Availability and integrity model of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Information

Table of Contents

1. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

1.1. General remarks

1.2. Objectives and thesis dissertation

2. SUMMARY OF THE AIS FUNCTIONING

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Idea of AIS introduction

2.3. Information transmitted by AIS used in the dissertation

2.4. AIS network structure of the Gulf of Gdansk

2.5. AIS malfunctions

3. REVIEW OF AVAILABILITY AND INTEGRITY METHODS AND TOOLS FOR AIS INFORMATION RESEARCH

3.1. Methods and tools for research of AIS information integrity

3.1.1. Application of statistic methods to research AIS service information

3.1.2. Statistical analysis of AIS information in accordance with N.Bailey theory

3.1.3. End-user satisfaction model

3.2. Research methods and tools of AIS information availability

3.2.1. Research method of AIS information availability by A.Hori

3.2.2. Research method (LIC) of AIS availability and coverage area in accordance with Lapinski & Isenor

3.2.3. Research method (HPC) of AIS availability and coverage area in accordance with Hammond & Peters

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR ESTABLISHING THE PROBLEM THROUGH AVAILABLE TOOLS AND MODELS

4.1. Preliminary presentation of research models

4.1.1. General remarks

4.1.2. Option 1 – Method for research of AIS information integrity with the use of Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

4.1.3. Option 2 – Method for research of AIS information availability and integrity with the use of Markov Processes

4.1.3.1. Definitions

4.1.3.2. Stationary distribution

4.2. Remedy research by available models and tools

4.2.1. General remarks

4.2.2. Developing data - "post-processing"

4.2.3. Decoding AIS information

4.2.4. Assumption for availability research of AIS information

4.2.5. Availability structure of AIS information – determination of the object study

4.2.6. Assumption for integrity research of AIS information

4.2.7. Evaluation completeness criteria of AIS information

4.2.8. Completeness structure of AIS information – determination of the object study

4.2.9. Evaluation integrity criteria of AIS information

4.2.9.1. Evaluation integrity criteria of AIS message No. 1

4.2.9.2. Evaluation integrity criteria of AIS message No. 5

4.2.10. Preliminary assumptions of integrity research for AIS information

5. RESEARCH SOLUTION

5.1. Characteristics of input data

5.2. Research outcomes of AIS binary data availability

5.3. Research method of AIS information availability

5.4. Research outcomes of information completeness concerning true heading

5.5. Research method of AIS information completeness concerning true heading

5.6. Research outcomes of information completeness concerning rate of turn

5.7. Research method of AIS information completeness concerning rate of turn

Objectives and Research Focus

The primary objective of this dissertation is to develop a mathematical model of AIS information integrity and availability based on homogeneous Markov processes to address the current lack of forecasting methods for AIS information errors and sensor-related inaccuracies.

• Analysis of AIS system imperfections and existing investigative approaches to information integrity.
• Development of a specialized decoding methodology and tools for assessing AIS information unfitness.
• Application of stochastic homogeneous and semi-Markov chains to determine transition probabilities between system states.
• Empirical analysis of AIS information availability and integrity using data collected in the Gulf of Gdansk.
• Verification of statistical hypotheses regarding system state predictability and information quality metrics.

Excerpts from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM: This chapter defines the research problem, outlines the dissertation objectives, and provides general remarks regarding the necessity of AIS reliability assessment in the context of collision avoidance.

2. SUMMARY OF THE AIS FUNCTIONING: This chapter summarizes the fundamental operation of the AIS, the idea behind its introduction, the structure of the AIS network in the Gulf of Gdansk, and common system malfunctions.

3. REVIEW OF AVAILABILITY AND INTEGRITY METHODS AND TOOLS FOR AIS INFORMATION RESEARCH: This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge and existing methods for assessing AIS information integrity and availability, including statistical methods and specific research models.

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR ESTABLISHING THE PROBLEM THROUGH AVAILABLE TOOLS AND MODELS: This chapter presents the research methodology, including Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and the application of Markov Processes as a core analytical framework for evaluating system information.

5. RESEARCH SOLUTION: This chapter details the research outcomes, including characteristics of input data and the application of the developed methodology to analyze the availability and completeness of AIS information.

Keywords

Automatic Identification System, AIS, Information Integrity, Information Availability, Markov Processes, Fault Tree Analysis, Navigation Safety, Data Transmission, Gulf of Gdansk, Stochastic Models, Data Completeness, Marine Navigation, System Reliability, Post-processing, Vessel Traffic Service

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this dissertation?

The work focuses on assessing the availability, completeness, and integrity of data provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to ensure it can be reliably used for navigation and collision avoidance.

What are the primary themes of the study?

Key themes include the modeling of AIS information quality, the analysis of transmission channel availability, the identification of human and sensor-based errors, and the prediction of system state transitions.

What is the primary goal of the research?

The primary goal is the development of a mathematical model using homogeneous Markov processes to forecast the availability and integrity of AIS information.

Which scientific methods are applied in the study?

The study primarily employs stochastic methods, specifically homogeneous Markov chains, alongside Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and multivariate statistical analysis of recorded AIS data.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The main body covers the review of existing research methods, the definition of an analytical framework for AIS information, the development of post-processing tools for data decoding, and the presentation of empirical results from the Gulf of Gdansk.

Which keywords best characterize the research?

Key terms include AIS, Information Integrity, Markov Processes, Navigation Safety, Data Completeness, and Stochastic Modeling.

How is the availability of the AIS transmission channel determined?

Availability is determined by analyzing recorded AIS message traffic, specifically evaluating the reception of Base Station reports (Message No. 4) and applying Markov Chain models to classify the system as either in a working state or a failure state.

What role does the "post-processing" method play?

The post-processing method is used to conduct statistical analysis on recorded historical AIS data to identify trends, errors, and system states that were not detectable during real-time operation.

How are human errors integrated into the analysis?

Human errors, particularly regarding static and voyage-related data entry, are accounted for as critical factors in the degradation of AIS information integrity and are categorized using the developed analytical framework.