IEC 61162-1:2024

IEC 61162-1 ®
Edition 6.0 2024-04
COMMENTED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems –
Digital interfaces –
Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners
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IEC 61162-1 ®
Edition 6.0 2024-04
COMMENTED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems –
Digital interfaces –
Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 47.020.70 ISBN 978-2-8322-8712-5
– 2 – IEC 61162-1:2024 CMV © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD .8
INTRODUCTION . 10
1 Scope . 11
2 Normative references . 11
3 Terms and definitions . 13
3.1 General .
3.2 Terms and definitions .
4 Manufacturer's documentation . 13
5 Hardware specification . 13
5.1 General . 13
5.2 Interconnecting wire . 14
5.3 Conductor definitions . 14
5.4 Electrical connections/shield requirements . 14
5.5 Connector . 14
5.6 Electrical signal characteristics . 14
5.6.1 General . 14
5.6.2 Signal state definitions. 14
5.6.3 Talker drive circuits . 14
5.6.4 Listener receive circuits . 14
5.6.5 Electrical isolation . 15
5.6.6 Maximum voltage on bus . 15
6 Data transmission . 15
7 Data format protocol. 16
7.1 Characters . 16
7.1.1 General . 16
7.1.2 Reserved characters . 16
7.1.3 Valid characters . 16
7.1.4 Undefined characters . 16
7.1.5 Character symbols . 16
7.1.6 Manufacturer's mnemonic code . 17
7.2 Fields . 17
7.2.1 String . 17
7.2.2 Address field . 17
7.2.3 Data fields . 18
7.2.4 Checksum field . 19
7.2.5 Sequential message identifier field . 19
7.3 Sentences . 19
7.3.1 General structure. 19
7.3.2 Description of approved sentences. 20
7.3.3 Parametric sentences . 20
7.3.4 Encapsulation sentences . 21
7.3.5 Query sentences . 23
7.3.6 Proprietary sentences . 24
7.3.7 Command sentences . 25
7.3.8 Valid sentences . 25
7.3.9 Multi-sentence messages . 26

7.3.10 Sentence transmission timing . 26
7.3.11 Additions to approved sentences . 26
7.3.12 Message reception timeout for multi-sentence method . 26
7.4 Error detection and handling . 26
7.5 Handling of deprecated sentences . 27
8 Data content . 27
8.1 Character definitions . 27
8.2 Field definitions . 29
8.3 Approved sentences . 33
8.3.1 General format . 33
8.3.2 AAM – Waypoint arrival alarm . 33
8.3.3 ABK – AIS addressed and binary broadcast acknowledgement . 33
8.3.4 ABM – AIS addressed binary and safety related message . 34
8.3.5 ACA – AIS channel assignment message . 35
8.3.6 ACK – Acknowledge alarm . 37
8.3.7 ACN – Alert command . 37
8.3.8 ACS – AIS channel management information source . 38
8.3.9 AGL – Alert group list . 38
8.3.10 AIR – AIS interrogation request . 39
8.3.11 AKD – Acknowledge detail alarm condition . 40
8.3.12 ALA – Report detailed alarm condition. 41
8.3.13 ALC – Cyclic alert list . 42
8.3.14 ALF – Alert sentence . 43
8.3.15 ALR – Set alarm state . 46
8.3.16 APB – Heading/track controller (autopilot) sentence B . 46
8.3.17 ARC – Alert command refused . 47
8.3.18 BBM – AIS broadcast binary message . 48
8.3.19 BEC – Bearing and distance to waypoint – Dead reckoning . 49
8.3.20 BOD – Bearing origin to destination . 49
8.3.21 BWC – Bearing and distance to waypoint – Great circle . 50
8.3.22 BWR – Bearing and distance to waypoint – Rhumb line . 50
8.3.23 BWW – Bearing waypoint to waypoint . 50
8.3.24 CUR – Water current layer – Multi-layer water current data . 51
8.3.25 DBT – Depth below transducer. 51
8.3.26 DDC – Display dimming control . 51
8.3.27 DOR – Door status detection . 54
8.3.28 DPT – Depth . 56
8.3.29 DSC – Digital selective calling information . 56
8.3.30 DSE – Expanded digital selective calling . 57
8.3.31 DTM – Datum reference . 57
8.3.32 EPM – Command or report long equipment property value . 58
8.3.33 EPV – Command or report equipment property value . 59
8.3.34 ETL – Engine telegraph operation status . 61
8.3.35 EVE – General event message. 62
8.3.36 FIR – Fire detection . 62
8.3.37 FSI – Frequency set information . 63
8.3.38 GBS – GNSS satellite fault detection. 64
8.3.39 GDC – GNSS differential correction . 67
8.3.40 GEN – Generic binary information . 70

