MEOSAR Beacon Modernization Discussion RCC-SARSAT Conference 23-25 February 2010 Dan Lemon 443 964-4204 dan.lemon@noaa.gov

Beacon Modernization Objectives Overcome limitations of current 406 MHz beacons operating through the LEOSAR-GEOSAR system Identify operational ‘requirements’ of SAR personnel…things they need or want…for new beacons operating through MEOSAR Develop Cospas-Sarsat and other national and international standards for new beacons and for the MEOSAR ground system that match the ‘requirements’ Expand beacon usage within communities that should use beacons Dramatically improve Cospas-Sarsat performance and capabilities

Today’s Session Provide some background on the beacon modernization effort Allow you to discuss SAR requirements for new beacons that will operate through the MEOSAR system Prepare you to complete, and to help other RCC controllers to complete, the NOAA questionnaire which is due by 15 March

Cospas-Sarsat System Evolution LEOSAR system launched for 121.5 MHz ELTs and EPIRBs 406 MHz EPIRBs and ELTs introduced GEOSAR system added 121.5 MHz EPIRBs ‘outlawed’ 406 MHz PLBs introduced Satellite processing of 121.5 MHz alerts terminated MEOSAR system and beacons under development

Assumptions MEOSAR space segment launches will remain on schedule, and the MEOSAR ground system coverage will be about 98% in 2015 New beacons will be appearing on the market initially within the 2014-2016 timeframe MEOSAR will be compatible with existing 406 MHz beacons, but the LEOSAR system will not process the new beacons Some new beacons will have a return link capability that will operate outside the Cospas-Sarsat System

LEO-GEOSAR Limitations/Concerns Non-continuous satellite coverage for system located alerting Sub-optimal probability of detection of beacons Need for at least three bursts for a location during what could be a short satellite exposure time Frequent dependence on low elevation satellites Need for very precise beacon oscillators to support Doppler locating and ambiguity resolution…one cost driver for beacons Long average time to deliver located alerts

Beacon Limitations/Concerns Beacon cost, size and weight Power hungry…beacon operating 24 hours needs a battery able to produce 1,728 five watt signals plus any homing signals and other functions Mix of complex coding protocols Sub-optimal for 406 MHz homing GPS capability is not ubiquitous Transmissions of 406 and 121.5 MHz signals are both compromised by sharing an antenna Communications are one-way

MEOSAR Characteristics More than ten times as many satellites as LEOSAR providing continuous global coverage Optimum satellite altitudes with larger footprints Single beacon burst locating Better accuracy Single location per beacon signal (no ambiguity) Better probability of detection System located alerts delivered in less than ten minutes

MEOSAR/New Beacon Needs and Wants for SAR? System locations? Encoded locations? Time to first alert? Alert intervals? Homing? Operating time? Alert message content? Temperature extremes? Return Link?

NOAA Voluntary Questionnaire on New Beacons that will Operate through the Future Cospas-Sarsat Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) System Due 15 March 10