FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICE FOR TRACKING AND MONITORING OF FISHING VESSELS”

APPLICANT:
Name : AVANTEL LIMITED
Nationality : INDIAN
Address : Plot No. 16, Sector-III, HUDA Techno Enclave,
Opp. K Raheja IT park
Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500 081
Andhra Pradesh, India.
The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to location tracking systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method for location tracking in a mobile satellite service communication network.
Background of the Invention
[0002] The conventional satellite systems which are used to cover large geographical areas use several satellites following different paths at low and medium altitudes so that at least one satellite can cover the desired geographical area all the time. But these satellites are limited in their coverage area per satellite. Furthermore the conventional satellite networks are expensive in terms of terminal equipment and airtime operational costs associated with them. Advancements in satellite communication system lead to the development of different satellite communication.
[0003] Typically, the conventional wire, fiber landlines, cellular networks and geostationary satellite systems are not sufficient to meet the burgeoning global appetite for telecommunications services. The ultimate goal of wireless services is to provide two-way, ubiquitous, affordable communication services.
[0004] The conventional land based systems relay on cellular networks, but communication through cellular network is not possible in water because they are too remote from any cellular towers. The boat based systems should be more power efficient and reliable than an automobile based system because the consequences of failure can more often be lethal in marine environments.
[0005] Typically, a fixed satellite communication is used in point to point telecommunications. The fixed satellite communication system is used as a two-way communication which is very expensive and highly application specific system. Furthermore fixed satellite communication systems are generally used by large corporations to provide data transmission or by public telephone companies for basic trunking.
[0006] Mobile satellite services are the final step of wireless communications which can provide this ultimate goal of ubiquitous wireless communication. In mobile satellite communication the user can move from one place to another place. Mobile satellite service enables to interconnect with number of voice and data communications networks, both wire and wireless. Further the mobile satellite service will provide wide array of services and network access. Mobile satellite services have demonstrated the capability of providing robust and reliable communications with a uniform high quality of service over a wide area.
[0007] Hence there is a need for a system and method for tracking the real time location of a marine vessel using mobile satellite service communication system.
Summary
[0008] A system and a method for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network are disclosed. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a global positioning system receiver for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite. The global positioning system receiver configured to operate in an L band frequency range. The system is configured to operate in at least one of a time division multiple access mode, a ALOHA mode and the like.
[0009] According to the first aspect, the system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station. The indoor unit alerts the ground based hub station while the marine vessel crossing a predetermined boundary.
[0010] According to the first aspect, the system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the satellite. The real time location of the marine vessel from the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal is transmitted to the satellite in an S band frequency range. The real time location of the marine vessel from the satellite to the ground based hub station is transmitted in a C band frequency range. The communication data from the at least one of the uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal to the ground based hub station is communicated in at least one of a SXC communication channel and the like. [0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network is disclosed. According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a global positioning system receiver communicatively coupled to a global positioning system antenna for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite. The global positioning system antenna includes a square patch antenna.
[0012] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a based band control card adapted for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel and for communicating messages through at least one of a serial communication port.
[0013] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the satellite from a transmitting antenna. The transmitting antenna includes a rectangular patch antenna for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station in an S band frequency range. The real time location of the marine vessel received from the satellite is stored in a memory and transmitted to the satellite in an S band frequency range and in response the satellite transmits the real time location of the marine vessel in a C band frequency range. The at least one the uniquely identified transmitting terminal operates in at least one of a time division multiple access mode, a ALOHA mode and the like.
[0014] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station.
[0015] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network further includes a base band control card, a frequency synthesizer, a solid state power amplifier, a battery a band pass filter and a sequential card.
[0016] According to a third aspect, a method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network is disclosed. According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes retrieving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite through a global positioning system receiver. A transmitter configured to operate in the mobile service communication network is positioned in the marine vessel for tracking the real time location of marine vessel. The transmitter operates in at least one of a time division multiple access mode, a ALOHA mode and the like. A global positioning system antenna is communicatively coupled to the global positioning system receiver receives the real time location of the marine vessel from the GPS satellite.
[0017] According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes storing the real time location of the marine vessel received from the satellite in a memory.
[0018] According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel from at least one of an uniquely identified data transmitting terminal to a ground based hub station through the Indian satellite. Data from the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal to the satellite is communicated in an S band frequency range. The at least one the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal is communicatively coupled to a rectangular patch antenna for transmitting the data in the S band frequency range.
[0019] According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes communicating emergency messages to the ground based hub station through an indoor unit. Data from the satellite to the ground based hub station is communicated in a C band frequency range.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0020] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] FIG.1 is a diagram depicting a mobile satellite service transponder.

