ES2343823A1 - Remote localization multiband system with automatic generation of relief signals and alarm for maritime boats in zones a1. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Multiband remote location system with automatic generation of distress and alarm signals for maritime vessels in areas a1, comprising, at least: (a) a first on-board unit, located on the vessel itself; (b) a plurality of peripheral units arranged in boats; (c) a plurality of peripheral units arranged in life jackets; and (d) a network of data control units located on the ground. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Multiband remote location system with automatic generation of distress and alarm signals for sea vessels in zones A1.

The present invention is about a system radio that allows the tracking and location of vessels, transmission of alarm and emergency warnings, reception of information and that allows the automatic generation of the call of relief according to the channels provided in the national regulations and international on marine rescue (channels 16 and 70 of VHF).

Said invention is based on the transmission of geo-referenced information captured through a GPS ( Global Positioning System ) to locate and track the route of a boat and its boats and personnel equipped with life jackets in which they are integrated tracking subsystems.

All information transmitted and received from the boat, boats and vests, employs communications systems operating in different frequency bands: GSM / GPRS in 900/1800 MHz, VHF and 868 MHz band. It is thus intended to provide the system with redundancy and compatibility with the global relief and relief system safety at sea (SMSSM).

The system consists of a central unit located aboard the vessel whose purpose is to transmit information position, receive information from other vessels or centers on land, and transmit emergency alerts as well as automate The generation of the distress call. See communications analog and digital, voice and data.

It is complemented with subsystems for boats and lifevest. The boat subsystem is a replica of the central unit with less functionality. When giving the vests lifeguard of small location beacons, it is intended that the onboard unit detects a possible fall to the sea using the VHF and 868 MHz bands. It has a VHF system that operates in parallel, both analog and digital channels. He system will also be equipped with a warning system and VHF boat-boat communications and 868 MHz.

This procedure provides a simple and an effective solution to the existing problem about the location of a boat, boat or person in situations of rescue or assistance to it in case of emergencies and alarms. Be pursues above all the speed in the generation of these notices and the simplicity of use of the system.

This invention is included in the sector of radio systems for sea rescue. The technical sector which it refers to is wireless communications.

Prior art

To date the support systems for the most extended browsing security were based on radio beacons. The global relief and safety system at sea (SMSSM) is able to locate emergencies by sophisticated means but effective The INMARSAT and COSPAS / SARSAT systems can place radio beacons and distress transmitters used by navigators The SMSSM terminals, as well as the stations INMARSAT mobile land may be equipped with a GPS letter-receiver, which allows those who have of this system, communicate your position, as needed and even Will.

While satellites play a role important in the SMSSM, do not completely replace the systems of terrestrial radiocommunications, which usually use the bands VHF assigned to maritime communications. The SMSSM combines several subsystems - all of which have various limitations so Regarding your coverage - in a general system.

The requirements for the equipment that It should be carried on board vary depending on the area in which the vessel operates. Cabotage vessels, for example, only have to carry a minimum equipment if they do not operate beyond the reach of Metric wave radio stations (VHF) on the ground (zone A1). In the Currently, most fishing vessels and boats Recreation are not required to participate in the SMSSM but carry installed the marine radio of metric waves.

The VHF systems that they use These ships are manually operated and, in many cases, are limited to analog voice communications. They offer, therefore, a limited functionality and do not provide an effective solution to the problem of the location of a boat, boat or person, in rescue situations or assistance to it, in case of emergencies and alarms

In the SMSSM the false distress alerts are still a serious problem, since they cause efforts and costs unnecessary, if search and rescue operations begin as a result of a false alert. In 1996, it was estimated that more than 90% of distress alerts were false.

One of the main reasons for this high number of false alerts is the improper use of the SMSSM team by untrained staff, and lack of experience Onboard practice for the staff that is. But another factor that has caused concern is the team itself, some of whose components have been criticized as too much complicated and difficult to use.

In this invention the application to safety systems at sea of a radio system, operating in different frequency bands (GSM / GPRS at 900/1800 MHz, VHF and 868 MHz band), which allows the tracking and location of a boat, boats and staff with life jackets; transmission of alarm and emergency warnings; receiving information; and automatic generation of the distress call according to the channels provided in national and international regulations on sea rescue (channels 16 and 70 of VHF).

