Operation Manual M-2 AIS Transponder System
Applicability of this manual This manual illustrates the operation of Display model V01.02.xx In accordance with McMurdo's policy of continual development and product improvement, equipment may be upgraded from time to time and future versions may therefore not correspond exactly with this manual. When necessary, upgrades will be accompanied by updates or addenda to this manual. Disclaimer Information contained in this manual is supplied in good faith, but is liable to change without notice.
Safety Summary WARNING: ENSURE THAT THE M-2 AIS HAS BEEN CORRECTLY INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH IMO GUIDELINES AND THE SUPPLIED INSTALLATION MANUAL BEFORE POWERING ON THE SYSTEM. WARNING: The M-2 has no ON/OFF or power switch. It will automatically start operation within 2 minutes of applying power to the transponder unit. WARNING: Transponder chassis can become hot during extended periods of operation. Avoid touching this when the transponder is operating.
WARNING: NOT ALL SHIPS CARRY AIS. The Officer of the Watch (OOW) should always be aware that other ships and, in particular, leisure craft, fishing boats and warships, and in some cases coastal shore stations (including Vessel Traffic Systems (VTS) centres), may not be fitted with AIS. The OOW should always be aware that AIS fitted on other ships as a mandatory carriage requirement may, under certain circumstances, be switched off based on the Master’s professional judgement.
Contents Introduction ...............................................................................1 Product Definition ..........................................................................2 AIS in use .....................................................................................3 M-2 Key AIS Functions ..................................................................4 M-2 Product description .................................................................5 Quick Start - setting to work ....
Introduction About this Manual This operation m anual has been designed to help the user understand how to operate the M-2 AIS transponder system . Before attempting operation for the first time, please read this manual thoroughly. The first sections are an overview of the most commonly used features and a description of the various modes of operation; the remainder of the sections have a full explanation of all the features and user settings.
Product Definition AIS overview The Automatic Identification System (AIS) system provides for communication, navigation and s urveillance capabilities for vessels and for fixed coast radio stations. The AIS transponder offers high-speed automated communication from ship to ship and ship to shore of vessel-, voyage- and safety-related information. Own vessel navigational data is automatically transmitted directly to surrounding vessels and shore based VTS systems utilising marine VHF channels.
The M-2 is primarily designed for use as a shipborne AIS mobile station, and comprises of two main parts: Transponder The M-2 AIS transponder has an integral Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) engine used for timing, one radio transmitter, three radio receivers and a computer unit. The AIS equipment should be interfaced to the vessel’s primary GNSS navigation receiver, connected to a marine antenna and be interfaced to the vessel’s gyro compass.
M-2 Key AIS Functions - Automatic identification of other AIS equipped stations. - Self-organising control of access to the radio channels. - Reception of data from other vessels and coast radio stations. - Transmission of own vessel data for use by other vessels and coast stations. - Storage of static data intended for automatic transmission via the radio channels. - Output of data received via the radio channels from other AIS targets for presentation on the Display or other visual display equipment.
M-2 Product description M-2 Display controller and Transponder unit Key features • Shipborne Class A AIS • Versatile Keyboard and Display Unit • Clear presentation of targets as graphics and text • Integral 16 channel Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) -enabled GPS receiver • Differential GNSS (DGNSS) correction • Interfaces to ECS, ECDIS, ARPA • Pilot plug connection • Integral ship’s cable termination board • Four sensor interfaces • Long Range port The M-2 gives a clear indication of identity, proxi
The M-2 Display unit features a large, high contrast, backlit Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) graphic display. AIS target information may be displayed as an ordered list or plotted on a latitude/longitude grid overlay. The clear graphical target presentation gives the officer of the watch a clear overview and best visual understanding of a developing hazard to navigation situation. The AIS target list has a split screen view; detailed AIS target information is clearly displayed in the lower section.
Quick Start - setting to work WARNING: The M-2 has no ON/OFF switch. It will automatically start operation within 2 minutes of applying power to the transponder unit. Caution: Read the warning notices at the front of this manual before powering up the AIS Transponder. When setting the M-2 to work, always review your vessel’s voyage related information and update as required. Starting the M-2 Apply the power source to the Transponder.
Display and controls Softkey Label area Status bar Backlight on/off key Second function: Hold down to enter LCD setup mode menus 4-axis navigation pad (Navpad) Display window 4 Softkey buttons Alert LED Data entry confirmation key. Second function: Hold down this key to access set-up mode menus Setting the display backlight and contrast level One short push of the backlight key toggles the backlight ON and OFF.
Enter key and Setup mode The ENTER key confirms the entry of new data, and provides additional functions: Text entry mode, to activate the popup keyboard Setup Mode; enter System Setup Mode by holding down the ENTER key for more than five seconds. Navpad The four-way ‘Navigation Pad’ moves the cursor around the screen. It is also used to change data: UP/DOWN selects the field LEFT/RIGHT changes the value Status bar The information bar at the top of the display shows the current system status.
