This page will contain links to articles provided by various parties involved
in research and development projects with a search and rescue applicability.
Because of the complexity and length of the papers provided, they will
only be presented in the language in which they were provided to the GSAR
.
NIF = Funded in whole or
in part by the New SAR
Initiatives Fund (NIF)
Standards
for escape, evacuation, and rescue systems
To identify ways to improve offshore rig escape, evacuation, and rescue
(EER) systems for offshore petroleum installations. The ultimate aim is
to develop performance standards for such systems.
Assessment
of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) child life jackets
To validate the Water Forces Analysis Capability (WAFAC) computer program
for use in the assessment of life jackets.
Development
of a high-speed scanner NIF
This project is part of a long-term effort to reduce the search time and
increase the efficiency of marine search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Easily recovered
life rafts NIF
To develop design modifications to facilitate retrieval of a fully loaded,
20-person life raft by a stand-by rescue vessel in high sea states (up
to Sea State 7).
Modular
radar interface enhancements NIF
This project is part of a long-term effort to reduce the search time and
increase the efficiency of marine search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Search and
rescue target detection experiment – Phase 3
This project analysed and consolidated the extensive data on target detection
acquired and validated through field trials in earlier phases and related
work. Researchers merged all available Canadian and U.S. detection and
leeway data into a single comprehensive database. They also defined methods
for calculating probability of detection (POD) and incorporated these
into the data base for use as an analysis tool.
Integration
of Global Positioning System (GPS) information into an Emergency Locator
Transmitter (ELT) NIF
This work began with the intention of integrating a GPS receiver into
an ELT, but the research team found that, although this has proved successful
in marine applications, it was not the most effective method for aircraft
ELTs. Instead, the team developed a navigation interface circuit that
can extract location data from the aircraft’s navigation system
and incorporate it into the ELT distress signal. This approach is more
economical and reduces the risk of interference from VHF transmitters.
406 MHz ELT
NIF
This project evaluated the revised U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
ELT standard to determine critical performance specifications for the
Canadian operating environment. The results were then used in the design
of a second-generation 406 MHz ELT. Other design elements included the
development of miniaturized electronics, power sources, and reliable activation
devices, as well as component and packaging design that complies with
civil aviation regulations and can withstand the harsh operating environment.
Development
of a low-cost 406 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) NIF
This project is a follow-on of a study that confirmed the feasibility
of developing a 406 MHz ELT that would be more affordable for the general
aviation community. The 406 MHz ELTs have proved to be more reliable and
accurate than the 121.5 MHz models commonly used today. The 406 MHz models
will be required as the satellite capability to recognize the 121.5 MHz
frequency is phased out.
Reducing the
cost of 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) NIF
The cost of 406 MHz ELTs has impeded their widespread use, despite their
effectiveness. A Transportation Development Centre-National Search and
Rescue Secretariat project investigated means of reducing this cost. The
study team analysed the electronic circuits, mechanical assembly, and
manufacture of current 406 MHz ELTs. On the basis of their findings, they
made a number of recommendations that, if implemented, would reduce the
cost of each unit by approximately one-half.
Emergency
position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) integrated with a global positioning
system (GPS) NIF
This project is the culmination of a long-term Transportation Development
Centre- National Search and Rescue Secretariat research and development
program. It involved integrating a GPS receiver with a 406 MHz EPIRB,
to increase the speed and effectiveness of search and rescue missions.
The integrated beacon, called the SATFIND-406 GPIRBTM, won the 1999 Sail
magazine’s Freeman Pittman Award for Innovation in the Safety Equipment
category.
Canadian
Search and Rescue Planning (CANSARP) validation
The Canadian Coast Guard uses CANSARP, a computer modelling tool, to establish
the drift of search and rescue targets. This project is the third phase
of Transportation Development Centre work to validate the computer models
through theoretical analyses and field trials.
Upgrading
an artificial intelligence (AI) tracker NIF
This project is part of a long-term Transportation Development Centre
program, in cooperation with National Search and Rescue Secretariat, to
reduce the search time and increase the efficiency of marine search and
rescue operations. It involves upgrading the AI tracker developed earlier
in the program to operate at a higher scanner speed. Preliminary analysis
of the upgraded tracker’s performance shows that the system can
detect the equivalent of a human head at three nautical miles in two metre
seas.
ALBEDOS
DREV's Airborne Laser-Based Enhanced Detection and Observation System,
or ALBEDOS, demonstrates an innovative electro-optic concept – active
range-gated imagery – that can overcome many of the limitations
of present-day search and surveillance equipment. (.pdf *)
Infrared Eye
NIF
The fundamental difficulty in designing surveillance equipment for search
and rescue operations is that the resolution required to identify an object
of interest in the field scanned is in conflict with the large field of
view and sensivity needed to detect the object in the first place. A system
like that of the human eye is needed: a wide overall field with high sensitivity
but low resolution, for detection, and a narrow field of view of very
high resolution that can be directed easily to objects of interest in
the larger field, for identification. (.pdf *)
Fusion of Surveillance
Images
A wide variety of image-forming systems are deployed in air and space-borne
surveillance systems, yet individual images cannot always reveal target
characteristics of interest. Fusing images from individual or distinct
systems, taken at the same time or not, can greatly increase the value
of the imagery. (.pdf *)
Uncooled Infrared
Imagers
Long-wavelength infrared detector arrays are commonly used in military
surveillance and detection systems that produce images of objects at night
or through haze or smoke. (.pdf *)
SARPLAN
NIF
The Defence Research Establishment Valcartier (DREV) develops innovative
and promising technologies to support the critical role of the Canadian
Forces in search and rescue operations.
ASISA
An information gathering system, combining Case- Based Reasoning and Planning
techniques (dynamic checklist).
Rescue Coordination Centre
NETwork
This website is an information and discussion forum for Aeronautical and
MaritimeSearch and Rescue topics. As part of the site, it includes information
on a number of SAR research and development projects. This link will take
you directly to those papers.
CANSARP
CANSARP is a joint project of Environment Canada and the Canadian Coast
Guard (CCG), designed to improve response times to marine incidents. CANSARP,
which stands for CANadian Search And Rescue Planning, involves the development
of computer software which can be used to forecast where marine victims
might be carried by the winds and ocean currents. Environment Canada is
assisting CCG by trying to improve the accuracy of their forecasts so
that the weather data being fed into CANSARP will be more reliable and
will presumably lead to greater accuracy in the drift forecasts produced
by CANSARP.
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