View real-time Automatic Identification System (AIS)
data on your iPhone or iPad.

AIS Radar displays Automatic Identification System data received from marine AIS transponders or receivers such as the ExNC 101, Weatherdock easyAIS or Digital Yacht, over a WiFi network.

Radar PPI-like display

View the position, course, heading and speed of vessels and navigation aids on a radar-style display (plan position indicator). The display range can be changed from 1 to 9 (iPhone) or 18 (iPad) Nautical Miles via buttons or pinch gestures. Detailed information about a target can be displayed by tapping it.

Flexible display modes

The radar display can be switched between North Up, Heading Up (based on iPhone/iPad magnetometer) and Course Up (based on AIS transponder data). Optionally, slow or non-moving targets can be hidden for a less cluttered display.

Detailed information about AIS targets

List and detail views for AIS targets, showing all available information for a target in clear form. Symbols and icons for different targets (vessels with AIS class A and class B transponders, SAR aircraft and navigation aids).

View safety-related broadcast messages

AIS Radar receives and stores safety-related broadcast messages, so you'll not miss important information for safe navigation.

Uses Wi-Fi to connect to your AIS transponder or receiver

Works with AIS transponders/receivers with built-in Wi-Fi (such as Digital Yacht iAIS or Weatherdock easyAIS WiFi), or with any AIS transponder/receiver with a standard 38.400 bps serial AIS/NMEA data port connected to a serial-to-WiFi adapter.

CPA/TCPA Warning

AIS Radar will warn you if you're in danger of collision with another vessel. The minimum CPA (in nautical miles) and TCPA (in minutes) are configurable.

Radar View
(portrait, iPhone 11)

Radar PPI-like display (Course-Up) of nearby targets (vessels, navigation aids, etc.) with active CPA warning.

Targets
(portrait, iPhone 11)

List of all targets received from the AIS receiver/transponder with icons indicating the type of each target.

Target Details
(portrait, iPhone 11)

Displays all available AIS information about a target, including computed CPA/TCPA.

Radar View
(landscape, iPhone 11)

Radar view on an iPhone 11 in landscape orientation with a selected target (sailing boat).

Targets and Details
(landscape, iPhone 11)

Combined target list and details on iPhone 11 (landscape) and iPad (portrait and landscape).

Settings
(portrait, iPhone 6)

AIS Radar Technical Information

About AIS Technology

For a good introduction to AIS technology, please refer to the Wikipedia article on AIS.

Hardware Requirements

  • AIS Radar 3.0: any iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.0 or newer.
  • AIS Transponder or Receiver with integrated or external serial (NMEA) to Wi-Fi adapter. See below for a list of devices.

Feature Summary

  • Radar PPI-like (plan position indicator) display of AIS targets with course/heading and speed information.
  • Selectable display range.
  • Symbols for different targets (vessels with AIS class A and class B transponders, SAR aircraft and navigation aids).
  • Computes closest point of approach (CPA) and time to closest point of approach (TCPA) for AIS targets.
  • CPA and TCPA warning - visual and aural warning when a target's CPA and TCPA are below configurable minimums.
  • Tap to select targets, double-tap to display detailed information about selected targets.
  • Pinch gestures and +/- buttons to change display range.
  • Different radar display modes: Heading Up, Course Up and North Up.
  • Optionally hide slow moving (or non-moving) targets from Radar view.
  • List and detail views for AIS targets, displaying all available information about a target in clear form.
  • Viewer for AIS safety-related broadcast messages.
  • Supports iPhone and iPad, in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Receives AIS/NMEA data via TCP or UDP.

AIS Transponders and Receivers

Following is a list of AIS transponders and receivers that should work with the AIS Radar application. Please note that not all of these devices have been tested. Also, the list is certainly not complete.

Serial to Wi-Fi Adapters

The following serial to Wi-Fi (or NMEA to Wi-Fi adapters should work with the AIS Radar application. Generally, all serial to Wi-Fi adapters will work that support the AIS serial data rate of 38.400 bps and that provide the AIS data stream on a TCP port or via UDP.

Setup Tips

AIS to Wi-Fi

  • Connect your serial to Wi-Fi adapter to your AIS transponder or receiver. AIS transponders/receivers have a serial port (RS-232 or NMEA 0183) with a transfer rate of 38.400 bits per second. Please consult your serial to Wi-Fi adapter documentation for detailed set-up instructions.
  • Connect your iPhone to your serial to Wi-Fi adapter's wireless network (Settings > Wi-Fi).
  • Launch the AISRadar application and go to Settings > Network. If you have a Roving Networks serial to Wi-Fi adapter, Automatic Setup should automatically find the correct settings. Otherwise, turn off Automatic Setup and enter the IP address (for TCP) and port number of the serial port data stream. You can find this information in the documentation that came with your serial to Wi-Fi adapter.
  • Provided you receive AIS data (other ships with AIS transponders must be within range), you should see these ships on the Radar and Targets screens.

Disclaimer

This application is no replacement for professional marine equipment. Always adhere to the principles of good seamanship, maintain proper lookout and use caution and common sense when commanding a ship.

Privacy

AIS Radar does not collect and transmit any information from your device to us or anyone else.