Using Softkey menus The Se le c t softkey switches the display between the three main Modes of operation: Voyag e → Targ e t → Alarm The Vie w softkey switches the display between different pages within each main mode. A Vie w can have several Pag e s associated with it; these may be scrolled using the Pag e softkey. Some pages have further options which can be selected by other softkeys.
Softkey cyclic actions Select key View key (contents depend on context) 3UHVV6 HO HFW NH\ 9LHZ 7$5*(7 /,67 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 6HOHFW 7$5*(7 02'( Show key 6KRZ 9LHZ 3/27 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 6KRZ 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 9LHZ $// 0(66$*(6 6KRZ 3UHVV6HO HFW NH\ 6HOHFW $/$50 02'( 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 9LHZ &855(17 $/$506 9LHZ $// (9(176 /2* 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 3UHVV6HO HFW NH\ 6HOHFW 92<$*( 02'( M-2 AIS Operation 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 9LHZ &855(17 67$786 9LHZ 2:1 92<$*( Issue 1 3UHVV YLHZ NH\ 11
General operation Entering text A pop-up QWERTY keyboard appears when updating or inputting new information into the M-2. Updating text Push the EDIT softkey. The data edit cursor will appear highlighted on the topmost field of the page. Push the ENTER key to activate the popup keypad. Move the cursor over the field to enter or edit using the navigation pad. Move the edit cursor around the keyboard using the navigation pad to highlight the required character.
Push the ENTER key to confirm the character. Repeat these actions until the data field is correct. Close the edit keyboard by selecting DONE and pushing the ENTER key. Finally, review all the information s hown on screen. When correct, save the new information and exit to the main menu level using the SAVE softkey. Entering numbers Select edit mode using the EDIT softkey, The data edit cursor will appear highlighted on the topmos t data field. Position the edit cursor over the numeric field to be changed.
Password access control The M-2 AIS unit has three levels of access control - each of which is protected by its own password. The three levels are: User level protects voyage-related data such as that displayed on the Voyag e m ode : Own voyag e page. Operator level protects operational data such as the channel regions shown on the Se tup m ode : Channe l re g ions page.
Changing passwords Any password can be changed by using the Edit STATIC DATA softkey on the Se tup m ode : Ship's s tatic data page. Since the static data is protected by the Service password, this softkey always causes the password prompt to be displayed.
If the new passwords are not identical, a warning message is displayed. The original password remains valid. Resetting lost passwords If the user password is forgotten, the operator or service passwords may be entered into the Us e r pas s word field instead, in order to allow the user password to be re-set. Similarly, the operator password can be reset by entering the service password as the Ope rator pas s word . The service password cannot be overridden.
Detailed operation Menu cyclic structure Other softkeys display options depending on the page selected.
VOYAGE Mode: Current Status VOYAGE Mode: Current status page provides an overview of the vessel’s current navigational status . The information is updated automatically by the onboard navigation sensors. The Latitude and Longitude shown are the values which are transmitted to other vessels. Updated is the time when the last transmission occurred; Age is the length of time since the update occurred.
VOYAGE Mode: Own Voyage Manually enter own voyage information, as previously described Change to AIS target view Change to Voyage mode, Current Status view Update own voyage information, save the In an installation that contains another device (such as an integrated charting system) which is also capable of entering Voyage and Static data, consideration must be given to the interaction between the other device and the M-2 transponder.
Cargo Type Draught GNSS in use Persons on Board Fixed by vessel type Non hazardous IMO hazard cat A IMO hazard cat B IMO hazard cat C IMO hazard cat D Unknown – 99.9 (Set value) Ext A Ext B 000 - 255 by first letter, J=Jan, F=Feb etc. ‘Fixed by vessel type’ is the auto selected value according to own vessel type. Where vessel type allows other cargo types can be picked from list. Own vessel’s water draught in meters.
Target Mode: Target list NM Range and Bearing of target from own ship. MMSI number and Name of vessel Change to ALARM mode Change to TARGET PLOT view Change to broadcast safety edit page Change to safety edit page Expanded information for selected target Scroll bar indicates the highlighted target’s position within the target list Targets are sorted according to range from own ship. The destination (Dest) is preferably shown in its §UN/LOCODE format. Age is the time since the information was updated.
Target Mode: Target Plot Use Navpad to step around data fields and change values Details of selected target Selected target User position The display control section operates by selecting the desired field using the Navpad up and down keys , then using the Navpad left and right keys to change the parameter. Pan shifts displayed user position East or West Scan shifts displayed user point North or South Scale changes the area of view (0.
