Impact of Conductive Plates on AIS Signal Reception in SB-AIS Systems With Monopole Antennas

This paper analyzes Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal reception using monopole antennas positioned near conductive plates on a space-based AIS (SB-AIS) receiver. This study investigates how the proximity of metallic surfaces affects AIS signal coverage and reception quality from maritime vessels. Three antenna configurations were tested: the left, center, and right sides relative to a metallic wall. The results significantly impacted the signal coverage area and vessel detection based on the antenna positioning. Centrally placed antennas detected more unique vessel IDs than side placements. The proximity to metallic surfaces altered the signal directionality and narrowed the coverage. These findings are significant for enhancing the placement of SB-AIS antennas and achieving a narrower beamwidth, which can improve maritime monitoring capabilities, particularly in areas with heavy traffic. This study enhances the effectiveness of terrestrial and satellite-based AIS systems for vessel tracking and maritime safety.