Architecture of Positioning and Tracking Solutions for Maritime Applications

This paper discusses the current and new satellite transponders for global tracking and detecting of oceangoing ships, assets, crew, passengers and any moving objects at sea for enhanced vessels traffic control and management. These transponders are able to monitor all maritime assets and to improve safety, security of movements and collision avoidance, especially during very bad weather conditions and visibility. By deployment of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in integration with Inmarsat, Iridium and other satellite systems in one unit with antenna, it is possible to provide reliable positioning and tracking solutions for civilian maritime, other mobiles and personnel at different Radio Frequency (RF) bands. The existing and forthcoming space and ground segment for positioning and tracking solutions as a modern Satellite Asset Tracking (SAT) onboard ships, and other relating systems are discussed and benefits of these new technologies and solution for improved positioning and tracking are explored.