An antecedent of the use of GSM-GPS location we can find it in the fleet tracking systems for transport vehicles by road, which have been used with great success for some years, although its penetration in the logistics market has not been expected, due to the high price that sometimes acquires provide a whole fleet of these devices. The usual thing is that said devices consist of a combination of a digital device which provides geographic coordinates (GPS) and a transceiver of data based on mobile technology (GSM / GPRS). The system can provide real-time data or store it to be read later. These systems are complemented with a appropriate software, which in most cases responds to customer needs. As a complement and technological support to work performed by maritime rescue services, We present this proposal whose purpose is to improve the work of ensure navigation safety. The system is mainly oriented to the boats and ships that sail in the so-called Al area, coastal vessels, both recreational and fishing. This type of boats is not required to subscribe to the prescriptions marked by the SMSSM. More than 80% of the fleet Galician maritime, about 6,000 vessels, operates in the Al area. It is the coastal fleet, consisting of vessels ranging from types Handcrafted up to small ships.

Ships operating in these coastal waters they can get in touch with land through normal telephony in instead of VHF, taking advantage of the coverage offered by base stations near the coast. This praxis has been criticized by the authorities, who advise avoiding it as the only mechanism for communication between vessels and land. The consequence of the introduction of mobile telephony in vessels has been a reduced use of the Digital Selective Call (LSD, channel 70), intended for security related purposes.

Area A1 is UHF coverage zone, but so is cell coverage. Tests carried out by the Research team presenting this invention have demonstrated that at a distance of 15 km from a base station you follow receiving signal from it, with a power level around -70 dBm and a BER error rate of less than 1.55%. These levels have proved sufficient for the viability of a system of maritime rescue in coastal environments, such as the one proposed here, that relies on already established GSM networks, taking advantage of the coverage that stations closest to the sea can provide.

The distress calls of these boats they are solved, when using the VHF, by radiogoniometry systems. In many cases, it has been shown that these systems have not turned out to be the most appropriate nor the most accurate at the time of Resolve a distress call. Through the tracking system Continuous position of the vessel proposed in this invention is aims to increase reliability and, through the development of a Machine man interface, improve its ease of use.

In order to determine the position of the aboard personnel, boats and life jackets have been provided of a communications system in the VHF band, 868 MHz. By calculating the signal strength in the busy channel, or RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), position a is calculated staff board.

The proposed system will also represent a improved reliability of alarm generation systems and distress calls, and a reduction of false alarms. Is important that, in case of solving the emergency on their own means, after having made the distress call, you can notify Rescue means to end the emergency: the search and rescue operation triggered may have been complex and expensive.

Other applications that would allow to reach the raised system could be maritime traffic control, the automated tax charging etc.

Explanation of the invention.

A system is described in the present invention. of cross-platform communications whose main purpose is provide a ground control center with positioning in real time of boats, fishing or recreation, which they usually move in coastal zone A1 (up to 20 miles).

The fundamental objective is to increase the navigation safety in the Al zone, as well as facilitating Maritime rescue and security work before calls from alert and relief, by increasing positioning accuracy of wrecked boats. The system has facilities to automate these distress calls.

The system consists of a central unit located aboard the vessel, called the On-Board Unit, whose purpose is to transmit GPS position information so periodically, receive information from other vessels or centers on land, and transmit emergency alerts as well as automate The generation of the distress call. See communications analog and digital, voice and data, in different bands of Frequency: VHF, 900/1800 MHz and 868 MHz.

Through an appropriate interface man-machine (HMI), such as touch screens, the Onboard Unit can process the transmitted information and received, presenting it graphically to the user.

A Data Control Unit has been designated located on land, responsible for monitoring the information from all boats, boats and vests that operate in its coverage radius. These units can communicate with the boat and with the boat, using GSM 900/1800 MHz technology and VHF In addition, they can receive GPS position information, from of a life jacket, transmitted on channel 70 of VHF.

The transmission of GPS position information by the On-Board Unit, it is carried out on GPRS technology and, in case of coverage failure, on a digital VHF channel. The voice communications between the boat and land, are made in GSM system if the coverage zone allows it, or over the band VHF

Alert, emergency and distress calls consist of simultaneous transmission, about GSM technology and about VHF channel 16, of pre-recorded analog voice messages. In addition, digital messages are transmitted on the VHF channel 70 and in GPRS technology with the alert message or relief and the position of the boat. GSM technology allows Communication with the Ground Data Control Unit. He The use of VHF allows, in addition to linking with the Control Unit of Data, communication with other vessels.

