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Self-contained AIS GNSS receiver server

A self-contained AIS GNSS server for small boats

richard-van-fossanRichard Van Fossan
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This project combines a Wegmatt dAISy-Mini AIS receiver, a Ublox Neo-M8N GNSS receiver, and a DT-06 serial-to-WiFi adapter to provide AIS and GNSS data to any WiFi-equipped device capable of running OpenCPN, OpenPlotter, or other navigation software. It not only keeps track of where you are (within 10m) but notes large (> 300 tons) vessels; since many of these vessels are quite fast (30 knots is 1 nm in two minutes), a timely warning helps keep you safe.

The dAISy-Mini can receive AIS messages on two AIS channels simultaneously, with any two of A, B, C, and D. A & B carry standard AIS data from any of the defined sentences, for both Class A & Class B devices. Channels C & D appear to only carry Sentence 27 (long range) data sent from newer Class A devices.

The Neo-M8N can receive data from up to three GNSS constellations at a time, As an alternative, the U-Blox M10 can receive up to four GNSS constellations.

The dAISy-Mini has two serial ports,  TX1/RX1 & TX2/RX2. These ports are configured for 38,400 bps. The Neo-M8N is also configured for 38,400 bps. The output of the Neo-M8N is connected to TX2/RX2, with the Neo-M8N RX connecting to TX2, and the Neo-M8N TX connecting to RX2. The power pins on the Neo-M8N connect to VCC and GND as labled.

u-centersetup_v24.10.zip

U-Center Setup software for Neo-M8 & M9

x-zip-compressed - 13.56 MB - 11/24/2024 at 23:14

Download

UBX_M8_301_SPG.911f2b77b649eb90f4be14ce56717b49.bin

Neo-M8N Firmware 3.01

octet-stream - 514.21 kB - 11/24/2024 at 23:09

Download

U-Center_User_Manual.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 8.50 MB - 10/27/2024 at 13:04

Preview

dAISy-Mini.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 6.20 MB - 10/27/2024 at 09:18

Preview

DT-06_WiFi.pdf

Adobe Portable Document Format - 1.40 MB - 10/27/2024 at 09:18

Preview

View all 6 files

  • 1 × Wegmatt dAISy-Mini receiver with USB adapter
  • 1 × U-Blox Neo-M8N GNSS receiver module
  • 1 × DT-06 Serial-to-WiFi adapter
  • 1 × VHF antenna with SMA connector
  • 1 × Solderless Prototype Board

View all 8 components

  • 1
    Configuring the dAISy-Mini
    • Connect the dAISy-Mini to the usb adapter using the supplied cable.
    • Start Device Manager.
    • Plug the USB Cable into the computer.
    • Note the COM Port which is added.
    • Start Putty with the noted COM Port, and 9600, 8N1.
    • Press [ESC] to enter the configuration Menu:
    • /D
    • Serial 2: 38400 8N1, NMEA in  I2C: 0x33
    • LNA: on IO1: sleep IO2: off Debug: off
    • If the serial speed is not 38,400 baud, press 3.
    • If serial 2 is not set as in, press s.
    • Press # to set the new configuration as default.
    • Press [esc] to return to AIS receive mode.
    • Configure Putty as 38400, 8N1; save as daisy-Mini.

    The dAISy-Mini is configured.

