Design of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite

Abstract

The vessel monitoring system at the sea with Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology will be more effective if AIS receivers are put on satellites because the satellite’s coverage can extend to thousands of kilometers when orbiting in the space. The process of receiving AIS signals in the space has a problem of low received power reaching -102.07 dBm. This value comes from the link budget calculation.  This paper offers the design and simulation of a CubeSat AIS receiver payload that can operate to receive AIS signals in the orbit at the altitude of 650 km.  The AIS receiver is designed to run at 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz using Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation method. In this work, the AIS receiver is designed using radio frequency (RF) module Si4362 with operating temperature of -40° to +85° Celsius suitable for the space environment. Here, AIS signal modulation and demodulation methods were simulated using an electronic design automation software for radio frequency components. The simulation results showed the AIS receiver can receive AIS signals under appropriate conditions with link budget calculation. Finally, end-to-end AIS system simulations were carried through real conditions. The results showed the AIS system designed functions at full capacity.
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