A R G O S - 3

THE NEW GENERATION

A R G O S - 3

THE NEW GENERATION

i n t r o d u c t i o n

Argos-3: a new generation for data collection

The first Argos-3 instrument is launched aboard Eumetat’s MetOpsatellite. Designed to improve the overall performance of the Argossystem while ensuring system continuity, Argos-3 introduces:

two-way communication capabilitygreater volume of data transmitted during each satellite pass(ten times the capacity of Argos-2)more efficient data collectionplatform remote control and programming

What is Argos?

Argos is a unique worldwide location and data collection systemdedicated to studying and protecting the environment by satellite.

Since 1978, Argos has responded to the needs of the world’s scien-tific and industrial communities. Argos gives scientists a tool toenhance their understanding of our environment and helps industrycomply with environmental protection regulations. Today, over16,000 Argos transmitters are active each month worldwide.

Applications of the Argos system include:locating buoys, fishing vessels, wildlife and any mobile plat-form carrying an Argos transmittercollecting environmental data, from ocean temperature pro-files to river levels or animal heart ratesobserving the oceans and measuring currents, temperatureand salinitymonitoring public health, managing fisheries, enforcing mar-itime security

Governments use Argos to protect marine ecosystemsand ensure responsible fishing.

Argos is used to observe the oceans and understandclimate change.

Yacht races depend on Argos beacons to track raceprogress.

Scientists use Argos to better monitor and understandwildlife.

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INTRODUCTION

What is Argos? 2

NEW FEATURES

What’s new with Argos-3? 4-5

APPLICATIONS

What does Argos do? 6-9

SYSTEM

How does Argos two-way work? 10-12

Argos-3

Instrument 13-15User Platforms 16

PERSPECTIVES

Where we come from 17Where we’re going 18

ABOUT CLS

Who operates Argos? 19

CONTACT US 20

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Publication director: Christophe VassalEditors-in-chief: Marianna Childress, Marie-Claire DemmouContributing editors: Christian Ortega (CLS), Michel Sarthou (CNES), Bill Woodward (CLS America), Michel Guigue (CLS), Bruno Coulon (CLS), Fabrice Planchou (CLS),Matthieu Belbeoch (JCOMMOPS)Design and layout: Ogham (N°7621) - June 2006

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What’s new with Argos-3?

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Two-way communication with platforms

Argos-3 features two-way communication via adownlink with a new generation of Argos plat-forms — the Platform Messaging Transceivers(PMTs). All downlink communication is man-aged by the Downlink Messaging ManagementCenter (DMMC), operated by CLS for the FrenchSpace Agency, CNES, in Toulouse, France.

Greater volume of data transmitted duringeach satellite pass

Argos-3 features a high speed 4.8 kbit/s uplink,allowing ten times more data to be transferredper satellite pass than before. Combined withthe downlink capability, the high data rate linkincreases the amount of data collected.

More efficient data transfer

The one-way Argos system (Argos-1, Argos-2)requires redundant messages to increase theprobability of data being received by satelliteserror-free. With Argos-3, redundant messagesare no longer necessary, since the downlinkallows the Argos-3 instrument to send an“Acknowledgement” signal to the PMT oncedata has been received error-free. Once thePMT receives the “Acknowledgement,” it stopssending the message.

Furthermore, all PMTs are equipped withsatellite pass forecasting software and are ableto calculate the exact time and duration of thenext satellite pass, thanks to information com-municated by system operators via the down-link. PMTs only transmit when a satellite is inview, reducing transmission time, conservingenergy and extending platform lifetime.

Platform remote control and programming

Users have the opportunity to send shortmessages to their platforms (up to 128 bits by 8 bit increments) via the Downlink MessageManagement Center (DMMC). Typical applica-tions include switching a transmitter on or off,changing time or date configurations, modifyinga sensor sampling rate or any other possibleremote command allowed by the platform. TheDMMC will relay the command, allowing usersto program their platforms remotely.

