h r smith group of companies · presentation scope. first, a brief outline of satellite aided sar....

H R Smith Group of Companies


H R Smith Group of Companieswww.searchandrescue.com

H R Smith Group of Companieswww.searchandrescue.com



H R Smith Group of CompaniesH R Smith Group of Companies

TECHTEST LTDTECHTEST LTD



•• Problems with Multiple BeaconsProblems with Multiple Beacons•• Concept of Concept of ‘‘SmartSmart’’ BeaconsBeacons•• Case Study Case Study –– Bond Ditching 2009Bond Ditching 2009•• The MultiThe Multi--beacon Dilemmabeacon Dilemma•• Unravelling the Dilemma Unravelling the Dilemma •• Way Forward.Way Forward.

Presentation ScopePresentation Scope

First, a brief outline of First, a brief outline of Satellite Aided SARSatellite Aided SAR



Local User Terminal

Local User Terminal

Mission Control Centre

Mission Control Centre

Rescue Co-ord Centre

Rescue Co-ord Centre

406 MHz406 MHz

BeaconBeacon

COSPAS-SARSAT SystemCOSPAS-SARSAT System

Homing 121.5 & 243 MHz Homing 121.5 & 243 MHz

LongLatIdent



SARSAT Improves SARSAT Improves rescue prospects by rescue prospects by providing:providing:

•• Rapid global alerting Rapid global alerting

•• Doppler locatingDoppler locating

•• Unique identificationUnique identification

••Embedded position option. Embedded position option.

SARSAT BenefitsSARSAT Benefits



Comparing 406 & 121.5 PropertiesComparing 406 & 121.5 Properties

•• Can be uniquely identifiedCan be uniquely identified

•• Can include embedded position (125 metres)Can include embedded position (125 metres)

•• Transmitted at 5 Watts power.Transmitted at 5 Watts power.

•• Has no means of identificationHas no means of identification

•• Has no means of conveying informationHas no means of conveying information

•• Transmitted at 1/10 Watt power.Transmitted at 1/10 Watt power.

406 MHz Digital Global Signal 406 MHz Digital Global Signal

121.5 MHz Analogue Localized Signal121.5 MHz Analogue Localized Signal



SAR missions SAR missions still rely heavily on still rely heavily on analogue 121.5 MHz analogue 121.5 MHz

homing and direction homing and direction finding technology. finding technology.

Current SAR PracticeCurrent SAR Practice

SurprisinglySurprisingly……..



Final Homing RunFinal Homing RunOver flyOver fly

Outbound Down Wind Descent

Outbound Down WindDescentTurn into

wind towards beacon

Turn into wind towards beacon

Single Beacon Scenario Single Beacon Scenario

Wind Wind DirectionDirection



Single Beacon Scenario Single Beacon Scenario

Proving Turns Proving Turns ensure ensure confidence in confidence in steering advicesteering advice



Dual Beacon Scenario Dual Beacon Scenario

Dual beacons REDUCE

proving turn responses



Constant Bearing Course (Single Beacon)

Constant Bearing Course (Single Beacon)

Potential Pursuit Courses (Dual Beacons)

Potential Pursuit Courses (Dual Beacons)

Dual Beacon Scenario Dual Beacon Scenario

Extended Extended Flight Time Flight Time

Increased Increased Uncertainty.Uncertainty.



How many Beacons are influencing my

Homer Display

And Where Are They?

....

..

.

Multiple Beacon Scenario Multiple Beacon Scenario

?



Comparisons: 406 & 121.5 MHzComparisons: 406 & 121.5 MHz

Herein lies the problem with Herein lies the problem with 121.5 when used alone....121.5 when used alone....

In fact, multiple beacons create a In fact, multiple beacons create a confusing wall of transmissions that confusing wall of transmissions that

cannot be resolved into cannot be resolved into a clear tactical rescue picture.a clear tactical rescue picture.

Many beacons Many beacons definitely do not definitely do not make light work make light work for SAR crews!for SAR crews!



•• Proving turnsProving turns•• Reducing altitudeReducing altitude•• Manoeuvring for inManoeuvring for in--line approachline approach•• Swept tone audio discriminationSwept tone audio discrimination

Mitigation TacticsMitigation Tactics

Standard SAR Operating Procedures can Standard SAR Operating Procedures can Mitigate but not Eradicate MultiMitigate but not Eradicate Multi--beacon beacon Situations.....Situations.....