Target icons detail X Level 1 Target is shown as a simple cross Level 2 Vessel outline triangle is oriented by heading Level 3 Vessel outline triangle is oriented by heading COG / SOG vector (fixed length) Level 4 Vessel outline triangle is oriented by heading COG / SOG vector (fixed length) Turn indicated by ROT flag of fixed length 2DGJ Level 5 Vessel outline triangle is oriented by heading COG / SOG vector (fixed length) Turn indicated by ROT flag of fixed length Radio Call sign M-2 AIS Operation
Reading and sending safety messages A new incoming safety text message is first announced by the new message popup notification window Use the Enter key to clear the new message notification window from view. The ‘envelope’ icon is displayed in the status bar area, indicating that a new message is ready to read. Working with safety text messages Received and transmitted safety text messages are stored ready for reading, editing or re-transmission within the All m e s s ag e s list.
Target Mode: All messages View all safety text messages I WILL TURN TO PORT ON YOUR SO……… PILOT LADDER IS ON THE PORT SID……… I WILL INCRESS SPEED Softkey actions, Target mode: All messages View all safety text messages Softkey Function Mode ALARM M ODE View TARGET LIST Page Show Rx MESSAGES Description Change to ALARM mode. Change to TARGET LIST view. Re-sort the message list to show only incoming received messages.
View Rx text messages PILOT LADDER IS ON THE PORT SID……… GALE WARNING, GALE FOURCE EIGHT IS EXPE………. Softkey actions, Target mode: Received messages View all received safety text messages Softkey Function Mode ALARM M ODE View TARGET LIST Page Show TX MESSAGES Description Change to ALARM mode. Change to TARGET LIST view. Re-sort the message list to show only outgoing transmission messages.
View Tx text messages I WILL TURN TO PORT ON YOUR SO……… I WILL INCRESS SPEED Softkey actions, Target mode: Transmitted messages View only sent safety text messages Softkey Function Description Mode Change to ALARM ALARM M ODE mode. View Change to TARGET TARGET LIST LIST view. Page Re-sort the message Show ALL list to show all MESSAGES messages.
Target Mode: Short messaging, Target message Send a target MMSI (or vessel) a safety text message. Push the ENTER key to access the popup keyboard and start a new safety text preparation or ‘select STORED MESSAGE’ to access previously saved messages for reuse. Change to ALARM mode Change to TARGET LIST view. Transmit the set safety message to target MMSI. Pick a prepared safety message from list. Can be sent ‘as is ’, or edited and resaved as a new message.
Target mode: Short messaging, BROADCAST message Send an all ships BROADCAST safety text Push the ENTER key to access the popup keyboard and start a new safety text preparation or select ‘STORED MESSAGE’ to access previously saved messages for reuse.
Alarm mode: All events log This page lists all the alarm, information and security events, with the most recent events at the top. Select voyage mode View current alarms page View alarm and information events only Acknowledge the selected alarm Event code Acknowledging alarms Normally, alarms are acknowledged by using the ENTER button to clear the popup message box, which acknowledges the alarm.
An inactivated alarm is an alarm which has cleared at the time indicated. This is the second entry for a particular alarm – the times when it occurred and when it cleared are recorded separately. The ‘V’ indicates that the record refers to the time when the alarm cleared. The second character indicates whether the alarm has been acknowledged or not - 'A' indicates that it has been acknowledged and 'V' that it has not. The two numeric digits are a unique code for each alarm type.
Alarm mode: Alarms log This page lists the alarm and information events, with the most recent events at the top. Note that these events are lost when the display unit is switched off and therefore only reflect events that have occurred since the display was last switched on. Events are retained for a maximum of 24 hours .
Alarm mode: Security log This page lists the events stored in the security log. The security log stores any event which results in the AIS transmitter being disabled for more than 15 minutes. The events in this log are retained permanently and are only deleted when the log has reached its maximum size of 30 events.
Rx1 alarm - there has been a persistent fault with the AIS channel A receiver. Rx2 alarm - there has been a persistent fault with the AIS channel B receiver. DSC alarm - there has been a persistent fault with the DSC receiver. Security event durations Each security event covers a period of time indicated by the "duration" shown on screen. The time at which the event started (eg when the transponder was switched off) is given by the time and date displayed.
System configuration Select Se tup M ode by holding down the ENTER key for more than three seconds.
