Design of a low cost prototype of automatic identification system (AIS) receiver

The GMDSS system is the Global System of Maritime Distress and Safety. It is conformed by a variety of systems that allow communication and a fairly complete coverage on vessel tracking (GMDSS equipment operation assessment standards, CMSA, Mar, 2008). The AIS is part of this system and allows the user to acknowledge: the position, speed, heading and additional vessel information on real-time. Numerous commercial devices integrate the AIS. (Frank Lanier, “Feature Loaded High-end VHFs”, ICOM 2012) These, allow users to access specific information once it has been correctly transmitted, received within a range of coverage and, transmitted into a general database (i.e. MarineTraffic). Nevertheless, the acquisition of a receiving device, which integrates features of interest, implies a considerable economic cost.