REPORT Introduction This technical report presents a practical approach to install and test the maritime AIS transponder (AtoN) equipped with hydro-meteo sensors to collect and distribute weather related information in the vicinity of the Port of Gdynia, Poland. Marine AtoNs are constantly evolving with changes in user requirements and development in technology, therefore MOG AtoN Department continue to research new technique solutions to ensure they provide the best service to mariners.

Tasks •

Maritme Office Gdynia (MOG) is involved in the ongoing EU project “EfficienSea”. The test was performed in the phase of the Test-bed involving e-navigation architecture components, namely: AIS network, AtoNs, testing data quality within the program of WP4 and WP5. Special focus was put on testing the binary message types 21 and 8 as well as the available software to present / visualize AIS received data on ENC. Testing the content of message type 8 - broadcast via a base station Experimental work – which is fundamental here in developing and understanding a potential of AIS binary messages for special applications. It also ensures practical experience in the use of equipment and the experimental techniques in the e-Nav field.

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Place of tests The MOG Authority has its own AtoN monitoring centre in the Port of Gdynia, in the facilities close to the port entrance, called RL Gdynia. There are technical facilities to send and receive real AIS AtoN broadcast and/or generate synthetic AIS messages. They can be broadcast via a local AIS base station for the test in the region of e-Navigtion. It was also possible to assign monitoring functions to the co-located VTS centre of Gdańsk Bay as well as to own survey vessel. Monitored AIS data could here be easily collected, decoded and displayed with the use of various ENC applications.

Devices Under Test (DUT) – general features The AIS AtoN DUT set was manufactured by ZENILITE BUOY LTD and delivered by Elecom-Mastertech for the period of 20th of August to 20th September 2011. The AIS AtoN set (DUT) consisted of: • AKARI-3D ; AIS unit s/n 000527804, • DIU – Digital Interface Unit for Akari GS-Akari-5XDIU-1, s/n 290909012-4000-1 • Weather Sensor type VAISALA (WXT520), fitted with sensors: ･ Wind speed and gust ･ Wind direction ･ Barometric pressure ･ Air temperature ･ Relative humidity •

GPS antenna, VHF antenna, interconnecting and supply cables.

The set was powered from remote DC 12V supply. General PC (Notebook) with Win XP was used to set-up AKARI-3D mode of work as well as to collect output data. For more technical data of the above set – see Appendix 1 (here not included).

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Standardization The unit AKARI-3D can broadcast information defined for AIS Type 3 transponders by the document IEC 62320-2. There are available respective AIS messages defined by ITU-R 1371-3: • • •

Message 21 – to broadcast aid to navigation report, mainly to indicate the geographical position and a position flag (ON/Off status). Message 8 – Meteorological and hydrological report to be send in the form of binary message intended for multiple marine users. Message 6 – addressed binary message used to carry extensive information on status of the lantern and power system of the navigation aid.

Installation and technical arrangements The integrated weather sensor was installed on the fixed structure – over the roof of the RL Gdynia building. For exact position - see screen Fig. 1 and photos in Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 Position of RL Gdynia building in the port of Gdynia – black rhombus Name: TEST METEO

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Fig.2 a) Photo of Weather Sensor installation – on the roof.

Fig.2 b) Photo of AKARI 3D and DIU – Digital Interface Unit in the MOG laboratory.

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Both Digital Interface Unit and AIS AKARI-3D box were installed inside the laboratory in the building. GPS and VHF antennas were mounted outside the building to assure the proper GPS Sat’s visibility and required coverage of AIS VHF signals.

Work mode programming The AIS transponder output power was set for 12,5W and programmed using Zeni Lite proprietary software Akari-3Configuration Ver. 2.3.0.2. via RS232 port to work in FATDMA mode with repetition period of 6 minutes. The following messages were received and decoded – see Table below for MMSI= 992611700.

Data receiving and interpretation AIS broadcast from DUT was alternatively received by: a) local AIS base station type SAAB R-40 b) AIS-PL national network (base stations SAAB R-40), c) AIS onboard receivers type SAAB R-4, ships s/v Tucana and m/s Zodiak equipped with ENC type NaviSailor 4000 (Transas Marine). One of the tasks of that test was to check how AKARI 3D data format is interpreted and visualized by available on the market professional ENCs and/or software applications being currently used by MOG to monitor AIS data (by VTS, ships, AtoNs Monitoring Centre). The following software applications were tested for the same data content: 1. Program “AIS Decoder” To read and interpret AIS binary data fields. Could detect and properly analyzed the content of message type 21 and 8 in the form of tables – see Fig. 3. 2. Program Horizon (ICAN) Version: Electronic Charting System Build 30734(2006.7.6.30.734) Could detect, properly analyzed and graphically presented on ENC the content of data Messages type 21 and type 8, while type 6 was misinterpreted – see Fig. 4.2010 3. Program Coast Watch (SAAB), Version 2010.

