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ACR Electronics AISLink CA2 Installation Manual

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W W W . A C R A R T E X . C O M
THE SCIENCE OF SURVIVAL
CA2
AIS Class A Transceiver
INSTALLATION MANUAL
912S-02862
Y1-03-0294 Rev. A

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Summary of Contents for ACR Electronics AISLink CA2

  • Page 1 W W W . A C R A R T E X . C O M THE SCIENCE OF SURVIVAL AIS Class A Transceiver INSTALLATION MANUAL 912S-02862 Y1-03-0294 Rev. A...
  • Page 2 The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this manual were believed to be correct at the time of print. ACR Electronics reserve the right to change specifica- tions and other information contained in this manual as part of our continual improvement process.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    CA2 Installation Manual General Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Energy CA2 Overview Warnings CA2 Box Contents Example Systems Installation Unit Dimensions Power Requirements Making the Connections Antenna Installation Mounting Templates Basic Operation Front Panel Front Panel Controls Explained User Interface Overview Menu Structure Commissioning Advanced Settings...

  • Page 4: General

    CA2 Installation Manual GENERAL 1.1 Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Energy This product complies with EN62311 and RSS-102 (Canada). This product has been evaluated for compliance with the FCC RF exposure limits given in CFR 47 part 1.307(b) at a distance greater than 50cm from the antenna. 1.2 CA2 Overview 1.2.1 AIS Explained The Automatic Identification System (AIS) was designed as an aid to collision-avoidance in...

  • Page 5: Warnings

    CA2 Installation Manual 1.3 Warnings This product is designed to assist navigation and should not be used in the place of ap- propriate navigational judgement. AIS should be used as a complement to navigation and should not be used to replace installed equipment such as RADAR or ECDIS. It is highly recommended that the operator of the CA2 read and follow the operation instructions within this manual to ensure accurate operation.

  • Page 6: Ca2 Box Contents

    CA2 Installation Manual 1.4 CA2 Box Contents Item Item Cable Ties (10) GNSS Antenna (inc. 10m cable & Terminal Connectors mount) (18, 9, 5 and 2 way) Documentation Wiring Card Cable Support Mounting Screws Coax Cable Boots and seals USB On-the-Go Cable Mounting Gasket (2) USB Cable Mounting Bracket Assembly...

  • Page 7: Example Systems

    CA2 Installation Manual 1.5 Example Systems 28/04/2020 Y1-03-0294 Rev. A...

  • Page 8: Installation

    CA2 Installation Manual INSTALLATION 2.1 Unit Dimensions Installation templates are on the centre pages of this manual. 2.2 Power Requirements Connection to an emergency power source is an IMO requirement for SOLAS vessels. The power supply current ratings and recommended fusing or circuit breaker currents are as follows: •...
  • Page 9 CA2 Installation Manual 2.2.1 Cable protection and retaining The rear case of the CA2 unit has been created to allow for simple and effective installation of the connecting cables to allow for maximum protection and robustness. It is advisable to insert the required cables into the rear cover BEFORE installation. The two coaxial cables (VHF antenna and GNSS antenna) are secured through rubber boots and the interface cables are passed through rubber grommets and secured to the cable support.
  • Page 10 CA2 Installation Manual Cable Restraint Bracket Attach the restraint bracket to the rear case using the two self tapping screws supplied. Once all the antenna and data connectors have been routed to the CA2 and cut to length use the supplied cable ties to secure all cables to the restraint bracket. 2.2.2 Surface Mounting the Transceiver The transceiver unit can be mounted directly to a suitable flat mounting surface where access to the rear for cable connection is possible.
  • Page 11 CA2 Installation Manual 2.2.3 Bracket Mounting the Transceiver The Transceiver can be mounted to a flat surface using the supplied mounting bracket. Secure part A of the bracket to the rear case using one set of four attachment points de- pending on whether the unit is to be mounted above of below the mounting surface, Using the supplied template in the centre of this manual ensure there is appropriate space around the mounting position before drilling 4x mounting screw holes suitable to take No.6...
  • Page 12 CA2 Installation Manual Y1-03-0294 Rev. A 28/04/2020...

