COSPAS-SARSAT Message Parser

The COSPAS-SARSAT Message Parser processes the message set defined for search and rescue in the document ‘COSPAS-SARSAT MISSION CONTROL CENTRES STANDARD INTERFACE DESCRIPTION, C/S A.002, Issue 5 – Revision 5, October 2014‘.

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The COSPAS-SARSAT Messages are designed to aid in search and rescue where the person/vessel requiring rescue is equipped with appropriate satellite broadcast equipment to transmit an emergency to one of the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites. The messages resulting from such a communication are then sent to rescue centres using the AFTN.

For more information on the COSPAS-SARSAT system refer to https://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/ and  https://www.cospas-sarsat.int/en/system-overview/cospas-sarsat-system.

Try out the demonstration software [here…].

For documentation on this parser go to [here…]

The COSPAS-SARSAT Message Parser

The Flight ATM Systems COSPAS-SARSAT message parser is able to process all the messages defined in the standard; the supported messages and their content are all defined in offline configuration data in order to make modification and addition of new messages simple and quick.

The supported messages are:

 
SIT Description Meaning
121 406 INTERFERER NOTIFICATION This message is used for notification of 406 MHz interferer signals.
122 INCIDENT (NO DOPPLER) A 406 MHz alert message with no Doppler positions. An encoded position may or may not be available.
123 406 POSITION CONFLICT (ENCODED ONLY) A 406 MHz alert message with no Doppler positions for which the encoded position differs by more than the match criteria from all previous positions.
124 406 AMBIGUITY RESOLUTION (ENCODED ONLY) A 406 MHz alert message with no Doppler positions that identifies the resolved position of a 406 MHz alert.
125 406 INCIDENT A beacon alert message computed from 406 MHz incident data. The message contains Doppler positions.
126 406 POSITION CONFLICT A beacon alert message computed from 406 MHz incident data. The message contains Doppler and/or encoded position(s) which may differ from previous position(s) by the match criteria.
127 406 AMBIGUITY RESOLUTION A 406 MHz alert message with Doppler positions that identifies the resolved position of a 406 MHz alert. It may or may not contain an encoded position.
132 406 NOTIFICATION OF COUNTRY OF REGISTRATION (ENCODED ONLY) This message is used between MCCs to notify the country of registration of a 406 MHz beacon (NOCR). This message contains only an encoded position.
133 406 NOTIFICATION OF COUNTRY OF REGISTRATION This message is used between MCCs to notify the country of registration of a 406 MHz beacon (NOCR). This message contains Doppler positions. It may or may not contain an encoded position.
185 COSPAS-SARSAT ALERTS This message is used for alert messages and as NOCR message between MCCs and SPOCs.
215 ORBIT VECTORS Sarsat or Cospas spacecraft orbit position and time message.
216 ORBIT VECTORS Sarsat or Cospas spacecraft orbit position and time message. Used in special conditions (e.g., after a satellite manoeuvre) when it is required that orbit vectors at the MCC and its associated LUTs be initialized.
415 SARP CALIBRATION Time and frequency calibration for a SARP.
416 SARP TELEMETRY SARP telemetry from a Sarsat spacecraft.
417 SARP-3 CALIBRATION Time and frequency calibration for a SARP-3.
425 SARP OUT OF LIMIT Warning message to indicate abnormal performance of the SARP.
435 SARP COMMAND Command request for the SARP.
445 SARP COMMAND VERIFICATION Verification of the execution (or non-execution) of a SARP command as requested by command message.
510 406 MHz SARR FREQUENCY CALIBRATION OFFSET  Offset between actual and 406 MHz SARR-provided beacon frequencies.
515 SARR TELEMETRY  SARR telemetry from a Sarsat spacecraft.
525 SARR OUT OF LIMIT  Warning message to indicate abnormal performance of the SARR.
535 SARR COMMAND  Command request for the SARR.
545 SARR COMMAND VERIFICATION  Verification of the execution (or non-execution) of a SARR command as requested by a SARR COMMAND message.
605 SYSTEM STATUS TO ALL MCCs Narrative message transmitted to all MCCs to indicate changes in System status. System status messages include System element and System function failures, scheduled maintenance, integration or testing of new System elements, and the commissioning of new equipment or new capabilities of existing equipment.
915 FOR MCC INFORMATION TRANSMISSION TO A SINGLE MCC Narrative message for MCC to MCC operator. This is a free format message, except when a specific format is defined (Note 1).
925  406 BEACON REGISTRATION INFORMATION This message is used between MCCs to provide 406 MHz beacon registration information

Note 1: Free format applies only to the message text. The complete message must still be formatted as per the host communication networks procedures.

Each of the messages is defined to contain a number of fields also described in the standards documents; the Flight ATM Systems COSPAS-SARSAT parser supports all the fields, which are fields 1 through 66 inclusive.

Try out the demonstration software [here…].

For documentation on this parser go to [here…]