MEOLUT Next
Search and Rescue services from COSPAS-SARSAT organization are operational and used by Civil
Aviation, Maritime Domain and Personal Users for more than 30 years.
System design is evolving from LEOSAR (using satellite in Low Earth Orbit) and GEOSAR (using satellite in geostationary orbit) to MEOSAR (using satellites in Medium Earth Orbit, such as GPS, GALILEO and GLONASS satellites).
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Thales Alenia Space (TAS) is involved for more than 16 years in the overall SAR system, in the design and promotion of standards, in the engineering of performances and in development of space equipment.
• SAR Processors (SARP) : implemented in all in flight LEO satellites have been manufactured in TAS premises, providing excellent reliability and performances.
• MEOSAR Demonstration & Evaluation (D&E) : Since 2011, TAS is supporting the activities of CNES, with the development of a MEOSAR reference chain
• SAR Beacons : Today TAS is involved in the definition and demonstration of the new generation beacon signal.
As provider of Galileo Ground Mission Segment, Thales Alenia Space is also involved in the definition and development of SAR Return-Link Service.
Thales Alenia Space has the full support of CNES for MEOSAR project.
Thales Alenia Space, the Space Division of the Thales Group, is a large company with 7500 employees (most of them are highly qualified engineers) which can commit at the highest level on schedule and quality of delivered products. TAS has an important portfolio of major system programs (eg Galileo, Egnos, Iridium) and customer can take benefit of TAS management processes and tools in order to reach the highest level of quality, which are required for safety-of-life programs, such as Thales Alenia Space is proposing an innovative solution, based on an active antenna and an improved processing. This solution, available to the world-wide MEOSAR market in 2015, is a major step ahead. It has been developed with the support of the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) French Space Agency. CNES is the cooperative agency representing France in the COSPAS SARSAT Council.
With such solution, Customers will benefit of
> significantly improved performances resulting in more lives saved and reduced rescue operation costs:
• “all satellites in view” capability: Tracking capability up to 30 satellites, to be compared to the 6 satellites tracked by the 6 dish-antennas, providing a very significant improvement of the mission performances (real time detection, coverage increased by 65 %, detection probability 99% on first beacon signal, localization accuracy improved by a factor 5),
• 2020-ready MEOLUT processing: The acquisition, demodulation and localization methods for the new generation beacons are included in our baseline. This improvement of SAR use is in line with the ICAO request for in-flight localization.
> cost effective solution
• reduced civil work activities, avoiding the 6 antenna plots distributed on a very large area, • reduced maintenance cost due to high robustness (no more antenna mechanism).
DEEP INVOLVEMENT IN THE SEARCH AND RESCUE PROGRAM
A HIGH PERFORMANCE SOLUTION
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executive summary
The simulations show that the 6 dish-antennas solution can answer to what appears the minimum coverage requirement for Chile, including Easter Island and a part of Antarctica, in addition to the mainland; while with an active antenna, Chile would provide a much wider contribution to Cospas-Sarsat service. The Dilution Of Precision is also around five times higher on the main targer area with 6 dish-antennas compared to active antenna, meaning that the localization accuracy is five time worse.
6 DISH
-ANTENNA
S
6 DISH
-ANTENNA
S
ACTIVE
ANTENNA
ACTIVE
ANTENNA
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SAR
SA
TELLITES
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SAR
SA
TELLITES
Thales Alenia Space commits to comply to Cospas- Sarsat requirements.
The first MEOLUT draft specification (Annex 24 of C/S T.019) has been elaborated in June 2014, and will be amended as presented by France in October 2014 Cospas-Sarsat Council (CSC-53/OPN/Inf.15, MEOLUT specification considerations), in order to be compatible both with dish-antennas and active antennas solutions.
COMPLIANCE AND MORE TO COSPAS-SARSAT REQUIREMENTS
European leader in satellite systems, Thales Alenia Space (TAS) is a joint venture between Thales
(67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space proposes a global offer from equipment to end-
to-end space systems for space telecoms, observation, navigation and science. The company, which
achieved revenues of more than Euro 2 billion in 2013, has a total of 7,500 employees located in 12
industrial sites in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and UK. Toulouse (France) is the main site, with 2500
employees.
Data collection activities in Thales Alenia Space cover Search And Rescue, Argos system, maritime surveillance and road tolling collect systems. These projects are managed by the Navigation Domain, within the Business Line OEN (Observation, Exploration and Navigation). The Navigation Domain is also in charge of two important programs: the Galileo Ground Mission Segment and the European SBAS system (EGNOS) for GNSS secured navigation.