  • Page 13: Making The Connections

    CA2 Installation Manual 2.3 Making the Connections 2.3.1 VHF Antenna Connection PL259 Plug (Not Supplied) 2.3.2 GNSS Antenna Connections TNC Male supplied pre-connected to the GNSS Antenna. Suitable TNC Male connector required if the cable is to be extended. NOTE: It may be necessary to cut the rubber grommet if the cable is not be- ing extended.
  • Page 14 CA2 Installation Manual 2.3.3 Data Ports There are multiple data Input and Output ports available for connection via the rear con- nector panel. The ports use IEC-61162-1/2 (NMEA0183) and can be configured for 4800, 9600 or 38400 baud. Port Output Input Sensor 1 Sensor 2...
  • Page 15 CA2 Installation Manual 2.3.5 Data Connections With the cables secured to the cable restraint system and passed through the grommet seals ensure the supplied wiring card is fitted correctly to the lower section of the rear cable cover. Insert the 4 green multi connectors into the appropriate slots in the cover. NOTE: The connectors will only fit in the correct orientation. DO NOT force them.
  • Page 16 CA2 Installation Manual 2.3.7 Data Termination Switches DIP switches select a 120Ohm termination to the serial ports. If a port requires termination push the appropriate switch to the ON position. 2.3.8 Pilot Plug Connector On the front panel (under a rubber cover) there is a standard “Pilot Plug” connection. The connector is suitable for an AMP/Receptacle, shell size 11, 9-pin plug.
  • Page 17 CA2 Installation Manual 2.3.11 Final Assembly Connect the prepared VHF (PL259) and GNSS (TNC Type) plugs to the sockets on the rear of the main unit Turn over the green data connectors and carefully plug to the sockets on the rear of the main unit before placing the main unit into the rear cable cover and securing with the 4x supplied M5 stainless steel bolts The CA2 Class A AIS Transceiver is now ready for power up and initial set-up.

  • Page 18: Antenna Installation

    CA2 Installation Manual 2.4 Antenna Installation 2.4.1 GNSS (GPS) Antenna The GNSS Antenna should be installed with a clear and unobstructed view of the sky, it should NOT be positioned or mounted on a mast that can cause the antenna to swing and potentially reduce the accuracy of the GNSS position and it should NOT be positioned in the direct path of a radar transmitter.
  • Page 19 CA2 Installation Manual After fixing the GNSS antenna to an appropriate location, route the 10m cable to your AIS transceiver unit, adding extension cable as necessary. DO NOT cut the GNSS Antenna cable to shorten. Neatly coil and tie excess cable The cable may be extended using any suitable low loss RF co-axial cable up to a maximum total length of 20m.
  • Page 20 CA2 Installation Manual 2.4.2 VHF Antenna Connection of a suitable VHF antenna will be required for the AIS transceiver to operate. A standard wide band marine VHF antenna such as that used with VHF voice radios is suffi- cient. The antenna cable should be terminated with a PL-259 (UHF) connector. •...

  • Page 21: Mounting Templates

    CA2 Installation Manual 2.5 Mounting Templates Use the centre pages of this manual to assist with the mounting positions and cut-outs required for the correct positioning of the CA2 unit. Take great care to check the dimensions as printed on the supplied tem- plates to ensure accuracy has not been affected by the printing process.

  • Page 22: Basic Operation

    CA2 Installation Manual BASIC OPERATION 3.1 Front Panel Item Item LCD Screen Jog Stick/Control Knob Menu Key Display Brightness Key Pilot Plug (under cover) Voyage Data Input Key USB Socket (under cover) Enter Key Page Key Indicator LED 3.2 Front Panel Controls Explained LCD Panel Display The CA2 incorporates a 7-inch full-colour LCD Display allowing for visibly pleasing maps and screens, ensuring a user-friendly experience and ease-of-use.
  • Page 23 CA2 Installation Manual Menu Key Pressing the menu key will access the CA2 menu system. The menu screen that appears will depend on the screen in use when the menu key is pressed. The menu key can also be used to close the menu system. Pilot Plug The pilot plug allows pilots and other mariners to connect a laptop PC or other portable device directly into the CA2 giving access to the AIS information of the vessel including...
  • Page 24 TEMPLATES...
  • Page 25 ALWAYS CHECK THE DIMENSIONS OF TEMPLATES BEFORE USING...
  • Page 26 ALWAYS CHECK THE DIMENSIONS OF TEMPLATES BEFORE USING...
  • Page 28 ALWAYS CHECK THE DIMENSIONS OF TEMPLATES BEFORE USING...
  • Page 29 TEMPLATES...