[0022] FIG.2 is a diagram 200 depicting an indoor unit.

Detailed Description of the Invention
[0023] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0024] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.
[0025 Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and a method for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a global positioning system receiver for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a GPS satellite. The global positioning system receiver configured to operate in an L band frequency range. The system is configured to operate in at least one of a time division multiple access mode, a ALOHA mode and the like.
[0026] According to the first aspect, the system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station. The indoor unit alerts the ground based hub station while the marine vessel crossing a predetermined boundary.
[0027] According to the first aspect, the system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the Indian satellite. The real time location of the marine vessel from the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal is transmitted to the satellite in an S band frequency range. The real time location of the marine vessel from the satellite to the ground based hub station is transmitted in a C band frequency range. The communication data from the at least one of the uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal to the ground based hub station is communicated in at least one of a SXC communication channel. [0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network is disclosed. According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a global positioning system 2receiver communicatively coupled to a global positioning antenna for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite. The global positioning antenna includes a square patch antenna.

[0029] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a based band control card adapted for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel and for communicating messages to the synthesized modulator.
[0030] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the satellite from a transmitting antenna. The transmitting antenna includes a rectangular patch antenna for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station in an S band frequency range. The real time location of the marine vessel received from the satellite is stored in a memory and transmitted to the satellite in an S band frequency range and in response the satellite transmits the real time location of the marine vessel in a C band frequency range. The at least one the uniquely identified transmitting terminal operates in at least one of a time division multiple access mode, a ALOHA mode and the like.
[0031] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network includes an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station.
[0032] According to the second aspect, the system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network further includes a frequency synthesizer, a base band control card, a solid state power amplifier, a battery, a band pass filter and a sequential card.
[0033] According to a third aspect, a method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network is disclosed. According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes retrieving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite through a global positioning system receiver. A transmitter configured to operate in the mobile service communication network is positioned in the marine vessel for tracking the real time location of marine vessel. The transmitter operates in at least one of a time division multiple access mode, a ALOHA mode and the like. A global positioning system antenna is communicatively coupled to the global positioning receiver receives the real time location of the marine vessel from the satellite.
[0034] According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes storing the real time location of the marine vessel received from the satellite in a memory.
[0035] According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel from at least one of an uniquely identified data transmitting terminal to a ground based hub station through the satellite. Data from the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal to the satellite is communicated in an S band frequency range. The at least one the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal is communicatively coupled to a rectangular patch antenna for transmitting the data in the S band frequency range.
[0036] According to the third aspect, the method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes communicating emergency messages to the ground based hub station through an indoor unit. Data from the satellite to the ground based hub station is communicated in a C band frequency range. An in built battery provided to operate a system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network when an input power is down.
[0037] Referring to FIG.1 is a diagram 100 depicting a mobile satellite service transponder. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transponder is positioned on a marine vessel for monitoring a location of the marine vessel and to further transmit the data related to the tracked location of marine vessel to a ground based hub station. The ground based hub station continuously monitors the location of the marine vessel through the transponder 100. The system further includes an indoor unit for alerting emergency messages to the ground based hub station. The data is communicated in the mobile satellite service communication network.
[0038] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transponder includes a GPS receiver 104 communicatively coupled to a GPS antenna 102. The GPS receiver 104 receives the location of the marine vessel from a satellite. The GPS antenna 102 is a rectangular square patch antenna with a wide beam width of +45?, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The GPS receiver 104 is coupled to a base band control card 114. The base band control card 114 receives the GPS position of the marine vessel and transmits the GPS and text messages through a serial RS232 port, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. An Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Transceiver 120 is coupled to the RS232 port and the output of UHF Transceiver is coupled to an UHF antenna 122. The transmitter is coupled to the indoor through RS232 or through UHF wireless link. An application interface is provided to configure frequency and identification for the transmitting terminal from which the data is to be transmitted.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transponder includes a synthesized binary phase shift keying modulator 110. The synthesized binary phase shift keying modulator 110 is a frequency synthesizer with external reference from a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and frequency of oscillations from external voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The function of the synthesized binary phase shift keying modulator 110 is to make VCO stable at the programmed frequency, which will be in the required frequency channel. The synthesizer includes a VCO, a phase locked loop integrated circuit (PLL IC) and a loop filter. The VCO produces a RF output, which is fed back to the PLL chip. The phase detector in the PLL compares the RF output from the VCO and reference input from external TCXO and takes the difference between the two outputs and produces a constant output when the two phases are equal. The constant output from the phase detector is applied as input to loop filter, which produces voltage that is fed to VCO. The VCO produces a constant RF output. Under the locked condition PLL produces a lock detect output which is of voltage level depending on the power supply input to the PLL chip. The synthesizer output is fed to a BPSK modulator. The other end of the modulator is fed from a bipolar circuit.

