Inmarsat Satellites

The Inmarsat Organisation

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Presently consists of a partnership of 79 countries.

These countries combine to provide global mobile communication.

Role and Services

There are four satellite ocean regions covered by four Inmarsat

geostationary satellites.

This is known as the space segment and provides instant, reliable distress
and safety communication.

There are three basic satellite communication systems in GMDSS.

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These systems that are Inmarsat C, Inmarsat B and Inmarsat E.

These satellites provide the medium and long-range functions of

GMDSS.

GMDSS Functions are: -

Distress Alerting Ship to shore

An Inmarsat C ship earth station (SES) can initiate a distress alert by a

press of a button.
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The distress alert signal is given absolute priority through an automatic

routing system to a Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC)

An Inmarsat A or B SES can initiate a distress alert by either a standard

procedure or by a dedicated button/special key sequence.

Distress alerts are given priority access.

If all channels are engaged, a channel will be pre-empted so that the

distress alert can be routed automatically to a RCC.

The Inmarsat E 1.6 GHz satellite EPIRB provides an alternative means

of sending the distress alert using distress and safety frequencies.
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Distress Alerting Shore to Ship

Initiated by RCC.

Distress alerts are transmitted through the International SafetyNET

Service of the enhance group calling (EGC) capability of Inmarsat C.

Or by ordinary telex group call to B terminals.

Search and Rescue Co-ordination Communication

Inmarsat terminals can be used for communication with other ships
involved in a distress situation.
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Also for communication with the RCC during the distress situation.

Where several ships are involved in a SAR the EGC system has the
advantage of maintaining a continuous record of the operational updates
of the SAR and planning action from RCC.

Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information

Maritime Safety Information is initiated by the hydrographic,

meteorological and search and rescue, shore based authorities.

The MSI is entered in the International SafetNET Service and

transmitted to ships through the EGC system on Inmarsat C.
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Ships may participate in sending MSI information to shore based

authorities through the Inmarsat A, B or C system.

General Radio Communication

Virtually all the telecommunications services found in offices ashore are

also available to ships equipped with Inmarsat terminals.

These results in ships having capabilities for high quality, reliable,

automatic communications via telephone, data, facsimile and telex.
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These capabilities can be used for obtaining advice and assistance from
experts ashore in efforts to solve problems before they develop into
distress incidents.

A series of “two digits codes” have been established to speed up

connections for a number of purposes.

There are six specific codes for services, which provide a rapid means of
connections to an RCC, meteorological office, ship reporting centre or
medical centre.
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Inmarsat Satellite Network

The Inmarsat communication structure comprises of three major

components: -

 The Space Segment

 The Ground Segment

 The ship Earth Stations

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The Space Segment

Consists of four geostationary satellites.

Backup satellites ready to be used if necessary.

The four satellites are launched into a circular GSO that is

circular and 35700 km above the equator and lying in the
plane of the equator.

The satellites in the GSO obit the earth at exactly the same
rate as the earth rotates about its axis.
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Therefore the satellites appear to be stationary above a fixed point on

the earth’s equator.

This eliminates the need to track the satellites from fixed earth stations.

Solar panels provide the satellites with electrical power.

Motors propelled by hydrazine gas enables the satellites to perform

minor positions corrections in orbit.

The coverage of each satellite (at sea or land) is defined on the earth’s
surface also (known as the footprint).
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A mobile or fixed antenna either at sea or land can obtain reliable line of
sight communication with the satellites.

Each satellite is engineered to provide complete coverage of the visible

face of the earth.

Line of sight communications becomes unreliable for locations above

760 N & S of the equator.
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Ocean Regions

The four-Inmarsat satellites provide overlapping coverage over the four

ocean regions.

1. AOR-E Obital location 15.50W

2. POR Obital location 1780E

3. IOR Obital location 640E

4. AOR-W Obital location 540W

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To call a SES in any one of the four ocean regions the following access
codes are to be used :-

Region Telex Telephone

AOR-E 581 871

POR 582 872

IOR 583 873

AOR-W 584 874

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Network Operations Centre (NOC).

The CES provides a link between the satellites and the

national/international communication networks.

The CES in a particular ocean region is capable of handling many calls

simultaneously to and from the SESs.

A CES Operator is a large telecommunication company.

A CES Operator can provide a wide range of communication services to

the SESs communicating through a CES.
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Each of the Inmarsat communication systems has its own network of

CESs.

Network Co-ordination

Each Inmarsat system has a separate Network Co-ordination Station

(NCS).

The NCS is located within each ocean region to monitor and control its
communication traffic.

Each NCS communicates with the CESs in its ocean region.

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The NCS also communicates with other NCSs and the NOC located at
Inmarsat headquarters (London).

This enables the transfer of information throughout the Inmarsat

system.

The NCS are involved in setting up calls to and from SESs by assigning
a channel which both the SES and CES use for the call.

The Ship Earth Station

Is the fixed installation on board the ship.
This enables the ship to communicate to and from shore based
subscribers via a selected satellite and CES.
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Inmarsat does not manufacture SESs.

Independent manufacturers produce model in accordance with approved

standards set by Inmarsat for the particular system. (Inmarsat A, B, C or
M).

Only approved SESs are permitted to communicate over the Inmarsat

satellites.
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Inmarsat Systems

The Inmarsat B System

Provides two-way telephone, telex, facsimile and high-speed data.