System continuity

The Argos-3 instrument — as well as all futuretwo-way instruments — is completely compat-ible with existing platforms.

Two-way communication with platforms > 1

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An example

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Argos-3: improving our understanding ofclimate change

Profiling floats are part of the international Argoprogram to monitor the ocean and understandclimate. Over 2,500 Argo floats are deployedworldwide with a target number of 3,000 inoperation by 2007. Designed to collect tempera-ture, salinity and velocity measurements of theupper 2,000 m of the world’s ocean, floats aresophisticated scientific devices. Programmedbefore deployment, they drift at 1,000 m beneaththe ocean’s surface for up to ten days, then diveto a depth of 2,000 m. During their trip, theyrecord ocean profiles. They return to the surfaceto transmit recorded data using the Argos satel-lite system. Data are received on land, checked,processed and relayed to worldwide users.Today floats need between six to ten hours ofsurface time to transmit recorded profiles.

Argos-3: enhancing float performance

Argos-3 features allow floats to transfer recordeddata in just a few minutes of surface time.Equipped with an Argos-3 compatible PlatformMessaging Transceiver (PMT), profiling floats can :

calculate the date and time of satellitepass, surfacing when a satellite is in viewtransmit more data per satellite passreceive acknowledgement when amessage has been received error-freebe programmed remotely thanks todowlink messaging

This is just one example of how Argos-3 cancontribute to a better understanding of ocean andclimate interactions, essential for the scientific andinternational community in the twenty-first century.

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Argos is used by scientists, governments, industryand international organizations. To meet the sys-tem use requirements, all programs using Argoshave to be related to environmental protection,awareness, study, or protecting human life.Applications for which a clear governmentalinterest prevails are also approved.

Tracking

Argos tracks any mobile platform fitted with anArgos transmitter for scientists and govern-ments. The positions collected can be used formany applications, including monitoring theroute of a fishing vessel, following large migra-tions of birds and other animals, or mappingocean currents by tracing oceanographic buoydrifts.

Monitoring

Argos provides environmental monitoring fromremote platforms, either fixed or mobile, fittedwith an Argos transmitter. Sensors on Argosplatforms collect data on atmospheric pres-sure, sea temperature, animal heart rates andwater level, for example.

Users program their transmitters and chooseadequate sensors for the type of observationsthey need. These observations are especiallyimportant for creating comprehensive global datasets that are used by people working togetheraround the world on the same or similar topics.

a r g o s a p p l i c a t i o n s

What does Argos do?

Argos is used to monitor freshwater resources.

Governments use Argos to track fishing vessels in their ExclusiveEconomic Zone.

Health ministries use Argos terminals to relay information onepidemics from remote areas.

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Scientists use Argos to track animals and study their behavior.

Understanding climate change

Thousands of buoys and floats worldwide areequipped with Argos transmitters, sending reg-ular information via the Argos system to helpscientists understand and predict climatechange. Nearly 6,000 drifting buoys, deep floats,moored buoys and fixed stations fitted withArgos transmitters measure ocean currentsand send millions of measurements includingatmospheric pressure, wind speed and direc-tion, sea temperature and more to follow cli-mate evolution. These Argos transmitters areimportant components of the World ClimateResearch Program (WCRP) programs, throughTOGA, WOCE and now GOOS/GCOS, CLIVAR andGODAE programs and experiments. > 1

Improving ocean and weather informationand forecasting

In addition to climate research, oceanogra-phers and meteorologists also use Argos togather in situ observations for operationaloceanography and meteorology. Argos buoys,floats and fixed stations collect data for opera-tional programs such as World Weather Watch(WWW). Over 70 percent of Argos data areexchanged on a global and voluntary basis forinsertion into numerical ocean and weatherprediction models via Global TelecommunicationSystem (GTS). Furthermore, Argos offers oceandata telemetry services for a broad spectrum ofapplications including ocean modeling, mooredbuoy monitoring and more. > 2

Protecting biodiversity

Thousands of animals, including birds, fish andmarine and land animals, are fitted with minia-turized Argos transmitters and tracked world-wide. Along with data collected from sensors,position information allows biologists to betterunderstand animals’ behaviour: feeding strate-gies, breeding, adaptation to their environment,etc. Such observations provide the basis forconservation measures aimed at helping manyendangered species. In addition to its ecologicalvalue, this work allows the international com-munity to learn more about our environment’snatural resources and interactions betweenhumanity and wildlife. > 3

a r g o s a p p l i c a t i o n s

What does Argos do?

