Vega VAIS3 VegaAIS Manual

V E G A I N D U S T R I E S L I M I T E D

VegaAIS AtoN Station

Installation and Operation Manual

Available models

Options

Product Version

Software version:

Manual version:

Date released:

Status:

VegaAIS Product Manual

VAIS-1S Type 1 Standard Model
VAIS-1E Type 1 Extended Model
VAIS-3S Type 3 Standard Model
VAIS-3E Type 3 Extended Model

Unidirectional Current / Voltage sensor
Bidirectional Current / Voltage sensor

1

RC10.2

1.0.14

18th April 2016

Released

User Manual VegaAIS AtoN Station © Vega Industries Ltd, Apr 2016

and weather

Manual revision history

Manual Version Released Description of Change Software version VegaAIS Serial number

1.0.0 Sept 2014

1.0.1 Dec 2014

1.0.2 Dec 2014

1.0.3 Dec 2014

1.0.4 Dec 2014

1.0.5 Jan 2015

1.0.6 Jan 2015

1.0.7 May 2015

1.0.8 June 2015

1.0.9 Aug 2015

1.0.10 Sept 2015

1.0.11 Sept 2015

1.0.12 Nov 2015

1.0.13 Dec 2015

1.0.14 Apr 2016

• Pre-release for BSH review

• Added voltage reference for power consumption

figures

• Added Manual Configuration section

• Added description of battery protection feature

• Initial Release

• Added General Warning section

• Add reference to DOC

• Added information about external fuses and

disconnect devices

• Added Type 3 power consumption figures

• Added Type3 feature descriptions

• Added explanation on MEB sentences

• Added description of SART Message Repeating

• Added details on messages 7, 12, 13 and 14

• Added list of European countries where the product

is able to be sold (Appendix B).

• Added Wind Gust and WindGustDir to Met/Hydro
message.

• Revised cable colours in beacon cable
station cable

• Added installation drawings

1.0 21000000+

1.0 21000000+

1.0 21000000+

1.0 21000000+

1.3 21000000+

RC6.0 21000000+

RC6.2 21000000+

RC6.3 21000000+

RC8.0 21000000+

RC9.1 21000036+

RC10.2 21000037+

Caution: This device generates potentially harmful levels of radio frequency radiation. Please
read section 1.1.5 General Warnings before operating this device.

VEGA INDUSTRIES LIMITED

21 Heriot Drive, Porirua 5022, New Zealand

Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

Product Warranty

Vega warrants that all products supplied are free from labour and material defects, and will repair or replace (at its option) the whole or
any part of the products found to be faulty. The standard warranty is valid for 12 months from the date of dispatch. Vega is not to be
liable for any charge beyond the point of delivery, including installation, alignment or testing. To claim under warranty the product must
be returned to the Vega factory in New Zealand at the users expense.

Legal Notice

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Vega Industries Ltd. makes no warranty of any kind with regards to
this material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for purpose. Vega Industries Ltd. shall not
be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use of this material. No part of
this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without prior written consent of Vega Industries Ltd.
The Vega logo is a registered trademark of Vega Industries Ltd. All other trademarks belong to their respective proprietors.

E-mail: [e-mail] Web: http://www.vega.co.nz

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Table of Contents

SECTION 1 OVERVIEW OF THE VEGA AIS ATON STATION .............................................. 6

1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6

1.1.1 Model Range ..................................................................................................................... 6

1.1.2 Additional Factory Options ................................................................................................ 6

1.1.3 Approvals & Certification ................................................................................................... 6

1.1.4 Quality Assurance ............................................................................................................. 6

1.1.5 General Warnings ............................................................................................................. 6

1.2 Supported AIS Messages .................................................................................................... 8

1.2.1 Aids-to-Navigation Report ................................................................................................. 8

1.2.2 Monitoring Report .............................................................................................................. 8

1.2.3 Meteorological / Hydrographic Report ............................................................................... 9

1.3 Mechanical Description ...................................................................................................... 10

1.3.1 Construction .................................................................................................................... 10

1.3.2 Sealing ............................................................................................................................ 11

1.3.3 Installation ....................................................................................................................... 11

