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IODA: Improvement Of Distress beacon Architecture

Competitiveness & Growth
STATUS | Ongoing
STATUS DATE | 07/03/2008
ACTIVITY CODE |

PAGE CONTENTS

Objectives

The objective of the project is to propose different axes to significantly lower the cost of COSPAS SARSAT beacons. Indeed, in addition to the focus on the oscillator cost reduction aspects, Technology Electronic Solutions proposes an original evolution to improve the complete beacon electronics.

Oscillators
To define new adaptations of COSPAS SARSAT medium term stability relaxation, we aim to investigate the possibilities in cost reduction on the current OCXO frequency sources, which provide this high frequency stability, creating a thermal isolation between the inner XTAL oscillator operation and outside temperature conditions.

The main focus will be on:

  • Process cost reduction,

  • New Package structure,

  • Save power consumption.
The final objective proposes a safe high quality product for all European Beacon Manufacturers at a price and consumption close to the structure of new generations of TCXO dedicated for COSPAS SARSAT applications.

Beacons
Technology Electronic Solutions also has knowledge in electronic solutions for beacons thanks to its designed RF Modules for European Beacon manufacturers. It could propose, at this step, original evolutions to lower the cost of the complete beacon electronics.

The main areas will be:

  • Original electronic architecture,

  • Low cost power amplifier circuits,

  • High efficiency power supply circuit,

  • Low power micro controller for clever management of the radio transmitters and free memory space for customer applicative software.
The final objective is to propose to our customers (European Beacon Manufacturers) a low cost, low power and stand alone beacon module on a single board. The customer will only have to develop the external interfaces (antenna, man machine interface, battery pack), housing and appl

Challenges

The proposed activities have been identified to provide Technology Electronic Solutions with market competitive products and market growth potential. The technical solutions consist of the development of low cost and low power OCXO structures and on low cost complete beacon electronics.

Plan

The Work Breakdown Structure of the IODA project is:



 click for larger image

WP1: OCXO process and manufacturing improvement:
WP1.1: Cost analysis and specification
WP1.2: Development

WP2: OCXO New package:
WP2.1: Specification and Technology choice:
WP2.2: OCXO design
WP2.3: OCXO fabrication and measurement

WP3: OCXO heather control:
WP3.1: Specification
WP3.2: OCXO Development and Optimisation

WP4: Transmitter with micro-controller :
WP4.1: Modules definition
WP4.2: Modukes Development and Optimisation
WP4.3: Transmitter RUN1
WP4.4: Transmitter RUN2


T0 took place on 14th Feb 2005. Baseline design review W22/05, 3rd of May 2005 for all the Work Packages (WP1.1,WP2.1,WP3.1,WP4.1)

MTR 1: FRW27/05, 8th of July 2005
WP1.2: Final Review
WP2.2: MidTerm Review
WP3.2: Final Review
WP4.2: MidTerm Review 1


MTR 2: W10/06, 7th of March 2006
WP2.3: Final Review
WP4.3: MidTerm Review 2

Final review: W30/06, 26th of July 2006
WP4.4: Final Review

Current Status

The project is now completed.