ReceiverReceiver

Swept Tone DiscriminationSwept Tone Discrimination



Complex flight scenariosComplex flight scenariosdemand a high degree of airmanshipdemand a high degree of airmanship

and potentially extend mission durationand potentially extend mission durationwith increased risk of failurewith increased risk of failure

Surely technology can do Surely technology can do better than this !better than this !

Mitigation TacticsMitigation Tactics



121.5 MHz121.5 MHzImprovingImprovingHoming & Homing &

Direction FindingDirection FindingCapabilityCapability

Tactical SAR Options Tactical SAR Options

406 MHz 406 MHz Embracing Embracing

Tactical Decoding &Tactical Decoding &Tracking Tracking

TechnologyTechnology

Relatively LongRelatively Long--term Goalsterm Goals



Consequently Consequently Techtest decided to Techtest decided to tackle the Multiple tackle the Multiple Beacon problem at Beacon problem at

source...source...

that is, within the that is, within the beacon itself.beacon itself.



500500--12 ELT (Survival)12 ELT (Survival)

Smart ELT (Survival)Smart ELT (Survival)

•• SARSAT & Aviation CertifiedSARSAT & Aviation Certified

•• GPS optionGPS option

•• 406 / 121.5 / 243 MHz406 / 121.5 / 243 MHz

•• TwoTwo--way Speechway Speech

•• Auto Receive Auto Receive •• ‘‘SmartSmart’’ FunctionFunction



•• Wasteful power utilizationWasteful power utilization

•• Causes homing problems on 121.5 MHzCauses homing problems on 121.5 MHz

•• Corrupts voice communications on 121.5 MHzCorrupts voice communications on 121.5 MHz

Smart Beacon ConceptSmart Beacon Concept

•• Inhibits 121.5 MHz from other local beaconsInhibits 121.5 MHz from other local beacons

•• Effectively extends collective battery lifeEffectively extends collective battery life

•• Provides single 121.5 MHz homing sourceProvides single 121.5 MHz homing source

•• 406 MHz signal not affected406 MHz signal not affected

Smart Beacon:Smart Beacon:

Second beacon automatically transmits when Master fails or PTT pressed.



The Smart BeaconThe Smart Beacon

‘‘SmartSmart’’ also facilitates also facilitates clear speech on 121.5 clear speech on 121.5 MHz by removing the MHz by removing the overlay of the audio overlay of the audio swept tone.swept tone.



First beacon Activated 121.5 MHz Transmit

121.5 MHz Receive

Mode 121.5 MHz Receive

Mode

Press to Talk 121.5 MHz Transmit

121.5 MHz Receive

Mode

406 MHz Transmissions

Continue Uninterrupted

Beacon remains

121.5 MHz Master



Smart Beacon Concept Smart Beacon Concept



121.5 MHz Receive

Mode

121.5 MHz Receive

Mode

Beacon remains

121.5 MHz Master




Until they drift apart by > ½ mile



Smart BenefitsSmart Benefits

•• Auto reception of 121.5 voice transmissionAuto reception of 121.5 voice transmission

•• Clear, undistorted speech communicationClear, undistorted speech communication

•• Close proximity multiClose proximity multi--beacon suppressionbeacon suppression

•• Unambiguous homing transmissionsUnambiguous homing transmissions

•• Extended battery life of multiExtended battery life of multi--beacon group.beacon group.

In summary the In summary the ‘‘SmartSmart’’ beacon provides:beacon provides:



Smart BenefitsSmart Benefits

And And ‘‘SmartSmart’’ does does NOTNOT

interfere with interfere with 406 MHz 406 MHz SARSAT SARSAT

transmissions.transmissions.




But problems can But problems can occur when Smart and occur when Smart and

nonnon--Smart beacons Smart beacons are used in are used in

combination, combination, especially if the latter especially if the latter

are not of an approved are not of an approved aviation standard. aviation standard.




A Case StudyA Case Study

Eastern Trough Area ProjectEastern Trough Area Project



The problem came into sharp The problem came into sharp focus with BPfocus with BP’’s introduction s introduction of WWPLBs (Wristwatch of WWPLBs (Wristwatch Personal Locator Beacons) for Personal Locator Beacons) for helicopter passengers as part helicopter passengers as part of ETAP Project Jigsaw. of ETAP Project Jigsaw.

