406 MHz ELT signal spectra for SARSAT

The signal format and spectral properties of the 406-MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) used in the search and rescue satellite aided tracking (SARSAT) system are examined. The ELT improves location estimate accuracies and can relay information about the particular aircraft and its problem, by means of the digitally modulated message fields. It is shown that due to the RF signal frequency characteristics and the Doppler shift, processing must be performed over a frequency band of approximately 25 kHz. Through the use of the fast Fourier transformation (FFT), the frequency spectrum of the ELT is analyzed, taking account of effects due to noise, multiple simultaneously received signals, and Doppler shift. It is demonstrated that the FFT provides an effective means for detecting and recognizing the presence of one or more ELT signals over this 25-kHz frequency band. Some recommendations are made to improve the spectral characteristics and the performance of the ELT     

A novel approach for the SARSAT system

A novel method for determining the location of a 406-MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) for the search and rescue satellite aided tracking (SARSAT) system is proposed. The technique uses information from a geostationary satellite (Geosat) link, as well as the conventional polar orbiting satellite links. The method is based on solving a system of equations to determine the range from the ELT to the polar orbiting satellite (Polarsat) for each signal transmitted. Only two pulses need to be received from the ELT in order to obtain a location estimate. The main difference between the procedure outlined and the global positioning system (GPS) is that accurate time information is not available in the transmissions since aircraft and marine vessels seldom have accurate time standards onboard