The two-way communication integration of ship's voice to ground, allows to establish protocols for Alarm confirmation in order to detect false alarms.

The security system described in this invention, extends, through the development of smaller systems size, to boats and life jackets, called Units Peripherals Each Peripheral Unit is uniquely assigned a communications channel in the 868 MHz band, in addition to a 8-digit alphanumeric identifier. In a normal situation, the peripheral units transmit said identifier on their assigned channel

The transmission is done with a protocol of time interval (token), to avoid contention in the access to means, medium. This transmission is repeated with three different values of transmitted power This allows to improve the estimation of the position and deal with changes in propagation conditions of the radio channel. On a permanent basis, the On-Board Unit estimates the position of these units within the vessel, using a technique based on the calculation of power of the busy channel or RSSI.

Boat units also allow Two-way voice communication (over GSM and / or VHF) with the Unit Data Control, while those in the vests are Unidirectional and limited to the transmission of digital data, with the distress message and position, on channel 70 of VHF

The activation of GPS data transmission by part of the Peripheral Units is carried out only in case of emergency, activating the mechanism manually or remotely. The Remote activation is carried out by the On-Board Unit, if it decides that a peripheral unit is in distress (fall to Water).

The periodic transmission of information from GPS position by the Peripheral Units for boats, during a distress situation, it is done on GPRS technology and, in case of coverage failure, on a digital VHF channel (channel 70). In the case of vests, it is only transmitted on the channel VHF 70.

After its activation, the On-Board Unit, continue to estimate the position of the peripheral unit using the RSSI power calculation of channel 70. This information is transmitted to the Ground Data Control Unit, about GPRS technology and, in case of coverage failure, on a channel VHF digital (channel 70). The objective is to reinforce the work of salvage ensuring the reliable and accurate determination of the Boat position and / or vests. It will also act as a mechanism redundant security against a possible failure of the Units Peripherals

Another important innovation of the system is that integrates ship-to-ship communications capability, to in order to allow diverse information exchange with others boats in the area. For the development of this functionality VHF and 868 MHz band technology has been adopted.

Voice communications ship-to-ship, are performed on an analog channel not commercial in the VHF band determined by the SMSSM. For the data communications between vessels are used both channels VHF, such as an 868 MHz band modem operating on the last channel. Permanently determines the activity on the distress signal listening channels: channel 16 (analog) and VHF (digital) 70, mechanism prescribed by the SMSSM.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better compression of the described system previously five drawings are accompanied.

Figure 1 is a block representation functional or scheme of the overall operation of the system proposed. The following basic units are distinguished: unit of aboard, located on the boat; peripheral units, located in boats and vests; data center, located on land.

The so-called Boarding Unit is represented in Figure 2.

Figure 3 corresponds to the block diagram functionalities of the so-called Peripheral Unit for boats lifeguard

Figure 4 represents the functional diagram of the Peripheral Unit for life jackets.

Figure 5 describes the channels of communication used by the different units that make up the system.

Detailed exposition of an embodiment of the invention

The implementation is described below. chosen for each one the different units that make up the multiband remote location system with automatic generation of distress and alarm signals for maritime vessels in areas A1.

1. Prototype for the ship (Onboard Unit)

This prototype consists of a GPRS / GSM modem for class 10 voice and data, a 12-channel GPS, and a transceiver VHF in the 132 to 180 MHz band with 25 W output and 4 W input. The system is completed with omnidirectional antennas, system DC power supply from the boat and a redundant system based on rechargeable batteries. Are reached 36 kbps (GPRS) and 10 kbps (VHF) rates. A modem module is integrated in the 868 MHz band for ship communications functions at ship and with peripheral units. A microcontroller acts as control system of the different elements.

2. Lifeboat prototypes (Unit Peripheral)

The composition is similar to the prototype of the vessel, but also incorporates a parallel feeding system by solar panels. 2.8-3.3V technology is used in order to minimize consumption. The size of these units and especially the antenna system.

3. Prototypes for lifejackets (Unit Peripheral)

It consists of a GPS, a VHF transceiver in the band 132 to 180 MHz and a modem in the 868 MHz band. A microcontroller acts as a control system for the various elements. The unit is completed with a size antenna system minimum.

4. Human machine interface

Consisting of a complete TFT touch screen the on-board unit system, and is equipped with buttons function, with audio output / input. The software of this interface presents data sent and received from both other vessels as of the control center clearly and concisely. It has the standard button defined by the SMSSM for manual activation of the call for help. A communication protocol has been defined with the boat and vest units for remote activation.

