Integration of radio and satellite automatic identification system for maritime applications

This paper introduces the main technical characteristics and integration of current Radio and new Automatic Identification System (AIS) as more reliable solution for enhanced tracking and detecting systems for maritime applications. The technical parameters and comparison of current Radio AIS (R-AIS) and new developed Satellite AIS (S-AIS) with their advantages and disadvantages are described. The possibility in upgrading of a particular AIS configuration depends mainly on its mission objectives, development trends of radio and satellite mobile tracking and surveillance service, modernization of onboard and coastal equipment and characteristics of the satellite payloads for S-AIS. The R-AIS network provides local coverage in coastal waters of VHF-band range, however new S-AIS will be able to provide global beam coverage using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or even Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) spacecraft. In addition, The R-AIS network and its classes, basic technical details of AIS transponder, Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) Systems for AIS Base Station (BS) and software, the S-AIS Network, enhancements of surveillance and security, improvement of counter piracy and suspicious movement of ships, better facilitated fisheries and environmental monitoring, more Reliable Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and Nano satellite AIS (Nano S-AIS) are discussed.