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14 

Appendix A) COSPAS-SARSAT

*

 System

**

 

The beginnings of SARSAT date back to 1970 when a plane carrying two U.S. 

congressmen crashed in a remote region of Alaska.  A massive search and rescue effort 
was mounted, but to this day, no trace of them or their aircraft has ever been found.  In 
reaction to this tragedy, Congress mandated that all aircraft in the United States carry an 
Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).  This device was designed to automatically 
activate after a crash and transmit a homing signal.  Since satellite technology was still 
in its infancy, the frequency selected for ELT transmissions was 121.5 MHz, the 
international aircraft distress frequency.  This system worked, but had many limitations.  
The frequency was cluttered, there was no way to verify who the signal was originating 
from, and most importantly, another aircraft had to be within range to receive the signal. 

After several years, the limitations of ELTs began to outweigh their benefits.  

At that time, a satellite based system was conceived.  It would operate on a frequency 
reserved only for emergency beacons (406 MHz), it would have a digital signal that 
uniquely identified each beacon, and it would provide global coverage. 

The SARSAT system was developed in a joint effort by the United States, 

Canada, and France.  In the United States, the SARSAT system was developed by 
NASA.  Once the system was functional, its operation was turned over to NOAA where 
it remains today. 

As the system began to take hold, more and more emergency beacons found 

their way onto the market.  ELTs continued to operate exclusively on 121.5 MHz, but 
maritime beacons (EPIRBs) were being built that operated on 406 MHz.  The U.S. Coast 
Guard in their role as maritime search and rescue specialists immediately began to see 
the benefits of 406 MHz, and in 1990, took proactive steps to bring it into widespread 
usage.  As a result, today there are over 33,000 EPIRBs in the NOAA 406 MHz 
Registration Database. 

A similar system, COSPAS, was developed by the Soviet Union.  The four 

nations, United States, Canada, France and the Soviet Union banded together in 1979 to 
form COSPAS-SARSAT.  In 1982, the first satellite was launched, and by 1984 the 
system was declared fully operational.  A overview of this system is shown in the figure 
on the following page. 

The COSPAS-SARSAT organization also continued to grow.  As of March, 

2001, the four original member nations have now been joined by 34 other nations that 
operate 38 ground stations and 15 mission control centers worldwide or serve as Search 
and Rescue Points of Contact (SPOCs).  COSPAS-SARSAT continues to be a model of 
international cooperation.  During the eighties, the Soviet Union and the United States 
were able to put aside their Cold War differences and tackle some tough technical 
questions. 

Today, new technology continues to evolve and the member nations are 

actively incorporating that technology into the COSPAS-SARSAT system of tomorrow.  
The MicroPLB

TM

 is at the forefront of this new technology revolution. 

 
 

*

SARSAT: Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking 

 COSPAS: Space System for Search of Vessels in Distress 
                  (acronym from the Russian language) 

**

Parts abstracted from the NOAA SARSAT home page (

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov

         with thanks. 

Summary of Contents for MicroPLB MBT-040600

Page 1: ...MicroPLBTM MINIATURE SARSAT PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON PLB MODEL MBT 040600 OWNERS MANUAL Microwave Monolithics Incorporated 2263 Ward Ave Simi Valley CA 93065 Tel 805 584 6642 FAX 805 584 9594 ...

Page 2: ... 18 Type Summary for the MicroPLBTM 18 C S Designations MBT 040600 MBT 040600 48 19 C S Designations MBT 040600A MBT 040600A 48 20 C S Designations MBT 040600B MBT 040600B 48 21 C S Designations MBT 040600C MBT 040600C 48 22 C S Designations MBT 040600D MBT 040600D 48 23 C S Designations MBT 040600E MBT 040600E 48 24 You Must REGISTER YOUR PLB See Section 8 2003 Use the MicroPLBTM only during situ...

Page 3: ...every 20 minutes as documented by the COSPAS SARSAT specifications The MicroPLBTM could thus be a life saver for individuals engaged in activities such as hiking hunting mountain climbing boating flying cross country skiing etc where even a simple accident may rapidly lead to dangerous and or life threatening situations unless help is provided in a timely fashion The MicroPLBTM is truly a pocket s...