Eastern Trough Area ProjectEastern Trough Area Project

WWPLB

The WWPLBs featured very The WWPLBs featured very lowlow--power homing transmitters power homing transmitters compared with those of the compared with those of the aircraftaircraft’’s (100 mW) Survival s (100 mW) Survival ELTs.ELTs.



18 February 2009 18 February 2009

At 18:35 hours on 18 February At 18:35 hours on 18 February 2009, a Eurocopter EC225 2009, a Eurocopter EC225 ditched in the North Sea ditched in the North Sea approximately 500 metres approximately 500 metres south of its destination, the south of its destination, the Marnock oil production rigMarnock oil production rig. .

AberdeenAberdeenAberdeen

There were 16 passengers There were 16 passengers onon--board all equipped with board all equipped with autoauto--activated WWPLBs. activated WWPLBs.




Aircraft Crash Position Aircraft Crash Position Indicator Indicator (Techtest Series 503)(Techtest Series 503) did not autodid not auto--deploy because deploy because the ditching did not exceed the ditching did not exceed the acceleration sensorsthe acceleration sensors’’ activation threshold. activation threshold. Nor was the CPI manually Nor was the CPI manually activated by flight crew. activated by flight crew. Hence, there were no Hence, there were no postpost--accident CPI accident CPI transmissions.transmissions.




The Three Survival ELTs The Three Survival ELTs (Techtest Series 500(Techtest Series 500--12)12) were activated by the crew were activated by the crew and their 406 MHz and their 406 MHz transmissions were transmissions were detected, identified and detected, identified and Doppler located by satellite Doppler located by satellite to within 460 metres. to within 460 metres.




••However, the close proximity of passenger However, the close proximity of passenger WWPLBs to the activated flight ELTs inhibited WWPLBs to the activated flight ELTs inhibited homing transmissions from the latter. homing transmissions from the latter.

••Search & Rescue crews were therefore faced Search & Rescue crews were therefore faced with a 121.5 MHz multiple WWPLB scenario in with a 121.5 MHz multiple WWPLB scenario in which the distress transmissions were virtually which the distress transmissions were virtually invisible to the SAR aircraft.invisible to the SAR aircraft.



121.5 MHz Receive

Only

But 406 MHz Transmissions

Continued Uninterrupted




?



WWPLB Range (mtrs)WWPLB Range (mtrs)

--4040

--5050

--6060

--7070

--8080

--9090

--100100

3 63 6 1212 2424 4848

xxxx

xx

xxxx

Rx Signal Rx Signal (dBm)(dBm)

PLB Rx PLB Rx ThresholdThreshold

Above AutoAbove Auto--receive receive ThresholdThreshold

Below AutoBelow Auto--receive receive ThresholdThreshold

WWPLB TestsWWPLB Tests

Tests showed that Flight ELTs were suppressed Tests showed that Flight ELTs were suppressed by WWPLBs at a range of up to 48 Metres:by WWPLBs at a range of up to 48 Metres:



•• WWPLBs operated in close proximity to the WWPLBs operated in close proximity to the EC225EC225’’s approved flight beacons suppressed s approved flight beacons suppressed their homing transmissions within a range of their homing transmissions within a range of 48 metres48 metres

•• This mix of beacons effectively gave This mix of beacons effectively gave precedence to the nonprecedence to the non--smart units, even smart units, even though they were lowthough they were low--power WW PLBspower WW PLBs

•• Homing transmissions from the scene of the Homing transmissions from the scene of the ditching came only from WWPLBs which ditching came only from WWPLBs which where virtually invisible to the SAR aircraft.where virtually invisible to the SAR aircraft.

Analysis



In other words, In other words, we had resolved a we had resolved a

multiple beacon scenario multiple beacon scenario by virtually eliminating all by virtually eliminating all

homing transmissions homing transmissions from the scene.from the scene.



Other Considerations

•• Had the EC225Had the EC225’’s Crash Position Indicator s Crash Position Indicator deployed automatically (or manually) the CPI deployed automatically (or manually) the CPI would have transmitted on 121.5 MHz to would have transmitted on 121.5 MHz to provide a clear longprovide a clear long--range homing signal range homing signal unaffected by the Wristwatch PLBs.unaffected by the Wristwatch PLBs.