  • 2
    Configuring the Neo-M8N & Max-M10
    • Solder a 4-pin header to the Neo-M8N, with pins pointing down.
    • Connect the USB-TTL adapter to the Neo-M8N, remembering to cross the Tx & Rx leads.
    • Start Device Manager.
    • Plug the USB-TTL adapter into the computer. Note the added serial port.
    • Start U-Center and connect to the Neo-M8N.
    • Set the data rate to 38400 baud.
    • The Neo-M8N supports GLONASS and GPS by default; for use near Asia. Western Europe, you might want to enable Beidou (China) or Galileo (Western Europe); theMax-M10 is configured  for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou   by default out of the box.
    • Neo-M8N/Max-M10  is configured.
  • 3
    Configuring the DT-06 WiFi module
    • Connect the USB-TTL adapter to the DT-06 module. Plug the USB cable into a computer or USB power adapter. The USB is only used for power during configuration.
    • When first powered up, the module will show up as a WiFi access point with the name Doit_WiFi_xxxxx, where xxxxxx is the last 6 characters of the module’s MAC address.
    • Connect to this access point with a computer or mobile device.
    • Open a browser and in the address bar type http://192.168.4.1 and press enter. You will see the configuration menu of the WiFi module.
    • First, configure the communication between the WiFi module and dAISy.
    • Navigate to MODULE > Serial. Set BaudRate to 38400. Leave the remaining fields at their defaults (8, NONE, 1, 50). Click Save.
    • Next, configure protocol, address, and port on which AIS data will be broadcast.
    • Navigate to MODULE > Networks.
    • In the field Socket Type at the top of the page, select UDP Broadcast from the drop down.
    • Further down the page, in the fields below the blue section title UDP Broadcast, enter the IP address 192.168.4.255 and the port number 9000.
    • Click Save. Write down the IP address and the port number on a piece of paper. You will need them for the configuration of the navigation apps on PCs and mobile devices.
    • We recommend protecting access to the WiFi module by setting a password. Navigate to MODULE > WiFi. In the section SOFT AP Settings enter the desired password into the field Password. The password must be 8-63 characters. Optionally, you can change the name of the WiFi module by updating the field SSID Name. Leave the other fields unchanged.
    • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save. If you ever forget the password, you can reset the WiFi module to factory configuration by keeping the button labeled G pressed until the LED turns off.
    • To activate the settings the module needs to be restarted. Navigate to MORE > Restart. The settings you’ve made are now active.

    The WiFi moduale is now configured.

View all 4 instructions

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Richard Van Fossan wrote a day ago • point

The Max-M10 uses U-Center2 programming software.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Van Fossan wrote 01/13/2025 at 02:58 • point

The uBlox Max-M10 is pin-for-pin compatible with previous versions and supports up to 4 concurrent constellations. It's also low-power and runs about $14. You might want to make it an option for your tracker, since it would allow simultaneous GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou reception.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Van Fossan wrote 01/12/2025 at 00:33 • point

Based on a suggestion by a friend, I'm investigating the use of the U-Blox M10, which can receive up to four constellations at once and has a magnetic compass.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Van Fossan wrote 11/23/2024 at 02:35 • point

In Mainland China, excuse me, the People's Republic of China, Beidou and Glonass would be better choices for you. I'm not yet an expert on the M8N, but you might also be able to add the Galileo or GPS Constellations. You might also investigate the QZSS Constellation. 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Makerfabs wrote 11/13/2024 at 05:46 • point

It looks great! I recently made a LoRaWAN communication-based project using the Ublox Neo-6M. What are the advantages of the Ublox Neo-M8N compared to the Neo-6M?

  Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Van Fossan wrote 11/14/2024 at 18:12 • point

The Neo-M8N possesses multiple down-onverters and is capable of receiving multiple Constellations, including Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou, as well as using SBAS and QZSS to improve positional accuracy. The cost difference is nominal, and the additional capabilities, in my mind, certainly justify the cost. 

I have been told that adding GLONASS to GPS improves the positional accuracy in the Northern part of North America. Eventually, I hope to sail up toward Alaska from Washington State. An AIS receiver would be nice, but I'm really interested in an open-source AIS transponder named Maiana (search on GitHub for the project). The current producer has stopped producing the units for personal reasons, but is seeking alternatives.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Van Fossan wrote 11/22/2024 at 20:00 • point

As the Neo-M8N is a pin-for-pin replacement for the Neo-6M, it would be trivial to retrofit your project for the M8N, which would allow your system to receive transmissions from up to three constellations.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Makerfabs wrote 11/23/2024 at 02:27 • point

Yes, based on your response, I just reviewed the NEO-M8 datasheet and packaging information, and it is indeed compatible with the 6M. I am planning to test the performance of the NEO-M8 next. However, since I am in mainland China, I'm not sure if there will be a noticeable difference in experience.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Richard Van Fossan wrote 11/23/2024 at 20:17 • point

After some research, I have discovered that the Neo-6M can receive GLONASS or Galileo Constellations. Sadly, it does not support Beidou, but does support QZSS, and SBAS, but they may require a firmware update. It can only support one constellation at a time. At $10.00, I think the ability to receive from multiple constellation is worth the higher price over the Neo-6M ($4.00-$8.00). As you are in Mainland China, using a Neo-M8N would allow you to use BeiDou, which is specifically intended for use on or near the Asian continent.

  Are you sure? yes | no

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