The AIST120 can be considered as a vessel's electronic beacon. By regularly broadcasting critical static and dynamic information to all similarly equipped vessels within range, the AIST120 provides boat owners with a vital navigation tool, particularly when operating at night or under poor visibility conditions.
Transmitted data includes vessel name, length, registration, plus speed over the ground (SOG), course over the ground (COG), as well as location coordinates which are automatically calculated and updated by the AIST120's integrated 50 channel GPS receiver. 

The AIST120 through its ultra sensitive dual channel Rmax technology will receive and decode transmitted AIS data from other vessels, AtoNs and base stations within VHF range; this information can be displayed on a compatible chart plotter, radar or PC charting system. 

Received AIS information positively identifies any commercial vessel within range, it also provides its radio call sign, heading, closest point of approach (CPA) and time to CPA.
Using this information leisure craft can make a VHF radio call to the vessel in question to verify its intended course and avoid collision. Through the application cutting edge TDMA technology the AIST120 is compatible and inter-operable with both Class A and B AIS systems through the VHF radio data link.