European version of GPS will include rescue function

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vibramhead
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European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by vibramhead » October 25th, 2014, 2:16 pm

Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, is set to go fully operational over the next few years, and in contrast to GPS and Glonass, the satellites will include a global search and rescue function, transmitting distress signals to a rescue coordination center. So, DeLorme and SPOT may soon have a bit more competition.
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mcds
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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by mcds » October 25th, 2014, 2:37 pm

Tests in February 2014 found that for Galileo's search and rescue function, operating as part of the existing International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, 77% of simulated distress locations can be pinpointed within 2 km, and 95% within 5 km.[10]
System will pick up distress beacon locations; feasible to send feedback, e.g. confirming help is on its way.
seems like the distress beacon could be engineered to encode the device's lat/long.

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Koda
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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by Koda » October 25th, 2014, 6:55 pm

77% within 2 kilos...? Well I guess thats better than nothing and certainly a huge advantage over nothing. Hopefully this can be integrated into a smartphone.....
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Lumpy
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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by Lumpy » October 25th, 2014, 8:53 pm

Means of locating the beacon and encoding coordinates on the signal depend on the PLB.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_ ... acon_modes
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raven
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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by raven » October 26th, 2014, 12:33 pm

Lumpy, I am guessing this will be a new trick -- a set of satellites computing the ground position when an emergency signall is received and reporting it. That generates the circle of probability Koda mentioned. Should be easy to build into a smartphone, dependent on the antenna and power requirements.

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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by Lumpy » October 26th, 2014, 10:48 pm

If it's an anonymous signal, it will likely be treated as such. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but having suddenly hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of users being able to summon rescue will be very interesting to watch unfold.
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raven
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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by raven » October 27th, 2014, 12:06 am

It doesn't have to be anonymous. Being designed this way provides location without requiring the signaling device to be GPS equipped or "know" where it is -- because the computation is done by the satellite system.

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Koda
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Re: European version of GPS will include rescue function

Post by Koda » October 27th, 2014, 8:35 am

Lumpy wrote:Means of locating the beacon and encoding coordinates on the signal depend on the PLB.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distress_ ... acon_modes
seems like this would rule out smartphones since the device would have to be able to transmit a signal from its own power far enough either be relayed or directly to a satellite. The form factor of a smartphone is too small however this device looks like a solution...http://www.beartooth.com/

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