Systems
An Odyssey for the Collection of AIS Data
27 June 2022, by Stefan Voß
Photo: UHH/Voß
Some time ago, the Institute of Information Systems acquired an antenna for the collection of AIS data. AIS is an Automatic Identification System or a radio communication system that mainly collects the positions and navigation data of shipping traffic in the Port of Hamburg. Positioning this antenna, especially regarding the necessary compliance with fire protection regulations or lightning conductor regulations turned out to be a rather difficult task in the course of time. We can already hear our colleagues interjecting, "You could have thought about that beforehand!" But we would do that rather for our own construction projects; for merely setting up and connecting a small antenna, we actually expect the university's property management to help and to be able to suitably implement our space requirements. In the course of the following odyssey of being sent around from one possible installation spot to another (including the roof of the Geomatikum, which is also soon to be renovated(?), there was now an on-site visit of the Philturm on June 23, 2022, led by the very helpful universtity project manager of the corresponding construction project. In this way, the dean, Prof. Dr. Stefan Voß, as well as Mr. Philip Cammin on the staff side had the pleasure to eye the current state of the renovation of the Philturm from above. A lounge for an appropriate appreciation of the beautiful view has been probably forgotten. But hopefully, at least the odyssey of the AIS antenna can be finished soon and data for long-planned research projects can finally be collected.