IEC 61097-2:2002

INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
61097-2
Second edition
2002-09
Global maritime distress and safety
system (GMDSS) –
Part 2:
COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB –
Satellite emergency position indicating radio
beacon operating on 406 MHz –
Operational and performance requirements,
methods of testing and required test results

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INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
61097-2
Second edition
2002-09
Global maritime distress and safety
system (GMDSS) –
Part 2:
COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB –
Satellite emergency position indicating radio
beacon operating on 406 MHz –
Operational and performance requirements,
methods of testing and required test results

 IEC 2002  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch  Web: www.iec.ch
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International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – 61097-2  IEC:2002(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4

INTRODUCTION .5

1 Scope . 6

2 Normative references. 6

3 Performance requirements. 7

3.1 Compliance . 7

3.2 General . 8
3.3 Operational. 8
3.4 Distress function.10
3.5 Float-free arrangements .11
3.6 Environment .11
3.7 Environment for float-free arrangement.12
3.8 Interference – electromagnetic compatibility .12
3.9 Maintenance.12
3.10 Safety precautions.12
3.11 Equipment manuals .13
3.12 Labelling.14
3.13 Installation.14
4 Technical characteristics .15
4.1 Transmitted frequency .15
4.2 Signal and message format .15
4.3 Distress message memory.15
4.4 Beacon identification code .15
4.5 121,5 MHz homing signal.15
4.6 Power source.15
4.7 Antenna characteristics (C/S T.001) .16
5 Methods of testing and required test results.16
5.1 General .16
5.2 General tests .18
5.3 Operational tests .19
5.4 Distress function.21

5.5 Float-free arrangements .22
5.6 Environment .22
5.7 Maintenance.23
5.8 Safety precautions.23
5.9 Equipment manuals .23
5.10 Labelling.23
5.11 Installation.23
5.12 Power source.23
5.13 Environment .24
5.14 Interference testing.26
5.15 Spurious emissions.26
5.16 Compass safe distance.26
5.17 Conducted interference.26

61097-2  IEC:2002(E) – 3 –
Annex A (normative) Sequence of tests.27

A.1 Compulsory sequence of tests .27

A.2 Additional tests .27

Annex B (normative) List of COSPAS-SARSAT tests.29

B.1 Power output .29

B.2 Digital message .29

B.3 Digital message generator .29

B.4 Modulation.29
B.5 406 MHz transmitted frequency.30
B.6 Spurious emissions (into 50 Ω) .30
B.7 406 MHz VSWR check.30
B.8 Self-test mode .30
B.9 Thermal shock (30 °C change).30
B.10 Operating lifetime at minimum temperature.31
B.11 Temperature gradient (5 °C/h) .31
B.12 Long-term frequency stability.31
B.13 Protection against continuous transmission .31
B.14 Satellite qualitative tests .31
B.15 Antenna characteristics.31
B.16 Beacon Coding Software.32
B.17 Navigation System.32
Annex C (normative) Standard for a manually activated satellite EPIRB without a
float-free mechanism.33
C.1 Requirements .33
Annex D (normative) Technical standard for 121,5 MHz homing device.34
D.1 General .34
D.2 Performance requirements.34
D.3 Technical characteristics .34

D.4 Methods of testing and required test results.35
Annex E (informative) User experience of COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB operation .40

– 4 – 61097-2  IEC:2002(E)
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) –

Part 2: COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB – Satellite emergency position

indicating radio beacon operating on 406 MHz –

Operational and performance requirements,

methods of testing and required test results

FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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