A comparative analysis of the accuracy of positioning techniques in automatic identification system

This paper analyzes the accuracy of the possible positioning techniques in automatic identification system (AIS). A general positioning model is introduced firstly and then mathematical models for all the possible positioning techniques that process absolute and/or relative distance measurements between a vessel and base stations are presented. Based on this scheme, positioning accuracy is derived and analyzed for three techniques of possible implementation for position estimation in AIS. Simulation in the special cases of these positioning techniques is performed. A comparison between these techniques from a geometrical interpretation point of view is also given. Theoretical derivation and simulation analysis both have shown that the hybrid positioning technique provides the best accuracy with the clock bias.