How-to:  Connect a USB AIS Device to a Computer

In order to connect a USB AIS receiver such as the Comar AIS-2-USB, Comar AIS-MULTI or AMEC CYPHO 101 to a computer, you must install the correct USB drivers. While the operating system may recognize your AIS device and automatically install the correct drivers, we recommend manually installing the drivers to lessen problems. It is a simple and straightforward process. Please follow all directions below.

ONE: INSTALL USB DRIVERS

TWO: CONNECT USB

THREE: IDENTIFY COM PORT USED BY THE USB DEVICE

1. Click on the Start button (lower left-hand corner of your screen)
2. Click on Control Panel
3. If using Windows 7 Category view, in the Control Panel window:
   
   • Select Hardware and Sound
   • In the Control Panel > Hardware and Sound window,  select Device Manager in the Devices and Printers sub-menu
4. If using Windows 7 icon view, in the Control Panel > All Control Panel Items window:
• Select Device Manager
  

1. Click on Start button
2. Click on Control Panel
3. Click on System and Maintenance. Note: If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply double-click on the Administrative Tools icon and proceed to Step 4.
4. In the System and Maintenance window, click on the Administrative Tools link near the bottom of the window.
5.  In the Administrative Tools window, double-click on the Computer Management icon.
6. When the Computer Management utility opens, click on Device Manager on the left side of the window, located toward the bottom of the list under the System Tools heading.
7. Device Manager should now appear on the right side of the Computer Management window. Note: If you don't see Device Manager listed, you may need to click on the |> next to System Tools 

1. Click on the Start button (lower left-hand corner of your screen)
2. Click on Control Panel
3. In the Control Panel window, select System
4. Click on Hardware
5. Click on Device Manager

1. Click on the plus sign (+) next to "Ports (COM & LPT)."
2. If the AIS device is installed properly, you will see "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMx)" for Prolific devices or  for other devices such as the FTDI chipsets you may just see "USB Serial Port (COMx)".  Note that x is the number of the COM port  assigned to the AIS unit. In our examples here the Prolific port is COM8 and the FTDI port is COM10.
3. Write down the COM port number for future reference.

CONFIGURING NAVIGATION SOFTWARE FOR USB AIS

To set up your AIS and other devices such as GPS, you will need to:

• Select a COM port from the list.
• Select the appropriate Interface from the drop down list.
• Select a baud rate if necessary.
• Select the appropriate Listener, Talker, and Repeater option

1. Select Tools from the top menu
2. Select Configure Vessel and Electronics from the Tools dropdown
3. In the widow that opens, click on Data Ports in the Category menu
4. Select Port Settings
5. In the Instrument Ports window that opens, select the Communications Port (COMx) where "x" is the port number noted in the steps above.
6. In the same window's right-hand Port Settings menu, for AIS or combo AIS-GPS devices, set:
   1. Interface to NMEA 0183
   2. Baud Rate to 38400
   3. Click on checkbox for Listener
7. For a separate GPS input via USB, set:
1. Interface to NMEA 0183
2. Baud Rate to 4800 (NOTE: Some GPS units use a different baud rate. Consult the GPS documentation if in doubt.)
3. Click on checkbox for Listener.

TROUBLESHOOTING