If your vessel has an NMEA2000 network, please refer to the relevant
documentation for your NMEA2000 equipment. Once connected,
and with your chartplotter also connected to your NMEA2000 network, you will be able to receive AIS targets on your chartplotter.
22 |
Step 8 - USB Connection (optional)
The AIS transceiver is supplied with a USB port for connection to a
PC or Mac. The USB connector can be connected directly to the USB
port on the PC or Mac via the supplied USB cable. To enable connection of the AIS transceiver to a PC, the USB drivers (supplied on
the product CD) must first be installed. Driver installation is typically
not required for use with a Mac.
To install the drivers, please follow the steps below:
1. Insert the product CD into the PC and navigate to the USB driver’s folder.
2. Double-click on the setup.exe file to launch the installer.
3. Follow the on-screen installation instructions to complete the installation.
4. Once installed, the AIS unit can be connected to the PC. The USB drivers
will be installed automatically and the AIS will appear as a new COM port
device.
5. Select the AIS COM port and a baud rate of 38,400 in PC based navigation
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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software to make use of the AIS data.
Warning: If the USB connection is removed from the PC or
Mac during use, you must reset the connection before further
use. To reset the connection: disconnect, then re-apply power to
the AIS before closing and re-launching any PC or Mac applications using the USB connection. Finally, re-connect the USB cable
between the PC or Mac and the AIS transceiver.
Step 9 - Connection to a power supply
The AIS transceiver requires a 12V or 24V power supply, typically
provided by the vessel’s battery. It is recommended that crimped
and soldered lugs are used to connect the AIS transceiver to the
power source. It is recommended that the power supply is connected via a suitable circuit breaker and/or 3A fuse block.
1. Connect the red wire to a 12V or 24V power supply positive terminal.
2. Connect the black wire to the supply negative terminal.
Red
Black
Light green
Orange
Brown
Blue
Grey
Yellow
Power in +
Power in –
Switch input +
Switch input –
Transmit +
Transmit –
Receive +
Receive –
USB
Figure 12 Connecting the power supply
Installation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
NMEA0183
38,400 Baud
NMEA0183
4,800 Baud
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4
Conguring your AIS transceiver
Until correctly configured, your AIS class B transceiver will only
receive AIS messages and will not transmit AIS messages.
Switching on your AIS transceiver for the
rst time
A few seconds after applying power to the AIS transceiver, the
indicators on the unit will illuminate in a pattern dependent on the
configuration state of the unit. The function of the four indicators
are:
Indicator Function
Green Unit is powered up and operating normally
Amber Unit is in a 'transmit timeout' period
Red Unit has experienced an error
Blue Silent mode is activated
If the AIS transceiver has been pre-configured, the amber indicator
will illuminate until a transmission has been sent by the unit. This
may take several minutes, as the transceiver must acquire a GPS
position fix prior to transmitting its first message.
If the transceiver has not been pre-configured, the amber and red
indicators will be illuminated until the configuration process has
been completed.
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Conguring your AIS transceiver
There are two potential ways in which your AIS transceiver can be
configured:
1. Configuration in advance by your dealer or installer. If your AIS transceiver
has been configured for you by your dealer or installer, you can proceed to
chapter 5.
2. Configuration using proAIS2.
Providing it is acceptable to do so under your local legislation, it is
possible to configure your AIS transceiver yourself using the proAIS2
software provided with the product.
Conguring your AIS transceiver | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
Page 25
Warning: US Customers only: It is a violation of the rules
of the Federal Communications Commission for the enduser
to programme the vessel data. The vessel data must only be
programmed by a competent installer. If your AIS transceiver
has not been pre-configured for you, please contact your dealer
for advice on how to have the AIS transceiver configured by a
competent installer.
Introduction to proAIS2
Included in the CD supplied with your product is a software tool
called ‘proAIS2’. proAIS2 provides the facility to configure, monitor
and diagnose issues with your AIS transceiver. proAIS2 can provide
assistance when ensuring that a satisfactory GPS signal is being
received. It can also display alarm messages generated by the transceiver regarding poor VHF antenna quality or that the power being
supplied is outside the range specified for operation. proAIS2 can
also be used to activate ‘silent mode’, which disables AIS transmissions.
