The Automatic Identification System(AIS) improves the safety level of navigation by exchanging information about the status of AIS-targets nearby. The system utilizes VHF broadcasts to handle information about the surrounding area, including other vessels and aid-to-navigation, such as buoys.

SOLAS amended in 2000 required all passenger ships and cargo ships over 300 GT on international voyages and coastal ships over 500GT to install transponder from the 1st of July, 2002. FURUNO responded to this with Class-A AIS FA-100 which has later been replaced by the FA-150. However, they are for the large-sized ships, thus the vessels of medium or small size without AIS onboard cannot receive the AIS information. Taken this into our critical thinking, FURUNO has introduced AIS Receiver FA-30, which enables navigators on the medium or small size vessels to obtain the AIS information for safer vessel operation. The FA-30 receives the navigational data of other AIS-equipped ships and displays it on NavNet vx2 series, AIS-compatible radar, GPS plotter or a PC.
Although the FA-30 cannot transmit own ship's data, it helps the operators enhance situational awareness of the surrounding area by receiving the critical information of other ships around such as ship's position, course/speed over ground, heading, rate of turn.

Merit to have AIS onboard
* Assistance in collision avoidance and improvement for the level of safe vessel operation
By displaying the AIS information on the radar screen or a PC interfaced with the FA-30, it is possible to grasp the situation of the surrounding area. Overlaying the AIS targets on the radar display enables vessel operators to distinguish the ships from other targets, such as islets. Moreover, AIS targets are constantly visible even when they are behind objects such as capes, whereas the radar beam cannot reach them.

* AIS viewer software for PC(Standard supply)
Thanks to the AIS viewer software, it is possible for the navigators, who do not have radar onboard, to utilize the AIS information on a PC. AIS targets will be shown on the chart and when a certain target is selected, the detailed data of the target will be displayed. This software application covers the worldwide chart.

* Output of the data via Ethernet
NavNet vx2 series or a PC can be interfaced with the FA-30 via LAN cable.

* VHF splitter(Optional)
Optional VHF splitter allows for sharing the existing VHF.

* Dual channel receiver design facilitates more constant information acquisition than a single channel receiver.

* Receiving range is between 156.025 and 162.025 MHz. The FA-30 can receive both the local channels and the international channels. The switching of the receiving frequency is performed automatically.

* Black box configuration allows for flexible installation.

Specification

* Receiving system :TDMA, Dual channel
* Frequency switching :Auto
* Channel spacing :25 kHz/12.5 kHz
* Standards referred to :IEC 61993-2, IEC 62287-1, ITU-R M. 1371-1, IEC 60945 Ed. 4
* Frequency range :156.025 to 162.025 MHz
* Interface
COM :NMEA0183(38.4 kbps)/IEC 61162-1(4800 bps)
Network :Ethernet 10/100BASE-T
* Size and weight :215(H) x 255(W) x 90(D) mm 1.5kg
* Power supply :12-24 VDC
* Power consumption :Less than 14.4 W