USCG AIRSTA MIAMI EPIRB’s How They Work & DF-430 MH-65C & D, MH60T, HU25, C-130J, HC144

USCG AIRSTA MIAMI

EPIRB’sHow They Work

&DF-430

MH-65C & D, MH60T, HU25, C-130J, HC144

January 2010

How the System Works

Jan 2010 L.T.Yarbrough/D7 CFVS

LEOSAR & GEOSAR Satellites


Types of Beacons

• EPIRBs

406 MHz (w/ 121.5 homer)

Automatic activation when out of bracket and wet.

Floats upright to transmit

Strobe light

Min 48 hour transmit

Some GPS enabled

Maritime Distress Beacon


Types of Beacons

• PLBs406 MHz (w/ 121.5 homer)Manual activationCarried on persons May or may not floatHeld out of water to transmitNO Strobe light requiredMin 24 hour transmit Some GPS Enabled

Distress Beacon for Personal Use (Land Rescue)

L Yarbrough/D7 CFVS

Types of Beacons

• ELTs

Transmit on 121.5 (most) or 406 MHz

Integrated 121.5 MHz homerCrash activation

Floats upright to transmit

No Strobe light

Min 48 hour transmit

Aviation Distress Beacon

L Yarbrough/D7 CFVS

EPIRB

• Maritime Satellite

• Emergency

• Position-Indicating

• RadioBeacon


EPIRB Operational Requirements• EPIRB 406 MHz Signal - 5 Watts• Short bursts at approximately 50 second

intervals (varies between 47.5 and 52.5 s), with a transmission time of 440 ms or 520 ms.

• Transmits in the 406.0 to 406.1 MHz band.• Transmission consists:

– unmodulated carrier, for 160 ms,– short synchronization signal, signal inverted for test,– Digital message that provides stored information

(identification, nationality, type of user),– Optionally, current information like, type of emergency

and estimated location.

Designed to prevent inadvertent activation


Hex ID• EPIRB’s identification, when decoded into

its 15 character hexadecimal representation, which is the EPIRB’s unique identifier number.

• http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Beacons/decode.htm

• Normally readout in 3 groups of 5 characters. Example: ABCDE 12345 ABCDE


Battery Replacement• Required at Expiration date or if EPIRB

activated for any reason besides test.

• Useful Life = power for all required testing + 48 hrs operation.


EPIRB Operational Requirements

• Positive visual and/or audible indication that EPIRB is activated (strobe light flashing).

• Easily manually deployed, activate, and deactivated, and transferred to survival craft.

• Not be activated or deactivated by conditions encountered in maritime environment.


EPIRB Control

• Ready – EPIRB should be ON in the water unless in its bracket. Sometimes labeled “OFF”.

• ON – EPIRB operates regardless of location or orientation. Unconditional “ON” position. (Requires two physical actions)

• Test – Self-test Function.


Prevention of Inadvertent Activation

• Must be fitted with means to prevent inadvertent activation and deactivation.

• Not automatically activate when water washes over while in bracket.

• Most EPIRBs use bracket with magnet to disable activation circuit.


EPIRB Deactivation

• Remove beacon from water and dry off or replace in bracket

• Move switch to OFF or Ready position

• If the above failed then: – Remove cover and disconnect battery


EPIRB Activation

• How– By definition it transmits:

• out of bracket and wet,

• by manual switch, in or out of bracket,

Or– Self test


EPIRB Activation

• What Happens;– Beacon starts transmitting its Unique

Hex ID in a 406 MHz digital message,

– 121.5 MHz homer with an audible warble,

– Strobe Light starts flashing.


Rockwell Collins DF-430


NAV Page

• LS3 access the DF Control Page.

• Accesses the NAV Page.


DF Control Page

• Access to BCN, TAC, and SAR pages.

• Display page for LAT/Long if received.


