Furuno, Felcom18 Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station

The Furuno Felcom 18 is a state-of-the-art Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station (MES) designed to provide reliable and high-quality two-way communication for maritime vessels worldwide. It’s a key component in a vessel’s Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) setup and offers advanced capabilities for Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) and Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT).

Key Features and Design:

Compact Design: The system features a compact antenna unit and a space-saving display unit, facilitating installation even in limited bridge spaces.
User-Friendly Interface: The terminal unit (IC-218) boasts a clear 10.4-inch color LCD display and an integrated keyboard for easy operation.
SD Card Slot: Allows for easy loading of data files, utility programs, and recording of communication logs.
Ethernet Connectivity: A PC can be connected via Ethernet with dedicated software for message editing and system management, offering enhanced flexibility.
Robust Construction: Designed to withstand the harsh marine environment, meeting relevant international standards such as IEC 60945 for marine navigation and radiocommunication equipment.
IMO Compliance: Adheres to various IMO (International Maritime Organization) resolutions and circulars relevant to Inmarsat-C, GMDSS, SSAS, and LRIT.

Interconnection Diagram

Technical Specification

Standard Equipment List

Antenna Unit with 30 m cable IC-118
Terminal Unit with keyboard IC-218
Junction Box IC-318
SSAS Alert Unit IC-307

General System Specifications:

Communication Services: Inmarsat-C, EGC (SafetyNET/FleetNET), SSAS (Ship Security Alert System), LRIT (Long-Range Identification and Tracking).
Messaging: Two-way digital store-and-forward (Telex, Fax, Email, Data Reporting/Polling).
IMO Compliance: IMO A.570(14), IMO A.664(16), IMO A.694(17), IMO A.870(19), IMO MSC.147(77), IMO MSC.36(63), IMO MSC.68(68) Annex 4, IMO MSC.97(73), IMO MSC.263.(84), MSC/Circ.862.
IEC Standards: IEC 60945 Ed.4, IEC 61097-4 Ed.2, IEC 61162-1 Ed.4, IEC 61162-450, IEC 61162-1 Ed.5.
Operating Frequencies:
- Transmitting: 1626.5 to 1646.5 MHz
- Receiving: 1537.0 to 1544.2 MHz
Channel Interval: 5 kHz.
G/T (Figure of Merit): Better than -23 dB/K (at elevation angle 5°).
EIRP (Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power): 12 to 16 dBW (at elevation angle 5°).
Modulation: BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying).
Modulation Rate: 600/1200 sps (symbols per second).
Coding: Convolution with coding rate 1/2 and constraint length 7.
Decoding: Viterbi decoder.
EGC Receiver: Built-in.
LRIT Function: Standard.
SD Card Slot: For recording media, utility programs, and data files.
Optional Internal GPS Module: Available for automated position reporting.

Antenna Unit (IC-118):

Type: Daisy loop antenna.
Receiving Gain: 33 to 40 dB.
Receiving Noise Figure (NF): 1.7 dB or less.
Transmitting Gain: 28.5 to 42.5 dB.
Polarization: Right-hand circular polarization.
Axial Ratio: Within 6 dB (5° to 90° elevation).
VSWR: 2.0 or less (50 ohm).
Dimensions: Approx. $\diameter$ 142 mm x 258 mm (H) / $\diameter$ 5.59 in x 10.16 in (H).
Weight: Approx. 1.4 kg (3.09 lb).
Environmental Protection: IP56 (Protected against dust ingress and strong jets of water).
Operating Temperature: -35°C to +55°C (Storage: -35°C to +70°C).

Terminal Unit with Keyboard (IC-218):

Display: 10.4-inch Color TFT LCD.
Resolution: 800 x 600 dots (SVGA).
Brilliance: 11 steps adjustable.
Distress Alert Button: Integrated for emergency activation.
Interfaces:
- Serial I/O: 1 channel (IEC61162-1).
- Serial Input: 1 channel (IEC61162-1).
- Alarm Output: 1 channel, Contact closure, Normal close.
- SSAS I/O: 1 channel, RS-485, 1200 bps.
- LAN: 1 port, Ethernet 100Base-TX, RJ45 connector (for PC connection and network functions).
- USB: 1 port (for keyboard, USB2.0).
Supported NMEA 0183 Sentences (Input): BWC, BWR, DBT, DTM, GGA, GLL, GNS, GSA, MTW, RMA, RMB, RMC, VDO, VDR, VTG, WPL, ZDA.
Supported NMEA 0183 Sentences (Output): ALC, ALF, ALR, ARC, HBT, SM1/2/3/4, SMB (proprietary sentences: PFEC, rminf, rmalr).
Other Network Functions (except IEC61162-450): DHCP, AutoIP, SMTP, POP3, PC terminal connect Protocol, Furuno Management Protocol (FMP).
Weight: Approx. 4.2 kg (9.26 lb).
Environmental Protection: IP20 (Indoor use, IP22 optional for bulkhead mount).
Operating Temperature: -15°C to +55°C.

Junction Box (IC-318):

Function: Central connection point for the antenna, terminal unit, and other peripherals.
Environmental Protection: IP20 (Indoor use, IP22 optional for tabletop mount).

Power Supply:

Terminal Unit: 12-24 VDC (8.0-4.0 A Transmitting, 1.0-0.5 A Receiving).
Optional Printer (PP-520): 24VDC, 1 A max.
Optional AC/DC Power Supply Unit (PR-240/PR-241):
- Input: 100-115/200-230 VAC, 1 phase, 50/60 Hz.
- Output: 24 VDC (with battery backup capability for GMDSS compliance).