Digital Deep Sea have introduced a new range of AIS aids to navigation (AtoNs) called DigAtoN. These are devices designed to fit to marine structures, light-houses, wind turbines, hazards or buoys and can transmit AIS location and identification signals to nearby AIS equipped vessels and shore stations. They can then, not only positively identify the position of these marks on a plotter or ECDIS, but also read data (such as weather and hydrological instruments) collected by the AtoN.
DigAtoNs can also be configured to represent a virtual or synthetic point if mounted remotely from a physical location, allowing a single AtoN to produce up to 5 “virtual” marks.
The DigAtoN is available as a Class 1 device (transmit only) or a Class 3 device (transmit and receive). Class 1 devices require a local AIS base station to be operating in the same area as the AtoN whereas Class 3 devices can internally allocate slots for transmission allowing them to be placed anywhere. Class 3 devices can also be configured and queried remotely and wirelessly “chained” together for extended range configuration.
DigAtoN products are also available with an additional sensor interface installed to allow extended monitoring and digital switching capability including analogue and digital sensing plus relay switched outputs.
DigAtoN products start from £3000 plus vat (US$5000) and a wide range of customisation and configuration is available. Further details from Digital Deep Sea, The Technology Centre, Failand Farm, Green Lane, Failand, Bristol BS8 3TR. TEL + 44 1179 554475 (US 978 277 1234) or visit www.digitalyacht.co.uk