1.4 Electrical ............................................................................................................................ 15

1.4.1 Electrical Connections ..................................................................................................... 15

1.4.1.1 Power Supply / Ground ............................................................................................... 17

1.4.1.2 Beacon Connector RS232 Rx and Tx ......................................................................... 17

1.4.1.3 Sync Connection ......................................................................................................... 17

1.4.1.4 AtoN On Digital Input .................................................................................................. 17

1.4.1.5 AtoN Fail Digital Input ................................................................................................. 17

1.4.1.6 RACON Fail Digital Input ............................................................................................ 17

1.4.1.7 RACON Present Digital Input ...................................................................................... 17

1.4.1.8 Isolated ADC Inputs (A & B)........................................................................................ 18

1.4.1.9 Isolated Digital Inputs (1-8) ......................................................................................... 18

1.4.1.10 Boot Input ................................................................................................................... 18

1.4.1.11 Weather Station Connector RS232 Rx and Tx ............................................................ 18

1.4.1.12 Weather Station Connector RS485-A, RS485-B ......................................................... 18

1.4.1.13 Weather Station Connector RS422-A, RS422-B ......................................................... 18

1.4.2 Current Sensor Connections ........................................................................................... 18

1.5 Power Consumption .......................................................................................................... 20

1.5.1 Type 1 VegaAIS .............................................................................................................. 20

1.5.2 Type 3 VegaAIS .............................................................................................................. 20

1.5.3 Battery Protection Feature ............................................................................................... 21

1.6 Error Code Reporting......................................................................................................... 22

SECTION 2 CONFIGURATION ............................................................................................. 23

2.1 VegaAIS Configuration Tool Introduction ........................................................................... 23

2.1.1 Installation ....................................................................................................................... 23

2.1.2 Default Configuration ....................................................................................................... 23

2.1.3 Connection to VegaAIS Unit ............................................................................................ 23

2.2 Configuration Tool Instructions .......................................................................................... 24

2.2.1 Creating a Configuration ................................................................................................. 24

2.2.1.1 Load Configuration from File ....................................................................................... 24

2.2.1.2 Load Configuration from VegaAIS Device ................................................................... 25

2.2.1.3 Load from Template (Quick Setup) ............................................................................. 26

2.2.1.4 Create New Configuration ........................................................................................... 27

2.2.2 Editing a Configuration .................................................................................................... 34

2.2.3 Programming a Configuration .......................................................................................... 35

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2.3 Manual Configuration......................................................................................................... 37

SECTION 3 PROGRAMMING ............................................................................................... 38

SECTION 4 ATON AND RACON STATUS MONITORING ................................................... 39

4.1 Fixed Status Bits ................................................................................................................ 39

4.2 AtoN Status Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 39

4.3 RACON Status Monitoring ................................................................................................. 40

SECTION 5 MONITORING REPORTS.................................................................................. 41

5.1 VegaWeb Monitoring Report.............................................................................................. 41

5.2 IALA GLA Monitoring Report ............................................................................................. 42

SECTION 6 METEOROLOGICAL / HYDROGRAPHIC REPORTS ....................................... 44

6.1 Supported NMEA Weather Sentences ............................................................................... 44

6.2 Met/Hydro Message Format .............................................................................................. 44

SECTION 7 ADDITIONAL FEATURES ................................................................................. 46

7.1 GPS Synchronisation......................................................................................................... 46

7.2 Proximity Control (Type 3 only) .......................................................................................... 46

7.3 Collision Detection and Reporting (Type 3 only) ................................................................ 47

7.4 SART Message Repeating (Type 3 only) ........................................................................... 48

SECTION 8 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................ 51

8.1 Maintenance Cleaning ....................................................................................................... 51

8.2 Periodic Inspection Check ................................................................................................. 51

User Notes .................................................................................................................................... 52

Appendix A Specifications .................................................................................................. 53

Appendix B Declaration of Conformance .......................................................................... 55

Appendix C VEGAAIS MANUAL CONFIGURATION SENTENCES .................................... 58

Standard Sentences ..................................................................................................................... 58

Binary Message Configuration ...................................................................................................... 58