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>3Protecting biodiversity

Improving weather forecasting> 1Understanding climate change > 2

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What does Argos do?

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Protecting public health and well-being

In developing countries, the risk of food short-age and epidemic outbreak is high. Yet, thereare often no surveillance systems in place todetect early warning signs. Because they aredependable and easy-to-use, Argos terminalsare used by many humanitarian aid programsto relay crucial information from remote areas.In Africa and the Middle East, Argos terminalsare used to monitor school attendance andfood distribution data. Argos terminals are alsoused for early detection and warning of com-municable disease outbreaks (such as malaria,cholera...), by relaying information about caseloads and drug availability from remote areasto health ministries. Information relayed byArgos allows local, national or internationalorganizations to better monitor and manage aidprograms and prevent humanitarian crises. > 4

Monitoring water resources

Fresh water resources and supplying enoughwater for the world’s growing population areincreasingly important issues. Today, water inrivers, lakes and wetlands only represents0.3% of the world’s freshwater. The loss of fresh-water resources has an impact on food availabil-ity, water quality, public health, climate and caneven lead to environmental disasters. Majornational and international programs run bynational governments or the WorldMeteorological Organization (WMO) use Argos torelay key data: water level of a river, snow cover,state of installed equipment or dams. TheseArgos-based monitoring programs increasinglyhelp the global community to better manage anddistribute available water resources. > 5

Managing and protecting marine ecosystems

The future of our fisheries depends to a largeextent on our ability to preserve stocks effec-tively. As a result, most coastal nations nowmandate fishing vessels operating within theirExclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to be equippedwith a satellite-based vessel monitoring sys-tem (VMS). Argos provides a global solution,ArgoNet, which meets the requirement formonitoring fishing vessels and their catches.Argos has been certified by most of the leadingseaboard nations around the world and isalready operating on thousands of vesselsworldwide.> 5Monitoring water resources

Protecting public well-being > 4©W

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What does Argos do?

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Improving maritime security

To improve the security of maritime transporta-tion, the International Maritime Organization(IMO) has mandated all passenger and cargoships over 500 gross tonnage to install a ShipSecurity Alert System (SSAS). The comprehen-sive ShipLoc product uses the Argos system toallow ship owners to meet IMO standards andkeep constant track of their fleet. If intrudersboard a ship, ShipLoc lets the crew send analert signal automatically and discreetly toteams ashore. ShipLoc is part of an exclusiveagreement with the International MaritimeBureau’s Piracy Reporting Center and is theonly product on the market to be a proven anti-piracy tool. > 7

Tracking adventurers and yacht races

Argos has been a reference for over 25 years foradventurers and yacht racers as the unique loca-tion and data collection system fully adapted tothe most extreme environments on the planet.The trustworthy Argos transmitter sends fullyautomatic signals at regular intervals, trackingthe exact progress of expeditions and reassuringthe adventurers’ family and base. Similarly, yachtracers count on the robustness of Argos to tracktheir boats as they whip around the globe throughtreacherous waters. The Argos processing cen-ters are open 365 days/year, 24 hrs/day, monitor-ing all incoming data and location calculations,and ensuring the most accurate and up-to-dateinformation possible. > 8

And more...

