RTL SDR AIS Driver

ebcTech

About this app

Please report bugs or compatibility issues to: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

Turn your low-cost RTL-SDR USB dongle into an AIS receiver for Android.

This app allows DVB-T dongles based on the Realtek RTL2832U and R820T/R860 chipsets (commonly known as RTL-SDR dongles) to receive and decode AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals transmitted over VHF radio.

The app acts as a driver and data source for third-party AIS applications, enabling developers and compatible apps to process live AIS vessel data directly on Android devices.

A small demo application is included to verify that your RTL-SDR dongle is working correctly and receiving AIS signals.

Features:
• Supports most RTL-SDR USB dongles based on RTL2832U
• AIS VHF signal decoding directly on Android
• Driver interface for third-party AIS applications
• Included demo receiver for quick testing
• Optimized for low-cost SDR hardware

Supported Hardware:
• RTL-SDR dongles based on:

* RTL2832U
* R820T / R860 tuners
• Compatible with most generic “RTL-SDR” USB dongles

Tutorial & Setup Guide:
https://www.ebctech.eu/rtl-sdr-ais-receiver/

Full AIS Share App:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.ebctech.ais_share

Important:
This application is primarily intended as a driver component for AIS-enabled applications. On its own, functionality is limited to testing and basic AIS reception.

DISCLAIMER:
Receiving AIS data via VHF radio using modified radio hardware or software may be restricted or illegal in some countries. Always check your local laws and regulations before use.

This application must NOT be used for navigation or safety-critical purposes.

Ratings and reviews

Can't get the driver to stay connected to the sdr dongle, it disconnects within seconds of starting asking if I unplugged it . Spent hours trying to fix battery optimization following guides on dontkillmyapp, xdadevelopers, complete phone reset. You got any idea what to do to get it working Using Huawei P20 on EMUI 10, Andriod 10

Works fine on my doogee s90, usb c otg, and sdr. Possible bug with reaching max messages limit but otherwise OK. Thanks!

Works fine on Samsung S10. What frontend app can I use to plot the map?

What’s new

Bugfixes and stability
Please contact: [e-mail] for any issues - i will reply :-)

FAQ: https://www.ebctech.eu/faq-ais-share-rtl-ais-driver/