dAISy HAT - AIS Receiver for the Raspberry Pi

The dAISy HAT is the perfect AIS receiver for your Raspberry Pi projects and embedded applications. This two channel marine AIS receiver works great with OpenCPN, Signal-K and other software that accepts serial data input. It is also well suited for reporting local ship traffic to services like MarineTraffic.

For embedded applications, also check out our new dAISy FeatherWing and dAISy Mini models.

We also have AIS receivers with USB connectivity here and here.

See also the accessories section for matching enclosure for the Raspberry Pi 4, riser kit, preamplifier, antenna splitter, and RF adapters and cables.

Specification

• True two channel receiver, continuously receiving on AIS channels A (161.975 MHz) and B (162.025 MHz)
• Superior sensitivity compared to other low-cost AIS receivers
• Low power, less than 200mW in receive mode (<40mA at 5V)
• 38400 baud serial output in industry standard NMEA format (AIVDM)
• Communicates with Raspberry Pi via UART0 (serial0)
• Works with Raspberry Pi 1 (A+/B+ only), Pi 2, Pi 3, Pi 4, Pi 5 (see note below), and Pi Zero
• Shape and size compliant with Raspberry Pi HAT standard
• Breakout pads for 2 independent TTL serial outputs, 3.3 and 5 volt rails, and Raspberry Pi I2C port
• SMA antenna connector
• SMA-to-BNC adapter and hex standoffs included

Note: On the Raspberry Pi 5, the dAISy HAT does not leave sufficient clearance for the official active cooler. We offer this raiser kit to work around the issue.

Note: On the Raspberry Pi 3, UART0 is occupied by the built-in Bluetooth radio. Bluetooth may not be available when using the dAISy HAT.

dAISy works great with OpenCPN and OpenPlotter

OpenCPN, an open source chart plotter and navigation software, can be used with receivers like dAISy to track ships on a map. Any software running on the Raspberry Pi that accepts AIS data from a serial input will work with dAISy.

Several of our customers built chart plotters based on a Raspberry Pi. The OpenPlotter project is a great starting point as it includes all the required applications and easy to use configuration screens.

With Signal K, which is also part of OpenPlotter, the Raspberry Pi can be setup as a NMEA multiplexer that distributes AIS to other devices on your network, like for example via WiFi to a navigation app running on an iPad or Android tablet.

Disclaimer: WE DO NOT RECOMMEND to rely solely on dAISy for navigation and collision avoidance!

Reporting to MarineTraffic

The dAISy HAT is well suited to report nearby ship traffic to AIS tracking websites and services like MarineTraffic, AISHub, or Pocket Mariner.

The easiest approach is to use dAISy with AIS Dispatcher which allows to feed the AIS data stream to multiple targets, including services like MarineTraffic and AISHub.

Breakout Pads

The dAISy HAT includes convenient breakout pads to access the AIS data stream. With a bit of soldering, advanced users can combine dAISy with a Wifi module to receive AIS on wireless devices, connect a data logger like SparkFun OpenLog, or any other device that can process serial data.

• Serial 1 mirrors the serial data sent to the Raspberry Pi, running at 38400 baud. This output is always enabled.
• Serial 2 is disabled by default and can be configured to input or output at a different rate (4800, 9600 and 38400 baud).
• TX/RX voltage level is at 3.3V.
• 5V pads connect to the 5V rail of the Raspberry Pi, maximum load supported depends on the power supply
• 3V3 pads connect to dAISy's 3.3V rail, maximum load supported is about 150mA
• I2C breakout pads are directly connected to the Raspberry Pi, making it easy to add sensors to your project

Standalone Operation

The dAISy HAT also works without a Raspberry Pi when powered through the broken out 5V or 3.3V pads. Use the serial breakout pads to connect it with a TTL serial-to-USB cable, WiFi module or other devices.

How dAISy compares

With our open source work, we pioneered a new category of AIS receivers designed around the SiLabs EZRadioPro single chip radio IC. This architecture is instrumental for the very low price, small form factor and low power consumption. The trade-offs are longer acquisition time, lower sensitivity and less range than some traditional AIS receivers.

Field tests with conventional dual-channel AIS receivers showed, that under good conditions the dAISy HAT can be on par with some models (e.g. SmartRadio SR162) while still being outperformed by others (e.g. advanSEA RX-100). However dAISy clearly outperforms all sub-$100 receivers that we have tested so far (Quark-elec, MarineGadget).

Our observation is, that with a good antenna dAISy is well suited to monitor local ship traffic. If you need maximum performance and are willing to pay for it, go with a receiver from the established brands.

Warranty, shipping, etc.

Our AIS receivers are professionally assembled in the USA. We offer a 12 month warranty on the product (excluding physical or water damage). Please contact us if your AIS receiver prematurely fails or if you encounter any other technical issues.

We ship with US Postal Service First Class Mail, UPS and DHL Express. First Class Mail delivery is very reliable, however tracking is only available for a few countries. Please contact us if you have special shipping requirements.

Note: For international shipping, VAT and other import or handling fees may be applied by your local customs. These are the responsibility of the recipient. We will always declare the purchase price excl. shipping.

Fulfillment from within the EU
From past experience, we highly recommend to consider our EU resellers for customers in Germany, Portugal and Greece.