Description

The KONGSBERG RA1-16 (Part Number: AUE-815) is a 16-channel analog input (AI) module designed for use in KONGSBERG’s K-Chief 600 and K-Pos marine automation systems—industry-leading platforms for integrated ship control, monitoring, and alarm management. This I/O module digitizes standard industrial signals from sensors and transmitters throughout the vessel, enabling real-time process visualization, automated control logic, and compliance with maritime safety regulations.

Each channel of the RA1-16 AUE-815 accepts 4–20 mA current loop inputs, commonly used for pressure, temperature, level, and flow measurements in marine environments. The module features individual channel isolation, high common-mode rejection, and built-in open-circuit detection, ensuring reliable operation even in electrically noisy engine rooms or near high-power propulsion systems.

Designed to meet stringent marine and offshore standards, the RA1-16 AUE-815 is certified by major classification societies including DNV-GL, ABS, LR, BV, and ClassNK. It operates reliably under conditions of high humidity, salt spray, mechanical shock, and wide temperature swings—making it suitable not only for commercial vessels but also for FPSOs, drilling rigs, and naval applications.

The module mounts on a K-Chief 600 I/O backplane (e.g., in a Local Operating Panel or Remote I/O Station) and communicates with the central controller via a deterministic fieldbus (typically CAN or Ethernet-based). It supports hot-swap replacement in redundant configurations, minimizing downtime during maintenance at sea.

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

Marine-certified reliability:
Unlike generic industrial I/O modules, the RA1-16 AUE-815 is engineered to IEC 60945—the international standard for maritime electronic equipment. It undergoes rigorous testing for vibration (per IEC 60068-2-6), humidity, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in shipboard environments.

Seamless integration with K-Chief ecosystem:
The module auto-enumerates in the K-Tool engineering suite, allowing engineers to assign tag names, scaling (e.g., 4 mA = 0 bar, 20 mA = 10 bar), alarm limits, and signal filtering directly in the system database. No manual DIP switches or jumpers are required.

Enhanced diagnostics for remote operations:
Each channel reports health status to the central operator workstation. If a sensor fails or wiring breaks, the system logs a precise fault (e.g., “PT-205: Open Circuit”) and can trigger alarms or inhibit automatic sequences—critical for unmanned machinery spaces (UMS).

High density reduces lifecycle cost:
By packing 16 isolated AI channels into a single module width, the RA1-16 minimizes rack space, power consumption, and cabling complexity—key advantages in space-constrained engine control rooms.

Application Field

The KONGSBERG RA1-16 AUE-815 is deployed across a wide range of marine and offshore systems:

• Main Engine Monitoring: Lube oil pressure, jacket water temperature, exhaust gas temperature.

• Tank Level & Cargo Systems: Ballast tank levels, fuel oil tanks, bilge monitoring.

• HVAC & Refrigeration: Chilled water flow, room temperature in accommodation blocks.

• Dynamic Positioning (DP) Support: Sensor feedback for thruster control in K-Pos systems.

• Offshore Platforms: Process variable acquisition on FPSOs where reliability is non-negotiable.

Its robustness also makes it suitable for naval vessels, icebreakers, and research ships operating in extreme climates.

Related Products

• RA2-16 (AUE-816): 16-channel analog output (AO) module – complementary toRA1-16.

• RD1-32 (AUE-821): 32-channel digital input (DI) module.

• K-Chief 600 CPU (e.g., AUE-701): Central controller unit.

• K-Tool: Official Kongsberg configuration and diagnostics software.

• Remote I/O Station (e.g., AUE-900 series): Enclosure for distributed I/O deployment.