KONGSBERG AIS BS600 shipborne automatic identification system base station

KONGSBERG AIS BS600 shore based base station: fourth generation AIS shore based communication platform

Since its inception, the automatic identification system for ships has become a core technical means for maritime traffic management, ship monitoring, and navigation safety. As a key node of the AIS system on the shore side, the performance of AIS shore based base stations directly determines the coverage range, data quality, and system reliability of the entire coastal AIS network. The AIS BS600 launched by Kongsberg Seatex (now Kongsberg Discovery) is a fourth generation AIS shore based base station that integrates software defined radio technology, high-sensitivity reception, built-in storage, and remote management capabilities, providing advanced infrastructure solutions for coastal maritime management agencies, port operators, and maritime traffic services.

Product positioning and system roles

AIS BS600 is the core component of AIS physical shore base stations, playing a key role in data aggregation and distribution in coastal AIS networks. It receives information from all AIS data sources within the coverage area, including:

AIS mobile station (shipborne AIS equipment)

Other AIS shore based base stations

AIS navigation mark equipment

Search and rescue AIS equipment on aircraft and lifeboats

The base station will transmit the received AIS data to the maritime traffic management system, ship traffic service system or other data platforms through wired or wireless networks, and can also broadcast differential GNSS correction signals, virtual navigation mark information, etc. to ships within the coverage area according to configuration.

According to the IEC 62320-1 standard, AIS shore based base stations are divided into two working modes: slave base stations and independent base stations. AIS BS600 supports two modes simultaneously and can be flexibly configured according to deployment scenarios.

Core technical characteristics

1. Fourth generation platform architecture

The AIS BS600 adopts the fourth generation AIS base station platform design and introduces multiple key technology upgrades while maintaining compatibility with existing AIS systems

Software defined radio: The receiving and transmitting links adopt a software defined radio architecture, providing flexibility for future functional upgrades and protocol evolution

Built in storage capability: The device is equipped with large capacity storage, which can record raw AIS data for easy data tracing, fault analysis, and compliance auditing

2U 19 inch rack mounted design: Compact 2U height standard chassis for centralized deployment in communication cabinets

2. Excellent receiving sensitivity

The receiving sensitivity of AIS BS600 is better than -115 dBm, significantly higher than the basic requirements of IEC 62320-1 standard. This performance advantage stems from Kongsberg Seatex's accumulated technical experience in the field of satellite based AIS reception - satellite based AIS reception requires capturing ship signals from satellite orbit at extremely low signal strength, and has much higher requirements for reception sensitivity than shore based applications. After introducing this technology into shore based base stations, AIS BS600 can stably receive AIS messages at longer distances and weaker signal conditions, effectively expanding the coverage radius of a single base station and reducing network construction costs.

3. Hot standby redundant architecture

To ensure high availability of AIS shore base stations, AIS BS600 supports hot standby redundancy configuration. Two BS600 units can form a redundant pair and operate independently without the need for additional hardware. The system automatically monitors the working status of the main unit, switches to the backup unit in case of a failure, and sends a status change notification to the control center. This design enables AIS shore base stations to meet the continuous operation requirements of critical traffic nodes.

4. Remote configuration and management

AIS BS600 provides multiple remote management and configuration methods:

Web interface: Through the built-in web server, administrators can use standard browsers to complete device configuration, status monitoring, and firmware upgrades

SNMP v.2: Supports Simple Network Management Protocol and can be integrated into a unified network management platform

AIS Service Management Suite: Through Kongsberg Seatex's AIS service management software, centralized operation and maintenance of single or multiple base stations can be carried out

5. Flexible interfaces and communication capabilities

The device is equipped with multiple communication interfaces:

RS-422/RS-232 serial interface: used to connect traditional maritime equipment or local monitoring terminals

100 Mbs BaseT Ethernet interface: supports high-speed connection with IP networks, enabling data upload and remote management

USB interface: used for local firmware upgrade

All interfaces support differential GNSS correction data input in RTCM v.2.3 format, and the base station can broadcast differential correction information to ships within the coverage area through AIS message 17.