Proprietary Sentences .................................................................................................................. 59

Hardware Configuration ................................................................................................................ 59

Configuration Query (query only) .................................................................................................. 60

Configuration Reset ...................................................................................................................... 60

Beacon Monitoring Configuration .................................................................................................. 60

RACON Monitoring Configuration ................................................................................................. 61

Monitoring Report Configuration ................................................................................................... 61

Monitoring Report Parameter Mapping ......................................................................................... 61

Meteorological/Hydrographic Report Configuration ....................................................................... 62

Monitoring Report Destination MMSI Configuration ....................................................................... 62

GPS Sync Configuration ............................................................................................................... 62

Collision Detection Configuration (Type 3 units only) .................................................................... 63

Proximity Control Configuration (Type 3 units only) ....................................................................... 63

Power Control Configuration (Type 3 units only): .......................................................................... 63

SART Repeating Configuration (Type 3 units only): ...................................................................... 63

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Delete MEB Message ................................................................................................................... 64

Appendix D VEGA AIS Product Codes ............................................................................... 65

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Model

Description

SECTION 1 OVERVIEW OF THE VEGA AIS ATON STATION

1.1

Introduction

The VegaAIS AtoN Station is a Type 1 or Type 3 AIS AtoN Station as described in IALA A-126
Edition 1.5, June 2011. The VegaAIS AtoN Station will broadcast information about the location
and operation of the Aid to Navigation to vessels and base stations receiving AIS messages.

The VegaAIS unit can also transmit AtoN monitoring information and also relay Meteorological /
Hydrographic information as part of the overall AIS system.

1.1.1 Model Range

The following model range is available:

Type 1 Standard Model Transmit only, FATDMA, no extended I/O
Type 1 Extended Model Transmit only, FATDMA, extended I/O
Type 3 Standard Model Transmit and Receive, FATDMA and RATDMA, no

extended I/O

Type 3 Extended Model Transmit and Receive, FATDMA and RATDMA, extended

I/O

The extended inputs supported by the Extended models are:

• eight isolated digital inputs

• two isolated analogue inputs

• three additional inputs (optionally isolated) for RACON presence and failure monitoring

1.1.2 Additional Factory Options

Additional Factory options for the VegaAIS AtoN Station:

• Unidirectional Current / Voltage Sensor

• Bidirectional Current / Voltage Sensor

These options are described more fully later in this manual.

1.1.3 Approvals & Certification

The VegaAIS type 1 unit has been tested to IEC 62320-2 by German Federal Maritime and
Hydrographic Agency BSH. Certificate number: BSH/4542/002/4322515/15.

The VegaAIS type 3 unit has also been tested to IEC 62320-2 by BSH. Certificate number:
BSH/4542/002/4322971/15.

Vega Industries declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and
other provisions of the R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC.

See Appendix B Declaration of Conformance for copies of the Declaration of
Conformance for both the Type 1 and Type 3 units.

1.1.4 Quality Assurance

All manufacture and assembly is performed under ISO9001 certification.

1.1.5 General Warnings

RF Emissions:

Caution: This device generates and radiates electromagnetic energy. This device must be
installed and operated according to the instructions contained in this manual. Failure to do so can

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result in product malfunction and / or exposure to potentially harmful levels of radio frequency
radiation.

Caution: Never operate this device unless it is connected to a VHF antenna.

The system has a Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) radius of 1m from the antenna. This
has been determined assuming the maximum power of the transponder and using a standard
monopole VHF antenna with a maximum gain of 3dBi and termination impedance of 50 ohms.

When installing the antenna and operating the equipment consider the following,

• Higher gain VHF antennas will require a larger MPE radius

• Do not operate the unit when anyone is within the MPE radius of the antenna

• The antenna should not be collocated or operated in conjunction with any other transmitting

antenna.