Argos is also an important part of programs toprevent and manage human and natural disas-ters. Argos buoys deployed in oil spills help sci-entists and governments to lead targeted clean-up efforts, by tracking the spill’s movement.Furthermore, Argos platforms are part of earlywarning systems for volcanic activity in Japanand Indonesia, alerting observatories as soon asseismic activity is detected. When it comes tomanaging energy resources, Argos is present aswell, helping predict the amount of hydraulicenergy based on snow melt rates and water lev-els high in the mountains. > 9

Monitoring oil spills

Improving maritime security Tracking yacht races> 7

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Transmitters send signals to satellites

Transmitters are programmed to send mes-sages to satellites at periodic intervals. Eachmessage lasts 360 to 920 milliseconds. WithArgos-3, transmitters can be programmed totransmit only when a satellite is in view.

Polar-orbiting satellites collect data

Argos instruments fly on board the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites(POES). These polar-orbiting satellites fly on asun-synchronous orbit, at 850 km altitude,picking up signals and storing them on-board,and relaying them instantaneously (in real-time) back to Earth.

Argos-3 instruments will fly on board thethree MetOp satellites (planned for 2006, 2010and 2014) of the European Organization forthe Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites(Eumetsat), NOAA N’ (planned for 2009), and a

fifth instrument will fly aboard a satellite that isyet to be determined.

Both MetOp and NOAA satellites see the Northand South Poles on each orbital revolution.The orbital plane rotates around the polar axisat the same rate as the Earth around the Sun,or one complete revolution per year. Eachorbital revolution transects the equatorialplane at fixed local solar times. Therefore,each satellite passes within visibility of anygiven transmitter at almost the same localtime each day. The time taken to complete arevolution around the Earth is approximately100 minutes. > 2

Argos-3 signal characteristics

VARIABLE REPETITION PERIOD: assigned exclusively by CLS according to

application.

TRANSMIT FREQUENCY: 401.650 MHz +- 30 kHz plus a high data

rate bandwidth.

Since the Argos location

calculation is based on

measurements of the Doppler

effect on the signal, the

frequency allocated to each

transmitter within this range

must remain stable.

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The transmitter message includes:A preliminary synchronization sequence,statement of message length, transmitterID number, sensor data or user data (32 to 256 bits for Argos-2; 512 to 4608 bitsfor Argos-3) and a checksum.

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How does Argos two-way work?

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At any given time, each satellite simultaneously“sees” all transmitters within an approximate5,000 kilometer diameter “footprint”, or visibili-ty circle. The visibility circle sweeps around theEarth as the satellite proceeds in orbit. When asatellite equipped with an Argos instrument“sees” a transmitter, it receives the messagesthat the transmitter is sending. > 3

Satellites send acknowledgementsignals to transmitters

Thanks to new Argos-3 two-way communica-tion, the satellite sends a signal back to the plat-form when a message has been correctlyreceived. Furthermore, the satellite can sendmessages from users to any PlatformMessaging Terminal (PMT).

Ground antennas relay data from satellites toprocessing centers

Nearly 50 antennas located at all points of theglobe collect data from satellites in real-timeand relay the data to the processing centers.This L-band antenna network, a key element ofthe Argos service, is disseminated all over theglobe to obtain worldwide coverage. This net-work is currently being updated to matchMetOp’s new downlink technology. Twelve of thenetwork antennas belong to CLS, others belongto environmental partners, such as meteorolog-ical or space agencies. A total of 15 antennaswill be ready for MetOp by mid-2006: Lannion

(France), Fairbanks (USA), Svalbard (Norway),Lima (Peru), Bali and Bitung (Indonesia),Hatoyama (Japan)... > 4

Processing centers collect all incoming data,process them and distribute them to users

There are two global Argos processing centers,one located just outside of Toulouse inSouthwestern France, and the other nearWashington, DC, USA. Once the data arrive at aprocessing center, locations are automatically cal-culated, all data are processed, and information ismade available to users. > 5

Argos users around the world receive data

Argos users around the world receive data direct-ly in their office or on-site depending on whatthey choose (email, fax, web, cd-rom, or directlyon mapping software). Once the data arereceived, they may be shared with the scientificcommunity, governments or institutions that usethe data as important management tools.

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How does Argos two-way work?

