Maritime Traffic & Navigation Group

Saab and Trimble will integrate their technologies to deliver differential GPS (DGPS) error correction messages to ships at sea through Automatic Identification System (AIS) coast stations.  DGPS messages - transmitted on AIS frequencies - will augment existing marine DGPS broadcasts from coastal beacon stations.

The companies are developing interfaces connecting Saab's AIS and Vessel Tracking Management & Information System (VTMIS) with Trimble DGPS reference station and integrity monitoring software.  The integrated solution will use Trimble bespoke software for advanced integrity monitoring of the DGPS data prior to transmission through both beacon transmitters and AIS stations.

The integration will also permit the AIS/VTMIS operator to monitor the performance of both DGPS services.

Saab explain that many coastal states are installing shore-based AIS and virtually all ocean-going ships are required to carry an AIS transponder with a built-in GPS receiver.  This makes AIS an ideal solution for DGPS transmissions, augmenting beacon DGPS networks around the world.

They add that using the 2 DGPS technologies provides an important layer of redundancy and reliability for this critical navigation safety application - ensuring an uninterrupted DGPS service under conditions of heavy weather or high interference.

Details from Trimble