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1.2

Supported AIS Messages

The VegaAIS AtoN Station supports the following messages as defined in ITU-R M.1371-4:

• Message 21 - Aids-to-Navigation report

• Message 6 - Addressed binary message

• Message 7 - Acknowledgement of addressed binary message (message 6)

• Message 8 - Binary broadcast message

• Message 12 - Addressed safety related message

• Message 13 - Acknowledgement of safety related message

• Message 14 - Safety related broadcast message

Message 21 is the primary message for AIS AtoN systems; it is the standardised AtoN status
message. The VegaAIS unit complies with the message 21 definition as described in the ITU-R
specification above and the IALA Recommendation A-126 Ed 1.5.

The VegaAIS unit can also transmit monitoring data, either addressed (message 6) or broadcast
(message 8). Two data formats are currently supported, a proprietary format used to log data to
the VegaWeb server, and the IALA GLA format as described in Annex C, Table 4 of the IALA A­126 Recommendation.

The VegaAIS unit can also transmit Meteorological / Hydrographic data. This data is only
transmitted as a broadcast message (message 8) and the data format conforms to the IMO
SN.1/Circ.289 (2 June 2010) Table 1.1 recommendation.

The safety related messages (messages 12 and 14) are not normally generated by the VegaAIS
unit; these are repeated if the SART repeat function is enabled.

Messages 7 and 13 are acknowledgements for addressed binary messages sent to the VegaAIS
unit. The automatic acknowledgement can be switched off and on via the configuration.

All the binary messages (messages 6, 8, 12 and 14) may be generated using the NMEA MEB
sentence. See Appendix C VEGAAIS MANUAL CONFIGURATION SENTENCES for
details on sending messages via MEB sentences.

1.2.1 Aids-to-Navigation Report

As described above, the Aids-to-navigation report complies with the message 21 definition in ITU­R M.1371-4 and IALA Recommendation A-126 Ed 1.5.

The AtoN status bits in message 21 may be generated in a number of ways:

• Fixed status bits

• Light on/off determined from digital input

• Light on/off determined from serial signal (Vega beacons only)

• Light on/off determined by beacon current

• Light ok/fail determined by digital input

• Light ok/fail determined by serial signal (Vega beacons only)

• Light ok/fail determined by light detected off when it should be on

• RACON presence determined from digital input

• RACON failure determined from digital input

These options can be selected using the VegaAIS Configuration Tool. AtoN and RACON status
monitoring is more fully described in SECTION 4 ATON AND RACON STATUS MONITORING.

1.2.2 Monitoring Report

Monitoring reports are described in SECTION 5 MONITORING REPORTS.

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1.2.3 Meteorological / Hydrographic Report

Meteorological/Hydrographic reports are described in SECTION 6 METEOROLOGICAL /
HYDROGRAPHIC REPORTS.

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Lid

Main Enclosure

1.3

Mechanical Description

1.3.1 Construction

The standard VegaAIS unit is shown below. Where the current sensor option is required, another
enclosure is sandwiched between the main enclosure and the lid.

The main enclosure which is common to all models houses the AIS engine including VHF
transmitter and receiver (type3 units only) as well as the AtoN monitoring electronics. This unit is
not user serviceable and, to minimise the risk of compromising the sealing, should not be opened.

The current sensor unit is mounted on top of the main unit and houses the screw connections for
the current sensor(s) as well as the glands for passing cables in and out of this unit.

Current Sensor
Enclosure

The lid fits onto either the main unit or the current sensor unit depending on whether the current
sensor unit is fitted. The lid is assembled using self-tapping fasteners into the enclosure. Take
care not to over torque these screws when assembling the lid.

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1.3.2 Sealing

The VegaAIS unit is sealed to the IP68 standard against the ingress of moisture, dust, insects and
other environmental contaminants. Because the VegaAIS unit does not need to be opened for
configuration, these seals can remain undisturbed for extended periods. If the current sensor unit
is opened to connect the current sensor terminals, do not let any water accumulate in this
compartment and take care to ensure the sealing O ring is correctly located in its O ring groove
when reassembling.

1.3.3 Installation

The VegaAIS unit may be mounted under an AtoN using a three or four hole mount on a 200mm
PCD. Alternately the VegaAIS unit may be mounted using the four mounting lugs on the base of
the main enclosure.

Installation details are shown below.

