Design and analyses of shipborne multifunctional Automatic Identification System (AIS) antenna

ABSTRACT This paper is introducing analyses of new design of the automatic identification system (AIS) ships antenna that will serve for both VHF-band radio and satellite tracking and identification system for maritime applications. The current AIS network is an automatic tracking system used by ships of vessel traffic service for identification and location of vessels by electronically exchanging data between nearby ships and on-shore base station. In the AIS system for the electronic data exchange, the very high frequency (VHF) range is used. Utilizing of the VHF range makes the AIS as short-range communication, identification and collision avoidance system between AIS equipped ships and base station is possible in the antennas line-of-sight . In order to widen the range of the AIS from short range up to long or global range, AIS communication should be used via a satellite. In order to provide communication via satellite as well should be designed multifunctional antenna for both radio AIS (R-AIS) and satellite AIS (S-AIS) communication antenna. The analyses and design of a new multifunctional antenna, calculation and development, including implementation and testing of helical VHF antenna for R-AIS and S-AIS equipment are discussed.