[0040] In accordance with a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transponder 100 includes a solid state power amplifier (SSPA) 112 coupled between a transmission band pass filter 108 and the synthesized BPSK modulator 110. The solid state power amplifier 112 is further coupled to a sequential card 116. The SSPA 112 operates in the S-band frequency. It is a linear amplifier comprising of 4 stages. The first two stages, which together constitute driver stage, give a total output of 35dB gain.. The third and final stages provids gain of 23 dB. The devices are operated in class AB mode. The matching circuit is designed using ADS software and is realized in micro strip technology. A directional coupler at the output produces DC voltage corresponding to the RF output. The DC voltage available at directional coupler is used to generate a TTL command for the health status of the SSPA 112.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transmission band pass filter 108 is coupled to an S- band antenna 106 for transmission of GPS data in an S band communication channel.. The data from the transmitter to the satellite is an S band frequency range and the satellite in turn sends the received GPS data in a C band communication channel to the ground based hub station. Each transmit terminal is assigned with an unique ID code operates in S-band and transmits messages up to 40 characters at 150/300 Bps, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPS receiver 104 of the marine vessel monitoring system operates in an L-band frequency range. The system tracks the location of the marine vessels, fishing boats, trawlers and the like. The GPS data received from the satellite is stored in a memory and transmitted in an S band to the satellite. The system can be effectively used with Indian satellites.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit is used for communicating emergency messages to the ground based hub station in the form of text messages. The messages include a terrorist attack, fail of engine, bad weather, out of fuel, suspicious vessel, friendly vessel needs help and the like. The indoor unit can be further used for alerting messages when the marine vessel crosses predefined boundaries.

[0044] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting terminal operates in ALOHA mode and TDMA mode. In Aloha mode, the message is transmitted three times randomly. In TDMA mode, the terminal waits for its time slot. The control circuit also monitors the status of the Synthesizer 110 and SSPA 112. In the power ON condition, the terminal will be working with the default settings loaded in to it such as, synthesizer frequency and the transmission mode will be TDMA.

[0045] Referring to FIG.2 is a diagram 200 depicting an indoor unit. The indoor unit is coupled to the transmitter through a RS232 interface or through an UHF ring, according to a non limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The indoor unit includes a control card 202 interfaced with a keypad 204, battery 206, alert indication 208 and an UHF transceiver 210. The UHF transceiver 210 is connected to the antenna. The indoor unit alerts the emergency messages to the ground based hub station. The indoor unit communicates the emergency messages to the ground based hub station in the form of text messages. The messages include a terrorist attack, fail of engine, bad weather, out of fuel, suspicious vessel, friendly vessel needs help and the like. The indoor unit can be further used for alerting messages when the marine vessel crosses predefined boundaries.
[0046] As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art the present invention provides a variety of advantages. The system provides essential communication to and from remote areas and enables seamless communication to/from the mobile platforms within the footprint of the Indian satellite. The system is best suited for the maritime applications like vessel tracking of fishing boats, trawlers and ships. The emergency messages feature of the system enables the user to send information to control center for help. The system is further useful for communicating data during disaster, when other means of communication brakes down. The system can be used from any location of India for emergency communications. The system is made up of compact units without need for stabilization of antenna, Wide beam width antennas, and inbuilt GPS receiver for position tracking in an automatic and annual manner, provides a forward error correction with 1/2 rate, integration with existing network , a software driven architecture and hence flexible and scalable. The system is an exclusive and low lost.