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> 3 Upgrading the ground segment > 4

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How does Argos two-way work?

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Argos-3 downlink messaging

Argos-3 makes two-way communication withall platforms equipped with a PlatformMessaging Transceiver (PMT) possible. Inaddition to satellite acknowledgement ofmessages received error-free, the downlinkmakes it possible for users to program theirplatforms remotely.

Users send messages to the DownlinkMessage Management Center (DMMC)

Argos users send messages via a web inter-face. Their commands are processed by theDMMC, operated by CLS in SouthwesternFrance.

DMMC relays messages to master platforms

The DMMC relays messages to master plat-forms, located in Toulouse, Fairbanks andSvalbard. A master platform is a powerful PMT,capable of communicating with the Argos-3instruments aboard satellites. > 1

Master platforms upload messagesto satellite

Master platforms automatically upload mes-sages on the next satellite pass.

Satellites download messages to PlatformMessaging Transceivers (PMTs)

When the satellite recognizes its target plat-form, (platform to which the message isaddressed, identified by its ID number), it sendsthe message, via the downlink, to the PMT. Thesatellite also sends system information via thedownlink on the pass (system informationincludes time and orbit information, allowingthe PMT to calculate the next satellite pass).

PMT receives message

Upon receiving the message, the PMT sends anacknowledgement that it has received themessage error free; then processes the com-mand contained in it. It uses system informa-tion to calculate the next satellite pass, thenwaits for the next satellite pass in energy-sav-ing mode. > 2

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Master platforms in Svalbard > 1

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New digital technology

The Argos-3 instrument aboard the MetOp satel-lite was built by Thales S.A. and Alcatel/AléniaSpace under the supervision of the French SpaceAgency (CNES).

The fully digital instrument enhances systemperformance via a unique downlink and highdata rate uplink, while ensuring complete com-patibility with existing platforms. Thanks to digi-tal processing, the new instrument is lighter andmore compact than its analog predecessors andcan be programmed from the ground. Composedof a Receiver Processor Unit and a TransmitterUnit, the Argos-3 instrument is capable ofreceiving messages from over 1,000 Argos bea-cons transmitting simultaneously within thesatellite’s field of view. > 1

Argos-3 satellites

Timeline

The Argos-3 project began in 1997. Delivered in2002, the instrument received new versions ofthe management and processing software in2004 and was tested extensively, at satellitelevel by Astrium, and in conjunction with theoperational ground segment by Eumetsat. Allintegration activities and associated tests withthe Argos-3 instrument are managed by theCNES Argos team.

Five Argos-3 flight models exist and will belaunched aboard MetOp A,B,C, NOAA N’ and afifth satellite that is yet to be confirmed.

Evolution of Argos instrumentcapabilities

The MetOp satellite. > 1

CenterFrequency:401.65 MHz

Bandwidthrange

Processingunits

Uplinkdata rate

Downlink

Downlinkdata rate

Satellites

Data transmittedper satellite pass

Argos-1 Argos-2 Argos-3

24 kHz 80 kHz 110 kHz

4 8

400 bps 400 bps

NO NO YES

— —

< NOAA K NOAA K,L,M,N

500 bits 500 bits Up to 30 kbits

9 low data rate+

3 high data rate

400 bps (low)+

4800 bps (high)

400 bps (nominal)or 200 bps

MetOp A, B, C,NOAA N’

2006 MetOp A

2009 NOAA N’

2010 MetOp B

2014 MetOp C

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Instrument

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Instrument

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Receiver Processor Unit (RPU)

The RPU processes received uplink signals@ 401.6 MHz, measures the incoming frequency,time-tags the message, creates and buffers mis-sion telemetry, manages the downlink and actsas interface between the receiver, the TXU andthe satellite. Featuring fully digital processing,the RPU stores messages and either relays themin real-time to the nearest regional antenna(maintained by CLS or national meteorologicalservices) or in deferred time to a global center(maintained by NOAA, Eumetsat). A backup RPUis included as part of the device.

