AtoN Express AIS Aids to Navigation Transceiver Installation and operation manual SRT Marine System Solutions
Thank you for buying this AtoN Express. This product has been engineered to offer you the highest level of performance and durability and we hope that it will provide many years of reliable service. We constantly strive to achieve the highest possible quality standards, should you encounter any problems with this product, please contact your dealer who will be pleased to offer whatever assistance you require.
Contents List of Figures 1 - Notices ................................................................................. 2 1.1 - Safety warnings.................................................................. 2 1.2 - General notices .................................................................. 2 2 - About AIS............................................................................. 3 2.1 - Static and dynamic vessel data..........................................
Notices 1 Notices ! 1.1 When reading this manual please pay attention to warnings marked with the warning triangle shown on the left. These are important messages for safety, installation and usage of the product. Safety warnings ! This equipment must be installed in accordance with the instructions provided in this manual. ! Do not install this equipment in a flammable atmosphere such as in an engine room or near to fuel tanks.
About AIS 2 About AIS The marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a location and vessel information reporting system. It allows vessels equipped with AIS to automatically and dynamically share and regularly update their position, speed, course and other information such as vessel identity with similarly equipped vessels. Position is derived from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and communication between vessels is by Very High Frequency (VHF) digital transmissions.
About AIS 2.1 Static and dynamic vessel data There are two categories of information transmitted by an AIS device: static and dynamic data. The vessel's dynamic data, which includes location, speed over ground (SOG) and course over ground (COG), is calculated automatically using the internal GPS receiver. Dynamic data is not transmitted by AIS AtoN’s. Static data is information about the vessel or Aid-to-Navigation which must be programmed into the AIS device.
Installing and charging the AtoN Express 3 Installing and charging the AtoN Express 3.1 Supplied items Figure 1 shows the items that are included with each AtoN Express. Configuration dock Product CD Power Box Power AtoN Express Power Adapter SRT Marine System Solutions Bracket and fixings USB Cable AtoN Express Figure 1 AtoN Express package contents AtoN Express The AtoN Express AIS Aid-to-Navigation device.
Installing and charging the AtoN Express AtoN bracket and fixings The bracket is used to attach the AtoN Express to the physical AtoN. Configuration dock The configuration dock is used to connect the AtoN Express to a PC during configuration. The configuration dock can also be used to charge the AtoN Express. USB Cable The USB Cable is used to connect the configuration dock to the PC. CD The CD contains the configuration software and this user manual in PDF format.
Installing and charging the AtoN Express 3.2 Installing the AtoN Express bracket The AtoN Express must be located in the supplied mounting bracket when in use. Insertion into the bracket activates the AtoN Express and the AtoN Express is inactive when removed from the bracket. The bracket should be fixed to the structure to be marked using the supplied u-bolts, washers and nuts as shown in Figure 2.
Installing and charging the AtoN Express 3.3 Fitting the AtoN Express to Bracket Lower the AtoN Express into the AtoN Express Bracket and rotate clockwise until it clicks into place. Slide the locking collar up to the underside of the bracket as shown in Figure 3 and secure using the anti-tamper screw supplied in the fixing kit.
Installing and charging the AtoN Express 3.4 Charging the AtoN Express The AtoN Express is shipped with a partial charge and requires a full charge prior to installation on a structure to be marked (unless the unit is powered via the Power box). The AtoN Express is charged by placing it in the configuration dock as shown in Figure 4. During charging the status indicator will flash blue at a steady rate (1 second on - 5 seconds off).
Installing and charging the AtoN Express The AtoN Express will not charge if the internal temperature is below 0°C or above 40°C. If the temperature is outside this range the status indicator will flash rapidly to indicate a charging fault. ! 3.5 Installing the Power box AtoN Express is supplied with a Power Box which can be used to power the unit from an external 12 to 24VDC supply (absolute range 9.6 to 32VDC). The Power Box is waterproof to IPx6 and IPx7.
