AIS Tester is a test device operating on AIS1 (ch87B), AIS2(ch88B) and DSC(ch70) frequencies. The tester is designed under corresponding standards and recommendations as a tool of operation and installation tests of AIS units (Automatic Identification System). The tests’ volume complies with “Guidelines on annual testing of the AIS unit MSC.1/Circ.1252”.

AIS Tester completely corresponds to new requirement that is set out in IMO Resolution MSC.308(88) under new regulation 18.9 to Chapter V of SOLAS.

Tester does not use a GPS for synchronization. A proprietary TDMA slot-synchronizing algorithm is used which does not require a GPS 1pps. It uses RATDMA for generating VDL and interrogation messages. A Pilot Plug evaluation function and NMEA/RS422 terminal display of external sensor inputs are provided.

The input signal displaying on LCD from external sensors through the RS-422 port provides the control of “Pilot plug”.

Tester provides all measurements of testers of other manufacturer's such as AITS-R, Maritec, RSA and Futronic GMDSS/AIS Test Box, Futronic I/S, Denmark.

Tester’s features:

AIS Tester allows to:

- Poll, receive and check data from AIS transponders.
- Simulate AIS data transmissions, such as ship’s name, position, length, course, speed,
power and beam.
- Simulate AIS data transmissions, such as ship’s name, position, length, course, speed,
power and beam.
- Poll information on channel 70
- Simulate NMEA data transmissions.

Measure frequencies in: 
- Channel AIS 1 (161.975MHz) 
- Channel AIS 2 (162.025MHz) 
- Channel DSC (156.525MHz)

Measure power signal in: 
- Channel AIS 1 (161.975MHz) 
- Channel AIS 2 (162.025MHz) 
- Channel DSC (156.525MHz)

Technical Specification:

Signal Generator
Output Power 2mW (+1–0.5mW)
AIS frequency 161.975,162.025MHz
AIS dual channel operation (AIS1&2)
AIS modulation FM-GMSK
AIS data rate 9600 bits/sec
DSC frequency 156.525MHz
DSC modulation FSK (V23)
DSC data rate 1200 bits/sec
AIS & DSC channel spacing 25kHz

Receivers (2 x AIS, 1 x DSC)
AIS frequency 161.975, 162.025MHz
AIS dual channel operation (AIS1&2)
AIS data rate 9600 bits/sec
AIS sensitivity (ANT BNC) -47dBm
DSC data rate 1200 bits/sec
DSC frequency 156.525MHz
DSC sensitivity (ANT BNC) -37dBm
AIS & DSC channel spacing 25kHz 

Messages:
AIS VDL messages:
Encode/decode: 1,2,3,4,5,9,11,18,19,21,24
Interrogation (encode): 3,4,5,9,11,18,19,21,24
DSC (encode/decode): Test signal 1 (IEC61933-2)
I/O Interface:
NMEA: Output: VDM & VDO
NMEA: Terminal Input (displays first 32 characters)

I/O Interface:
Presentation: RS232 - 38400 bits/sec
Pilot Port: RS422 -38400 bits/sec
NMEA terminal: RS422 - 4800-38400 bits/sec

Design reference standards:
ITU.R M.1371 IEC61993-2 IEC62287-1
IEC61162-1/2 EN50081-1 EN50082-1
EN55022 EN61000-4-2 EN61000-4-3
IEC62320-1 IEC62320-2 IMO SN/Circ.227
MSC.74(69), annex 3