Overview
IEC PAS 63343:2021 is a Publicly Available Specification from the International Electrotechnical Commission that defines requirements and test methods for stations implementing the ASM part of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) as referenced in ITU‑R M.2092. The document focuses on technical requirements, performance criteria and required test results for Mobile, Coast and AtoN stations with ASM functionality, and includes detailed test procedures and presentation‑interface (PI) sentence definitions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and normative references: Establishes the test framework for ASM functionality within VDES, and references ITU‑R M.2092 and IEC interfaces such as IEC 61162 for sentence formatting and talker identifiers.
- General and performance requirements: Specifies functional and performance expectations separately for mobile stations, coast stations and AtoN stations.
- Physical layer tests: Procedures for transmitter characteristics (slotted transmission spectrum, π/4 QPSK timing/power profiles), frequency error measurement, carrier power, and spectral characteristics.
- Receiver performance: Sensitivity, high‑input level performance, co‑channel rejection, adjacent channel selectivity, intermodulation and blocking/desensitisation tests.
- Protocol layer tests: Methods for validating Link, Network and Transport layer behavior specific to ASM operation (including slot selection and quiet‑time criteria).
- Environmental and power tests: Power supply schedules, environmental, safety and special‑purpose tests for maritime equipment.
- Presentation Interface (PI): Annex A provides normative PI sentence formats (IEC 61162 style) for ASM message input/output and status reporting (e.g., AAB, ABB, ADM, ADO, AGB, AMK, ASM, ASQ, ACC).
Practical applications and who uses it
- Equipment manufacturers: Design, validate and demonstrate compliance of VDES/ASM-capable transceivers, modems and integrated navigation systems.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies: Use the specified test methods and required results to certify products for market entry and regulatory compliance.
- Shipyards and system integrators: Validate onboard VDES installations, integration with bridge systems and IEC 61162 interfacing.
- Coast station and AtoN operators: Ensure shoreside VDES equipment meets interoperability and performance expectations for maritime data exchange.
- Regulators and maritime authorities: Reference for interoperability, safety of navigation and spectrum/coexistence management.
Related standards
- ITU‑R M.2092 - definition of VDES and ASM in the radiocommunication context
- IEC 61162 series - maritime data interface sentence formats referenced for PI mapping
Keywords: IEC PAS 63343:2021, VDES, ASM, VHF Data Exchange System, maritime radiocommunication, testing methods, IEC 61162, ITU‑R M.2092.