Shine Micro Debuts New AIS/Comm Devices at USCG Innovation Expo

TAMPA, FL (PRWEB) June 28, 2006

Shine Micro, Inc., a leader in Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology and marine electronics, has introduced two new advanced communications products at the United States Coast Guard Annual Innovation Expo (June 26-28, 2006) in Tampa, FL. The new products, the Radar Plus™ SM1610 and Blue Force Tracking SM162-BFT, are designed to meet the need for on-the-water, over-the-air automatic identification and secure communications, according to Shine Micro President Mark Johnson.

“We’re excited about both of these new offerings,” states Johnson. “Both the Radar Plus and Blue Force Tracker represent the latest innovation in wireless communications and marine tracking technology.”

At today’s Expo the Coast Guard, Shine Micro and many others will display state-of-the-art solutions to the many challenges faced in Maritime Homeland Security, Search & Rescue, Law Enforcement, Environmental Protection, and other missions. The Shine Micro products will be displayed in the Harris booth (#712), along with information on the AIS receiver network deployments which both companies have collaborated on for Florida.

The Radar Plus SM1610 AIS, a rugged, mast-mounted antenna amplifier and pilot house mounted receiver designed for the maritime surveillance market, dramatically improves the range of other proven Shine Micro AIS receiver products and builds on the success of the SL161R used in the Harris Regional Florida Coast AIS demonstration system. With its proprietary, industry-leading tracking range enhancements achieved through NOISON™ demodulator technology (patent pending), Shine Micro has implemented techniques which demodulate AIS packets both forward and backward for superior reception of noisy, weak signals.

The ability to increase the reception range of an individual reception point dramatically reduces the number of stations required to cover the coast line of Florida and elsewhere. Self-propelled vessels 65 feet or more in length, other than fishing vessels, are required to carry AIS transponders which transmit vessel identity, heading and speed at regular intervals on defined VHF frequencies. Members of the Maritime Domain Awareness community attending this show are responsible for the country’s 361+ ports and over 95,000 miles of coast line, and all of them can benefit from Shine Micro’s improved capability to receive AIS signals, Johnson notes.

Shine Micro’s second new product, the Blue Force Tracker, combines GPS, an AIS receiver, a Multi Use Radio Service (MURS) VHF receiver and a MURS secure transmitter all in a single, easy-to-install, 25-inch weather-resistant enclosure. Designed for law enforcement, USCG, harbor patrol, search-and-rescue and other agencies, this surveillance and communications system allows official users to see AIS marine traffic, yet not be seen unless authorized. The Blue Force Tracker uses a unique combination of AIS VHF radio channels and the MURS group of VHF frequencies which are reserved worldwide for two-way communications.

MURS allows for encryption of terrestrial and marine movements. Thus, the Blue Force Tracker employs the MURS frequencies for encrypted transmissions while maintaining the option to monitor public AIS marine traffic, making it a state-of-the-art tool for applications such as law enforcement, border protection and port security – officers and agents can maintain surveillance over AIS traffic while only disclosing their own locations to a specified group. Furthermore, unlike the AIS system, MURS enables encrypted short-text messaging for secure boat-to-boat and boat-to-base communication.

The Blue Force Tracker requires no monthly wireless communications service plan or associated fees. The system, along with the optional visualization and management software program, allows the user to view on standard marine charts and topographic maps on a laptop or portable computer the location of all Blue Force Tracker (SM162-BFT) and AIS-equipped vessels in the area. “The system provides secure position reporting and messaging for the BFT-equipped vessels” adds Johnson.

Commenting on this newest communications capability, marine electronics expert and consultant Gordon West points out that “MURS channels may be used on the water as well as land, for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, so a Blue Force Tracker type device would enable AIS to serve a harbor water taxi service as well as allow dad to track the kids out on the desert 4-wheeler course!”

"Automatic Identification System with GPS position information transmitted on one of the five Multi Use Radio Service VHF channels means no delay in waiting for FCC rulemaking for Class B AIS. MURS channels will propagate just like marine VHF channels,” continues West, “and automated tracking with the Shine equipment has thousands of applications."

Further information about AIS and MURS visit http://www.shinemicro.com/AISOverview.aspx

About Shine Micro

Port Ludlow, WA-based Shine Micro, Inc., was founded in 1980 and has since become a world leader in marine electronics design and manufacturing, specializing in AIS, DSP, wireless and audio technologies. The company was awarded the first-ever Phase II contract from the HSARPA SBIR program and is today a recognized leader in the field of Class B AIS. The Radar Plus™ product line includes affordable AIS solutions for Search & Rescue, Law Enforcement, Fishing, Workboats and Recreational craft. Shine Micro is a preferred supplier of AIS reception equipment to the US Coast Guard and the United States Navy. The company is an active member of the RTCM (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime services) as well as several IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standardization committees.

Contact:

Chris Carver

Vice President of Business Development

(206) 219-5332

###