See the sections emmidiately below for how to install proAIS2 and
how to configure the AIS transceiver using proAIS2. Further help on
how to use the features of proAIS2 can be found in the ‘Help menu
within the proAIS2 tool. proAIS2 is designed to be installed and used
with a PC or Mac connected to the AIS transceiver via USB using the
supplied USB cable.
Installing proAIS2
1. Insert the CD into your PC or Mac, then locate and run the setup.exe file on
the CD and then follow the on-screen prompts.
2. If a security warning appears, click ‘Install’ to continue with the installation.
3. Once the installation is complete, proAIS2 will launch automatically and a
start menu folder and shortcut will be created for future use.
Conguration using proAIS2
For configuration purposes only, it is possible to power the AIS
transceiver via its USB connection. This is useful if you wish to configure your AIS transceiver away from the vessel power supply. The
AIS transceiver will not transmit any data or acquire a GPS position
fix whilst powered by USB.
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You will require the following information in order to configure your
AIS transceiver:
• MMSI
• Vessel name
• Vessel type
• Call sign
Vessel dimensions and position of your GPS antenna installation.
For further assistance in configuring your AIS transceiver, please
refer to the Help menu within proAIS2.
Warning: Please ensure that you enter all vessel data ac-
curately. Failure to do so could result in other vessels failing to
identify your vessel correctly. The vessel MMSI can only be programmed once using proAIS2, please take care to programme
your MMSI correctly. If you need to change the MMSI for any
reason, please contact your dealer who will arrange to have the
MMSI reset.
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5
Operation
Using the AIS transceiver
Once the unit has been configured, it is ready for use. Providing that
other vessels with AIS transceivers installed are within radio range of
your vessel, you should see their details appear on your chartplotter
or PC. These vessels will also be able to see your vessel on their
chartplotter or PC. It may take up to six minutes for your full vessel
details to be visible to others.
Specific details of how to configure your chartplotter to make use
of the AIS transceiver features will be given in your chartplotter
manual. If you are using charting software running on a PC, please
refer to the instructions provided with your chartplotting software
for details of how to configure it to display AIS information.
Switch functions
When connected to the AIS transceiver and by following the instructions in Step 4 and 5 under Installation procedures, chapter 3,
an external switch provides the ability to set the AIS transceiver into
‘silent mode’. In silent mode, the transmission of your own vessel
position ceases, whilst the reception of other vessels’ AIS position
continues. You should use silent mode if you do not wish your vessel data to be received by other AIS devices. When silent mode is
active, the blue indicator will be illuminated.
Warning: When silent mode is active, other vessels will not be
able to receive your vessel information on their AIS devices. Your
navigational safety may be compromised as a result.
Using proAIS2 with your AIS transceiver
The proAIS2 tool has a range of features to help monitor the performance of your AIS transceiver. To use the full range of features, your
AIS transceiver must be installed as described in chapter 3 and connected to a PC, running the proAIS2 application. Follow the instructions provided in the help menu within proAIS2.
Indicator functions
The AIS transceiver includes four coloured indicators, as shown in
Figure 13. The state of the indicators provides information regarding
the status of the AIS transceiver.
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Indicator lights
Green Amber Red Blue
Figure 13 Indicator location on the AIS transceiver unit
The meaning of typical indicator configurations is shown in the
table below and Figure 13 shows the orientation of the AIS transceiver.
Green indicator only
The AIS transceiver is powered up, has a position fix and has
transmitted at least one vessel information report.
Red indicator only
The AIS transceiver has detected a system error. The likely causes of
this are detailed in the troubleshooting guide in chapter 6. Diagnostic
messages displayed in proAIS2 may also help troubleshoot the cause
of the error.
Amber and blue indicators
When silent mode is activated, using the optional silent mode
switch, this combination of indicators is illuminated to show that the
transmitter is disabled.
