Locating the Source of Long-Distance Radio Distress Signals from the Southern Ocean

Abstract

This report summarizes a feasibility study and strategy appropriate to search and rescue operations for ships or aircraft in distress in the Southern Ocean. The use of high frequency ionospherically-propagated radio transmissions is justified. Measurement of the direction of arrival of a radio signal facilitates ray-tracing through the ionosphere Characteristics of the F2 region mid-latitude ionization trough are considered in detail. Because the trough is displaced towards Australia, its position must be known as near as practicable in real time for sufficiently accurate ray-tracing to be performed quickly enough after receipt of a distress signal. The differential Doppler technique using e.g. 150 and 400 MHz transmissions from NAVSAT (NNSS) satellites is recommended in locating the trough position.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA198239

Entities

People

  • G. L. Goodwin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Amplitude Modulation
  • Angle Of Arrival
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Charged Particles
  • Direction Finding
  • Doppler Effect
  • Electrons
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Ionosphere
  • Measurement
  • Radio Signals
  • Radio Transmission
  • Radio Waves
  • Search And Rescue
  • Transmitting

Readers

  • Geodesy
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space