For SAR activities TAS-France is supported by CNES The Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) is the government agency responsible for shaping and implementing France’s space policy in Europe. Its task is to invent the space systems of the future, bring space technologies to maturity and guarantee France’s independent access to space. CNES is the Agency representing France in the COSPAS-SARSAT program. CNES internet site address : http/www.CNES.fr/
THE MARKET ADDRESSED IS BALANCED INTO 45% COMMERCIAL,
37% INSTITUTIONAL AND 18% DEFENSE
Thales is a global
company with
67,000 employees
and €13 billion
in revenues
in 50 countries
ME OS AR S Y STEMdescription of the company
5 Satellite integration facility in Toulouse
An innovative solution for Local User Terminal of COSPAT/SARSAT System
Thales Alenia Space,
Expert in MEOSAR
Thales Alenia Space is the provider of the SAR Processor payload, a recognize expert in MEOSAR
with many activities on performance analysis and new signal definition, and European leader in
navigation ground segments.
SAR PROCESSOR (SARP) PAYLOAD
MEOSAR REFERENCE CHAIN
In late 90’s, Thales Alenia Space developed the 3rd generation of on-board processing SAR payloads (SARP – described in section 4 of Cospas-Sarsat specification T.003).
These payloads are for most of them in orbit now, and are today the unique contributor of Cospas/ Sarsat operational system providing worldwide (including poles) and continuous (without requiring ground station in visibility) SAR message detection. Developed under French space agency (CNES) authority, these payloads have proven excellent reliability and performances.
Since 2011, Thales Alenia Space also contributed to support France MEOSAR Demonstration & Evaluation (D&E) activities, with the development of a MEOSAR reference chain. This chain, based on the SAR payload processing, and adapted for MEOSAR context, allows analysing in details the reception conditions (signal to noise ratio, interferences, …) and the processing behaviour (detection, synchronization, demodulation, decoding). This chain has been used on real MEOSAR signals since December 2012 and is now continously available at CNES for D&E investigation purposes.
THE MEOLUT PRODUCT IS THE HEIR OF THIS unique DOUBLE EXPERTISE IN SEARCH-AND-RESCUE AND NAVIGATION GROUND SEGMENTS
Digital signal processor board of Sarsat 3 payload
Signal processing analysis interface of the MEOSAR reference chain
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Experience in Search-And-Rescue
NEW GENERATION BEACON DEFINITION FOR MEOSAR
NAVIGATION GROUND SEGMENTS
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Thales Alenia Space is the provider of Galileo (GNSS system) and EGNOS (SBAS system) ground segments, and is the European leader in satellite navigation ground infrastructures, satisfying most stringent requirements in terms of development quality, availability, and reliability. In particular, as provider of Galileo Mission Segment, Thales Alenia Space is involved in the definition and development of the SAR Return-Link Service.
Among activities of the MEOLUT reference chain, one key asset is the contribution of Thales Alenia Space to the definition and demonstration of the new generation beacon signal. This new signal, using spread-spectrum, has been built together with the CNES, and NASA, and, thanks to tests results, has been recognized in Cospas/ Sarsat Joint Committee in June 2014 as the baseline solution for new generation beacons after MEOSAR FOC.
Thales Alenia Space contributed to the definition (papers from France at EWG 2012), theoretical performance analysis (papers from France at EWG 2013) and real world tests (papers from France at EWG 2014). These tests have been performed using a specific bench with a new generation signal generator, the GPS and Galileo satellites, and an update of the MEOLUT reference chain to acquire and process these new signals. A common CNES/Thales Alenia Space article on this topic is announced to be issued in nov/dec 2014 release of “Inside GNSS”. Strong of these heritage, Thales Alenia Space MEOLUT is already compatible with New Generation beacons signal, and will not require a software update for that.
THE MEOLUT PRODUCT IS THE HEIR OF THIS unique DOUBLE EXPERTISE IN SEARCH-AND-RESCUE AND NAVIGATION GROUND SEGMENTS
Spectrum and localization test results for new generation beacons
ANTENNA SOLUTION
The key improvement provided by Thales Alenia Space MEOLUT is the use of active antennas : one for Galileo and Glonass (L-band) and one for GPS (S-band). The antenna is protected by a parabolic 3m diameter radome. The surface, weight, and absence of moving elements, make it easily accomodable on any building roof, as proposed in baseline.
The active antenna is combined with a specific RF chain in charge of filtering and digitization of all antenna channels, and with an auto-calibration algorithm taking benefit of the vicinity of SAR signals with GNSS signals. The auto-calibration algorithm is fast (less than 10 minutes) and used once only at the MEOLUT start. This algorithm is the key to make the active antenna relevant in terms of cost, and easy to operate.
The advantages of active antennas compared to dish-antennas are given in the table on the next page.