Transmitter Unit (TXU)

The TXU sends signals to platforms equippedwith transceivers (PMTs) @ 466 MHz, includingerror-free message acknowledgement signals.The downlink will also allow users to senddefined PMT instructions (TXU can selectivelyaddress one or more PMTs) and system opera-tors to send global messages/commands suchas satellite ephemeris or broadcasting time.Downlink software was specially designed forArgos-3. A backup TXU is included.

Weight Height Width LengthReceiver (RPU) 16 kg 195 mm 280 mm 365 mmm

Weight Height Width LengthTransmitter (TXU) 8 kg 100 mm 280 mm 310 mmm

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RPU

A R G O S - 3

Instrument

Radio frequency switch (RFS)7 processing boards (Viterbidecoder, digital signal processingboards, management software)

Satellite interface board

2 power converter boards2 receivers (1 cold redundant)

TXU

Connector/interface with RPU2 transmitters (1 cold redundant)

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User Platforms

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Argos-3: the Platform Messaging Transceiver (PMT)

Argos-3 and all future two-way communicationsatellite instruments are completely compatiblewith existing transmitters. However, to benefitfrom the downlink and high data rate uplink uniqueto Argos-3, user platforms must be equipped witha new generation of Argos-3 compatible terminalscalled Platform Messaging Transceiver (PMT). Theinnovative and new PMT is capable of sending andreceiving messages to/from satellite, as well asprocessing commands. Users equipped with a PMTand subscribed to the downlink service will fullybenefit from the new communication capabilitiesmade possible with Argos-3.

First PMTs

The first PMT prototypes were developed for theADEOS-II satellite, a Japanese satellite (JAXA)launched in 2002. Since then, smaller prototypeshave been developed, capable of transmittinglarger volumes of data. Furthermore, PMTs areable to receive and process system informationand remote commands from users.

First generation PMTs (1G-PMT) will be availablefor the first pilot projects, beginning in 2007, sev-eral months after MetOp is launched. Along withthe pilot projects planned by PMT integrators, CLShas planned pilot operations in the followingfields: fishing, meteorology, geodesy, etc...

Smaller, lighter, higher performance

Two manufacturers have been selected to devel-op and manufacture industrial PMTs. The secondgeneration PMTs (2G-PMT) will be smaller andcheaper, making them a viable investment forgovernment, scientists and industry. > 1 / 2

Intelligent platforms

PMTs COMMUNICATE INTELLIGENTLYWITH THE ARGOS-3 INSTRUMENT

Once the PMT receives acknowledgement

that a message has been received error-free,

it stops sending this message.

When the PMT receives a user command,

it sends acknowledgement to the satellite,

then processes the command.

When the PMT receives system information,

it calculates the orbit of the different satellites,

thus sending messages efficiently and

intelligently, only when a satellite is in sight.

These are some examples, but many other

improvements will be revealed once the first

pilot projects have yielded results…

PMT designed by Kenwood. Height: 2.5cmWidth: 6cm - Length: 8cm (without antenna connetor) > 1> 2

New, light-weight PMTs designed by ELTA.Height: 2.5cm - Width: 4.2cm - Length: 10cm

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Where we come from

Origins of Argos

The Argos system was created in 1978 by theFrench Space Agency (CNES), the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)and the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA), originally as a scientifictool and way of collecting and relaying meteoro-logical and oceanographic data around the world.

In 1986, CNES created a subsidiary, CLS, to oper-ate, maintain and commercialize the Argos sys-tem. North American CLS and Service Argos,Inc., were created at the same time to serve theNorth American user community, merging tobecome CLS America in 2006.

International cooperation

Currently, several other international space agen-cies also actively participate in the Argos systemincluding Eumetsat (European Organization of theExploitation of Meterological Satellites). Contactshave been made with the Indian Space ResearchOrganization (ISRO) in order to embark an Argosinstrument on an Indian platform in the nearfuture.