[0047] Exemplary Specifications of the system
Parameter : Specification
Frequency band
Transmit frequency

:
:
2670-2690 MHz

Step Size : 10 kHz/5KHz
Frequency selection : Thru Serial port
Frequency Stability : ±1ppm
Transmit Parameters
Transmitter Power out put : 2W/4W nominal
Tx. EIRP : 6/9dBW

Message transmission : TDMA or ALOHA
Transmission rate : 300 bps/600 bps
Information rate : 150bps/300 bps
Format : HDLC
Error protection : 16 bit CRC
Error correction : Rate ½ FEC
Modulation : BPSK
Harmonics : -30dBc min.
SSB Phase noise :
Offset From carrier : SSB Phase noise
@100 Hz : -60 dBc / Hz max
@1000 Hz : -65 dBc / Hz max
GPS Receiver : Built-in
Antennas
Transmit Antenna
Frequency : 2670-2690 MHz
? Type : Patch
? 3.0 dB Beam Width : ±45 º
? Connector : SMA (F)
L-Band (GPS)
? Frequency : 1575.42 MHz
? Type : Patch
? Connector : SMA (F)
Power supply
Input voltage : 12/24V DC
Back up power Battery provided

[0048] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims
1. A system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network, comprising:
a global positioning receiver for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite;
an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station; and
at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the satellite.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the real time location of the marine vessel from the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal is transmitted to the Indian satellite in an S band frequency range.
3. The system of claim 2, where in the real time location of the marine vessel from the satellite to the ground based hub station is transmitted in a C band frequency range.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the global positioning receiver configured to operate in an L band frequency range.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication data from the at least one of the uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal to the ground based hub station is communicated in a SXC communication channel.
6. The system of claim 1 is configured to operate in at least one of :
a time division multiple access mode; and
a ALOHA mode.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the indoor unit alerts the ground based hub station while the marine vessel crossing a predetermined boundary.
8. A system for monitoring a real time location of a marine vessel and communicating with a ground based hub station in a mobile satellite service communication network, comprising:
a global positioning receiver communicatively coupled to a global positioning system antenna for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite;
a base band control card adapted for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel and for communicating messages through at least one of a serial communication port;
at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the satellite from a transmitting antenna; and
an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting antenna comprising a rectangular patch antenna for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station in an S band frequency range.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the global positioning system antenna comprising a square patch antenna.
11. The system of claim 8 further comprising at least one of :
a frequency synthesizer;
a base band control card;
a solid state power amplifier;
a battery;
a band pass filter; and
a sequential card.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the real time location of the marine vessel received from the satellite is stored in a memory and transmitted to the satellite in an S band frequency range and in response the satellite transmits the real time location of the marine vessel in a C band frequency range.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one the uniquely identified transmitting terminal operates in at least one of:
a time division multiple access mode; and
a ALOHA mode.
14. A method for tracking a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network, comprising:
retrieving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite through a global positioning system receiver;
storing the real time location of the marine vessel received from the satellite in a memory;
transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel from at least one of an uniquely identified data transmitting terminal to a ground based hub station through the satellite; and
communicating emergency messages to the ground based hub station through an indoor unit.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein a data from the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal to the satellite is communicated in an S band frequency range.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein a data from the satellite to the ground based hub station is communicated in a C band frequency range.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein a transmitter configured to operate in the mobile satellite service communication network is positioned in the marine vessel for tracking the real time location of marine vessel.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitter operates in at least one of :
a time division multiple access mode; and
a ALOHA mode.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein a global positioning system antenna is communicatively coupled to the global positioning system receiver receives the real time location of the marine vessel from the satellite.
20. The method of claim 14, where in the at least one of the uniquely identified data transmitting terminal is communicatively coupled to a rectangular patch antenna for transmitting the data in the S band frequency range.
21. The method of claim 14, wherein an in built battery provided to operate a system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network when an input power is down.

ABSTRACT
A system and a method for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network are disclosed. The system for locating a real time location of a marine vessel in a mobile satellite service communication network includes a global positioning system receiver for receiving the real time location of the marine vessel from a satellite, an indoor unit for communicating emergency messages to a ground based hub station and at least one of an uniquely indentified data transmitting terminal for transmitting the real time location of the marine vessel to the ground based hub station through the satellite.