Recent developments in data transmissions enables high definition still

photographs, slow scan video transmissions to and from an Inmarsat B
SES.

The large size and weight of the Inmarsat A antenna has resulted in
Inmarsat A being fitted on larger ships.
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An Inmarsat B SES, could be either single or multi-channel models.

A single channel SES can only use of its communication services at a

time i.e. telephone of telex etc.

A multi-channel SES has the capability of using more than one service
on different channel at the same time i.e. telephone call on one channel
whilst another channel can receive a facsimile.

Multi-channel is useful on passenger ships to provide independent

telephone extensions, separately billable for passenger use.
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Digital Technology

Digital technology used in Inmarsat B, C & M has resulted in SES

models being smaller in size, less weight and reduced power
consumption than Inmarsat A. Reason analog technology.

The Inmarsat C System

The Inmarsat C system was introduced in 1991 to complement the

Inmarsat A system.

Inmarsat C provides a low cost global communication to and from SES.

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Inmarsat C can be installed on small as well as large ships.

Inmarsat C does not provide voice communication.

Inmarsat C uses what is known as a store and forward messaging

system.

In other words the user must prepare the message/data on the terminal,
then transmit it on the Inmarsat C satellite system.

After a short delay the message/data will be delivered to the recipient’

terminal, where it may be printed, viewed or stored.
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Inmarsat C communication services provide telex, e-mail and facsimile

Enhanced Group Call (EGC)

EGC service is information provided by authorised shore base

providers.

The information is sent over the Inmarsat C system to selected groups

of SESs.

These SESs may be within a defined geographical area or belong to a

defined group such as a shipping company.
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There are two EGC services available i.e. SafetyNET and FleetNET.

SafetyNET broadcasts MSI to ships, whilst FleetNET is used by

companies to send commercial information to their fleet.

GMDSS Requirements

Inmarsat C satisfies the GMGSS requirements in area A3 through the

provision of :-

Distress alerting & distress priority messaging.

Reception of MSI by means of EGC

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General information i.e. store & forward messaging & distress & safety
functions.

The Inmarsat B System

Inmarsat B is the digital successor to Inmarsat A.

Provides the same services and lower charges than Inmarsat A.

The digital technology provides a high-quality telephone, facsimile, telex

and data communication.

The antenna size and weight is approximately the same as Inmarsat A.

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The Inmarsat M System

Does not form any part of the GMDSS system.

As it is unable to comply with regulations concerning reception of

distress alerts.

This is because of the fact that the system is voice only and there is no
facility for direct printing messages.
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Inmarsat Numbers

Each system uses a distinctive Inmarsat number (IMN) that SESs to be

recognised from the number.

Inmarsat A seven digits, beginning with 1

Inmarsat B nine digits beginning with 3

Inmarsat C nine digits beginning with 4

Inmarsat M nine digits beginning with 6

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System Operation

Messages sent or received over the Inmarsat C system is known as store

and forward messaging.

Messages are prepared on the terminal then transmitted via an Inmarsat

satellite in a series of data packets to an Inmarsat CES.

The CES acts as an interface/gateway between the satellite link (space

segment) and the national, international telecommunication network.

Should the CES receive any data packet with errors, the CES re-
transmits those data packets to the SES.
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This process is repeated until the CES the complete message without
errors.

The CES stores the message briefly then forwards the message to the
intended destination via the telecommunication network.

Hence the name stores and forward.

A similar procedure takes place when a shore based subscriber sends a

message through a CES addressed to a terminal.

In the event of non-delivery of a message the Non-Delivery Codes

Notification (NDC) should be consulted. (S11-1)
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Interconnections

A SES comprises two parts

DTE, data terminal equipment.

DCE, data circuit terminating equipment.

In some models the DTE and DCE may be built into the same case,
whilst in other models they may be separate.

DTE Interface

Consists of a Keyboard and printer

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An external computer

A position reporting system i.e. GPS etc.

The DTE also provides storage for messages created on the keyboard,
before the messages are transmitted.

DCE Terminal

Is the interface between the SES and the satellite.

This is done by using the transmitter and receiver.

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The DCE functions in the same way as a modem that provides an

interface between the computer and the telephone.

The DCE transmitter and receiver can be tuned independently to

different channels.

Antenna

Is designed to maintain a line of sight path with the selected satellite.

The Inmarsat C antenna is omni directional so that it can transmit and

receive from the selected satellite even when the ship is rolling or
pitching.
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The Inmarsat A, B antenna is a directional antenna.

In other words Inmarsat A antenna constantly moves to counter the

motion of the ship.

For this reason Inmarsat A, B antennas require elaborate electronics and

power sources.

CES Services

Interface between national/international telex networks.

Interface between Packed Switched Data Network (PSDN).

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The Inmarsat C antenna is omni directional so that it can transmit and

receive from the selected satellite even when the ship is rolling or
pitching.

In other words Inmarsat A antenna constantly moves to counter the

motion of the ship.

For this reason Inmarsat A, B antennas require elaborate electronics and

power sources.
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Interface between a Packed Switched Terminal Network. (Facsimile)

Interface between RCC and SES.

Selecting an Ocean Region.

Routing Via CES.

Logging-in to an Ocean Region/NCS common Signaling Channel.

Logout before Switching off.