5. Data Unit

It consists of a GPRS / GSM modem for voice and data Class 10, a VHF transceiver in the 132 to 180 MHz band of 25 W output and 4 W input. The system is completed with antennas omnidirectional.

6. Control software

The software of the Data Control Unit employs services based on relational databases (geodatabases). To ensure the interoperability of the different parts of the system, as well as with other external systems suppliers of georeferenced information, the data exchanged follows International GIS standards (Geo-Information System), such as ISO / OGC, but standards for the storage and exchange of information such as SQL. Thus, an open, interoperable and scalable system is guaranteed to the georeferenced information component.

The criteria that allow for ensure the exchange of information in critical situations. They have also been considered privacy policies in the manipulated information.

The part corresponding to the software of the Data Control Unit closes the description of the implementation presented here.

Claims (4)

1. Multiband remote location system with automatic generation of distress and alarm signals for maritime vessels in zones A1 comprising at least:

(to)

a first unit on board; located on own vessel and that includes, in turn, a control unit that governs a GPRS / GSM communications module, a GPS module, a man-machine interface module, a VHF module and a modem module in the 868 MHz band for ship communication to ship and with peripheral units as well as antennas omnidirectional and power supply means;

(b)

a plurality of peripheral units arranged in boats comprising, in turn, a central control unit that governs a GPRS / GSM communication module for communication bidirectional voice, a GPS module, a VHF module and a modem module in the 868 MHz band for communication with the onboard unit, as well as omnidirectional antennas and power supplies parallel electrical by solar panels;

(C)

a plurality of peripheral units arranged in life jackets comprising, in turn, a GPS module, a VHF module on channel 70 for digital communication unidirectional, and a modem module in the 868 MHz band for communication with the on-board unit, as well as antennas omnidirectional; Y

(d)

a network of data control units located in land, communicated through a communications network type internet, which are configured with means to monitor the GPS information and detect alarm, emergency or relief from the on-board unit of the vessel, of the boats and / or operating vests on your coverage radius, further comprising GPRS / GSM, VHF and VHF communication media over channel 70;

that is characterized because the first on-board unit is configured for transmission via GPRS and in case of coverage failure, about VHF, to the network of ground control data control units, the GPS position of the boat, consisting of latitude, longitude and temporary instant, for monitoring and control; and where the plurality of peripheral units of boats and vests is monitored by the first on-board unit, this data being also transmitted to the data control network located in land.

         \ vskip1.000000 \ baselineskip
      

2. Remote location method with automatic generation of distress and alarm signals for sea vessels in zone A1, which is implemented in the system of claim 1, and characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

(i)

monitor the position of the units boat and vest peripherals by the on-board unit, of such so that it is possible to detect a possible fall to the sea of any of those units;

(ii)

generate an emergency signal, alarm or distress by the on-board unit, and where once the signal, the position of the peripheral units will be monitored by the on-board unit, through the power estimation of the VHF channel 70 and by the data control unit located in land, within the coverage area of said control unit; Y

(iii)

transmit to the on-board unit and to the unit Ground control data control GPS position information (latitude, longitude and time):

-

on GPRS technology and in case of coverage failure, on channel 70 of VHF by peripheral boat units; Y

-

alone over VHF channel 70 for vest units.

         \ vskip1.000000 \ baselineskip
      

3. Method according to claim 2 characterized in that the alert, emergency and distress calls are automatically generated in the on-board unit, according to the channels provided in the national and international regulations on maritime rescue (channels 16 and 70 of VHF) and simultaneously on GSM / GPRS technology, by means of a transmission that includes the message, of pre-recorded analog voice over GSM technology and channel 16 of VHF or digital for channel 70 of VHF and GPRS technology, of alert, emergency or distress and the GPS position of the boat (latitude, longitude, hour).

         \ newpage
      

4. Method according to claims 2 and 3 characterized in that it determines, from the on-board unit, the position of the peripheral units arranged in lifeboats and life jackets through transceivers operating in the VHF and 868 MHz band, allowing the calculation of the signal power in the busy channel, or RSSI, by means of an algorithm with a variable transmitted power level by the peripheral units, each of which is uniquely assigned a communications channel in the band of 8 68 MHz, in addition to an 8-digit alphanumeric identifier that is transmitted normally with a time interval protocol (token) over the assigned radio frequency channel.