SAAB, R4 SHIP CLASS-A AIS TRANSPONDER P/N 7000 100-550

The SAAB R4 Ship Class-A AIS Transponder (P/N 7000 100-550) is an IMO-compliant, robust Automatic Identification System designed for commercial vessels. It automatically exchanges critical navigation data (position, course, speed) with other ships and shore stations via VHF, significantly enhancing maritime safety and situational awareness. Featuring extensive interfacing capabilities for seamless integration with bridge systems like ECDIS and radar, the R4 is a highly reliable and essential component for modern navigation.

Technical Specification

General:

Product Type: Class A AIS Transponder System
Part Number (Transponder Unit): 7000 100-550
Technology: Software Defined Radio (SDR) for VHF transceiver
System Components (Typical):
- R4 Transponder Unit (P/N 7000 100-550)
- R4 Display Unit (MKD – Minimum Keyboard Display, P/N 7000 108-050)
- GPS Antenna
- VHF Antenna
- Cabling and Power supply units

VHF Transceiver:

Frequency Range: 156 MHz – 163 MHz (typically)
Output Power: 12.5 W / 2 W (switchable, $\pm 1.5 dB$ )
Channel Bandwidth: 25 kHz / 12.5 kHz (selectable)
Channel Step: 12.5 kHz
Bit Rate: 9600 bps
Modulation: FM-GMSK / GFSK
Transmitters: 1
Receivers: 3 (2 TDMA tunable receivers, 1 DSC receiver)
Receiver Sensitivity: < -107 dBm
Reporting Interval: 1 – 180 seconds (depending on speed and maneuver)

GPS Receiver (Internal to Transponder Unit):

Channels: 12-channel (ready for DGPS)
Frequency: L1 (1575.42 MHz)
Update Rate: 1 Hz
Position Accuracy (SA off):
- < 1 m with DGPS (CEP)
- < 16 m with GPS (CEP)
Antenna Connection: TNC female, 50Ω

Interfaces:

Data Ports: 8 x RS422 serial data ports (NMEA 0183 / IEC 61162-1/2)
- Default Speeds (typical):
  - Pilot In/Out: 38400 bps
  - ECDIS In/Out: 38400 bps
  - Long Range In/Out: 9600 bps
  - Sensor 1, 2, 3 In: 4800 bps
  - Aux In: 9600 bps
  - Display In/Out: 57600 bps
Transponder Data Port: 50-pin D-sub (Male)
Transponder Power: 9-pin D-sub (Male)
Display Data Port: 18-pole Conxall Maxi-Con-X
Display Power: 3-pole Mini-Con-X
Pilot Plug: Integrated in Display Unit (front)
Alarm Relay Output: For connection to an external alarm system.

Power Supply:

Input Voltage: 24 V DC (Operating range typically 22V – 30V DC)
- (Can operate on 230V AC / 110V AC with an external converter/power supply unit)
Power Consumption:
- Transponder Unit: 15 W (typical average), 50 W (peak during transmission)
- Display Unit: 7.5 W (typical)

Physical Characteristics:

Transponder Unit (7000 100-550):
- Dimensions ( $W \times H \times D$ ): $144 \times 85 \times 226 mm$ (approx. $5.67 \times 3.35 \times 8.90 inches$ )
- Weight: $\leq 2.3 kg$ (approx. $5.07 lbs$ )
Display Unit (MKD, 7000 108-050):
- Dimensions ( $W \times H \times D$ ): $270 \times 207 \times 102 mm$ (approx. $10.63 \times 8.15 \times 4.02 inches$ )
- Weight: $1.1 kg$ (approx. $2.43 lbs$ )
Mounting: Transponder unit is often gimbal-mounted; Display unit can be desktop or panel mounted.