If an AtoN is mounted on top of the VegaAIS unit, the stainless steel anti-crush tubes must be fitted
to prevent the VegaAIS unit from bearing the weight of the AtoN. As can be seen in the schematic
above, these tubes sit proud of the top of the enclosure and therefore bear the weight and
clamping forces of the AtoN.

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There are two possibilities for mounting the VegaAIS under an AtoN. Where the AtoN is not
required to be levelled, e.g. a buoy mounted unit, the AtoN can sit on top of the VegaAIS unit, as
shown below:

If the AtoN does need to be levelled, the AtoN can be mounted above the VegAIS unit on the
threaded rod provided. The AtoN base is clamped between two M12 nuts and therefore the level
may be adjusted by altering the position of these nuts.

The stainless steel threaded rod supplied is sized for the second installation (with level
adjustment). If the AtoN is to be directly mounted on top of the VegaAIS unit, some excess length
may need to be removed from the threaded rod.

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The VegaAIS unit is supplied with both a GPS and a VHF antenna – installation schematics shown
below. These may be mounted on any convenient mounting point with the following provisions.

• The GPS antenna must be mounted such that it has a clear view of the sky. Any
obstruction of this view will diminish the performance of the GPS antenna.

• The VHF antenna should be mounted as high as possible and as far away as possible
from any metallic structure that may interfere with transmission and reception.

• Both antennas should be mounted with the main axis of the antenna vertical.

GPS Antenna Installation Schematic

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VHF Antenna Installation Schematic

Both the GPS and VHF antennas are potted at the antenna and use an IP67 connector to connect
to the VegaAIS unit. The connection locations are shown on the VegaAIS installation schematic –
these connection locations are also labelled on the VegaAIS unit. Furthermore, the polarities of
these two connectors are reversed meaning that it is impossible to connect either antenna to the
wrong location.

The other electrical connections are described in the Electrical section below.

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Pin Colour

Description

1.4

Electrical

1.4.1 Electrical Connections

The number of electrical connections will depend on the VegaAIS model and options selected.

All units will have a RF antenna and a GPS antenna connection. The installation of these
antennas and their electrical connections are detailed in the Installation section above.

There are four other possible connectors on the main VegaAIS unit; these are called the Beacon
Connector, the Weather Station Connector, the Analogue Extended I/O Connector and the Digital
Extended I/O Connector. The position of these connectors is shown on the schematic below.

All connectors are labelled on the VegaAIS unit and all connectors have different pin counts and
polarity to ensure they cannot be incorrectly connected. Cables are supplied for all installed
connections. The supplied cables are 1.5m long with unterminated ends - as shown below.

All units will have at least the Beacon Connector as this contains the serial interface for the
configuration tool. The pinout for the Beacon Connector is shown below.

1 Red Positive Supply
2 Black Ground
3 Orange or

No connection

Red/Blue
4 Violet RS232 Rx – for config tool or connection to Vega smart beacon
5 Yellow RS232 Tx – for config tool or connection to Vega smart beacon
6 Green Sync connection
7 Brown No connection
8 Grey AtoN on digital input

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Pin Colour

Description

Pin Colour

Description

Pin Colour

Description

9 White AtoN fail digital input
10 Blue No connection
11 Cyan or

No connection

Grey/Pink
12 Pink No connection

Beacon Cable Pinout

The Extended models will also be supplied with the Analogue Extended I/O Connector and the
Digital Extended I/O Connector and cables. The pinouts for these cables is given below.

1 Red Positive Supply
2 Black Ground
3 Orange No connection
4 Yellow RACON fail digital input
5 Green RACON presence digital input
6 Blue RACON common
7 Violet Isolated ADC B negative
8 Grey Isolated ADC B positive
9 Brown Isolated ADC A negative
10 Pink Isolated ADC A positive

Analogue Extended I/O Cable Pinout

Note that the Analogue Extended I/O connector includes the RACON inputs. Therefore, if the
RACON port option is selected for a VegaAIS standard mode, this connector will be fitted.