Page 4: ...enna will automatically deploy 2 Pull activator pin completely out Blinking Green Transmission Single Red Blink prior to each 406 MHz Pulse 3 Place beacon in a clear area antenna pointing up Use the MicroPLBTM only during situations of grave and imminent danger Operation under any other circumstances may lead to sanctions and or penalties ...

Page 5: ...ally begin The Beacon will attempt transmission even if it failed self test A slowly blinking green LED indicates transmission A single red flash will be emitted about 1 second prior to each 406 MHz transmission While operating the MicroPLBTM should be placed on its side on a flat surface away from obstructions with the antenna pointing up towards the sky ...

Page 6: ...hout GPS receiver if necessary with reduced functionality 3 Pull activator pin completely out Blinking Green Transmission Single Blink GPS NOT Acquired Double Blink GPS Acquired Single Red Blink prior to each 406 MHz Pulse 4 Place beacon in a clear area antenna pointing up Use the MicroPLBTM only during situations of grave and imminent danger Operation under any other circumstances may lead to san...

Page 7: ...s with the antenna pointing up towards the sky External GPS Receiver Requirements The MicroPLBTM models with external GPS capability are designed to accept data from GPS receivers with data output conforming to the electrical characteristics and data format specified by the NMEA National Marine Electronics Association 0183 standard version 2 Standard NMEA sentences accepted by the MicroPLBTM inclu...

Page 8: ...nk GPS NOT Acquired Double Blink GPS Acquired Single Red Blink prior to each 406 MHz Pulse 3 Place beacon in a clear area Both antennas pointing up GPS Bulls eye and spring For best GPS operation keep beacon away from obstructions such as tall buildings trees etc Use the MicroPLBTM only during situations of grave and imminent danger Operation under any other circumstances may lead to sanctions and...

Page 9: ...repeating green Single Blink indicates the beacon is transmitting and that the GPS receiver is attempting to acquire a valid fix or attempting to update its position A repeating green Double Blink indicates the beacon is transmitting and that a valid GPS location is included in the transmission A simultaneous red and green flash will be emitted just prior to each 406 MHz transmission Re insert act...

Page 10: ...8 3 Deactivation To deactivate the MicroPLBTM 1 Insert the activator pin Remove GPS connector if present 2 Wind the antenna around beacon body 3 Replace Cover ...

Page 11: ...ith a partially depleted battery pack could pass all of the self test functions and still not have sufficient energy to operate correctly in an emergency situation See Service and Repair for battery pack replacement If for any reason the activator pin is unavailable or the hole is obstructed emergency transmissions can be halted by BREAKING OFF THE ANTENNA The beacon will continue to function unti...

Page 12: ...inking will continue but there will be no more 406 MHz transmissions If you have a MicroPLB with Attached Internal GPS receiver the GPS receiver will be automatically activated during the self test A repeating green Single Blink indicates that the GPS receiver is attempting to acquire a valid fix After a fix is acquired a repeating green Double Blink will be displayed Release the activator pin at ...

Page 13: ...on rescue and PLB deactivation occurs See Service and Repair for instructions on battery pack replacement If desired the PLB may be tested up to once a month as described under Self Test Instructions Excessive self testing will deplete the battery pack will lead to self test failure indications and could possibly result in premature battery pack depletion in an emergency situation 6 Service and Re...

Page 14: ...been damaged through accident misuse or during transportation The warranty is also void if the unit has been opened by persons other than by service personnel authorized by the manufacturer This is the entire warranty offered In no event will the manufacturer or its representatives be liable for any other damages either direct consequential incidental or punitive however caused and regardless of t...

Page 15: ...plb form pdf Mail the original signed form to NOAA at NOAA SARSAT Beacon Registration E SP3 RM 3320 FB 4 5200 Auth Road Suitland MD 20746 4304 You may expedite beacon registration by faxing a copy of the completed form to NOAA at 301 568 8649 as long as the original signed form is then mailed to the address above On line beacon registration is available at http www beaconregistration noaa gov If y...

Page 16: ... their way onto the market ELTs continued to operate exclusively on 121 5 MHz but maritime beacons EPIRBs were being built that operated on 406 MHz The U S Coast Guard in their role as maritime search and rescue specialists immediately began to see the benefits of 406 MHz and in 1990 took proactive steps to bring it into widespread usage As a result today there are over 33 000 EPIRBs in the NOAA 4...

