What is it ?

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It is an Android app that decodes AIS messages transmitted by vessels , ships, over radio using a cheap USB DVB-T /RTL-SDR stick.
AIS messages are transmitted over VHF.
Channel A: 161.975 MHz
Channel B: 162.025 MHz.
The app decodes both channels simultaneously.
This app needs no internet connection, it decodes the real time received messages.
This is a truly standalone full featured AIS receiver.

The received messages will be translated into NMEA0183 strings wihch can be forwared then via UDP or TCP streaming to third party apps, PC programs or other devices.
Such Apps can display the received AIS data for example on a map along with informations about the received objects.

Please note: The app needs additonal (very cheap) hardware to receive the radio signals.

FEATURES

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• Receive VHF AIS radio signals vis DVB-T / RTL SDR USB Stick
• Decode AIS messages into NMEA0183 strings ( !AIVDM )
• Send this messages via Network (UDP/TCP)
• Device location (GPS,Network) translation into NMEA strings
• Loacation NEMA forwarding via Network (UDP)
  (GPGSV,GPGSA,GPZDA,GPRMC,..)
  AIS Driver:
  AIS Share:
  

HARDWARE

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Typically costs about ~ 15-35€

• OTG capable Android device with at least Android 4.1
  (today most of the devices fullfil this )
• OTG USB cable (use a high quality one)
  
• DVB-T – RTL-SDR USB stick
  Search for RTL2832U / 820T / 820T2 USB stick.
  Cheape AliExpress.com USB 2.0 DVB-T RTL2832U+R820T2 Stick ~10€
  I recommend a high quality stick you can find it http://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/
• DIY Antenna
  http://www.radioforeveryone.com/p/ais-antennas.html
  or just use the Antenna shipped with your dongle ( then i recomend a telescopic aerial antenna extend to 44,4 cm )
• Area in with you can receive AIS signals ( harbour, rivers, sea ,.. )

SOFTWARE

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There are two apps avaliable in the Google Play Store.

RTL SDR AIS DRIVER

RTL SDR AIS DRIVER

This is the driver app, its needed in any case.
In the driver app there is demo/test mode implmented mainly to test the app if your hardware is compatible. Please use this demo mode before you buy the full Version. The demo mode is limited to 1000 received messages.

Why this driver app ?
The driver app will run as a service for AIS SHARE app. The service (background process) will run only on request of AIS SHARE ( only the signal proczessing part of the driver will run )
There is no neagtiv effect on battery drainning with this solution. (the driver app runs as prozess of AIS Share on request, like it would be intergated into AIS Share)

DEMO MODE / TEST IT

1. Connect the USB Dongle with your device
2. Switch the Slider to activate the Demonstration Mode ( DEMO)

   

3. Press the Play Button

   

    

4. Have a look at the output window

   

   If you find the message: Driver Start OK
   then your Android device can successfully comunicate with the USB dongle. Your Hardware is compatible.

   If you installed the APP the first time, the settings for statistic is enabled.
   After 30 secondes you should receive a report about AIS package like:

   A:Received correctly: 40 packtes, worng CRC: 8 packets, wrong size 6 packets

If you receive 0 packets or 1 packet and please set up PPM settings. ( see PPM Chapter )

Please note:

The demo mode is limitited so far for 1000 messages (chan A OR chan B).
The demo mode has no Wifi wake lock.
The demo mode can share data only to one client.
The demo mode can not share GPS positon data.
The demo mode has a a reduced GUI
Need help –> info@ebcTech.eu

AIS SHARE

AIS SHARE

This is the full version of the app.

It allowes you to stream the received AIS messages to three different UDP clients, and acts as an TCP server (limited to one client)

Also GPS data can be forwarded to a client (UDP).

In any case you need to install the RTL SDR AIS DRIVER app first. Settings you may choosen in the in the RTL SDR AIS DRIVER app will not be considered with this app. You need to configure your settings in this APP.

Installation AIS SHARE / First start

1. Install driver app from Google Play^TM store.
   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.ebctech.rtl_sdr_ais_driver
   Start it one time. After that you can close the app ( RTL SDR AIS Driver )
2. Install AIS Share
   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.ebctech.ais_share

1. Start the AIS Share app go to the setting activity

   

2. Set the PPM setting
   This is really important.
3. Set up the UDP Share
   As UDP HOST enter the IP Adress of the device you want to share the data to.
   ( so the IP Adress of the partner )For TCP sharing, just enter a port number the Android device is listen to.
   The app acts as an TCP server. (limited to just one connection, after sending the data it will close the connection)
4. Start the driver
   with the pink floating action button.
   
5. Status
   DRV –> RTL SDR AIS DRIVER is started
   AIS,UDP,TCP,GPS,INT  –> all internal moduls are ready.
   (means not active started)
6. Message receive
   Watch out if you receive messages.
   
7. Statistic
   After 60 seconds the first information about received frames via channel A and channel B should appear (each pair in a grid represent chan A and next chan b )
   
8. Please report bugs,wishes …
   info@ebcTech.eu
   or posted it in this blog

Important Settings

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In both apps RTL SDR DRIVER and AIS SHARE there is a setting page.
Most important setting is the PPM settings. Nearly 99% of the USB dongle needs a frequency correction value. This value is different for every dongle.
The frequency for AIS is Channel A: 161.975 MHz and Channel B: 162.025 MHz. Because each dongle has a frequency drift, without correction the software is bassically not tuned on this frequency. As a result you won’t receive messages.

How to find out the right PPM:

Here are some useful links:
http://rtl-sdr.sceners.org/?p=193
http://davidnelson.me/?p=371

google for frequency correction RTL SDR or PPM RTL SDR to find more

Andorid 6.0 >

Starting from Android 6.0 (API level 23), Android introduces two power-saving features that extend battery life for users by managing how apps behave when a device is not connected to a power source. Doze reduces battery consumption by deferring background CPU and network activity for apps when the device is unused for long periods of time. App Standby defers background network activity for apps with which the user has not recently interacted.

This could be a problem if you want to share AIS data to external device.

http://www.greenbot.com/article/2993199/android/how-to-turn-off-doze-mode-for-specific-apps-in-android-marshmallow.html

F A Q

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I installed Martin Marinov RTL2832U driver app, do I need yours

YES, my driver app is tuned to AIS message receiption. AIS Share will not work without my driver app.
RTL AIS DRIVER app will not influence any other RTL SDR related app you have installed

I CAN’T RECEIVE A VESSEL AIS MESSAGE
Check PPM settings. In 99% this is the reason.

DRIVER IS UNSTABLE
Check if you use a high quality cable. Do you use a USB extension cable ? Try it without it.

Credits

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Many thanks to Harmen Meijer for testing and tips.
visit his homepage  www.harmenmeijer.nl

Disclaimer:

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE REGENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. DO NOT rely upon AIS Share for safety of life or property.

Please note that depending on your local law, receiving radio transmission AIS
@ AIS 1 – 161,975 MHz (Kanal 87B) AIS 2 – 162,025 MHz (Kanal 88B)communciation is maybe illegal. Please inform your self before you use this app in combination with a USB DVB Tongle.  Never use this app or the genrated data for communicacation purpose.

 

Legal attribution: