…Software Radio Technology plc (SRT) of the U.K. aimed at optimizing the reception of low cost AIS transponder transmissions from satellite. SRT is the leading provider of Class B AIS transponders, identifiers and other AIS-based products to the global market. The detection range of AIS transceivers by a coastal monitoring system is, typically, 50 nautical miles. However many vessels, large and small frequently operate outside of the detection range of such systems. The ability to reliably receive AIS transmissions from Class B and Identifier type transceivers from space and therefore without coastal range limitations will enable countries to significantly improve their vessel monitoring capabilities.
Simon Tucker, CEO of SRT, said, “This is an important strategic step for both exactEarth and SRT which will provide the market with a uniquely capable AIS based tracking system solution. The technology that we are developing with our new partner is complex and will take time to perfect, but has already demonstrated a meaningful improvement on standard satellite reception capability. We expect this agreement to enable SRT to develop recurring revenue flows linked to the supply of data via a range of applications and services in the future.”
“This relationship puts the leaders in satellite AIS detection technology together with the leaders in high performance AIS transponder technology to solve the problem of reliably detecting low cost AIS transponders from space”, said Peter Mabson, President of exactEarth. “I am very excited by the potential of this relationship to drive a new revenue stream for us by significantly increasing the global population of deployed AIS products that we track with our exactEarth satellite constellation. We are very happy to have formalized our working relationship with the SRT team.”
