exactEarth to present successful S-AIS sea trial results at RTCM conference
CAMBRIDGE, ON, May 14 /CNW/ - exactEarth Ltd., the data services subsidiary of COM DEV International Ltd., today announced that it will present results of a recent test of its space-based Automatic Identification System (S-AIS) detection capabilities at next week's annual meeting of the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM).
In sea trials conducted earlier this year near Hawaii, exactEarth's S-AIS technology was evaluated for its ability to detect AIS signals transmitted from new types of battery-operated devices, called AIS-SARTs, that will be carried in life rafts or by individuals in distress in the water. Most of the transmissions were broadcast at a strength of only 1 Watt, compared to 12.5 Watts for a standard Class A AIS transmission from a ship.
Using its NTS demonstration nano-satellite, exactEarth was successful in detecting signals from all five of the source devices that were broadcasting during the sea trials. Unique among all participants, exactEarth correctly determined that one of the transponders was "spoofing" its signals by altering its transmitted identification every few seconds.
"We are very pleased to have our technology validated in an independent test, especially considering the particular challenges involved in these sea trials," said Peter Mabson, President of exactEarth. "The AIS signals were less than one-tenth as strong as the ones our satellites are designed to detect, and the transmitters were bobbing with the waves at water level rather than emanating from the relative stability of a large vessel."
exactEarth was invited to participate in these sea trials, organized by the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). These organizations are evaluating the use of AIS signals as a complement to other search and rescue technologies, to take advantage of the fact that over 70,000 vessels are already actively transmitting and receiving on this frequency.
RTCM is an international non-profit scientific, professional and educational organization comprised of over 120 member organizations. exactEarth's Jim King will participate in panel discussions on AIS developments and vessel monitoring at the RTCM annual meeting in San Diego, CA on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. More information is available on the RTCM website at www.rtcm.org.
About exactEarth Ltd.
exactEarth Ltd. (www.exactEarth.com) is a data services company that leverages advanced microsatellite technology and globally deployed ground systems to deliver monitoring solutions characterized by high performance, reliability, security, and simplicity. exactEarth's initial service, exactAIS(TM), is a global vessel tracking and monitoring system based on world leading space-based advanced AIS detection technology. Based in Cambridge, ON, Canada, exactEarth is a subsidiary of COM DEV International Ltd., a leading global designer and manufacturer of space hardware subsystems.
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in any forward-looking statements. COM DEV International ("the Company") cautions that, among other things, in view of the rapid changes in communications markets and technologies, and other risks including the cost and market acceptance of the company's new products, the level of individual customer procurements and competitive product offerings and pricing, and general economic circumstances, the Company's business prospects may be materially different from forward-looking statements made by the Company.
The exactEarth logos and the words exactEarth and exactAIS are trademarks and the property of exactEarth Ltd. The triangular logo and the word COM DEV are each registered trademarks and the property of COM DEV Ltd. All rights reserved.
For further information: For further information: Peter Mabson, President, exactEarth Ltd., Tel: (519) 622-2300 ext. 4800, [email protected]; Jeff Codispodi, The Equicom Group, Tel: (416) 815-0700 ext. 261, [email protected]
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