Integration Architecture of the Satellite Space Segment within the Modernization of the GMDSS Networks

Abstract

This paper presents contemporary integration architecture of the satellite space segment within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) modernization for enhanced service in the mission of the Satellite Distress and Safety System (SDSS) to organize Search and Rescue (SAR) operations of ships in emergency. Long before that, during the 18th century, ships navigating in international and coastal waters were depended on the Morse code to send any kind of distress signal to coastal authorities or ships in the nearby vicinity during an emergency. Therefore, today GMDSS network automates and improves emergency communications for the global shipping industry. The SAR system incorporates satellite communications and traditional voice and data radio technologies to provide modernized maritime emergency, security and safety communications for the 21st century. Existing and forthcoming space segment solutions of GMDSS network, such as Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Inmarsat, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Iridium, Cospas-Sarsat LEO LEOSAR, MEO MEOSAR and GEO GEOSAR networks as a modern GMDSS space segments, and other relating systems are discussed in this paper.