GPS Option Available on AIS

Saab TransponderTech introduced a new type-approved GPS as an integrated part of the R4 ship AIS transponder system.

Gunnar Mangs, business director for mobile systems, said, “This fully compliant GPS receiver is intended to provide a fully qualified backup to the SOLAS class ship’s main DGPS, and adds GPS navigation functionality to the AIS transponder. It will also become an excellent complete combined AIS and GPS solution for many non-SOLAS applications.”

The GPS receiver is embedded inside the R4 transponder. It provides the necessary GPS outputs to the AIS, and also provides navigation functions on the R4 display unit.

The unit is fully compliant with IMO and IEC specifications for shipboard GPS, including RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring). An external IALA DGPS beacon receiver can be connected as an option. Existing Saab R4 AIS installations can be retrofitted with the new transponder module containing the new GPS receiver and a software upgrade.