Operating Manual

89-042 Issue 5 3
2 Product Definition
2.1 System Overview
Universal Automatic Identification System (UAIS) is a maritime VHF based
transponder system that provides high-speed automated communication from ship-
to-ship and ship-to-shore, of vessel, voyage and safety related data. This UAIS
transponder and touch screen VDU display system is the latest in state-of-the-art
technology and is designed to meet the latest IMO SOLAS requirements. The UAIS
transponder transmits the ship’s navigational data to other vessels, as well as shore
based VTS systems. Utilising marine VHF channels, UAIS is primarily designed as
a ship-borne mobile station and consists of an integral GNSS engine used for
timing, one VHF transmitter, three VHF receivers and a computer unit. Interfacing to
external GNSS used for navigation, a VHF antenna, a gyrocompass, and an
optional ECDIS or ARPA display system is made easy by the built-in screw terminal
board and the intuitive operating menu system on the touch-screen display unit.
The VDU is designed to fulfil the minimum SOLAS requirements for system set-up
and display of the received target information. However the large LCD touch screen
display also gives the user easy access to the menu system that displays the
received targets on a graphical, radar-like display.
The UAIS Transponder transmits the following information, which is separated into
three basic information groups:
Static - Vessel name, type, length and breadth, MMSI and IMO numbers and
GNSS antenna location.
Dynamic – Position, accuracy and integrity, time, course and speed over ground
and navigational status.
Voyage – Cargo, draft, port of destination and estimated time of arrival.
• In addition to this information, UAIS can transmit and receive short text
messages regarding navigation safety that include, warnings of floating objects,
collisions, meteorological situation, etc.
• Differential correction information for GNSS can also be conveyed through the
UAIS, increasing the accuracy of positional information between 2 and 10
metres. This significantly increases vessel safety, thus improving the marine
environment as well as the safety of life at sea.