•• COSPASCOSPAS--SARSAT detected, identified and SARSAT detected, identified and located the flight beacons to within located the flight beacons to within approximately 460 metres of the ditching site.approximately 460 metres of the ditching site.



Recommended................Recommended................

AAIB RecommendationsAAIB Recommendations

That the CAA review carriage and use in That the CAA review carriage and use in commercial air transport helicopters of radio commercial air transport helicopters of radio location devices not forming part of the location devices not forming part of the aircraftaircraft’’s certified equipment (2009s certified equipment (2009--064).064).WWPLBs removed from service soon afterWWPLBs removed from service soon after



Subsequently however the CAA & Subsequently however the CAA & EASA accepted that:EASA accepted that:••Approved Passenger PLBs could be Approved Passenger PLBs could be permitted on ETAP transit flightspermitted on ETAP transit flights

•• ‘‘SmartSmart’’ technology would be removed technology would be removed

••Future of Smart technology would be Future of Smart technology would be subject to an EASA Safety Case.subject to an EASA Safety Case.

However, Smart beacons continue to find However, Smart beacons continue to find acceptance in military and other organizations acceptance in military and other organizations

that are not subject to EASA regulation. that are not subject to EASA regulation.

CAA / EASA ViewCAA / EASA View

http://www.easa.eu.int/home/index.html



Oil & Gas UK AnnouncementOil & Gas UK Announcement

December 2009



Replacement ETAP PLBsReplacement ETAP PLBs

•• 121.5 MHz only121.5 MHz only

•• Life preserver mountedLife preserver mounted

•• Water activatedWater activated

•• Typically 30 mile range Typically 30 mile range

•• 100 mW Power Output.100 mW Power Output.

Characteristics:Characteristics:



Pre-February 2009Pre-February 2009

One CPIOne CPIOne CPIOne Smart Flight ELT

One Smart Flight One Smart Flight ELTELT

A Manageable ScenarioA Manageable Scenario



Current SituationCurrent Situation

One CPIOne CPI4 Non4 Non--smart smart Flight ELTsFlight ELTs

Up toUp to18 PLBs18 PLBs

A Difficult ScenarioA Difficult ScenarioBut on 406But on 406……..Especially at NightEspecially at Night



Any ETAP rescue scenario has now Any ETAP rescue scenario has now become potentially more complex by become potentially more complex by

allowing 100mW / 121.5 MHz passenger allowing 100mW / 121.5 MHz passenger PLBs to operate alongside nonPLBs to operate alongside non--Smart flight Smart flight

ELTs in the aftermath of an accident. ELTs in the aftermath of an accident.

Only concession to the multiple beacon Only concession to the multiple beacon problem is an instruction to passengers to problem is an instruction to passengers to switch off their personal beacons when in switch off their personal beacons when in

the lifethe life--raft.raft.

The Multiple Beacon DilemmaThe Multiple Beacon Dilemma



A Personal View.... A Personal View....

Current policy exacerbates the Current policy exacerbates the multiple beacon problem rather multiple beacon problem rather than resolving it! than resolving it!

The Multiple Beacon DilemmaThe Multiple Beacon Dilemma



•• Use of Smart beacon technology be approved to:Use of Smart beacon technology be approved to:

Mitigate known problems with multiple beacons Mitigate known problems with multiple beacons

Improve effectiveness of speech communications.Improve effectiveness of speech communications.

•• Simultaneous carriage of smart and nonSimultaneous carriage of smart and non--smart smart Survival ELTs be prohibited.Survival ELTs be prohibited.

•• Greater consideration be given to the benefits of Greater consideration be given to the benefits of airborne 406 MHz tracking systems in equipping airborne 406 MHz tracking systems in equipping aircraft for SAR operationsaircraft for SAR operations

And, stressed the benefits of location protocol beacons And, stressed the benefits of location protocol beacons for Survival ELT applications. for Survival ELT applications.

Recommendations to EASA

Techtest Safety Case Recommended......Techtest Safety Case Recommended......



Further MeasuresFurther Measures

406 MHz 406 MHz

Exploit AirborneExploit Airborne406 tracking 406 tracking and decodingand decoding

technologytechnology

121.5 MHz121.5 MHz

Develop Develop High DefinitionHigh Definition

Direction Finding Direction Finding SystemsSystems

These technologies are now the cornerstone of These technologies are now the cornerstone of our SAR capability development programme. our SAR capability development programme.



