ACR Electronics AQUAFIX 406 GPS I P-EPIRB - REV E Product Support Manual page 13

P-EPIRB is not registered, Search and Rescue (SAR) Authorities do not know who you are, or how
to contact anyone who might know anything about your situation (Refer to section1).
Once the AquaFix™ 406 GPS signal (406 MHz) is relayed through the LEOSAR and/or GEOSAR
network, SAR forces determine who is closest, and then track the signal using the 121.5 MHz homing
frequency for intermediate and short-range location.
7.2 Satellite Detection
7.2.1 The AquaFix™ 406 GPS transmits an encoded phase modulated radio signal to the satellite portion
of the COSPAS-SARSAT System. The system was developed and implemented by the COSPAS-
SARSAT Partners (Russian Federation, Canada, France and the United States).
7.2.2 COSPAS-SARSAT is an international system that uses Russian Federation and United States low
altitude, near-polar orbiting satellites (LEOSAR) that assist in detecting and locating activated
121.5/243 MHz P-EPIRBs and 406 MHz Satellite P-EPIRBs.
7.2.3 COSPAS and SARSAT satellites receive distress signals from satellite P-EPIRBs transmitting on the
frequency of 406 MHz. The COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz P-EPIRB signal consists of a transmission
of non-modulated carriers followed by a digital message format that provides identification data. The
406 MHz system uses Satellite-borne equipment to measure and store the Doppler-shifted frequency
along with the P-EPIRB digital data message and time of measurement. This information is
transmitted in real time to an earth station called the Local User Terminal (LUT), which may be
within the view of the satellite, as well as being stored for later transmission to other LUTs.
7.2.4 The LUT processes the Doppler-shifted signal from the LEOSAR and determines the location of the
P-EPIRB; then the LUT relays the position of the distress to a Mission Control Center (MCC) where
the distress alert and location information is immediately forwarded to an appropriate Rescue
Coordination Center (RCC). The RCC dispatches Search and Rescue (SAR) forces.
7.2.5 The COSPAS-SARSAT System includes 39 LEOSAR LUT stations, 9 GEOSAR LUT stations and
over 19 Mission Control Centers that provide real-time as well as global-mode coverage for the
Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere is presently served primarily by the global
mode. Additional LUTs and MCCs are planned for installation in the near future both in the northern
and southern hemispheres.
The addition of the GEOSAR Satellite system greatly improves the reaction time for a SAR event.
This satellite system has no Doppler capabilities at 406 MHz, but will relay the distress alert to any of
the LUT stations. When there is GPS data included in the distress message, SAR authorities instantly
know your location to within 110 yards. This speeds up the reaction time by not having to wait for
one of the LEOSAR satellite to pass overhead.
7.2.6 Because most of the search and rescue forces presently are not equipped to home in on the 406 MHz
Satellite P-EPIRB signal, homing must be accomplished at 121.5 MHz.
12 Y1-03-0173 Rev. E