An EGNSS application providing an end-to-end solution based on the SAR/Galileo service and particularly using the Return-Link-Message (RLM), to improve the mobility and safety of citizens

Project Information

SAT406M

Grant agreement ID: 640387

DOI

10.3030/640387

Project closed

EC signature date 22 January 2015

Start date 1 February 2015

End date 31 January 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space

Total cost

€ 1 426 250,00

EU contribution

€ 998 375,00

Coordinated by

MOBIT TELECOM LTD
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SAT406M (An EGNSS application providing an end-to-end solution based on the SAR/Galileo service and particularly using the Return-Link-Message (RLM), to improve the mobility and safety of citizens)

Reporting period: 2016-08-01 to 2018-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Problem/issue being addressed: Search and Rescue of people in distress

Importance for society: improve the mobility and safety of citizens

Overall objectives: demonstrate an end-to-end system comprising a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and base station (MEOLUT), increasing data throughput via SAR/Galileo system, and enabling the Galileo Return Link Service (RLS), to improve Search and Rescue (SAR) success.

Project Results:
1. Personal Locator beacon in form of a wrist-watch, enabling the SAR/Galileo Return Link Service
2. MEOLUT with flat, small and active antenna
3. EIB technology for communicating Extra Information Bits from beacon to MEOLUT/Rcc, compliant with C/S standards
4. EIB thechnology for enhancing the MEOSAR localization particularly when few satellites are in line of sight
5. Patents protecting the EIB method and PLB antenna.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

1. Designed, built and tested SAT406M PLB prototype
2. Demonstrated and verified communication method (named: EIB) between SAT406M PLB and MEOLUT
3. Tested, analyzed and recorded Time of Emission (ToE) accuracy of SAT406M PLB
4. Enhanced the independent localization of the SAT406M PLB at the MEOLUT
5. Developed a prototype SW to determine the physiological status of the SAT406M user

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

1. PLB displaying distress acknowledgement to user, based on Galileo Return Link Service
2. PLB reporting user's physiological status
3. PLB alerting distress on two channels: a. worldwide, via Galileo, GPS and Glonass satellites; and b. local, via marine VHF Digital Selective Calling.
4. Enhancing MEOLUT independent beacon localization accuracy
5. Enabling MEOLUT independent beacon localization based on single satellite and multiple bursts

Beyond providing a SAR/Galileo PLB integrating a VHF marine radio with the satellite beacon, in a friendly wrist-worn form, SAT406M is expected to contribute to the adoption of the RLS - the unique SAR/Galileo Return Link Service by which the distress call is been acknowledged. It is expected that users will much appreciate that feature, which will provide self confidence and moral encouragement during the not easy hours of waiting for a rescue to come.

SAT406 PLBs tested by the MEOLUT in Toulouse

SAT406M PLB prototype

SAT406M PLB prototype placed on MEOLUT Antenna