I was just doing a little research about my own AIS plans on s/v Deep Playa and I'm a little confused about the output data stream from AIS receivers.
The ICOM MXA-5000 shows in the specs that is has a +/- pin out connector (Rs-232c) and that the format is VMD
The Comar AIS-Multi (to compare apples to apples) claims to have a USB and NMEA 2000 connection. The docs for their AIS-2000 products claims to output NMEA formatted messages and has a mapping of AIS messaes to HMEA PGNs. http://www.comarsystems.com/manuals/AIS2000_manual.pdf
Digital Yacht's product comparison page (thank you DY!)
http://www.digitalyacht.co.uk/files/AIS%20RECEIVER%20COMPARISON%20TABLE.pdf
Shows NMEA 0183 output, NMEA 2000 output and a USB output with no spec on the format.
My question is this:
Given a common solution where you'd want this data availalbe to an existing VHF, a PC Nav Package and a chartplotter I'll need to look for an AIS Receiver (or Transceiver) that can connect to my VHF and will it be enough to output to the NMEA network as well?
I'm trying to make this a general question, maybe an overview of integration options is called for...?
Thanks!
-p
Patrick, I think it's simpler than it seems. The native data format of AIS is NMEA 0183, and that's what's coming out everyone's USB and RS whatever ports. NMEA 2000 is a different data format and requires translation within the receiver or transponder, but the messages (PGNs) are standard.
That said, there are a few more exotic 0183 AIS messages that not every AIS target tracker can read, like weather data. There was also a problem with the Class B static data PGN, which didn't get written until late in the game.
Thanks Ben that helps a lot.
I did a quick scan of all the AIS posts here, loked up the Class B Transceivers and their eatures and it looks like the Garmin AIS 600 is the only Class B Transceiver which has a native output for NMEA 2000.
-p
Maybe this is the place for an answer - not a complex one, please. I've a NASA AIS display (not the engine) and I want to link it, along with an NMEA 0183 input into my PC (running Seapro 3000 on Vista). I know I can simply put a wire to take the GPS data. Can I use a wire from the AIS aerial core to give me AIS data? I've a 9 pin serial socket on my PC. Which pins/wire colours should I use for which input?
Hope this makes sense, I'm a bit green about all this. Thanks.
Afraid not, Isabel. I just looked at the NASA AIS Radar Receiver manual and it does not have the data output you need. The aerial cable only carries VHF radio signals which must be demodulated into target data by the receiver.
There are many receivers with data output for plotters and/or PCs, someimes even via USB cable, which makes the set up very easy. Like the Digital Yacht AIS100, details here:
http://www.digitalyacht.co.uk/index.php?cPath=93
If you did decide on two receivers, I think you could use a simple coax splitter so that they shared an antenna, since neither would ever transmit.
Thanks, Ben. I was afraid of that - I'll just have to bite the bullet and shell out!
Good to know that they can share an aerial, though. That'll save some cabling.
Will my PC 'see' the signal if I simply choose a colour
in the same serial cable as the GPS? I'm trying to reduce the number of connectors and cables. Or should I opt for a USB so that they're separate?