Amber indicator only
The AIS transceiver is in ‘transmit timeout’ mode. This can be for a
number of reasons:
- the unit has only recently been powered on and is obtaining a
position fix prior to transmitting its first vessel information report.
(This process can take several minutes).
- position fix has been lost. The AIS transceiver will attempt to regain
position fix for 30 minutes before entering an error state.
- the AIS radio channels are exceptionally busy, so there is currently
no available timeslot for transmission.
- the unit has been in silent mode and after deactivating silent mode
this amber indicator will illuminate until the first AIS message has
been sent.
- the AIS transceiver has been commanded by the local authority (via
an AIS base station) to cease transmissions.
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Operation | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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6
Troubleshooting
Issue Possible cause and remedy
No data is being
received by the
chartplotter
No indicators are
illuminated
The Red 'error'
indicator is
illuminated
My MMSI is being
received by other
vessels, but my
vessel name is not
shown on their
chartplotter or PC
If the guidance given in the table above does not rectify the problem you are experiencing, please contact your dealer for further
assistance.
• Check that the power supply is connected
correctly.
• Check that the power supply is a 12V or 24V
supply.
• Check that the connections to the chartplotter
are correct.
• Check that the power supply is connected
correctly.
• Check that the power supply is a 12V or 24V
supply.
• The unit may not have a valid MMSI. Check that
the AIS transceiver is correctly configured with a
valid MMSI.
• The VHF antenna may be faulty. Check the
connection to the VHF antenna and that the
VHF antenna is not damaged. The red indicator
may illuminate briefly if the power supply is
interrupted or the VHF antenna characteristics
are briefly affected.
• No GPS position fix can be obtained. Check that
the transciever is located where the internal GPS
antenna has a clear sky view or that an external
GPS antenna is properly connected and installed.
Review the GPS signal strength graph available
in proAIS2.
• The power supply is outside the allowable
range. Check that the power supply is within the
range 9.6V to 31.2V.
• If none of the above will correct the error
condition, please contact your dealer for advice.
• Check for error and alarm messages in proAIS2
Some older AIS devices and chartplotters do not
process the specific class B AIS message, which
provides the vessel name (message 24). This
is not a fault of your AIS transceiver. Software
upgrades are available for many older chartplotters which will correct this issue. The other
vessel should update its AIS unit and/or chartplotting software to receive AIS message 24.
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7
Specications
Parameter Value
Dimensions 140 x 100 x 42 mm (L x W x H)
Weight 250 g
Power DC (9.6 V - 31.2 V)
Average power consumption 170 mA at 12 VDC
Peak current rating 2 A
GPS receiver (AIS
internal)
Electrical interfaces USB
Connections VHF antenna connector (SO-239)
VHF transceiver Transmitter x 1
Output power 33 dBm ± 1.5 dB
Channel bandwidth 25 kHz
Channel step 25 kHz
Modulation modes 25 kHz GMSK (AIS, TX and RX)
Bit rate 9600 b/s ± 50 ppm (GMSK)
RX sensitivity Less than -107 dBm at 20% PER
50 channel IEC 61108-1 compliant
NMEA0183 38,400 k Baud output
NMEA0183 4,800 k Baud input
NMEA2000 LEN=1
External GPS antenna connector (TNC)
USB type A plug
NMEA2000 standard connector
12 way power input/NMEA0183/External switch
Receiver x 2 (One receiver time shared between
AIS and DSC)
Frequency: 156.025 to 162.025 MHz in 25 kHz
steps
25 kHz AFSK (DSC, RX only)
1200 b/s ± 30 ppm (FSK)
Co-channel 10 dB
Adjacent channel 70 dB
IMD 65 dB
Blocking 84 dB
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Specications | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
Page 31
Parameter Value
Environmental Water resistant to IPx7
Operating temperature: -25ºC to +55ºC
Tested to IEC 60945 'Protected' category
Indicators Power, TX timeout, error, silent mode status
Specications | NAIS-400 Instruction Manual
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*988-10xxx-001*
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