|
The safety related broadcast message could be variable in length, based on the amount of safety related text. The length should vary between 1 and 5 slots.
|
Parameter
|
Number of bits
|
Description
|
|
Message ID
|
6
|
Identifier for Message 14; always 14.
|
|
Repeat indicator
|
2
|
Used by the repeater to indicate how many times a message has been repeated. 0-3; 0 = default; 3 = do not repeat any more
|
|
Source ID
|
30
|
MMSI number of source station of message
|
|
Spare
|
2
|
Not used. Should be set to zero. Reserved for future use
|
|
Safety related text
|
Maximum 968
|
6-bit ASCII
|
|
Maximum number of bits
|
Maximum 1 008
|
Occupies up to 3 slots, or up to 5 slots when able to use FATDMA reservations.
For Class B “SO” mobile AIS stations the length of the message should not exceed 3 slots
For Class B “CS” mobile AIS stations the length of the message should not exceed 1 slot
|
The table below gives the number of 6-bit-ASCII characters so that the whole message fits into a given number of slots. It is recommended that any application minimizes the use of slots by limiting the number of characters to the numbers given, if possible. The probability that a message will be successfully sent and received decreases with each additional slot required, especially since received messages cannot be acknowledged:
|
Number of slots
|
Maximum 6-bit ASCII characters
|
|
1
|
16
|
|
2
|
53
|
|
3
|
90
|
|
4
|
128
|
|
5
|
161
|
(Source: Rec. ITU-R M.1371-5)
|