PRESETS Df ctrl

MODE: ON BCN

TAC SAR

C/S ------------------------------------

↕[ ]

DF-430 Utilization by USCG Aircraft

• DF-430 Modes: Despite aircraft unique installations, all interfaces provide 3 basic modes of operations:– TAC SCAN - Tactical Scan– SAR SCAN - SAR– BCN - Beacon


TAC Scan

• TAC Scan - will scan: 121.5 MHz, 243.0 MHz, 406 (.025 / .028 / .037) MHz, + Manually entered frequency.– Signal detection on operator selected tac freq,

will result in TAC DET annunciation + bearing pointer.

– 406, 121, or 243 detection will get DET annunciation, No bearing pointer.


SAR Scan

• SAR Scan - will scan: 121.5 MHz, 243.0 MHz, and 406 (.025 / .028 / .037) MHz, with priority to 406 MHz.– Signal detection 406, will result in DET

annunciation + bearing pointer.– 121, or 243 detection will get DET

annunciation, No bearing pointer.


BCN

• Beacon provides single-channel access to one of six signals: 121.5, 243.0, 406 MHz, CH=16 (156.800MHz), CH-70 (156.525 MHz), or ARGOS (401.650 MHz).

• ARGOS (401.650) is the frequency for your SLDMB.


Embedded GPS Data

• Only some Beacons have GPS

• Data only viewable if the aircraft DF-430 on the DF Control Page.

• GPS data should be considered confirming source.

• Fly the Needle on your DF bearing pointer.


DF Control Page

• C/S Will display LAT/LONG when position transmitting capable 406 is detected. LS4s will then copy position into scratchpad.


PRESETS Df ctrl

MODE: ON BCN

TAC SAR

C/S ------------------------------------

↕[ ]

“fly-to-waypoint”.

• From the DF Control Page, the aircrew will be able to capture GPS data into their scratchpad and create a “fly-to-waypoint”.

• This can assist:– if the EPIRB signal is lost, or– at EPRIB passage as the FMS needle may

swing before the DF needle due to ~50 sec transmit cycle of beacon.


DF Bearing Pointer

• DF pointer is relative (not stablilized)

• DF pointer only updates on receipt of next 406 MHz EPIRB burst transmission.

– Will seem jerky.

• EPIRB transmission only every ~50 sec.

• Burst transmission only half sec duration.


Figure-of-Merit (FOM) Values

• DF-430 will display a FOM value in range of 0-255. Only displays on TAC, SAR, or BCN Scan Page.

• Practical application is as a secondary level of confidence the aircraft is tracking towards target.


406 MHz Detection Range

Altitude (ft)Detection

Range (nm)

25,000 133

22,500 129

20,000 124

17,500 119

15,000 113

12,500 106

10,000 99

7,500 88

5,000 76

2,500 57

1,500 23


Operational Considerations

• Transit in SAR Scan, unless tasking indicates a need to monitor a tactical freq.

• Greatest range/ earliest detection opportunity at higher altitudes.

• If a 406 signal is detected, DF needle will point and the GPS position displayed when received.


406 Beacon Tests

• Every 406 MHz Beacon is supposed to be tested (using the self-test function) once every month.

• Each test transmits one live 406 burst.

• Wait at least two bursts before you react to a 406 Det.


Operational Considerations

• GPS positions from EPIRBs have been inaccurate. If the FMS and DF needles split, wait for next 406 burst and then Follow the DF Needle.

• As a second confirming indication, watch for increasing FOM.


EPIRB Prosecution

What Does the CC/RCC

do with a 406 Alert?


Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB

• 1. RCC or RSC on receipt of unlocated registered 406 EPIRB:– a. Place case in the DISTRESS phase.– b. Assume SMC.– c. Determine status of vessel from contact

number listed, available databases, etc.


Registered/Unlocated 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)

• 2. If vessel is determined to be safe underway or in port:– a. Close case. A case will be claimed for all

406 alerts prosecuted



• 3. If vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– a. Issue UMIB for Home Port and general

area in which vessel is believed to be operating.

– b. Contact AMVER Ships and request callouts for the vessel.

– c. Contact USMCC and request satellite forecast for the geographic area.



