Satellites and subsystems > Satellite payloads > Automatic identification systems (AIS) > piAIS - Space-Friendly™ CubeSat True 2-Channel Dual Band AIS Receiver with Full Evaluation Kit (PC SW, PC/104+ Board, VHF Dipole Antenna)
Key highlights
The piAIS is a World's First Space-Friendly™ True 2-Channel Dual Band CubeSat AIS Receiver working in VHF band as Maritime Automatic Identification System Monitor. The unit provides with data format in 96, 160, 168, 360 and 424 bit long messages with CRC check, telemetry message, uptime and packet counter as well as the RSSI and Noise Floor at antenna port input measurements.
Dedicated Radio. = Fractional Power Needs.
Are you still using SDR-based high data rate sampling ADCs just draining energy from the battery which then all need cooling? SDR-based radiomodems are brilliant in their versatility, reconfigurability and amount of features that can be adapted to.
But.
It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut! Dedicated modem, optimized for a dedicated system with fixed configuration which does not change as it is adopted through the Maritime Standards for years can run on the piAIS at a fraction of the power demand. You can perform a lot more with the same satellite bus, same satellite solar panel size and power system. Imagine that.
Save the power budget for other systems and let the piAIS process the VHF AIS spectra with the power which is really needed for this task!
The piAIS unit provides data in its natural HEX form with a full length of the respective message type format, representing the full and complete content, with start (*), delimiters (,) and stop (;) characters with CR+LF. The message contains the information about the RF channel the message has been received from (87B = 161.975 MHz, 88B = 162.025 MHz, 75 = 156.775 MHz, 76 = 156.825 MHz), the respective RSSI (signal strength in dBm), order number of the message received (message counter since power up) and the raw data content.
Since Jan 2026, the updated piAIS Firmware provides the telecommand for AIS Upper Band (implicit, after unit power up or reset) and AIS Lower Band switching. To listen the standard traffic in upper band 162 MHz and 156 MHz traffic in lower band - also known as "Long Range".
OPTIONS
The piAIS - CubeSat True 2-Channel AIS Receiver is available as:
piAIS/FM (Flight Model)
piAIS/EM (Engineering Model)
piAIS/EK (Evaluation Kit)
piAIS/EA (Evaluation Antenna)
piAIS/OEM (OEM Flight Model)
Key features
- True 2-Channel Simultaneous CubeSat AIS VHF Receiver Module
- Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver
- 87B, 88B Channels, 161.975 MHz, 162.025 MHz
- 75, 76 Channels, 156.775 MHz 156.825 MHz
- Packet Counter, Uptime, Temperature, Housekeeping Telemetry Engine
- AIS Messages type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27, including CRC filters
- 72, 96, 160, 168, 360, 424 bit Messages for maximum Maritime Traffic reception rate yield
- +/- 3 kHz doppler shift supported at each channel
- BT = 0.4, GMSK (VHF 162 MHz, 156 MHz AIS Standard)
- Highly Sensitive, Ultra Low Power, World's Lowest Profile
- Sensitivity: up to -106 dBm (at 20% Packet Loss), down to -114 dBm minimum
- Input Antenna Port Noise Floor (no antenna connected -133 dBm typical)
- Up to 1000 km operational slant range, up to 1800 (168 bit) MPM (Messages per Minute)
- Intended to: LEO up to h = 600 km
- Mega-Constellation Ready! product
- Power Requirement: 3.0-3.6 V @ 65 mA (210 mW typical)
- UART 115200-8-N-1, 3V3-CMOS levels
- Dimensions: 76x53x12 mm
- Wide Temperature Range: -40˚C to +85˚C
- 2x10, 2 mm pitch Header Board to Board stacking connector (Power, Reset, Activity LEDs, UART Data, Interrupt)
- Low mass: 55 grams
The piAIS Evaluation Kit is the PC/104+ CubeSat Form Factor Adapter Board with indicating LEDs, breakout pin Extension Header making the integration of the piAIS True 2-Channel Dual Band CubeSat VHF AIS Receiver Quick & Easy job!
Connect it with the FTDI USB-to-Serial cable, external RF signal (VHF Antenna in vertical Polarization) and the piAIS Evaluation Kit Telemetry/Telecommand Demo Software with live feed graphs. It will allow you to deploy, connect and operate all piAIS features easily!
The piAIS/EA is the CubeSat VHF V-dipole 50 Ohm Matched AIS Receiver Antenna intended for Z+/- CubeSat side wall mounts. It was designed to operate with VHF AIS receivers on ground as a demonstrative source of RF signal. One up to 500 mm long Coaxial Cable with MCX-Right Angle connectors is a part of the package. Close-to-ideal matching, balun and optimal radiation pattern provides with excellent reception performance on top/bottom of a standard CubeSat structure.
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- Dual Use Goods: YES
- HS Code:
- Lead Time: 2-4 weeks + Shipping
- Country of Origin: Czech Republic
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Last updated: 2026-05-04
piAIS - Space-Friendly™ CubeSat True 2-Channel Dual Band AIS Receiver with Full Evaluation Kit (PC SW, PC/104+ Board, VHF Dipole Antenna)
list price: 2,490 EUR - 4,950 EUR
lead time: 2 to 4 wk
MOQ: 1
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