Oceanography and marine meteorology

As a result, the Argos system is a operational sys-tem exploited by a number of international pro-grams. It is the main transmission channel andprocessing chain for data gathered by the followingmajor international ocean observation programs:

Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP),network of drifters and moored buoys Ship of Opportunity Program (SOOP),Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) lines Argo profiling float project

Implemented under the auspices of the WorldMeteorological Organization and InternationalOcean Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, these pro-grams collect invaluable data which are assimilat-ed into ocean circulation models and used for cli-mate and weather forecasting, marine safety,maritime transport, fishery management, off-shore industry and defense. They are coordinatedby the Joint Commission for Oceanography andMarine Meteorology Observing Platform SupportCenter (JCOMMOPS).

A practical and historical relationship links JCOM-MOPS to Argos. Aside from providing guidance andsupport to programs that use Argos’s worldwidecoverage to relay ocean observations, JCOMMOPSoperates out of CLS’s corporate headquarters inToulouse, in close proximity to where collecteddata are processed and disseminated. > 1

Ensuring operations of the Argos system > 1

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Where we’re going

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Argos and GEOSS

In future, Argos will be an important part ofGEOSS, the Global Earth Observation System ofSystems.

GEOSS is an international initiative approvedby over 60 governments and the EuropeanCommission and designed to improve ourunderstanding of the Earth system. Its goalis to streamline and optimize existing sys-tems, from preliminary observation to dataprocessing and dissemination. GEOSSaspires to involve all countries of the world,and to cover in situ, airborne and space-based observations.

Argos: a worldwide system

Argos is an existing worldwide system dedicatedto Earth observation and scientific and environ-mental research. With over 30 years of experiencein satellite-based location and environmentaldata collection services, the Argos system has anexcellent track record for data collection, process-ing and dissemination to the scientific and inter-national community. It offers a robust and proventool for understanding environmental factorsaffecting human health and well-being, assessingand predicting climate variability and change,improving water cycle management, managingand protecting marine ecosystems, and more…. Inmany ways, the Argos system fits perfectly intothe framework defined by the emerging GlobalEarth Observation System of Systems.

Thanks to the cooperation of national and inter-national space agencies such as Eumetsat,NOAA and CNES, Argos has offered reliable serv-ice to its users for over 30 years. With the contin-uing cooperation of national and internationalspace agencies, Argos-3, the third generation ofArgos technology, will guarantee system continu-ity and offer an even better, faster service forusers in science and governments around theworld.

Where Argos and GEOSS intersect

GEOSSObjectives

Supporting sustainableagriculture and combatingdesertification

Understanding, monitoringand conserving biodiversity

Common data observationsand data utilization

Understanding environmentalfactors affecting human healthand well-being

Improving managementof energy resources

Understanding and predictingclimate variability and change

Improving water resource man-agement through better under-standing of the water cycle

Improving weather information,forecasting and warning

Improving the management andprotection of terrestrial, coastaland marine ecosystems

Reducing loss of life and propertyfrom natural and human induceddisasters

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CLS: Worldwide Argos operator

CLS, a subsidiary of CNES (French SpaceAgency), IFREMER (French Research Institutefor Exploration of the Sea) and several Frenchfinancial institutions, operates the Argos systemfor users around the world. CLS offers satellite-based environmental data collection, locationand ocean observation services to a broad rangeof professionals including: government, indus-try and the scientific community.

Since its creation in 1986, CLS has grown to becomean international company with 280 employees:210 at company headquarters in SouthwesternFrance, near Toulouse, and 70 at its offices andsubsidiaries around the world. > 1

Data processing and receiving

At CLS, more than 40 specialists operate a fullset of systems, keeping ground segments, net-works, data processing and storage servers, aswell as databases up and running.CLS processing centers collect and process datafrom nearly 40 orbiting instruments. Servicesprovided by CLS include:

ensuring compliance with operatingrequirements corrections and modifications, tests,checks, commissioning, and qualification performance assessment and monitoring quality control and client support

CLS is constantly coming up with innovative,new operations concepts thanks to its qualifiedand adaptable staff and resources.

