GPS/GSM based low altitude rotary wing aircraft tracking system

Radar and radio cannot pickup the low flying aircraft due to the limitation of radar horizon, which severely poses flight hazards. As such, tracking of the low altitude aircraft in real-time is a dire need. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver can provide position from the satellites. On the other hand, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, although works on the principle of line of sight, can transmit SMS or GPRS data at low altitude. This project proposes the real-time tracking of a low altitude flying rotor aircraft from GNSS position information transmitted over the GSM network. The problem of non-availability of GSM network for a particular network operator is solved by a dual SIM capable GSM modem. An algorithm will look for the signal strength and will transmit position information via the available stronger operator. The position information sent by the SMS/GPRS data will be received at the Control Center by another GSM modem. The position information will be displayed in a Google Map with the height, speed, time, etc. During a complete communication outage, the positioning data will be stored and transmitted during the availability of GSM network. Thus, the proposed system will be able to offer uninterrupted real time location information of a low flying aircraft.