– 4 – IEC 61162-1:2024 CMV © IEC 2024
8.3.41 GFA – GNSS fix accuracy and integrity . 71
8.3.42 GGA – Global positioning system (GPS) fix data. 72
8.3.43 GLL – Geographic position – Latitude/longitude . 72
8.3.44 GNS – GNSS fix data . 73
8.3.45 GRS – GNSS range residuals . 76
8.3.46 GSA – GNSS DOP and active satellites . 79
8.3.47 GST – GNSS pseudorange noise error statistics . 81
8.3.48 GSV – GNSS satellites in view . 82
8.3.49 HBT – Heartbeat supervision sentence . 84
8.3.50 HCR – Heading correction report . 85
8.3.51 HDG – Heading, deviation and variation . 85
8.3.52 HDT – Heading true . 86
8.3.53 HMR – Heading monitor receive . 86
8.3.54 HMS – Heading monitor set . 87
8.3.55 HRM – Heel angle, roll period and roll amplitude measurement device . 87
8.3.56 HSC – Heading steering command . 89
8.3.57 HSS – Hull stress surveillance systems . 89
8.3.58 HTC – Heading/track control command; HTD – Heading /track control
data . 89
8.3.59 LR1 – AIS long-range reply sentence 1 . 91
8.3.60 LR2 – AIS long-range reply sentence 2 . 91
8.3.61 LR3 – AIS long-range reply sentence 3 . 92
8.3.62 LRF – AIS long-range function . 92
8.3.63 LRI – AIS long-range interrogation . 93
8.3.64 MOB – Man over board notification . 94
8.3.65 MSK – MSK receiver interface . 95
8.3.66 MSS – MSK receiver signal status. 96
8.3.67 MTW – Water temperature . 96
8.3.68 MWD – Wind direction and speed . 96
8.3.69 MWV – Wind speed and angle . 97
8.3.70 NAK – Negative acknowledgement . 97
8.3.71 NLS – Navigation light status . 98
8.3.72 NRM – NAVTEX receiver mask . 100
8.3.73 NRX – NAVTEX MSI received message . 101
8.3.74 NSR – Navigation status report . 103
8.3.75 OSD – Own ship data . 104
8.3.76 POS – Device position and ship dimensions report or configuration
command . 104
8.3.77 PRC – Propulsion remote control status . 105
8.3.78 RLM – Return link message . 106
8.3.79 RMA – Recommended minimum specific LORAN-C data . 107
8.3.80 RMB – Recommended minimum navigation information . 108
8.3.81 RMC – Recommended minimum specific GNSS data . 108
8.3.82 ROR – Rudder order status . 110
8.3.83 ROT – Rate of turn . 110
8.3.84 RPM – Revolutions . 111
8.3.85 RRT – Report route transfer . 111
8.3.86 RSA – Rudder sensor angle . 112
8.3.87 RSD – Radar system data . 113

8.3.88 RTE – Routes . 113
8.3.89 SEL – Selection report . 114
8.3.90 SFI – Scanning frequency information . 114
8.3.91 SLM – Steering location/mode . 115
8.3.92 SMI SM1 – SafetyNET Message, All Ships/NavArea . 117
8.3.93 SM2 – SafetyNET Message, Coastal Warning Area . 119
8.3.94 SM3 – SafetyNET Message, Circular Area address. 121
8.3.95 SM4 – SafetyNET Message, Rectangular Area Address . 123
8.3.96 SMB – IMO SafetyNET Message Body . 125
8.3.97 SMV – SafetyNET Message, Vessel in distress information . 127
8.3.98 SPW – Security password sentence . 129
8.3.99 SSD – AIS ship static data . 129
8.3.100 STN – Multiple data ID . 130
8.3.101 THS – True heading and status . 130
8.3.102 TLB – Target label . 131
8.3.103 TLL – Target latitude and longitude . 131
8.3.104 TRC – Thruster control data . 132
8.3.105 TRD – Thruster response data . 133
8.3.106 TRL – AIS transmitter-non-functioning log . 133
8.3.107 TTD – Tracked target data . 134
8.3.108 TTM – Tracked target message . 136
8.3.109 TUT – Transmission of multi-language text . 137
8.3.110 TXT – Text transmission . 138
8.3.111 UID – User identification code transmission . 139
8.3.112 VBC – Water-referenced and ground-referenced docking speed data . 139
8.3.113 VBW – Dual ground/water speed . 140
8.3.114 VDM – AIS VHF data-link message . 140
8.3.115 VDO – AIS VHF data-link own-vessel report . 141
8.3.116 VDR – Set and drift . 141
8.3.117 VER – Version . 142
8.3.118 VHW – Water speed and heading . 143
8.3.119 VLW – Dual ground/water distance . 143
8.3.120 VPW – Speed measured parallel to wind . 143
8.3.121 VSD – AIS voyage static data . 143
8.3.122 VTG – Course over ground and ground speed . 145
8.3.123 WAT – Water level detection . 145
8.3.124 WCV – Waypoint closure velocity . 146
8.3.125 WNC – Distance waypoint to waypoint . 147
8.3.126 WPL – Waypoint location . 147
8.3.127 XDR – Transducer measurements . 147
8.3.128 XTE – Cross-track error, measured . 150
8.3.129 XTR – Cross-track error, dead reckoning . 151
8.3.130 ZDA – Time and date . 151
8.3.131 ZDL – Time and distance to variable point . 151
8.3.132 ZFO – UTC and time from origin waypoint . 152
8.3.133 ZTG – UTC and time to destination waypoint . 152
9 Applications . 152
9.1 Example parametric sentences. 152
9.1.1 General . 152