Data analysis

Operational oceanography today relies on in-situand satellite observation networks to supply datafor customers’ numerical prediction models. CLSis actively involved in this process, collectingobservations at sea through the Argos system;observing the oceans from space to derive a com-prehensive range of satellite altimetry products;measuring sea-surface temperature and oceancolor; and developing analysis and prediction sys-tems through its contribution to the MERCATORproject and its European extension MERSEA(Marine Environment and Security for theEuropean Area). CLS continues to work to developthe satellite oceanography field, serving a grow-ing portfolio of institutional and private clients.

Engineering

Faced with the growing complexity of satellite-based systems, offering integrated solutionshas become the rule: antennas, monitoring cen-ters, multi-system data centers, regional accessand control of data, applications, speciallydesigned platforms, software… CLS designs,supplies and implements systems to meet itsclients’ requirements around the world.

CLS’s team maintains operational sites remote-ly in close partnership with their clients.

a b o u t c l s

Who operates Argos?

> 1CLS corporate headquarters in France

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c o n ta c t u sworldwide

CNES: Centre Spatial de Toulouse18, avenue Edouard belin31401 Toulouse Cedex 09Tel. + 33 (0)5 61 27 31 31Fax + 33 (0)5 61 28 19 95www.cnes.fr

Argos-3 contacts :Michel Sarthou, Project Managere-mail: michel.sarthou@cnes.fr

Mario Hucteau, Program Manager e-mail: mario.hucteau@cnes.fr

Headquarters:CLS8-10, rue HermèsParc Technologique du Canal31520 Ramonville Saint-Agne, FranceTel. + 33 (0) 5 61 39 47 20Fax + 33 (0) 5 61 39 47 97e-mail: info-argos@cls.frwww.cls.fr

Argos-3 contacts:Christian Ortega, Head Argos Science Teame-mail: cortega@cls.fr

Michel Guigue, Engineering Managere-mail: michel.guigue@cls.fr

North America:CLS America, Inc.1441 Mc Cormick Drive, Suite 1050Largo, MD 20774, USATel. + 1 301 925 4411Fax + 1 301 925 8995e-mail: userservices@clsamerica.comwww.clsamerica.com

Argos-3 contact: Bill Woodwarde-mail: bwoodward@clsamerica.com

Australia and South Pacific:SIT, Satellite Information TechnologyPTY-Ltd Suite 706, 1 Queens RoadMelbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaTel. + 61 (0) 3 9863 9650Fax + 61 (0) 3 9863 9675e-mail: guan@clsargos.com.au

Japan: Cubic-I-LtdBluebell Building 7F2-15-9 Nishi GotandaShinagawa-kuTokyo 141-0031, JapanTel. + 81 (0)3 3779 5506Fax + 81 (0)3 3779 5783e-mail: argos@cubic-i.co.jp

Peru: CLS PerúJr. Trinidad Moran 639Lince, Lima, PeruTel. + 51 1 440 2717Fax + 51 1 421 2433e-mail: gsirech@clsperu.com.pe

Chile: Cunlogan S.A.Almirante Señoret 70 of 74Valparaiso, ChileTel. + 56 32 25 28 43Fax + 56 32 25 72 94e-mail: cbull@cunlogan.cl

Southeast Asia:PT CLS Argos IndonesiaAdhi Graha, It 17, Suite 1701JI Jend Gatot Subroto, Kav 56Kuningan Timur, SetiabudiJakarta Selatan, 12950, IndonesiaTel: + 62 215 264 266Fax: + 62 215 264 265e-mail: sales@clsargos.co.id

Korea: KL TradingRoom No. 328, Obelisk Bldg. 492-4Dapshimni-5 Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu Seoul, KoreaTel. + 82 2 2215 7134/5Fax + 82 2 2215 7136e-mail: klsckim@kornet.net

Russia: ES-PAS15-73 Léningradskoe Chaussée125171 Moscow, RussiaTel. + 7 495 150 0332Fax + 7 495 150 0332e-mail: a.salman@es-pas.com