Products. | SkyFox Labs™

piAIS/FM (Flight Model)

Space-Friendly™ True 2-Channel AIS Receiver.

The piAIS is a World's First Space-Friendly™ True 2-Channel Dual Band CubeSat AIS Receiver working in VHF band as Maritime Automatic Identification System Monitor. The unit provides data format in 72, 96, 160, 168, 360 and 424 bit long messages with CRC check, telemetry message, uptime and packet counter as well as the RSSI and Noise Floor at antenna port input measurements.

Dedicated Radio. = Fractional Power Needs.

Are you still using SDR-based high data rate sampling ADCs just draining energy from the battery which then all need cooling? SDR-based radiomodems are brilliant in their versatility, reconfigurability and amount of features that can be adapted to.

But.

It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut! Dedicated modem, optimized for a dedicated system with fixed configuration which does not change as it is adopted through the Maritime Standards for years can run on the piAIS at a fraction of the power demand. You can perform a lot more with the same satellite bus, same satellite solar panel size and power system. Imagine that.

Save the power budget for other systems and let the piAIS process the VHF AIS spectra with the power which is really needed for this task!

Listen to Upper Band. / Listen to Lower Band.

The piAIS unit provides data in its natural HEX form with a full length of the respective message type format, representing the full and complete content, with start (*), delimiters (,) and stop (;) characters with CR+LF. The message contains the information about the RF channel the message has been received from (87B = 161.975 MHz, 88B = 162.025 MHz or 75 = 156.775 MHz, 76 = 156.825 MHz), the respective RSSI (signal strength in dBm), order number of the message received (message counter since power up) and the raw data content.

Since Jan 2026, the updated piAIS Firmware provides the telecommand for AIS Upper Band (implicit, after unit power up or reset) and AIS Lower Band switching. To listen the standard traffic in upper band 162 MHz and 156 MHz traffic in lower band - also known as "Long Range".

Part Number: piAIS/FM (Flight Model)

Product Summary

True 2-Channel Simultaneous CubeSat AIS VHF Receiver Module
Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver
87B, 88B Channels, 161.975 MHz, 162.025 MHz
75, 76 Channels, 156.775 MHz 156.825 MHz
Upper Band (87B, 88B) and Lower Band (75, 76) Telecommand Selector, Upper Band implicit after power up/reset
Packet Counter, Uptime, Temperature, Housekeeping Telemetry Engine
AIS Messages type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27 (96 and 168 bit long range) including CRC filters
72, 96, 160, 168, 360, 424 bit Messages for maximum Maritime Traffic reception rate yield
+/- 3 kHz doppler shift supported at each channel
BT = 0.4, GMSK (VHF 162 MHz AIS Standard)
Highly Sensitive, Ultra Low Power, World's Lowest Profile
Sensitivity: up to -106 dBm (at 20% Packet Loss), down to -114 dBm minimum
Input Antenna Port Noise Floor (no antenna connected -133 dBm typical)
Up to 1000 km operational slant range, up to 1850 (168 bit) MPM (Messages per Minute)
Intended to: LEO up to h = 600 km
EEE Parts - TRL9 (SSO 530 km)
Mega-Constellation Ready! product
(AIS Signal Generator is not included)
Power Requirement: 3.0-3.6 V @ 65 mA (210 mW typical)
UART 115200-8-N-1, 3V3-CMOS levels
Dimensions: 76x53x12 mm
Wide Temperature Range: -40˚C to +85˚C
2x10, 2 mm pitch Header Board to Board stacking connector (Power, Reset, Activity LEDs, UART Data, Interrupt)
Low mass: 55 grams

Dual Use Goods: YES
HS Code: 8526.91.90
Lead Time: 2-4 weeks + Shipping
Country of Origin: Czech Republic

Pricing (EUR)

Qty.  Unit Price  Ext. Price
1:    4950 €      4950 €
2:    4450 €      8900 €
3+:   3970 €      11910 €

Want this for your project? → Contact us.

piAIS/EM (Engineering Model)

Space-Friendly™ True 2-Channel AIS Receiver

The Engineering Model (EM) with the same mechanical and electrical properties is available with software limitation to maximum packet rate. Red Remove Before Flight Finish is applied to prevent interchange with the Flight Model unit. In the telemetry message check easily the RSSI and Noise Floor at antenna port input measurements.

