MFD not be displaying AIS target data

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

MFD not be displaying AIS target data

NOTE: the command sequences listed below are for an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD. If interfaced to a retired MFD, consult your MFD's operation instructions for the corresponding command sequence.

NOTE: Product software updates may be downloaded via the Support link found in the banner atop most of Raymarine's web pages.

Should the MFD not be displaying AIS target data within a Chart application page, then the following diagnostic steps are recommended:
- Verify that all marine electronics equipment is switched ON ... the MFD neither provides power to nor controls the power state of AIS receivers and transceivers. Examine the Status LED of the AIS receive or transceiver to ensure that it is powered. Should its status LED not be illuminated, then its Power/NMEA 0183 Cable should be unplugged (AIS700, AIS650, and AIS350 only) and then voltage across its VIN+ and VIN- pins should be measured.



The measured voltage should be between 9.6VDC and 31.2 VDC. If so, then the AIS receiver or transceiver would be deemed to have suffered a failure necessitating that it be sent to Raymarine’s Product Repair Center to be bench checked / serviced or replaced.

- Verify that the AIS receiver has been updated with the latest product software update ... the currently installed software version may be determined via the Diagnostics tab of the ProAIS2 or ProAIS software supplied with Raymarine AIS transceivers or via the Select Device list (HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->SELECT DEVICE->AIS350/AIS650/AIS500)
- Verify that the MFD has been updated with the latest product software update ... via the Data Master MFD's Select Device list (HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->SELECT DEVICE; THIS DISPLAY)
- Verify that the AIS transceiver has been interfaced to the MFD via either SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 communications protocol, but not both
- Verify that the MFD is receiving a GPS position FIX (HOME->SET-UP->SYSTEM SETTINGS->GPS SET-UP->VIEW SATELLITE STATUS) via its internal GPS receiver, SeaTalkng port, or NMEA 0183 interface. The MFD is not typically supplied with GPS data by an AIS transceiver.
- Within ALL Chart application page/pane in which you desire to view AIS targets, verify that the Chart application page's/pane's AIS Layer (MENU->PRESENTATION->OVERLAYS->AIS) has been configured ON.
- Verify that the AIS Alarms (HOME->ALARMS->SAFETY ALARMS->SAFEZONE (AIS TARGETS ALARM)->SAFEZONE (AIS TARGETS)) has been configured ON
- Verify that the vessel is located within VHF range of a vessel(s) transmitting AIS data ... some installers working in low AIS traffic areas will have an AIS class B transceiver in their tool kit to support such testing. Raymarine AIS transceivers are supplied with PC software (ProAIS2/ProAIS) to permit the PC to monitor AIS traffic.
- Check the AIS's VHF antenna VSWR using the Diagnostics tab for the ProAIS2/ProAIS application or with a VSWR meter. The measured VSWR of the antenna w/extensions should have a VSWR between 1.0:1 - 2.0:1.

- If interfaced via SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 (not supported by the A/C/E-Series Classic MFDs)
----- Verify that the MFD and AIS transceiver have each been interfaced as spurs to a common powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng backbone
----- Should a NMEA 0183 to SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 data bridging device be installed, verify that it supports 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 communications as well as support for NMEA 0183 AIS sentence identifiers (ex. VDO, VDM)
----- Verify that the data Master MFD is detecting the AIS receiver/transceiver (HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->SELECT DEVICE; examine the list for your AIS receiver/transceiver)
----- Interface a NMEA 2000 analyzer (ex. Actisense NGT-1 w/PC and Actisense NMEA Reader software, etc.) and verify that any NMEA 2000 PGNs containing AIS data are listed.

- If interfaced via NMEA 0183 communications protocol:
----- Verify that the MFD's NMEA 0183 port which has been interfaced to the AIS receiver/transceiver (HOME->SET-UP->SYSTEM SETTINGS->NMEA SET-UP->NMEA INPUT PORT X) has been configured to AIS 38400.
----- NMEA 0183 devices will not be listed within any MFD diagnostics Device Lists. ----- Verify that the MFD is receiving $AIVDO and/or $AIVDM sentences via the receive (RX) buffer of the NMEA 0183 port which has been interfaced to the AIS receiver/transceiver (HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->INTERFACES->NMEA 0183-x->BUFFER; DIRECTION->RX; START BUFFER).

The MFD's NMEA 0183 Port may be tested by performing a wrap-around test. For example, to do so for the MFD's NMEA 0183 Port 1, the MFD NMEA Cable's NMEA IN+ lead (white) will be interfaced to the MFD NMEA Cable's NMEA OUT+ lead (yellow). Additionally, the MFD NMEA Cable's NMEA IN- lead (green) will be interfaced to the MFD NMEA Cable's NMEA OUT- lead (brown). After verifying the the MFD is receiving a GPS position FIX (see the instructions above), then the MFD's NMEA 0183 RX buffer will then be monitored to verify that it is receiving data. The MFD's NMEA 0183 Rx buffers may be viewed as follows:

- HOME->SET-UP->MAINTENANCE->DIAGNOSTICS->INTERFACES->NMEA 0183-x->BUFFER;
- DIRECTION->RX;
- START BUFFER

Should NMEA 0183 sentences preceded by RX (receive) appear within the buffer, the MFD's NMEA 0183 port is deemed to be operational. Should the MFD's NMEA 0183 port be found to not be operational, then the MFD will need to be returned to Raymarine's Product Repair Center to be serviced.

RAYFAQ#