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Could detect, properly analyzed and graphically presented on ENC both the content of data Messages type 21and type 8, while type 6 was missed – see Fig. 5. 4. Program GAD (GateHouse), Version 2009 Could detect, properly analyzed and graphically presented on ENC only the content of Messages type 21– see Fig. 6. 5. Program NaviSailor 4000 (Transas Marine), Version 2010 Could detect from R4 receiver output and graphically presented on ENC only the content of Messages type 21. – to be finalized……. 6. Data Exchange Platform - SWIBŻ (Sprint), Version 2011 Could detect, properly analyzed and graphically presented on ENC only the content of Messages type 21– see Fig. 7. 7. 7. Open Source Data Exchange Platform - ee-INS (DAMSA), Version 1.3 of 06/2011 Could not neither receive nor interpret AtoNs on ENC (neither Mess. 21 nor Mess. 8) – see Fig. 8 8. NavSim (Canada- Poland) Version 2011. Could detect, properly analyzed and graphically presented on ENC the content of data Messages type 21and type 8.

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Test results ENC screens

Fig. 3 Software Program “AIS Decoder” - Table of data content, proper interpretation of Binary Message type 8.

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Fig. 4 Horizon (ICAN) Version: Electronic Charting System, Build 30734 (2006.7.6.30.734) graphical visualization of Messages type 21 and 8 well interpreted. Type 6 – misinterpreted.

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Fig. 5 a) SAAB Coast Watch message type 21

Fig. 5 b) Coast Watch message type 8

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Fig. 6 GAD (Gate House), Version of 2009, Message type 21 only.

Fig. 7 SWIBŻ (Sprint ) Version 4.14.11 of 2011, Message type 21 only.

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Fig. 8. Open Source enhanced INS 1.3 (DAMSA) Version of 06/2011, No AtoNs at all.

Fig. 9 a). AIS Marine Receiver type SAAB R4 firmware Version MK II 5.0.24 of 2009, received message type 21 only

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Fig. 8. Open Source Soft enhanced INS 1.3 (DAMSA), Version of 06/2011, No AtoNs at all.

Fig. 9 a). AIS Marine Receiver type SAAB R4 firmware Version MK II 5.0.24 of 2009, received message type 21 only

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Fig. 9 b). AIS Marine Receiver type SAAB R4 firmware Version MK II 5.0.24 of 2009, message type 21 only.

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Remarks on mechanical and electrical arrangements The design of provided unit’s housing and cable inputs/outputs was rated to be robust and easy to install. However, the low quality of internal socket montage in Meteo Sensor was the reason of serious breaks in proper DUT functioning. There was a need of post transport service to find sudden discontinuity of signal sensor transmission. Internal inspection of DIU box showed rough-and-ready cable montage as well as improper isolation on cables. Power consumption was found to be low – according to data manufacturers spec. Meteo sensor VAISALA (WXT520) construction is without moving parts - therefore was rated to be reliable and easy to install. Current status of extended functionality The trial of message type 8 re-transmission and broadcast via base station was not finalized due to lack of information how to interface data stream from DIU. Tests were postponed but now technical information has been provided. A new software is being built to interface data from standardized weather sensor and AIS base station input. Preliminary positive tests were performed in mid October 2011. A separate report will be delivered until the end of December 2011.

References: 1. IEC 62320-2 2. IALA Recommendations A-126 Dec. 2008, R-124 3. IMO SN.1/Circ.289, June 2010

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General rating method – draft to be discussed Product Value: How satisfied we are regarding the AIS ……………… system equipped with meteo sensor? Very Unsatisfied

Unsatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied

Very Satisfied

Overall quality

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Value for money

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Don’t know

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Installation and Delivery

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Usage experience: • Reliable, stable Usage experience: • Operational – suitable to your mission types Usage experience: • user-friendliness

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X

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X

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Usage experience: • software

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X

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International standardization • IMO, IALA, ITU, IEC

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X

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Documentation

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