Title of Invention

GPS BASED PROGRAMMABLE SEARCH AND RESCUE BEACON

Abstract

"GPS based programmable search and rescue beacon " The invention is regarding a Search and rescue beacon, which transmits distress signals to SAR Satellites in case of accidents on land, water or in air to carry out search and rescue operations. It is an electronic device, programmable to change the serial number and country code based on location of its use, which gives location information with a resolution of 120 meters. Fig. 2

Full Text

The invention relates to a device for transmitting distress signals to SAR satellites in case of accidents on land, water or air to carry out search and rescue operations. Back ground of the invention The invention relates to the field of electronics and communication engineering and more particularly in the development of a Global Positioning System (GPS) based programmable search and rescue beacon for communication in case of distress, A satellite based worldwide network that includes transmitting beacons, satellite and ground station can be used to rescue people in case of emergencies. As the efficiency of transmitting beacon increases, the efficiency of detection of exigency increases which results in increment in efficiency of rescue process. The invention provides an electronic device that can transmit signals either automatically or by manual operation to the SAR satellites at the time of distress. The electronic device is equipped with advanced provision to locate distress in any area like in land, mountain, water or in the sky. Also it is intended to provide location information with a resolution of 120 meters. Summary of the Invention The invention relates to an electronic device for transmitting signals at the time of distress to the dedicated Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (SAR) Satellites and Geo Synchronous Satellites with SAR payload for alerting about the accident and for locating the spot of distress to carry out search and rescue operations. The device derives location information with the help of received signals from Global Positional System (GPS) satellites and is encoded in the transmitted signal. The GPS (Global Positioning System) based programmable Search & Rescue Beacon is an electronic device that can be used to rescue people who are in distress. This is very useful in areas where other communication means are not available, like in deep sea (ships & boats), aviation (aircraft & helicopter) and in forests & mountains (while trekking). Unlike the prior art systems, the present invention incorporates GPS based location finding, programmability of transmitted message (Country code and serial number in National Location Protocol defines by Cospas-Sarsat System). Programming is done using Infrared (IR) interface. This is a handy unit with floating capability. In addition to water-activated switch, this also includes impact switch and manual switch. For carrier (406.025 MHz) generation the invention uses a Fractional Phase Locked Loop (PLL) and TCXO (Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator) based synthesizer loop that gives a stability of +/-,3ppm. The invention is regarding development of a beacon that transmits digital information regarding identification number, country code and current location of the beacon to the SAR satellites at the time of distress for conducting search and rescue operations. The beacon is versatile with capability to function in any area like in land, mountain, water or in sky for which it is provided with manual, water and impact switches to be activated at the time of distress. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the SAR beacon Figure 2 illustrates a detailed structure of the SAR beacon Detailed Description of the Drawings The SAR beacon is a device that transmits digital messages in case of emergencies, which are received by dedicated satellites and are retransmitted to ground station, which in turn initiate the rescue process. The beacon gives location information with a resolution of 120 meters. The digital message contains data for identification of the device and hence the user and the location of emergency. The location is derived with the help of GPS and is encoded in the transmitted message. The beacon comprises of a GPS Antenna, GPS receiver, micro controller, a transmitter and a transmitting antenna in sequence as shown in figure 1. GPS antenna receives signals from GPS satellites. GPS receiver modules process the GPS signals and provides data output. The micro controller takes GPS data, processes it and encodes location and identification as a message (144 bit length). It is connected to a transmitter which contains a phase modulator, Carrier Generation Electronics and Power amplifier, where phase modulator modulates the message bit by bit, Carrier generation Electronics generates the stable carrier and Power amplifier amplifies the modulated signal. This message is then transmitted using a transmitting antenna. The transmitter uses fractional PLL and TCXO base synthesizer technique for carrier generation (406.028 MHz) for superior stability of the transmitted signal. The transmitted power is 5 watts, for which it is supported by a battery power supply. The beacon is a handheld unit operated by batteries (6), covered in a waterproof housing (2), which can float freely if it falls in water. The GPS antenna (1) receives signals from GPS satellites and transmits the same to the GPS receiver (4) for processing the same on PCBS or the like (5). The SAR beacon can be activated either manually, (manual switch) or by coming in contact with water (water activated switch) (3) or by shock or impact (impact switch). Water activation is specifically meant for maritime applications and impact activation is meant for aviation applications where the device will be automatically activated by explosion or crash down. The identification data that include serial number and country code are programmable using infrared interface without having physical connections with the beacons. Also the encoded beacon information can also be read using JR interface. The packaging is designed to achieve floating capability while it is very handy. The device transmits digital messages that contain identification number, country code and current location of the beacon. The location of beacon is obtained using GPS. The country code and serial number are programmable using Infrared Interface. It is a handheld unit, which can float freely if it falls in water. It can be activated either manually, (manual switch) or by coming in contact with water (water activated switch) or by shock or impact (impact switch). Water activation is specifically meant for maritime applications and impact activation is meant for aviation applications where the device will be automatically activated by expression or crash down. The device has a fractional PLL (Phase Locked Loop) and TCXO (Temperature Compensate Crystal Oscillator) based carrier generation for superior stability of the transmitted signal. The transmitted signals are received by dedicated satellites and retransmitted to ground stations, which in turn initiate the rescue process. The beacon gives location information with a resolution of 120 meters. The SAR beacon has various advantages, as it is extremely useful for men in distress to be rescued at the earliest possible time using GPS based location finding. It is provided with water, manual and impact switches to serve people in distress either in land, water or in sky. Also it is handy to carry and floats in water for easy location, duly activated in case of accidents in water like in ships in deep sea or boats in rivers or lakes or for fishermen in deep sea. The invented device is realized using all commercially off the shelf components. It does not contain any custom made component or tuning elements. Hence it is very cost effective. We claim: 1. A device for transmitting distress signals to SAR satellites in case of accidents on land, water or in air to carry out search and rescue operations comprising: a GPS antenna to receive signals from GPS Satellites; a GPS receiver capable of processing the said GPS signals; a micro controller connected to a transmitter wherein the said micro controller processes the GPS data to encode location and identification as message; the said transmitter being supported by a battery power supply and a transmitting antenna. 2. A device for transmitting distress signals to SAR satellites as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises a phase modulator to modulate the message bit by bit; a carrier generation electronics to generate stable carrier and a power amplifier to amplify the said modulated message signal. 3. A device for transmitting distress signals to SAR satellites as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said unit is covered in a waterproof housing capable of floatation in water and activated by a switch. 4. A transmitter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said carrier generation comprises a fractional Phase Locked Loop (PLL) and Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) based synthesizer technique for superior stability of the transmitted signal and a power supply of 5 watts.

Documents:

158-CHE-2008 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 03-09-2013.pdf

158-CHE-2008 AMENDED CLAIMS 03-09-2013.pdf

158-CHE-2008 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 03-09-2013.pdf

158-CHE-2008 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 17-03-2014.pdf

158-CHE-2008 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 02-04-2014.pdf

158-CHE-2008 FORM-13.pdf

158-che-2008-abstract.pdf

158-che-2008-claims.pdf

158-che-2008-correspondnece-others.pdf

158-che-2008-description(complete).pdf

158-che-2008-drawings.pdf

158-che-2008-form 1.pdf

158-Che-2008-FORM 13.pdf

158-che-2008-form 26.pdf

158-che-2008-form 3.pdf

158-che-2008-form 8.pdf

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