Page 17: ...ovide instantaneous alerting and can include location information if the beacon is a self locating type 4 After validation processing alerts are relayed depending on beacon location or country of registration to either another MCC or to the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center RCC 5 U S RCCs are operated by the Coast Guard and the Air Force The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center AFRCC at Langl...

Page 18: ...es 406 MHz transmissions provides measurements of the frequency and time then retransmits this data in real time and stores it aboard for later transmission If the satellite is in view of a ground station when a 406 MHz signal is received the data is received in real time The satellite also stores each signal it receives and continuously downloads this data The ground stations LUT s use the data t...

Page 19: ...o the USMCC it is treated much the same way as one received from the SARSAT and COSPAS satellites The USMCC determines which RCC should respond and immediately transmits a message to that RCC This means that a distress message including location of the PLB will reach rescue personnel immediately Since they will know exactly where you are and who you are the response can be extremely quick ...

Page 20: ...BT 040600A 48 48 MBT 040600B 24 MBT 040600B 48 48 MBT 040600C 24 MBT 040600C 48 48 MBT 040600D 24 MBT 040600D 48 48 MBT 040600E 24 MBT 040600E 48 48 Notes 1 Types AA and XL accept data from an external GPS receiver Types GP and GX accept data from an Attached Internal GPS receiver Type Summary for the MicroPLBTM Type External GPS Attached Internal GPS Extended 48 Hr Battery AA GP XL GX BB BX This ...

Page 21: ... AA and XL 9 5 Oz Types GP and GX ANTENNA Protected By Case Easily Deployed Antenna Vertical With Largest Face of Case Horizontal Internal GPS antenna Types GP and GX BATTERY PACK Lithium Battery Approved By U S DOT For Transportation By All Common Carriers OPERATING MODES Off Transmit and Test ACTIVATION Two Conscious Actions Required INDICATORS Flashing LEDs OPERATING LIFE 24 Hrs Minimum Types A...

Page 22: ...ase Easily Deployed Antenna Vertical With Largest Face of Case Horizontal BATTERY PACK Lithium Battery Approved By U S DOT For Transportation By All Common Carriers OPERATING MODES Off Transmit and Test ACTIVATION Two Conscious Actions Required INDICATORS Flashing LEDs OPERATING LIFE 24 Hrs Minimum Type BB 48 Hrs Minimum Type BX OPERATING TEMPERATURE 20o to 55o C Class 2 DUSTPROOF Sealed Against D...

Page 23: ...A and XL 9 5 Oz Types GP and GX ANTENNA Protected By Case Easily Deployed Antenna Vertical With Largest Face of Case Horizontal Internal GPS antenna Types GP and GX BATTERY PACK Lithium Battery Approved By U S DOT For Transportation By All Common Carriers OPERATING MODES Off Transmit and Test ACTIVATION Two Conscious Actions Required INDICATORS Flashing LEDs OPERATING LIFE 24 Hrs Minimum Types AA ...

Page 24: ...Easily Deployed Antenna Vertical With Largest Face of Case Horizontal BATTERY PACK Lithium Battery Approved By U S DOT For Transportation By All Common Carriers OPERATING MODES Off Transmit and Test ACTIVATION Two Conscious Actions Required INDICATORS Flashing LEDs OPERATING LIFE 24 Hrs Minimum Type BB 48 Hrs Minimum Type BX OPERATING TEMPERATURE 20o to 55o C Class 2 DUSTPROOF Sealed Against Dust ...

Page 25: ...s AA and XL 9 5 Oz Types GP and GX ANTENNA Protected By Case Easily Deployed Antenna Vertical With Largest Face of Case Horizontal Internal GPS antenna Types GP and GX BATTERY PACK Lithium Battery Approved By U S DOT For Transportation By All Common Carriers OPERATING MODES Off Transmit and Test ACTIVATION Two Conscious Actions Required INDICATORS Flashing LEDs OPERATING LIFE 24 Hrs Minimum Types ...

Page 26: ...A and XL 9 5 Oz Types GP and GX ANTENNA Protected By Case Easily Deployed Antenna Vertical With Largest Face of Case Horizontal Internal GPS antenna Types GP and GX BATTERY PACK Lithium Battery Approved By U S DOT For Transportation By All Common Carriers OPERATING MODES Off Transmit and Test ACTIVATION Two Conscious Actions Required INDICATORS Flashing LEDs OPERATING LIFE 24 Hrs Minimum Types AA ...

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