Spacecraft design is challenging. Get ready for the Flight Model easily!

Part Number: piAIS/EM (Engineering Model)

PRODUCT SUMMARY

True 2-Channel Simultaneous CubeSat AIS VHF Receiver Module
Engineering Model for Satellite Development Activities
Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver
87B, 88B Channels, 161.975 MHz, 162.025 MHz
75, 76 Channels, 156.775 MHz 156.825 MHz
Upper Band (87B, 88B) and Lower Band (75, 76) Telecommand Selector, Upper Band implicit after power up/reset
Packet Counter, Uptime, Temperature, Housekeeping Telemetry Engine
Packet Rate limitation to 25/min
AIS Messages type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27 including CRC filters
72, 96, 160, 168, 360, 424 bit Messages for maximum Maritime Traffic reception rate yield
+/- 3 kHz doppler shift supported at each channel
Highly Sensitive, Ultra Low Power, World's Lowest Profile
Sensitivity: up to -106 dBm (at 20% Packet Loss), down to -114 dBm minimum
Input Antenna Port Noise Floor (no antenna connected -133 dBm typical)
Power Requirement: 3.0-3.6 V @ 65 mA (210 mW typical)
UART 115200-8-N-1, 3V3-CMOS levels
Dimensions: 76x53x12 mm
Wide Temperature Range: -40˚C to +85˚C
2x10, 2 mm pitch Header Board to Board stacking connector (Power, Reset, Activity LEDs, UART Data, Interrupt)
Low mass: 55 grams

Dual Use Goods: YES
HS Code: 8526.91.90
Lead Time: 2-4 weeks + Shipping
Country of Origin: Czech Republic

Early Spacecraft Formulation? → Contact us.

piAIS/OEM (Flight Model)

OEM Version. | More Yours.

Get the Industrial advantage of the World's First OEM CubeSat AIS Receiver Series. Same function and shape, no PCB markings or logos. Ready for flight.

The piAIS unit provides data in its natural HEX form with a full length of the respective message type format, representing the full and complete content, with start (*), delimiters (,) and stop (;) characters with CR+LF. The message contains the information about the RF channel the message has been received from (87B = 161.975 MHz, 88B = 162.025 MHz or 75 = 156.775 MHz, 76 = 156.825 MHz), the respective RSSI (signal strength in dBm), order number of the message received (message counter since power up) and the raw data content.

Since Jan 2026, the updated piAIS Firmware provides the telecommand for AIS Upper Band (implicit, after unit power up or reset) and AIS Lower Band switching. To listen the standard traffic in upper band 162 MHz and 156 MHz traffic in lower band - also known as "Long Range".

Part Number: piAIS/OEM (OEM Flight Model)

Product Summary

True 2-Channel Simultaneous CubeSat AIS VHF Receiver Module
Automatic Identification System (AIS) Receiver
87B, 88B Channels, 161.975 MHz, 162.025 MHz
75, 76 Channels, 156.775 MHz 156.825 MHz
Upper Band (87B, 88B) and Lower Band (75, 76) Telecommand Selector, Upper Band implicit after power up/reset
Packet Counter, Uptime, Temperature, Housekeeping Telemetry Engine
AIS Messages type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27 (96 and 168 bit long range) including CRC filters
72, 96, 160, 168, 360, 424 bit Messages for maximum Maritime Traffic reception rate yield
+/- 3 kHz doppler shift supported at each channel
BT = 0.4, GMSK (VHF 162 MHz AIS Standard)
Highly Sensitive, Ultra Low Power, World's Lowest Profile
Sensitivity: up to -106 dBm (at 20% Packet Loss), down to -114 dBm minimum
Input Antenna Port Noise Floor (no antenna connected -133 dBm typical)
Up to 1000 km operational slant range, up to 1850 (168 bit) MPM (Messages per Minute)
Intended to: LEO up to h = 600 km
EEE Parts - TRL9 (SSO 530 km)
Mega-Constellation Ready! product
(AIS Signal Generator is not included)
Power Requirement: 3.0-3.6 V @ 65 mA (210 mW typical)
UART 115200-8-N-1, 3V3-CMOS levels
Dimensions: 76x53x12 mm
Wide Temperature Range: -40˚C to +85˚C
2x10, 2 mm pitch Header Board to Board stacking connector (Power, Reset, Activity LEDs, UART Data, Interrupt)
Low mass: 55 grams