Installing and charging the AtoN Express 1 2 Remove the power box lid Connect the power cable Red 3 Black 4 Power Box Connect the electrical cables Power AtoN Express Power Adapter SRT Marine System Solutions Red Figure 5 Black Installing the Power Box Page 11
Configuring the AtoN Express 4 Configuring the AtoN Express The AtoN Express transmits standard AIS AtoN information using message #21. It requires configuration with the relevant information prior to installation. The AtoN Express can also be configured for position reporting intervals, VHF operating frequency and other operating parameters listed below. Configuration is carried out from a PC running the proAtoN Express application supplied on CD in the configuration pack. 4.
Configuring the AtoN Express 4.3 Basic configuration All basic configuration is presented on the proAtoN Express configuration tab as shown in Figure 6. This tab permits configuration of the following information: • AtoN name Enter the AtoN name or other identification. • MMSI number Enter the AIS AtoN’s 9 digit MMSI number. • AtoN type Select the most appropriate AtoN type from the drop down list.
Configuring the AtoN Express Figure 6 4.4 proAtoN Express configuration tab Message Schedule Configuration AtoN Express only transmits the standard AtoN message #21 using FATDMA. The scheduling of this message can be configured using the following parameters which can be can be entered independently for both channel A and B: FATDMA (Fixed Access Time Division Multiple Access) access scheme requires that the AIS AtoN is configured with fixed AIS time slots in which it will transmit AIS messages.
Configuring the AtoN Express • • • Start UTC The offset from UTC 00:00. This parameter is used to create different start times for the two channels when alternating transmission between the two channels. For example; a five minute transmission schedule alternating between channel A and B would have a slot interval of 22500 (10 * 2250 slots per minute) and a difference of 5 minutes between the start UTC’s of the two channels.
Using the AtoN Express 5 Using the AtoN Express The AtoN Express is ready for use once charged and configured. The location of the status indicator is shown in Figure 7.
Using the AtoN Express 5.1 Activating and deactivating the AtoN Express The AtoN Express is activated by placing it in the supplied vessel bracket and de-activated when removed from the bracket. The AtoN Express will continue to report position and vessel data as configured in the incorrect bracket.To activate the AtoN Express insert and lock into the vessel bracket as shown in Figure 8.
Using the AtoN Express 5.2 Status indicator While active in the fixing bracket The status indicator shows the current operating state of the AtoN Express. The status indicator flashes green or yellow every 5 seconds. The number of flashes indicates the status conditions defined in the table below. The key status indications are also shown in Figure 9 While in the configuration dock The status indicator shows the current operating state of the AtoN Express.
Using the AtoN Express GREEN YELLOW GPS Figure 9 Identified common status indications - while active While charging The status indicator flashes blue (one second on - five seconds off). When charging is complete the status indicator will flash a shorter er blue flash (one millisecond on - five seconds off). A charging error is indicated by a longer blue flash (three seconds on - 5 seconds off) of the status indicator. The most likely cause of a charging error is high temperature.
Troubleshooting 6 Troubleshooting Issue Possible cause and remedy The AtoN Express status indicator does not flash when placed in the holder. • • The AtoN Express is in ‘deep sleep’ mode and requires charging in order to activate for use. The AtoN Express battery is exhausted and requires charging. The AtoN Express status indicator periodically flashes more than once when placed in the holder. • Please refer to the status indicator description in section 5.2.
Specification 7 Specification Parameter Value Dimensions 350mm x 63mm max. diameter (without bracket) Weight 250g (AtoN Express unit only) Power Built in 2200mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack Charger 100-240VAC input, 5V 1.2A output. GPS receiver 50 channel receiver and internal GPS antenna VHF transmitter frequency range 156.025 to 162.025MHz Transmitter output power 1W radiated (EIRP) Power Consumption (from internal battery) <0.
Specification Page 22
SRT Marine System Solutions 201-0470:1
