AIS glossary

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AIS  Automatic Identification System
AIS approvals  Nationally set minimum requirements for relevant AIS products
AIS base station  An onshore AIS unit that monitors traffic in the waterways
AIS command centre  An AIS system that monitors AIS base stations along a coastline
AIS messages  AIS data is sent in messages to other devices via the AIS slot map
AIS Slot Map  Time slots of 26.6 milliseconds that AIS devices transmit data into
Antenna Splitter  A unit that manages how the VHF antenna is used by the radio and AIS device
AtoN  Aid to Navigation, AIS on a buoy out to sea
CCNR (Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine) Organisation that regulates AIS devices on inland waterways in Europe
CE (Conformité Européenne, European Conformity)  Organisation that regulates all non SOLAS vessel AIS products in Europe
Class A  A transceiver unit designed for SOLAS vessels that fall under the IMO mandate
Class B  A transceiver unit that offers AIS functionality to all non SOLAS vessels
Carrier Sense Time-Division Multiple-Access (CSTDMA)  A system used by Class B based units to transmit data
Fixed Access Time-Division Multiple-Access (FATDMA)  A system used by AtoNs to transmit data
FCC (Federal Communications Commission)  Organisation that regulates radio devices in America
Glonass  A Russian based positioning system that AIS uses to calculate where the vessel is
GPS  Positioning system that AIS uses to calculate where the vessel is
Incremental Time-Division Multiple-Access (ITDMA) A system used by AIS devices to transmit data
IC (Industry Canada)  Organisation that regulates radio devices in Canada
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)  Organisation that sets the AIS test standards for the IMO
IMO  the International Maritime Organisation, the governing body of international maritime transportation
Man overboard  A small device that monitors crew who are working on a vessel
Mandate  A law that specifies AIS for certain vessels. Both national and international laws are referred to as mandates
Pre-Announced Time-Division Multiple-Access (PATDMA)  A system used by SARTs to transmit data
Random Access Time-Division Multiple-Access (RATDMA)  A system used by AtoNs to transmit data
Receive  Receive data from other AIS devices via the AIS slot map
Receiver  A unit that only receives data
SART  Search and Rescue Transponder, alerts ships in range that there is a lifeboat needing assistance
SOLAS  Safety of Life at Sea regulations created by the IMO
Self Organised Time-Division Mulitple-Access (SOTDMA)  A system used by Class A units to transmit data
Transport Canada  Organisation that regulates AIS devices in Canada
Transceiver  A unit that both transmits and receives data
Transmit  Sending data to other ships, shore based stations and AtoNs via the AIS slot map
United States Coast Guard  Organisation that regulates AIS devices in America
VDL  The VHF Data Link the technical term for the AIS slot map
VHF radio  The technology that AIS uses to transmit data to the AIS slot map
Wheelmark  Approval award from the European Union for all SOLAS vessel AIS units