• 3. If vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– d. If the next forecast satellite pass does not

locate the beacon consider sending an SRU to the area to attempt to hail the vessel or DF on 406/121.5MHZ homing signal. Continue investigating to try to determine last known position/probable track of vessel for additional searches.



• 3. If vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– e. If vessel cannot be located after reasonable

search is conducted, search will be suspended.



• 4. If SRU is tasked to search for vessel:– a. Proceed top LKP/tasked search area.

Make callouts for vessel and attempt to DF homing beacon on 406/121.5MHZ.



• 4. If SRU is tasked to search for vessel:– b. If signal cannot be DF’d once on scene and

unless otherwise tasked, aircraft shall complete a VS search at radius of 12NM. Vessels shall complete the same search at 3NM.


“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB

• 1. RCC or RSC on receipt “A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB:– a. Place case in the DISTRESS phase.– b. Assumed SMC. – c. Determine status of vessel from contact

number listed (if registered), available databases, etc.


“A” solution located 406MHZ EPIRB (cont)

• 2. RCC or RSC if vessel is determined to be safe/underway or in port:– a. Close case.



• 3. RCC or RSC if vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– a. Issue UMIB for general area in which

vessel is believed to be operating.– b. Contact AMVER ships in vicinity and

request callouts for vessel.– c. Dispatch SRU to located vessel and

determine status. SRU’s should be tasked to DF on the signal.



• 3. RCC or RSC if vessel is underway and cannot be contacted:– d. If vessel cannot be located after reasonable

search is conducted, search will be suspended.



• 4. SRU if tasked to search for vessel:– a. Proceed to position/tasked search area.

Make callouts for vessel and attempt to DF homing beacon on 406/121.5MHZ.

– b. If a signal cannot be DF’d once on scene and unless otherwise tasked, aircraft shall complete a VS search at radius of 12NM. Vessels shall complete the same search at 3NM.


1. RCC or RSC on receipt “B” solution with probability less than or equal to 20%:

a. Place case in the UNCERTAINTY phase.

b. Assume SMC.

c. Coordinate investigation with RCC responsible for “A” solution. If investigation determines “B” solution is the likely position, respond in same manner as an “A” solution.


“B” solution with alert probability less than or equal to 20%

“B” solution with alert probability greater than 20%

• 1. RCC or RSC on receipt “B” solution with probability greater than 20%:– a. Place case in the ALERT phase.– b. Assumed SMC.– c. Coordinate investigation with RCC

responsible for “A” solution. If investigation determines “B” solution is the likely position, respond in same manner as an “A” solution.


Unregistered/Unlocated EPIRB alerts:

• 1. RCC or RSC investigate identity of vessel through vessel data bases.

• 2. RCC or RSC contact RCC country of vessel registered and attempt to determine vessel’s status.


False Alerts


False Alerts

• If a false alert is determined upon arrival on-scene complete the following actions:– Have vessel de-activate the beacon.– Have vessel provide the beacon “HexID”– Have vessel provide the reason beacon

alerted and include in MISLE Reporting.– Advise vessel that EPIRB and bracket require

servicing and battery replacement.– Relay to tasking authority as required.


Operator Induced False Alerts

• 10% were Testing without following manufactures instructions, or other deliberate non-emergency activations

• 6% were EPIRBs deliberately taken out of bracket and naked of any control of the wet sensor.


EPIRB False Alerts

69% Caused by Failure of “The bracket decoupling function” to control the EPIRB–Observed with Category I and II–Manufactures, makes and models

in the US registration data base were proportionally represented by False Alerts


Why didn’t I get a 406 Det or

How Long do False Alerts Last?

105 36 20 12 9 2 48

45.3%

60.8%69.4% 74.6% 78.4% 79.3%

100.0%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

10 20 30 40 50 60 More

Alert Duration (in minutes)

Nu

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of

Ale

rts


Questions?

(305) 415 6868

[email protected]

Jan 2010

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USCG AIRSTA MIAMI EPIRB’s How They Work & DF-430 MH-65C & D, MH60T, HU25, C-130J, HC144

Documents