Body-Worn Antennas Making a Splash: Lifejacket-Integrated Antennas for Global Search and Rescue Satellite System

The Cospas (Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov)-Sarsat Search-and-Rescue (SAR) satellite system provides distress alert and location data to assist rescue operations at sea, in the air, or on land. This paper summarizes the design, development, and verification for a body-worn antenna system interfaced with commercial Cospas-Sarsat personal locator beacons (PLBs), where the implemented system is integrated within an inflatable live vest. The modular approach adopted in the work allows different antenna configurations for different platforms. The electrical and mechanical requirements for antenna materials and antennas were derived from the Cospas-Sarsat system requirements, possible antenna platforms, and the maritime operational environments. The antennas were used in field tests organized in cooperation with the local Cospas-Sarsat search-and-rescue authorities. The field tests were a success. In both cases, low-earth orbit search-and-rescue (LEOSAR) satellites detected the distress signal within minutes, and accurately resolved the location. An additional detection by Geostationary Orbit Search and Rescue (GEOSAR) satellite confirmed the successful operation of the body-worn antenna system.