  • Page 30: User Interface Overview

    CA2 Installation Manual 3.3 User Interface Overview ! When the CA2 is powered on for the first time, a map warning will be dis- played. To remove this window it must be accepted to confirm that it has been read and understood. This window will appear once every 24 hours and will need to be accepted to remove it. Press to accept Y1-03-0294 Rev. A 28/04/2020...

  • Page 31: Menu Structure

    CA2 Installation Manual 3.4 Menu Structure Pressing the (Menu) key activates the on-screen menu. Options with > show access to a further menu level. Options with ... show access to a set-up screen. Rotate the (Jog Stick) to highlight your selection and then press (Enter) to display the next menu level.

  • Page 32: Commissioning

    CA2 Installation Manual COMMISSIONING 4.1 Advanced Settings There are two passwords available in the CA2: User Password - Default: 0000 Vessel: This password protects the set-up pages containing the Ships default Static Data. It is recommended that this password is changed to prevent unauthorised access to the data being transmitted by the AIS.
  • Page 33 CA2 Installation Manual 4.1.1 Change the User and Admin passwords Record the changes for future reference. 4.1.2 Unit Reset Click this button to reset the CA2 to factory default settings. You will be asked to confirm this operation. 4.1.3 VSWR Alert Setting The CA2 measures the VSWR Coefficient during transmission and will report an “Impaired Radio”...
  • Page 34 CA2 Installation Manual 4.1.4 Send VDO once per second - Default: (Off) Select this to force the CA2 to transmit your information once every second regardless of the Navigation Status. If left unchecked then the CA2 will transmit once every: Navigation Status Transmits once every Moored or Anchored...

  • Page 35: Input / Output Set-Up

    CA2 Installation Manual 4.2 Input / Output Set-up Settings System Input/Output Password Sensor 1* Sensor 2* Sensor 3* DGPS ECDIS LongRange PilotPort WiFi** Drive*** USB Serial** to select the port Example 4800 9600 38400 to select the Baud Rate Example Input Output to select the Port mode...
  • Page 36 CA2 Installation Manual to select or deselect each sentence Selecting “View” will show a live input screen indicating the raw data that is being received on that particular port Example Port name Data Baud Transmit sentences Receive sentences Rate DGPS¹ Default ABK³, ACA³, ACS³, ALC³, ALF³, , ACA...

  • Page 37: Ships Static Data Set-Up

    CA2 Installation Manual 4.3 Ships Static Data Set-up Settings Ownship Password 4.3.1 MMSI Number The MMSI Number can only be accessed if you entered the Admin Password. Enter here the MMSI number issued to the vessel by the national radio licensing authority. An MMSI number is nine digits long.

  • Page 38: Default Voyage Settings

    CA2 Installation Manual 4.4 Default Voyage Settings Settings Voyage 4.4.1 Destination Enter the vessel’s destination port. Select and press “Default” if this is a regular destina- tion. 4.4.2 Cargo Select the cargo definition from the drop-down list . 4.4.3 Nav. Status Select the vessel’s Navigation Status from the drop-down list.

  • Page 39: Input / Output Sentences

    CA2 Installation Manual INPUT / OUTPUT SENTENCES 5.1 IEC-61162 (NMEA0183) Sentences Supported Description Normal Cat. Signa- Normal ture Talkers Source Addressed Binary Message PILOT To initiate the sending of an addressed Binary or ECDIS Safety related Message AIS channel management information PILOT source ECDIS To Add a new or change an existing Channel Man- agement Region...
  • Page 40 CA2 Installation Manual Heart beat PILOT Sent by the Bridge Alert Management system to ECDIS indicate that the connection is still valid Heading, deviation and variation SENSOR 1 SENSOR Used to determine the magnetic heading and SENSOR 2 magnetic variation of the vessel SENSOR 3 Heading true SENSOR 1...