POSITION

Airborne 406 Homer-DecoderAirborne 406 Homer-Decoder

Homing & decoding on 406 MHz Homing & decoding on 406 MHz Homing on121.5 and 243 MHz. Homing on121.5 and 243 MHz.



•• Integral 406 MHz antennaIntegral 406 MHz antenna

•• Decodes 406 message Decodes 406 message

•• Displays lat & LongDisplays lat & Long

•• Tracks 10 beaconsTracks 10 beacons

•• No external interfacesNo external interfaces

•• Battery powered Battery powered

•• Six hrs operating time. Six hrs operating time.

Portable Airborne DecoderPortable Airborne Decoder



Towards High Resolution DFTowards High Resolution DF

•• 121.5 / 406 MHz121.5 / 406 MHz

•• Multiple beacons:Multiple beacons:

DF up to 4DF up to 4

Decode up to 10Decode up to 10

•• Antenna 350mm diaAntenna 350mm dia

•• Display 320x240 PixelsDisplay 320x240 Pixels

•• NVIS Option.NVIS Option.



Aircraft Services

Circular (350mm) Antenna Array with Integral Receivers

DF-Decoder Controller/Display

Remote Processor & Decoder

Airborne DF-DecoderAirborne DF-Decoder



Towards High Resolution DFTowards High Resolution DFRange 5.25km Range 5.25km AzimuthAzimuth--1818°°

Range 5.1km Range 5.1km Azimuth +10Azimuth +10°°

Range 5km Azimuth -1° Range 5km Range 5km Azimuth Azimuth --11°°

SAR Aircraft SAR Aircraft heading = 0heading = 0°°

1.5 km1.5 km 1.0 km1.0 km

Multiple Beacon Simulation

Multiple Beacon Simulation



Tracking simulation using ‘Covariance Matrix’

methodology

to determine azimuth, elevation and signal strength

Range 5.25km Azimuth-18°

Range 5.25km Range 5.25km AzimuthAzimuth--1818°°

Range 5.1km Azimuth +10° Range 5.1km Range 5.1km Azimuth +10Azimuth +10°°

Range 5km Azimuth -1° Range 5km Range 5km Azimuth Azimuth --11°°

Towards High Resolution DFTowards High Resolution DF



•• Uncluttered Functional LCD displayUncluttered Functional LCD display

•• Polar display for DF angles / signal levelPolar display for DF angles / signal level

•• Map display for GPS position / range estimateMap display for GPS position / range estimate

•• 406 data decode406 data decode

•• 406 Identification406 Identification

•• 406 Position. 406 Position.

DF Display & Controller DF Display & Controller



•• Multiple PLBs carried on ETAP transit flights threaten Multiple PLBs carried on ETAP transit flights threaten to outstrip the SAR forceto outstrip the SAR force’’s ability to track and s ability to track and discriminate between themdiscriminate between them

•• Smart technology offers a practical means of Smart technology offers a practical means of simplifying a multiple beacon rescue scenariosimplifying a multiple beacon rescue scenario

•• Smart PLBs facilitate clear twoSmart PLBs facilitate clear two--way speechway speech

•• Significant tactical benefits would come from fully Significant tactical benefits would come from fully exploiting the 406 digital waveformexploiting the 406 digital waveform

•• High resolution 121.5 MHz DF offers potential High resolution 121.5 MHz DF offers potential improvements but is not a panacea in itself.improvements but is not a panacea in itself.

Conclusion



Enhanced Direction Finding? 406 MHz

Decoding?

Smart Beacons?

Conclusion

Multiple Options requiring co-ordinated approachMultiple Options requiring co-ordinated approach

Satellite Aided Tracking?



No single universal solution. No single universal solution.

The maintenance of aviation safety & survival depends on the balanced application of existing and emerging technologies to

exploit their benefits while minimizing risks resulting from

their co-deployment.

The maintenance of aviation safety & survival depends on the balanced application of existing and emerging technologies to

exploit their benefits while minimizing risks resulting from

their co-deployment.

Conclusion



Techtest LtdThe Multi-beacon

Dilemma

Techtest LtdThe Multi-beacon

Dilemma

H R Smith Group of CompaniesH R Smith Group of Companies

h r smith group of companies · presentation scope. first, a brief outline of satellite aided sar....

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