1 Brown Isolated digital input #1
2 Red Isolated digital input #2
3 Orange Isolated digital input #3
4 Yellow Isolated digital input #4
5 Green Common
6 Blue Common
7 Violet Isolated digital input #5
8 Grey Isolated digital input #6
9 White Isolated digital input #7
10 Black Isolated digital input #8

Digital Extended I/O Cable Pinout

If the Weather Station Port option is required then the Weather Station connection and cable will
be supplied. The pinout for this cable is given below.

1 Red Positive Supply
2 Black Ground
3 No connection
4 Violet RS232 Rx – for weather station comms
5 Yellow RS232 Tx – for weather station comms
6 Green Sync connection
7 Blue RS232 ground
8 No connection
9 White RS485-B
10 Brown RS485-A
11 Pink RS422-A
12 Cyan or RS422-B

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Grey/Pink

Weather Station Cable Pinout

These connections are described below:

1.4.1.1 Power Supply / Ground

This input provides power for the VegaAIS unit. Voltage range: 10 – 36VDC. Max current: 2A.

The VegaAIS unit can be powered from the Beacon Connector, the Analogue Extended I/O
Connector, the Weather Station Connector or the Unidirectional Current sensor. The VegaAIS unit
will automatically switch between these inputs depending on which input is powered.

Do not connect directly to a battery or power supply - an external fuse must be fitted between the
battery/power supply and the VegaAIS unit.

When powering the VegaAIS unit via the Beacon connector, the Analogue Extended I/O connector
or the Weather Station connector, this fuse should be 2.5A. If it is required to disconnect the
VegaAIS unit from the supply, just disconnect the appropriate connector that is supplying the
power. If more than one connector is supplying power (e.g. a backup supply) then remove all
connectors supplying power to the VegaAIS unit. If necessary, mark the cables to be
disconnected to completely disconnect the supply so it may be done by an untrained operator.

When powering the VegaAIS unit via the unidirectional current sensor, the value of the fuse
depends on the load being powered from the unidirectional current sensor. This fuse should never
exceed 40A.

When powering the VegaAIS unit via the unidirectional current sensor, a readily accessible
disconnect device should be incorporated in the external power supply so that the VegaAIS unit
may be disconnected when required.

1.4.1.2 Beacon Connector RS232 Rx and Tx

This is the RS232 connection used for VegaAIS configuration and (optionally) for communications
with a Vega smart beacon. Baud rate 38400bps, 8 bits data, no parity, one stop bit.

1.4.1.3 Sync Connection

This output provides a GPS sync pulse for flash synchronisation of AtoNs. The active sync pulse
can be configured to be high or low. Flash character length is also configurable.

1.4.1.4 AtoN On Digital Input

This input can be used to indicate if the AtoN is on or off for use in the Message 21 AtoN Status
byte. This input has a configurable pull-up or pull-down resistor. The active polarity is also
configurable. Active polarity in this case means the polarity when the AtoN is on.

1.4.1.5 AtoN Fail Digital Input

This input can be used to indicate if the AtoN has failed for use in the Message 21 AtoN Status
byte. This input has a configurable pull-up or pull-down resistor. The active polarity is also
configurable. Active polarity in this case means the polarity when the AtoN has failed.

1.4.1.6 RACON Fail Digital Input

This input can be used to indicate if the RACON has failed for use in the Message 21 AtoN Status
byte. This input has a configurable pull-up or pull-down resistor. The active polarity is also
configurable. Active polarity in this case means the polarity when the RACON has failed.

1.4.1.7 RACON Present Digital Input

This input can be used to indicate if a RACON is present or not for use in the Message 21 AtoN
Status byte. This input has a configurable pull-up or pull-down resistor. The active polarity is also
configurable. Active polarity in this case means the polarity when the RACON is present.

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1.4.1.8 Isolated ADC Inputs (A & B)

These are two isolated, differential analogue inputs. Input range 0 – 36VDC. 12 bit ADC.

1.4.1.9 Isolated Digital Inputs (1-8)

These are eight isolated digital inputs referenced to an isolated common. These may be
individually configured to be a current source or sink.

1.4.1.10 Boot Input

This pin is used when reprogramming the VegaAIS unit in bootstrap mode. Not currently
supported. This input must be left unconnected.

1.4.1.11 Weather Station Connector RS232 Rx and Tx

This is the RS232 connection used for Weather Station communications. Baud rate 38400bps, 8
bits data, no parity, one stop bit.

