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Abstract

Method and apparatus are described for the integration of global positioning system (GPS) or LORAN positioning information into the transmission of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) radio beacon signal. Signals from NAVSTAR satellites or LORAN system are received by a receiver. The calculated position, and then subsequent updates, are processed and alternately stored in two locations on a static random access memory chip. Upon activation of the ELT transmitter, the updated position information, or the latest stored information, is combined with aircraft information stored on an EPROM chip. The aircraft information and position information is preferably converted from a digital-to-speech signal, by a voice synthesizer. All this information is then integrated into the radio beacon signal and broadcast by the ELT. This new ELT-GPS storing and processing package is self-contained, independently powered, and crash resistant. This system avoids loss of time in establishing the location of the beacon signal. A ground use version of the system is also described.

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First Claim