MEOLUT PROCESSING
In addition to the active antenna feature described above, the MEOLUT processing includes already many improvements. The 5 most significant of these improvements are:
• SARP-inherited signal processing : the MEOLUT processing is optimized in terms of interference mitigation and processing complexity. It is then in particular able to cope with very dense SAR signal trafic.
• New Generation beacons : the MEOLUT already implements the chain for these new generation beacons.
• In-flight beacon localization : In addition to basic mono- and multi- burst 2D localization solutions, the MEOLUT provides solution for 3D localization of moving beacons. The MEOLUT is then already compatible with ICAO requirements on localization of in-flight activated ELT.
• Improved detection : The MEOLUT improves the detection capability by combining signals on several satellites, with a sensitivity increase sufficient to detect legacy signals below 28dBHz. The MEOLUT is then capable to retrieve signals from beacons with transmission issues (badly oriented antenna, broken antenna, power transmission losses, strong attenuation by trees in dense forests, …).
• Ionosphere corrections in localization chain : The MEOLUT already corrects ionosphere delay, as it is a significant contributor to the error budget for localization of New Generation beacons. ME OS AR S Y STEM
product description
Domain
Criteria
Interests of active antenna
Cost Ground surface The antenna ground surface is limited (6m x 3m), compared to dish antennas requiring a field. It may be installed on any existing building.
Maintenance As the antenna has no moving element, it is more reliable.
Coverage
Tracked
satellites The maximum number of tracked satellites is not limited : in typical case with 3 full GNSS constellations, 30 satellites will be independantly tracked.
Masking As the antenna is light, it is easier to put it on a high point (top of a building) and avoid masking in azimuth.
Coverage area The area where beacons see at least 3 satellites (for independent 2D localization) in common with the MEOLUT, is 65% larger than with 6 antennas.
Independance With active antenna, all visible satellites are tracked, there is then no need for tracking plan optimization, which simplifies the processing and increase the
independence of the MEOLUT.
Performance
Detection capability
The detection sensitivity is increased by 10dB. This provides an increase of single-burst detection for normal transmission from 90% to more than 99%, and capability to detect beacons with transmission issues (broken antenna, attenuation, …).
Localization
accuracy A higher number of satellite means a better Dilution of Precision (factor ~ 4), and a better localization accuracy with a better measurement noise filtering.
Availability
The loss of one antenna channel corresponds to a loss in gain (< 0.1dB), not a loss in global performance and in particular in tracking capability. The failures are then not only more rare with active antenne, but also less critical for the mission, ensuring a better service availability.
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The MCC and MEOLUT are integrated in baseline into a 66m² building dimensioned by: an operation room of 36m², a server room of 18m², and a service/storage room of 12m².
The MEOLUT signal processing
and monitoring and control are combined in the same structure
A third similar cabinet is considered to be allocated to the MCC
CIVIL WORKS FOR MCC AND MEOLUT NEXT
Storage
Autotest
Localisation
M&C
RF chains
Signal processing
GNSS receiver
ME OS AR S Y STEMproduct description
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MEOLUT NEXT MONITORING MONITORING AND CONTROL AND RCC WORK STATION
In addition to file-based interfaces, mainly SAR Alerts as described by Cospas-Sarsat in C/S R.012 and C/S R.018, the MEOLUT provides an interface for monitoring and control. This M&C interface has the form of a web service and may then be implemented anywhere. The Monitoring and Control includes 3 different domains: Remote Distress Alert Display (RDAD), Performance statistics metrics and Status surveillance function.
The baseline is to consider an implementation of :
• A full version of the Monitoring & Control function in the operator room, common with the MCC • “Remote Distress alert display” (RDAD) deployed on RCC laptops or touch pads:
The interface is developed as a web application open to many physical supports (from personal computers to smartphones), with user- friendly interfaces, and based on libraries ready for the further development of new proprietary applications, to be developed for RCC, with specific features depending on the types of missions (maritime, mountain, …).
The applications that would be developed specifically for the customer, based on service libraries, could be
proposed as transfert of technology. This would be a good opportunity both to improve the mastering of SAR processing by local actors, and to increase the relevance of those applications for the local SAR operational methods.
Operations and Training
ILS and Maintenance
For the operation procedure definitions, Thales Alenia Space will use specific tools developed and used in many internal programs, in particular Galileo Ground Mission Segment. These tools allow standardised modelling notation for flowcharts, with embedded documentation of graphical objects and connectors, documentation of procedures relying on re-usable objects (roles, documents, information systems), creation of libraries with generic model constructs, delivery of procedures in Word and HTML format.