  • Page 41: Sentence Priority And Input Filtering

    CA2 Installation Manual 5.2 Sentence Priority and input filtering Each of the ports has a filter that can be configured to determine which signatures are accepted through that port. By default they will be set up as follows: Port Baud Signatures Name SENSOR 1 DTM, GBS, GGA, GNS, GSA, HDG, HDT, RMC, ROT, THS, VBW, VTG 4800 SENSOR 2...

  • Page 42: Property Values Supported By The Epv Sentence

    CA2 Installation Manual 5.4 Property Values supported by the EPV sentence Property Description Auth. Accepted Values Default Number Req. Value Sensor 1 Baud Rate 4800,9600,38400 4800 Sensor 1 Baud Rate 4800,9600,38400 4800 Sensor 1 Baud Rate 4800,9600,38400 4800 Long Range Port Baud Rate 4800,9600,38400 38400 DGNSS Port Baud Rate...

  • Page 43: Iec-61162-1 (Nmea0183) Sentences Output

    CA2 Installation Manual 5.5 IEC-61162-1 (NMEA0183) Sentences Output Signa- Description When Sent ture Addressed and binary broadcast acknowl- In response to an ABM or BBM edgement message AIS channel assignment message When the unit enters or exits a channel management region In response to a change in Channel Management informa- AIS channel management information tion...

  • Page 44: Sentence Output Filtering

    CA2 Installation Manual Recommended minimum specific position Sent every second from the data internal GPS Receiver AIS ship static data In Response to an AIQ request AIS transmitter-non-functioning log In Response to an AIQ request Text transmission In Response to an AIQ request AIS VHF data-link message (Incoming) On receipt of and AIS VDL mes- sage on Channel A or B...

  • Page 45: Glossary And Abbreviations

    CA2 Installation Manual GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS Automatic Identification Light Emitting Diode System AtoN Aid to Navigation Load Equivalence Number American Wire Gauge Long Range Messaging Bearing Marine Equipment Directive Course Over Ground Multi-Function Display Closest Point of Approach MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity Digital Selective Calling Man Over Board ECDIS...

  • Page 46: Fault Finding

    CA2 Installation Manual FAULT FINDING Error Message Potential Reason Missing EPFS Information from an External EPFS source is not being re- ceived. Check the external EPFS is operational and the con- nection is good. If there is no connected EPFS then go to Settings>System>Advanced and un-check the External EPFS Installed box.

  • Page 47: Specifications

    CA2 Installation Manual SPECIFICATIONS Transmitter Transmit Power 12.5/1Watts Frequency Range 156.025 – 162-025MHz Modulation AIS GMSK: BT 0.4 FSK: Mod Index 2 Receiver Sensitivity -107dBm for 20% packet error rate Frequency Range AIS RX1 and RX2 156.025 – 162.025MHz 156.525MHz General Dimensions 214 x 211 x 150mm (8.5”...

  • Page 48: Maintenance

    CA2 Installation Manual 10. MAINTENANCE 10.1 Product Cleaning • Lightly rinse or flush with clean, cool fresh water. • Do NOT wipe the screen with a dry cloth, as this could scratch the window. • Do NOT use: abrasive, acidic, ammonia, solvent or chemical based cleaning products.

  • Page 49: Routine Equipment Checks

    CA2 Installation Manual 10.4 Routine equipment checks It is recommended that you perform the following routine checks, on a regular basis, to ensure the correct and reliable operation of this equipment: • Examine all cables for signs of damage or wear and tear. •...

  • Page 50: Installation Record

    CA2 Installation Manual 12. INSTALLATION RECORD 12.1 Vessel Details SOLAS Vessel Name MMSI Number IMO Number Call Sign Vessel Type Internal GNSS antenna location (all dimensions in whole meters) External GNSS antenna location (all dimensions in whole meters) Vessel Length (A+B) Vessel Beam (C+D) Max.
  • Page 51 CA2 Installation Manual 12.3 Connected Equipment External (D)GPS receiver External EPFS External Heading source External ROT source Power Supply The following drawings should be provided and attached to this installation record: • Antenna layout for VHF and GNSS antennas • AIS arrangement drawing •...
  • Page 52 ACR ELECTRONICS, INC. 5757 Ravenswood Rd. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 - USA...

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