Setup Mode: User Preferences Option Setting LED function Off Message received Alarm active Key click On Off Audible alarm On Off Auto-dim backlight 00 – 15 Own reports Enable Disable Notes Usage of Display Annunciator LED Enable / disable Display key press sound signal Enable / disable Display audible alarm Display LED Backlight timeout period in minutes 00 = disable Automatic transmission of own vessel AIS reports Disable = silent mode Factory default settings are shown in bold 36 Issue 1 M-2 AIS Op
Ship’s Static Data AIS unit GPS antenna M-2 AIS Operation Issue 1 External GNSS antenna 37
Setup Mode: Ship’s Static Data Option Setting MMSI 9 digit number IMO 9 digit number Vessel 20 characters Call sign 7 character alpha numeric Vessel type Select from list Beam Length AIS unit From port From Stern Ext GNSS From port From Stern 38 3 digit number 4 digit number 3 digit number 4 digit number 3 digit number 4 digit number Issue 1 Notes From radio licence From radio licence From radio licence From radio licence Unknown WIG craft Fishing vessel Towing (small tow) Towing (large tow) Dredging
Channel Regions Used to set geographic areas which have specific AIS channels requirements. When entering a new channel region, the new values may be entered on any one of the channel region pages (including region 0 - the "High Seas" region).
Setup Mode: Channel Regions Option Setting Entry 0 - 8 LATtitude (SW) LONgitude (SW) LATtitude (NE) LONgitude (NE) Notes Enter the coordinates of South West box corner then North East box corner.
Alarm filter selection The operation of individual system alarms may be enabled or disabled to match system installation requirements. If, for example, an external GNSS is not installed, then to prevent activation of the Ext EPFS alarm set its selection to OFF in the Alarm selection page.
Configuration View system version information and set data port options. Caution: incorrect configuration of data port baud rate will stop correct operation. A full explanation of M-2 interface protocol is printed in the separate M-2 installation manual.
Setup mode: long range responses M-2 AIS Operation Issue 1 43
Serial Monitor Used to view communications port data in real time, provides diagnostic information for service technician. Scroll Navpad left / right to select the required port data. A full description of M-2 interface protocol is printed in the separate M-2 ins tallation manual. NOTE: This feature requires the display unit to be connected to both the transponder Display and Aux/Pilot connectors , and consequently cannot be used when the Aux/Pilot connector is required for the Pilot Plug. .
Maintenance and Servicing Preventative Maintenance The UAIS transponder system is an essential part of the ship’s navigation system and is a vital component for the safety of the ship and its crew. It is therefore very important to maintain the system and its installation to a very high standard. The design of the AIS transponder ensures that maintenance can be kept to a minimum. Display and transponder unit To optimise performance ensure they are kept clean and grease-free.
Troubleshooting Transponder status indicators Remove the transponder dust cover to view status of indicator lamps (LED). Rx red LED flashes when a signal is received Tx red LED flashes when transmitter is active OK LED on when BITE remote alarm relay is deactivated (no alarm active) PWR LED on whenever power is applied and the system fuse is good.
Reviewing Alarm Mode information Alarm Mode: All events log View a list of all system alarm events and UTC time of alarm event activation. Alarm Mode: View current alarms page View a list of alarm events that are still active and the UTC time of activation.
Symptom Cause No Valid ROT alarm Heading lost/invalid alarm Lost transceiver connection Gyro compass Gyro compass 48 Display / transponder connection fault System fault Issue 1 Cure track log Check gyro compass Check gyro compass or gyro interface unit Check Display connections Contact Service Centre M-2 AIS Operation
Alarm Messages The transponder may generate various alarm and information messages that appear as pop-ups on the display. Messages categorised as "alarms" also cause the transponder to generate an audible or visual alarm (depending on the installation) and must be acknowledged on the display unit in order to clear the alarm. Messages categorised as "information" do not require any specific action and the pop-up window on the display unit will automatically disappear after 30 seconds.
External EPFS lost (Alarm 25) This message indicates that the transponder is no longer receiving data from the vessel's on-board GPS system. This message should be investigated immediately. No position sensor in use (Alarm 26) This message indicates that the M-2 transponder is unable to obtain a location fix from either the internal GPS module or from the ship's own GNSS system.
"beacon" or "msg 17" respectively to indicate the source of the differential data being used. External SOG/COG in use (Information 27) Internal SOG/COG in use (Information 28) These messages indicate whether Speed over Ground and Course over Ground are being supplied by the external sensors or are being calculated from the internal GNSS module. Heading valid (Information 31) This message is received when a valid heading is first received from the ship's sensors.
in which AIS transmissions are disabled, the message "Own reports disabled" is displayed as a reminder that no AIS information is being transmitted. When the vessel moves out of that channel region (or the transmission mode with in that region is updated) the message "Own reports enabled" is displayed as a reminder that normal operation has been restored.
Declaration of Conformity M-2 AIS Operation Issue 1 53
54 Issue 1 M-2 AIS Operation
Index AIS .....................................................................................................................................2 Alert LED.........................................................................................................................9 ARPA ................................................................................................................................3 backlight...........................................................................................
35-061 Issue 1 56 Issue 1 M-2 AIS Operation