– 6 – IEC 61162-1:2024 CMV © IEC 2024
9.1.2 Example 1 – LORAN-C latitude/longitude . 152
9.1.3 Example 2 – LORAN-C arrival alarm . 153
9.1.4 Example 3 – Proprietary sentence . 153
9.1.5 Example 4 – RMA examples . 154
9.1.6 Example 5 – FSI examples . 155
9.1.7 Example 6 – MSK/MSS examples . 155
9.1.8 Example 7 – DSC and DSE sentences . 156
9.1.9 Example 8 – FIR, DOR and WAT sentences . 157
9.2 Example encapsulation sentences . 157
9.3 Examples of receiver diagrams . 157
Annex A (informative) Glossary .
Annex A (informative) Example encapsulation sentence . 165
A.1 Example encapsulation sentence . 165
A.2 AIS VHF data-link message VDM sentence encapsulation example . 165
A.3 Background discussion – Encapsulation coding . 165
A.4 Decoding the encapsulated string. 169
A.5 Conversion from symbols to binary bits . 169
A.6 Organising the binary message data . 170
A.7 Interpreting the decoded binary strings . 170
Annex B (normative) Guidelines for methods of testing and required test results . 171
B.1 General . 171
B.2 Definition of environmental conditions for the tests . 171
B.3 Examination of the manufacturer's documentation . 171
B.4 Test of hardware . 172
B.4.1 Interface units . 172
B.4.2 Input circuit test . 172
B.4.3 Check of electrical isolation . 172
B.4.4 Maximum input voltage test . 172
B.4.5 Test arrangement for performance tests according to IEC 60945. 172
B.4.6 Test under maximum interface workload . 172
B.4.7 Test for correct parsing of sentences . 173
B.4.8 Test under long term conditions . 174
B.4.9 Protocol test of the interface of the EUT . 174
Annex C (normative) Six-bit binary field conversion . 180
Annex D (normative) Alarm system fields . 183
Annex E (informative) Example of use of FIR, DOR and WAT sentences . 191
E.1 Example of the use of system status messages . 191
E.2 Use of system division codes . 191
E.3 Send complete status . 192
E.4 Change measurement point status . 193
E.5 Point status change during a status update . 193
E.6 Failure in a sub-system . 193
E.7 Status updates when a sub-system is in fault. 194
E.8 Signal a correction of a sub-system fault . 194
Bibliography . 195
List of comments . 202

Figure 1 – Listener receive circuit . 15

Figure 2 – Data transmission format . 16
Figure 3 – Example 1, J-FET, N channel, opto-isolator based listener circuit . 157
Figure 4 – Example 2, NPN opto-isolator based listener circuit . 157
Figure A.1 – Message data format . 167
Figure A.2 – Work sheet for decoding and interpreting encapsulated string . 168
Figure C.1 – 6-bit binary code converted to valid IEC 61162-1 character . 181
Figure C.2 – Valid IEC 61162-1 character converted to 6-bit binary code . 182
Figure E.1 – Example system diagram . 192

Table 1 – Reserved characters . 27
Table 2 – Valid characters . 27
Table 3 – Character symbol . 28
Table 4 – Talker identifier mnemonics . 29
Table 5 – Field type summary . 32
Table A.1 – Example message from ITU-R M.1371 . 166
Table B.1 – Example – Special characters . 173
Table B.2 – Example – Parsing . 173
Table B.3 – Example – Future extensions . 174
Table B.4 – Example – Data string GGA sent by the EUT to the test receiver (listener). 175
Table B.5 – Example – Checksum data sent . 176
Table B.6 – Example – Data string GNS received by the EUT . 177
Table B.7 – Example – Checksum data received . 178
Table B.8 – Example – Break of data line . 179
Table B.9 – Example – Receiving interval . 179
Table B.10 – Example – Talker ID. 179
Table C.1 – Six-bit binary field conversion table . 180
Table D.1 – System alarm fields . 183

– 8 – IEC 61162-1:2024 CMV © IEC 2024
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MARITIME NAVIGATION AND RADIOCOMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS – DIGITAL INTERFACES –
Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners
FOREWORD
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This commented version (CMV) of the official standard IEC 61162-1:2024 edition
6.0 allows the user to identify the changes made to the previous IEC 61162-1:2016
edition 5.0. Furthermore, comments from IEC TC 80 experts are provided to explain the
reasons of the most relevant changes, or to clarify any part of the content.
A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change has been made. Additions are
in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text. Experts' comments are identified
by a blue-background number. Mouse over a number to display a pop-up note
with the comment.
This publication contains the CMV and the official standard. The full list of comments
is available at the end of the CMV.

