The U.S. Navy awarded the multi-year, 15,000 unit contract to Tadiran-Spectralink in partnership with Signal Engineering. The radio beacon, known as the AN/PRC-149, is equipped with Trimble's Lassen(TM) LP module.

The Lassen LP module is a small, low-power, commercially available GPS receiver that enables the beacon to automatically broadcast position information so that downed aircrews can be quickly located anywhere in the world. "When we developed the beacon, we were the first to include GPS functionality in a handheld SAR radio beacon which used the COSPAS/SARSAT Search and Rescue satellite system," said John Thompson, president of SEI.

"To do that, we needed a low-cost GPS receiver that was small and energy efficient. Trimble's Lassen LP met all our requirements. And Trimble, which is recognized worldwide as the leader in GPS technology, provided us with the support we needed during the entire product development process."

The AN/PRC-149 is a handheld triple-frequency radio beacon covering the international SAR frequencies of 121.5, 243, and 406 MHz (COSPAS / SARSAT). An embedded GPS receiver allows the transmission of the beacon's location on the 406 MHz channel.

The AN/PRC-149 also supports voice communication on 121.5, 243 and 282.8 MHz providing crucial communications between the downed airmen and the rescue forces in the final stages of the rescue.

When activated, the radio beacon automatically transmits satellite-based positioning data that can be picked up worldwide by multiple communication platforms including satellites and SAR rescue craft such as ships, helicopters and planes.

A digital message containing position information is relayed by the COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system to Mission Control Centers (MCC) around the world. The MCC then initiates a well-planned, rapidly deployed rescue operation using agencies such as the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard to rescue the downed airmen.

SEI initially developed the radio beacon in 1994 in response to a Navy Search and Rescue SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) initiative. Due to the innovations of the AN/PRC-149, SEI was selected as one of the Navy's SBIR "Success Stories" in 1997. SEI then teamed with Tadiran-Spectralink to respond to and successfully win the U.S. Navy's procurement to replace the aging AN/PRC-90 and AN/URT-33 radio beacons.

The Lassen LP is a high-performance, micro GPS receiver that uses only 3.3. volts. The Lassen LP module was designed specifically for system integrators developing next generation portable devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebook computers, cellular phones, data recorders, in-car navigation and vehicle tracking systems as well as portable instrumentation. Because of its micro-sized board, the system integrator can easily fit GPS functionality into portable products.

Founded in 1982, Tadiran Spectralink Ltd. is a highly specialized producer of advanced wireless communication systems for all types of manned and unmanned airborne platform and ground stations, including Clear, Anti-Jam, LP1, Digital, and TDMA systems.

With annual sales in excess of $43 million, Spectralink operates a global marketing network, with customers in Israel, the U.S., France, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and other countries. The company is ISO-9001 certified.

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