1.4.1.12 Weather Station Connector RS485-A, RS485-B

This is the RS485 connection used for Weather Station communications. Baud rate 38400bps, 8
bits data, no parity, one stop bit.

1.4.1.13 Weather Station Connector RS422-A, RS422-B

This is the RS422 connection used for Weather Station communications. Baud rate 38400bps, 8
bits data, no parity, one stop bit.

1.4.2 Current Sensor Connections

If the optional current sensor unit is fitted, then removing the VegaAIS lid will expose the current
sensor terminals as shown below.

The diagram above shows the wiring where only the unidirectional current sensor is fitted and is
used to measure beacon current. Power is brought in through one gland (red and black wires) and

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Stud

Description

out to the beacon through the other (brown, blue and green). Many other combinations are
possible using up to four glands to route cables.

The current sensors are high side current sensors. Each current sensor has the following
connections:

V+ IN Positive supply in
GND Ground
V+ OUT Positive supply out
SYNC Sync connection – see 1.4.1.3

[only uni-directional sensor]

The current sensor connections are M5 studs intended for ring crimp terminals. Two cable glands
sizes are available: M16: cable sizes 4.5-9mm OD, M20: cable sizes 7.5-13.2mm OD. Up to four
glands can be fitted as required.

Whether using the uni-directional or bi-directional current sensor, a fuse must be fitted between the
battery and the current sensor connection. The value of the fuse will depend on the expected
current but should not exceed 40A.

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User Manual VegaAIS AtoN Station © Vega Industries Ltd, Apr 2016

1.5

Power Consumption

The VegaAIS AtoN Station is intended to be deployed on solar powered installations. As such it
has been designed to minimise power consumption as far as possible.

The actual power consumption achieved will depend on a number of factors including message
transmission rate, number of messages supported, quality of GPS signal, weather station support
and monitoring configuration.

The VegaAIS unit is designed to spend as much time as possible in a low power sleep state. It
only wakes up when it has some task to perform – for example sending a message. Therefore
high message transmission rates and/or a high number of messages will increase power
consumption.

The VegaAIS system needs to achieve a GPS lock prior to each transmission. If the GPS antenna
is unable to get a clear view of the sky, the time taken to achieve GPS lock will take longer and the
VegaAIS unit will spend more time on than it would otherwise need to – increasing power
consumption.

The VegaAIS unit periodically samples its inputs to provide data for Message 21 and monitoring
reports. Normally the sample time is very brief and does not have a big impact on power
consumption. However, if the unit is configured to measure beacon current on a flashing beacon,
the sample period needs to be as long as the flash character. This will increase the power
consumption.

If the VegaAIS unit is configured to communicate with a weather station, it will wake up periodically
to sample the inputs from that weather station. This will increase power consumption.

Type 3 units will consume more power as they have RF receivers and need to be awake a lot more
of the time to receive incoming message to maintain their AIS slot map.

1.5.1 Type 1 VegaAIS

For a basic type 1 configuration, transmitting Message 21 every three minutes on alternating
channels (IALA A-126 Mode A) with the basic monitoring requirement, the power consumption is
less than 0.2 Ah/day.

Note – the power consumption figure assumes an input voltage of 12VDC.

1.5.2 Type 3 VegaAIS

The Type 3 VegaAIS unit can run in one of two different power modes: normal mode or low power
mode. If possible the unit will try to run in low power mode, however under some conditions (e.g.
when repeating SART messages), then the unit has to run in normal mode.

The power consumption for both these modes is:

• Normal mode < 3.4 Ah/day

• Low power mode < 1.35 Ah/day

This assumes a basic type 3 configuration transmitting Message 21 every three minutes in
RATDMA mode on alternating channels (IALA A-126 Mode A) with the basic monitoring
requirement, input voltage of 12VDC and a 5% VDL load.

If the VegaAIS unit is configured to transmit in FATDMA mode, the power consumption under the
same conditions is 0.33 Ah/day @12VDC.

VegaAIS AtoN Station Page 20 of 65 VegaAIS V1.0.14