AIS-based vessel monitoring system using software defined radio
Abstract
This study implements a low-cost Software Defined Radio (SDR)-based receiver system for the Automatic Identification System (AIS) operating at frequencies of 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz using a 44 cm V-dipole antenna with a 90° angle. Spectrum analysis is performed using Airspy to identify AIS signal characteristics in real time within the frequency domain, with measured Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) values of 21.3 dB for AIS 1 and 21.4 dB for AIS 2. The signal decoding process is carried out by AIS-catcher, which handles GMSK demodulation and efficiently extracts AIS message payloads. The decoded data is then visualized using OpenCPN in the form of a digital map to monitor vessel positions and movements in real time. SDRangel is utilized as a supporting platform for signal observation, SDR device configuration, and additional analysis of reception quality. System performance evaluation demonstrates stable capability in receiving and decoding AIS signals with a satisfactory success rate, although it is still affected by interference and propagation conditions. GNU Radio is used in a limited capacity as a signal processing environment for filtering and basic parameter adjustment. The results confirm that low-cost SDR is an effective, flexible, and economical solution for implementing AIS monitoring systems at the research and basic application levels.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Z. Xie, E. Tu, X. Fu, G. Yuan, and Y. Han, “AIS Data-Driven Maritime Monitoring Based on Transformer: A Comprehensive Review,” May 2025, [Online]. Available: http://arxiv.org/abs/2505.07374
M. R. D, A. S, and S. B. A, “Space Based Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver Architecture and its Performance in Collision Scenario,” International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 143–150, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.14445/23488549/IJECE-V12I3P114.
R. P. Sari, L. Lindawati, and S. Soim, “Monitoring Kapal Menggunakan Automatic Identification System(AIS) Dengan RTL-SDR dan Low Noise Amplifier (LNA),” PROtek : Jurnal Ilmiah Teknik Elektro, vol. 9, no. 2, p. 119, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.33387/protk.v9i2.4691.
K. Jaskólski, “Availability of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Based on Spectral Analysis of Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) Determined from Dynamic Data Age,” Remote Sens. (Basel)., vol. 14, no. 15, p. 3692, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.3390/rs14153692.
R. Mahmou and K. Faitah, “Design of a Low Power Low-Noise Amplifier with Improved Gain/Noise Ratio,” World Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 12, no. 01, pp. 80–91, 2024, doi: 10.4236/wjet.2024.121005.
H. M. Rizkiyani, A. A. Supriyadi, P. Y. Dao, and D. Novitasari, “PEMANFAATAN SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFIS DALAM PEMBANGUNAN SISTEM KEAMANAN MARITIM INDONESIA,” Majalah Ilmiah Globe, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 81–88, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.24895/gl.2024.26.2.81-88.
B. Oumimoun, L. Nahiri, H. Idmouida, A. Addaim, Z. Guennoun, and K. Minaoui, “Software Defined AIS Receiver Implementation Based on RTL-SDR and GNU Radio,” in 2022 IEEE Asia Pacific Conference on Wireless and Mobile (APWiMob), IEEE, Dec. 2022, pp. 1–5. doi: 10.1109/APWiMob56856.2022.10014409.
R. García, M. Pirri, G. Belcredi, and C. Rattaro, “Implementation of a Low-cost AIS Transmitter based on SDR,” in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, Association for Computing Machinery, Aug. 2024, pp. 10–17. doi: 10.1145/3685323.3685325.
N. van der Wielen, J. McGurk, and L. Barrett, “Optimising port arrival statistics: Enhancing timeliness through Automatic Identification System (AIS) data,” Statistical Journal of the IAOS: Journal of the International Association for Official Statistics, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 421–434, May 2024, doi: 10.3233/SJI-230100.
Y. Yan, E. Wu, and T. Lv, “Research on AIS Data Analysis and Its Integration into Discipline-specific Teaching,” Journal of Computing and Electronic Information Management, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 7–11, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.54097/169bh754.
Y. W. Matrutty, Y. Saragih, P. Waluyo, and S. Suroyo, “ANALISIS KEBERHASILAN AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AIS) PADA KAPAL TUG BOAT LEO POWER 2206,” Power Elektronik : Jurnal Orang Elektro, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 266, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.30591/polektro.v12i1.3649.
E. Mfodwo, P. Lanka, A. F. Aydogan, and C. Varol, “Uncovering the Security Landscape of Maritime Software-Defined Radios: A Threat Modeling Perspective,” Applied Sciences, vol. 16, no. 2, p. 813, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.3390/app16020813.
O. Soner, G. Kayisoglu, P. Bolat, and K. Tam, “Risk sensitivity analysis of AIS cyber security through maritime cyber regulatory frameworks,” Applied Ocean Research, vol. 142, p. 103855, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.apor.2023.103855.
I. F. Mukti, Muhammad Arif Sulaiman, and Mochamad Faisal Yoga Dewantara, “Detection of Modulated Wave Transmission Failure in Aviation Communication Using IoT-Based RTL-SDR,” Emitor: Jurnal Teknik Elektro, pp. 244–256, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.23917/emitor.v24i3.6223.
X. Chen, C. Wei, G. Zhou, H. Wu, Z. Wang, and S. A. Biancardo, “Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data Supported Ship Trajectory Prediction and Analysis via a Deep Learning Model,” J. Mar. Sci. Eng., vol. 10, no. 9, p. 1314, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.3390/jmse10091314.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52626/joge.v5i1.71
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
St. Teknik II, Reumpet, Krueng Barona Jaya sub-district (23370), Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province, Indonesia.
http://geutheeinstitute.com/
