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

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The objective of the SAT406M project is to develop a wrist-worn Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) providing an end-to-end solution based on the Galileo Support to Search and Rescue (SAR) Service –the SAR/Galileo service– and particularly on its unique Return-Link-Service (RLS). This beacon will be COSPAR-SARSAT compatible, and will also integrate a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) transceiver compatible with marine VHF radios. Moreover, a new communication method enhancing the standard communication between the PLB and the SAR/Galileo system will be developed.

A new feature of the SAT406M PLB will be its capacity to monitor and communicate (to the rescue crews) the physiological status of the PLB wearer. It is expected that this information will improve and facilitate the rescue operations. The role of GeoNumerics is to design algorithms that transform sensor readings in estimates of physiological status.

The objective of SAT406M project is to develop a wrist-worn Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) providing an end-to-end solution based on the Galileo Support to Search and Rescue (SAR) Service –the SAR/Galileo service– and particularly on its unique Return-Link-Service (RLS). This beacon will be COSPAR-SARSAT compatible, and will also integrate a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) transceiver compatible with marine VHF radios. Moreover, a new communication method enhancing the standard communication between the PLB and the SAR/Galileo system will be developed.

A new feature of the SAT406M PLB will be its capacity to monitor and communicate (to the rescue crews) the physiological status of the PLB wearer. It is expected that this information will improve and facilitate the rescue operations. The role of GeoNumerics is to design algorithms that transform sensor readings in estimates of physiological status.

The final product of the project, the SAT406M, will be an innovative PLB due to its new technology, taking advantage of the possibilities provided by the SAR/Galileo service. It should also be affordable for everyone that would want or need to use it. The interested users will mainly be sailors of all kinds: on motor boats and sailboats, recreational as well as professionals; yet also travellers, hikers or mountain climbers could benefit from SAT406M.

Mobit Telecom is a research and development (R&D) intensive small-and-medium-enterprise (SME) company specialised in telecommunications and their applications to SAR.

Thales Alenia Space, the European leader for satellite systems and at the cutting edge of orbiting infrastructure, is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), and forms with Telespazio the “Space Alliance.” It is a global reference point in the field of satellite systems for telecommunications, monitoring of the environment and the Earth's climate, defence and security, exploration and scientific research.

GeoNumerics is a research and development (R&D) intensive small-and-medium-enterprise (SME) company specialised in geomatics and accurate navigation.

The European Global navigation Satellite system Agency (GSA) is a European Union (EU) agency that promotes the use, adoption, application and market development of European GNSS services and that these services and operations are thoroughly secure, safe and accessible.

The International COSPAR-SARSAT Programme provides accurate, timely, and reliable distress alert and location data to help search and rescue authorities assist persons in distress. The objective of the COSPAR-SARSAT system is to reduce, as far as possible, delays in the provision of distress alerts to SAR services, and the time required locating a distress and providing assistance, which have a direct impact on the probability of survival of the person in distress at sea or on land.

The Galileo support to the SAR/Galileo service, represents the contribution of Europe to the international COSPAS-SARSAT cooperative effort on humanitarian SAR activities and will introduce significant improvements of the existing system.

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion (80 x 109 €) of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020). It couples research and innovation with emphasis on excellent science and industrial leadership, and tackles the EU societal challenges. H2020 goal is to ensure that Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation.

PROJECT DETAILS

Acronym: SAT406M
Title: 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
Period: 2015-02-01 to 2018-01-31
Funding: European Global navigation Satellite system Agency (GSA), European Commission (EC) grant 640387, Horizon 2020 (H2020), GALILEO-2-2014
Coordinator: Mobit Telecom Ltd. (IL)
Other participants: Thales Alenia Space France (FR), GeoNumerics (ES)

 

This project has received funding from the European Community's Horizon 2020 Programme under Grant Agreement 640387.