IEC 61162-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 80: Maritime navigation and
radiocommunication equipment and systems. It is an International Standard.
This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition published in 2016. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) alternative hardware is given in 5.1 which may now be as specified in this document or as
specified in IEC 61162-2;
b) the data transmission rate given in Clause 6 is now configurable. The default remains as
4 800 (bits/s) but higher rates may be provided;
c) new identifiers have been added to Table 4;
d) new sentences AGL, EPM, GDC, NLS, SEL, SLM, SMV and VBC have been added;
e) revisions have been made to ABK, ABM, ACN, ALC, ALF, ARC, BBM, DDC, DTM, EPV, FIR,
GBS, GFA, GLL, GNS, GRS, GSA, GST, GSV, HRM, NRX, POS, RLM, ROR, RSA, TLB,
TTD, VSD and XDR;
f) the previous Annex A, Glossary, has been deleted as being of historical interest.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
80/1093/FDIS 80/1097/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61162 series, published under the general title Maritime navigation
and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Digital interfaces, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

– 10 – IEC 61162-1:2024 CMV © IEC 2024
INTRODUCTION
The IEC 61162 series consists of 5 parts which specify digital interfaces for application in
marine navigation, radiocommunication and system integration, as follows:
IEC 61162-1: Single talker and multiple listeners;
IEC 61162-2: Single talker and multiple listeners, high speed transmission;
IEC 61162-3: Multiple talkers and multiple listeners – Serial data instrument network;
IEC 61162-450: Multiple talkers and multiple listeners – Ethernet interconnection;
IEC 61162-460: Multiple talkers and multiple listeners – Ethernet interconnection – Safety
and security
IEC technical committee 80 interface standards are developed with input from manufacturers,
private and government organisations and equipment operators. The information is intended to
meet the needs of users at the time of publication, but users should recognise that as
applications and technology change, interface standards should change as well. Users of this
document are advised to immediately inform the IEC of any perceived inadequacies therein.
The first edition of IEC 61162-1 was published in 1995. The second edition published in 2000
removed some sentences which were no longer in use, added some new sentences and
included details of the ship equipment defined in IMO resolutions together with appropriate
sentences for communication between them. This information was subsequently removed from
the third edition when it became the practice to specify the sentence formatters in the individual
standards for equipment.
The third edition published in 2007 introduced a re-arrangement of the text and new sentences
particularly to support the automatic identification system and the voyage data recorder. The
third edition also introduced a further type of start of sentence delimiter. The conventional
delimiter "$" was retained for the conventional sentences which are now called "parametric
sentences". The new delimiter "!" identifies sentences that conform to special purpose
encapsulation.
The fourth edition removed some sentences which were not in use, added some new sentences
for new applications and made some corrections and additions. In particular, the sentences of
relevance to satellite navigation receivers were expanded to facilitate the description of new
satellite systems.
The fifth edition also removed some sentences which were no longer in use, added some new
sentences for new applications and made some corrections and additions.
This sixth edition adds some new sentences for new applications and makes some corrections
and additions.
Liaison has been maintained with NMEA and This edition has been aligned where appropriate
and possible with NMEA 0183 version 4.10. 1

MARITIME NAVIGATION AND RADIOCOMMUNICATION
EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS – DIGITAL INTERFACES –

Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61162 contains the requirements for data communication between maritime
electronic instruments, navigation and radiocommunication equipment when interconnected via
an appropriate system.
This document is intended to support one-way serial data transmission from a single talker to
one or more listeners. These data are in printable ASCII form and may can include information
such as position, speed, depth, frequency allocation, etc. Typical messages may can be from
about 11 to a maximum of 79 characters in length and generally require transmission no more
rapidly than one message per second.
The electrical definitions in this document are not intended to accommodate high-bandwidth
applications such as radar or video imagery, or intensive database or file transfer applications.
Since there is no provision for guaranteed delivery of messages and only limited error checking
capability, it is important this document should be is used with caution in all safety applications.
For applications where a faster transmission rate is necessary, reference should be made to
IEC 61162-2 applies.
For applications to shore based equipment of the automatic identification system (AIS)
reference should be made to the IEC 62320 series applies.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to i
...