GPS based marine communicator

All over the world information and communication technologies have a direct impact on the economic development, and socio-cultural value system of society. The inclusion if satellite aided navigation in transportation is well established worldwide. Air and sea travel has been the main beneficiary of the technique of acquiring accurate position and timing. In recent years, however, satellite navigation has started to expand into other areas such as recreation, security, and emergency response. Without any reservation, this form of position acquisition is here to stay and can only get better. In fact by the next five years all marine vessels will be required to have an automatic identification system (AIS). It is with this in mind that a project of this nature is currently been carried out to provide low cost but effective tracking units and service to mariners in Jamaica. The communication programmable microcontroller based processing unit was developed as an alternative solution to more expensive commercial products. The goal of the project is to provide GPS tracking solution for fishing boats and recreational vessels. The processing unit is equipped with two communication ports one dedicated for the GPS receiver and the second for low earth orbiting satellite link. One of the main features is a robust self responded programmable mode of operation. Radio was the original media intended for data transmission. After much research and evaluation it was realized that this was not the best choice based on the calculated degradation which would occur in the received signal. Much attention was then turned to the possibility of using the next best option, LEO satellite, for data transmission.