An AIS Base Station Credibility Monitoring Method Based on Service Radius Detection Patterns in Complex Sea Surface Environments

Abstract

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) utilizes base stations to manage vessel traffic and disseminate waterway information. These stations broadcast maritime safety data to vessels within their service radius using VHF signals. However, the emergence of “spoofing base stations” poses a significant threat to maritime safety. These impostors mimic legitimate AIS base stations by appropriating their Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) information, interacting with vessels, potentially leading to erroneous decisions, or guiding vessels into hazardous areas. Therefore, ensuring the credibility of AIS base stations is critical for safe vessel navigation. It is essential to distinguish between genuine AIS base stations and “spoofing base stations” to achieve this goal. One criterion for identifying AIS spoofing involves detecting signals beyond the expected service radius of AIS base stations. This paper proposes a method to monitor the credibility of AIS base stations through a service radius detection pattern. Furthermore, the method analyzes the impact of hydrological and meteorological factors on AIS signal propagation in complex sea surface environments. By integrating empirical data, it accurately describes the mathematical relationship and calculates the service radius of AIS base station signals. Analyzing vessel position coordinates, decoding base station position messages, and computing distances between vessels and AIS base stations allows for matching with the AIS base station’s designated service radius and propagation distance. This approach enables precise identification of AIS spoofing base stations, thereby facilitating robust monitoring of AIS base station credibility. The research outcomes provide a foundational framework for developing high-credibility AIS base station services within integrated maritime navigation and information systems.