Dual Use Goods: YES
HS Code: 8526.91.90
Lead Time: 2-4 weeks + Shipping
Country of Origin: Czech Republic

Pricing (EUR)

Qty.  Unit Price  Ext. Price
1:    6590 €      6590 €
2:    5939 €      11878 €
3+:   5298 €      15894 €

Want this for your project? → Contact us.

piAIS/EK (Evaluation Kit)

The piAIS Evaluation Kit is the PC/104+ CubeSat Form Factor Adapter Board with indicating LEDs, breakout pin Extension Header making the integration of the piAIS True 2-Channel CubeSat VHF AIS Receiver Quick & Easy job!

Connect it with the FTDI USB-to-Serial cable, external RF signal (VHF Antenna in vertical Polarization) and the piAIS Evaluation Kit Telemetry/Telecommand Demo Software with live feed graphs. It will allow you to deploy, connect and operate all piAIS features easily!

The associated piAIS Maritime Receiver Eval Kit Demo Software can parse all the data in a detailed visual form including the RSSI plots, message statistics, MMSI list, Message Type Filter, datalogger and many more.

Discover the world of Maritime Traffic Monitoring from a close up view!

Part Number: piAIS/EK (Evaluation Kit)

Product Summary

PC104/+ CubeSat Form Factor piAIS Evaluation Board
Indicating LEDs, Breakout connectors and Test pins, TXD, RXD, /INT, LEDs
A (Red, 87B, 75-) and B (Blue, 88B, 76-) Channels RF Activity indicating LEDs
Test pins ready for Oscilloscope Probe hooks
Manual Reset button input with LED Indicator
PC/104+ Stack Connector with 5V and GND signals connected
MS Windows-Compatible Demo Software Included (on associated USB Flashdrive)
Plots with detected RSSI and Noise Floor trends in RF channels
RAW messages realtime parsing with key parameters
4x M3x15 Polyimide standoffs for the Eval Kit PCB
Header for the external USB-to-TTL serial cable connector
FTDI Serial-to-USB Cable included
Powered and operated directly from USB port i.e. from portable PC or CubeSat Stack Connector
Dimensions: 90.20x95.90 mm

Dual Use Goods: YES
HS Code: 8473.3020
Lead Time: 1-3 weeks + Shipping
Country of Origin: Czech Republic

AIV/AIT Inquiry? → Contact us.

piAIS/EA (Evaluation Antenna)

Space-Friendly™ AIS Receiver VHF V-dipole Evaluation Kit Antenna

The piAIS/EA is the CubeSat VHF V-dipole 50 Ohm Matched AIS Receiver Antenna intended for Z+/- CubeSat side wall mounts. It was designed to operate with VHF AIS receivers on ground as a demonstrative source of RF signal. Close-to-ideal matching, balun and optimal radiation pattern provides with excellent reception performance on top/bottom of a standard CubeSat structure.

The Antenna module is not intended for flight, however provides with full reception performance functionality.

Part Number: piAIS/EA (Evaluation Antenna)

Product Summary

CubeSat Z+/- Side Wall Compatible AIS RF Antenna Module
Fully Functional VHF V-Dipole Linear Antenna
1x up to 500 mm long Coaxial Cable with MCX-Right Angle Connectors
Impedance matching, S11 better than -10dB (-15 dB open space, typical)
Tuned to resonancy at 162 MHz, 3-5 MHz Bandwidth
Connectors: 1x MCX Female Straight
Mass: 53 grams
Dimensions: 98x98 mm baseplate, ~900 mm tip-to-tip dipole arms
Mass: 49 g

Dual Use Goods: YES
HS Code:
Lead Time: 2-4 Weeks + Shipping
Country of Origin: Czech Republic

Early Spacecraft Formulation? → Contact us.