The training objective is to ensure that the operations and maintenance personnel assigned to operate the system during the operation phase acquires the necessary
knowledge and skills in their respective fields. The training needs and schedule will be defined in close cooperation with the operator. Training for the MEOLUT, and MCC and RCC workstations, will include both theoretical training based on presentations, and practical training based on first operational beacon detections alerts, and failures simulated by the autotest function.
The purpose of ILS is to ensure the timely achievement of the system operational readiness, and to maintain this status within the specified operational availability. ILS is based on an iterative and global approach, involving the following activities:
• ILS management (integration of support system development in the project development) • Logistics analyses including RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety)
• Maintenance Plan production
• Data collection and recording (Logistic Data Base, inventory list) • Warranty and maintenance support plan production
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Maintenance and Operations
After Sales Support
Since more than fifteen years Thales Alenia Space has developed a specific back-office call center for its Customers. This call center is based on unique point of contact that redirects the request to the relevant projects.
In addition to Logistic service in charge of monitoring the repair of equipment failures and managing the factory spare elements shipping when needed, the After Sales Support for MEO system will include a Back-Office expert team. This team will be composed by MEOSAR software and hardware qualified personal.
Thales Alenia Space will maintain in its facility of Toulouse a copy of the MEO system deployed localy, associated with debugging and investigation means, that will be used for reproducing anomalies detected on the operational site in order to fix them.
QUALITY APPROACH
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Traditionally, Quality and Reliability are key to success in the Space Industry. This is a must, but this is not enough: as for other industries, besides Product Quality, Customer satisfaction is also to be considered as a priority in a Quality Management approach.
The Thales Alenia Space Quality Policy is implemented within the company quality management system. Its application is recognized by certifications (ISO 9001v2000, EN/AS/JSQ 9100, AQAP 2110, CMMI acquisition & development models level3) encompassing all activities and all sites.
continuous improvement
QUALITY ASSURANCE
To be viewed by its customers as the best provider of Space Solutions, Thales Alenia Space Quality Assurance Requirements are based on ECSS and are flown down to suppliers together with all specific Customer requirements, ensuring a uniform and coherent set of requirements from Customer to the suppliers. To enforce the application of the Quality Assurance requirements and fulfill Customer requirements, a product assurance plan is implemented by a product assurance manager: he is part of the project management organization and is also hierarchically linked to the Quality Assurance Director, ensuring a direct and independent link to the CEO.
Quality Assurance Organization
Our Quality Assurance Organization covers all quality skills (reliability, safety, materials/ processes, EEE components, radiation, software, integration quality assurance, on-board and ground equipment quality assurance, operations quality assurance, product assurance management, management methodologies, audits,...).
Quality and
Reliability are
key to success
in the Space
Industry
Customer satisfaction- Collect customer feedback:
Performance - Measure results against commitments: Progress - Measure improvements in
internal operations: Process maturity evaluation with ISO, CMMI®, APICS-OM BoK/SCOR ® Common indicators, on-time
delivery, and compliance Customer surveys and rankings, Com-plaints management
A shared frame of reference and customer-focused behaviours…
… supported by regularly reviewed action plans.
1. ®CMMI is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Carnegie Mellon University 2. APICS: Association for Operations Management 3. SCOR®: Supply Chain Operation Reference
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acronyms and abbreviations
CFI Customer Furnished Item CMCC Customer Mission Control Center CNES Centre National
d’Etudes Spatiales
COSPAS-SARSAT Search And Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking
(COSPAS is the same
acronym in Russian)
D&E Demonstration and Evaluation
ELT Emergency Locator
Transmitter GNSS Global Navigation
Satellite System
ILS Integrated Logistic System
IV&V Integration, Verification
and Validation
KOM Kick Off Meeting LUT Local User Terminal M&C Monitoring and Control
MCC Mission Control Center MEOLUT Local User Terminal for
MEOSAR system
MEOSAR Search And Rescue
system using satellites
in Medium Earth Orbit
PA Product Assurance
RCC Rescue Control Center RDAT Remote Distress Alert Display
SAR Search And Rescue
SARP SAR Processors
(on-board satellite)
SBAS Satellite Based
Augmentation system
TAS Thales Alenia Space,
TAS-F or TAS-France is
the legal entity of
Thales Alenia Space in
France
ToT Tranfer of Technology
Contacts
For commercial matters: Philippe LARHANTEC
Business Line Observation Exploration and Navigation MEOLUT Next Product Manager
26, Av. J.F. Champollion - 31037 Toulouse Cedex 1 Tel : +33(0)5 34 35 59 62 - Mob : +33(0)6 84 25 90 26 E-Mail : [email protected] For Technical matters: Thibaud CALMETTES
Business line Observation Exploration and Navigation Business Development and Bid Manager
26, avenue J.F. Champollion - 31087 Toulouse Cedex 1 Tel : +33 (0)5 34 35 76 73