The Satlab Polaris AIS is a self-contained software-defined radio receiver for the maritime VHF band, designed for CubeSats and larger LEO satellites to receive standard and long-range AIS messages.
Polaris AIS
The Satlab Polaris AIS is a self-contained software-defined radio receiver for the maritime VHF band, designed for CubeSats and larger LEO satellites to receive standard and long-range AIS messages.
Description
The Satlab Polaris AIS is a fully self-contained software-defined radio receiver specifically designed for the maritime VHF band. It features integrated demodulators for the reception of both standard and long-range AIS messages. This versatile Software-Defined Radio (SDR) offers excellent performance while adhering to the typical size, weight, and power constraints of CubeSats, and can also serve as an additional payload on larger Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The Polaris AIS represents Satlab’s second-generation Satellite-AIS receiver, building upon the in-orbit experience gained from the QubeAIS receiver, which has been flying on various missions since 2013. As part of the Polaris SDR product line, it has demonstrated reliable flight heritage since 2019, with over 100 units successfully delivered to customers worldwide for a multitude of space missions. With a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 9, the Polaris AIS is fully qualified and operational in its intended environment. Custom hardware and software requests can often be accommodated.
Specifications
| Frequency coverage | 156.000 to 162.025 MHz |
|---|---|
| Ais channel frequencies | 156.775, 156.825, 161.975, 162.025 MHz |
| Sensitivity | -121 dBm (80% reception rate) |
| Co-channel rejection | 7 dB (80% reception rate) |
| Time tagging accuracy | 3.6 µs @ −121 dBm, 1 µs @ −110 dBm |
| Frame store capacity | 261120 frames |
| Supply voltage | 4.5 - 40 V |
| Typical power consumption | 1500 mW (5 V input, 25℃) |
| Operating temperature | -40℃ to +85℃ |
| CAN-bus | Up to 1 Mbit/s |
| RS-422 | Full duplex, up to 3 Mbit/s |
| Ethernet | Full duplex, 100 Mbit/s |
| Primary storage | 128 MB NOR-flash |
| Secondary storage | 1 GB SLC SD card |
| Dimensions | 87.2 x 93.0 x 12.5 mm |
| Mass | 185 g |
| Thermal soak | -40 to +85℃ |
| Vibration testing | 14.1 Grms |
| TID | 20 krad(Si) board level |
| TRL | 9 |
| Flight heritage | Since 2019 (Polaris SDR product line), QubeAIS since 2013 |
