CubeSat AIS Receiver

This 4-channel AIS Receiver, “Polaris”, is designed by NanoAvionics’ partner Satlab. Polaris is a fully self-contained software-defined radio receiver for the maritime VHF band, with integrated demodulators for reception of standard and long-range AIS messages.

This versatile SDR offers excellent performance given the typical size, weight, and power constraints of a CubeSat – or as an additional payload on larger LEO satellites.

Polaris is Satlab’s second generation Satellite-AIS receiver, based on the in-orbit experience gained from the QubeAIS receiver, which has flown on several missions since 2013.

This 4-channel AIS Receiver, “Polaris”, is designed by NanoAvionics’ partner Satlab. Polaris is a fully self-contained software-defined radio receiver for the maritime VHF band, with integrated demodulators for reception of standard and long-range AIS messages.

This versatile SDR offers excellent performance given the typical size, weight, and power constraints of a CubeSat – or as an additional payload on larger LEO satellites.

Polaris is Satlab’s second generation Satellite-AIS receiver, based on the in-orbit experience gained from the QubeAIS receiver, which has flown on several missions since 2013.

Features:
- Stand-alone 4-channel AIS receiver
- Integrated LNA and SAW filters
- Onboard data storage for AIS frames
- Support for spectrum sample capture
- Safe on-orbit software upgrade support
- CAN-bus, RS-422 and Ethernet interfaces using CubeSat Space Protocol (CSP)
- Delivered with support library for easy integration
- Wide input voltage range with protection
- Integrated temperature and power monitoring
- CubeSat Kit compatible aluminum enclosure
- ESD protection on all interfaces
Performance:
- Frequency coverage: 156.000 to 162.025 MHz
- AIS channel frequencies: 156.775, 156.825, 161.975, 162.025 MHz
- Sensitivity: -118 dBm (80% reception rate)
- Noise figure: 2 dB
- Frame store capacity: 261120 frames
- Input voltage: 4.5 – 40 V
- Typical power consumption: 1350 mW (5 V input, 25℃)
- Operating temperature: -40℃ to +85℃
- CAN-bus: Up to 1 Mbit/s
- RS-422: Full duplex, up to 3 Mbit/s
- Ethernet: Full duplex, 100 Mbit/s
- Primary storage: 128 MB NOR-flash
- Secondary storage: 1 GB SLC SD card
- Dimensions: 93.0 x 87.2 x 12.5 mm
- Mass: 185 g