SIST ETS 300 460:2000
(Main)Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Maritime Mobile Earth Stations (MMES) operating in the 1,5/1,6 GHz bands providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications (LBRDC) for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS); Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
- Abstract
To provide specifications for the standardisation of transmit/receive mobile earth stations in order to ensure general safety & to limit interference to other radio communication systems. Also to provide specifications for the standardisation under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Oct-2000
- Technical Committee
- RES - Radio equipment and systems
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Nov-2000
- Due Date
- 01-Nov-2000
- Completion Date
- 01-Nov-2000
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 is a SIST adoption of ETS 300 460 Edition 1 from ETSI. It specifies technical characteristics, minimum performance requirements, and methods of measurement for Maritime Mobile Earth Stations (MMES) operating in the 1.5/1.6 GHz bands and providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications (LBRDC) for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The standard is written for ship earth stations and for the people who certify, test, install, or operate them.
What does SIST ETS 300 460:2000 specify?
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 covers ship earth stations used for direct-printing communications and Enhanced Group Call (EGC) in the GMDSS. It sets minimum performance requirements, construction and safety rules, operational functions, unwanted-emission limits, and measurement methods.
The scope ties the equipment to the GMDSS requirements in SOLAS and to the maritime mobile satellite service bands used for transmit and receive operation. It also points to ETS 300 459 for the minimum performance requirements of the Network Control Facility (NCF).
The document is organized into:
- Clause 1 - scope
- Clause 2 - normative references
- Clause 3 - definitions and abbreviations
- Clause 4 - tests and test reports
- Clause 5 - environmental tests
- Clause 6 - general requirements
- Clause 7 - operational requirements
- Clause 8 - unwanted emissions
- Clause 9 - ship earth station Control and Monitoring Functions (CMF)
- Annexes A to C
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | Environmental tests for ambient temperature, relative humidity, and vibration |
| Annex B | Unwanted emissions above 1 GHz, including test procedure and alternative measurement method |
| Annex C | Informative list of subclauses where manufacturers provide declarations or documentation |
What are the key requirements of SIST ETS 300 460:2000?
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 is mainly about proving that a ship earth station can work safely at sea, meet distress-and-safety functions, and avoid harmful interference. The requirements are split between general design rules, operational behavior, emissions control, and test methods.
Certification, power, and basic safety
Clause 6 requires documentary evidence that the ship earth station is certified for the satellite system used in GMDSS operation. In practice, this means a buyer or tester must check that the equipment is approved for the intended GMDSS satellite service.
The same clause requires protection against reversed power polarity and correct recovery after a 60-second power interruption. That matters because a shipboard supply can be disturbed, and the station must keep stored parameters and messages without manual re-initialization.
Mechanical construction and electrical safety are also covered in clause 6. The equipment must be built to reduce injury risks, prevent access to dangerous voltages, and provide earthing for exposed metallic parts. For shipboard use, this reduces hazards during installation, maintenance, and routine handling.
GMDSS integrity and operator controls
Clause 6 also protects GMDSS integrity by requiring secure fixing of ancillary devices such as the VDU, keyboard, and printer. If those devices can also be used with non-GMDSS systems, they must return to GMDSS service immediately or by a single clear command.
The operating controls must support quick and reliable use by a qualified crew member. Distress alert controls must be dedicated, clearly marked, and protected against inadvertent activation by at least two independent mechanical actions. The equipment must also show the status of a distress transmission once it has been started.
Documentation, marking, identities, and software
User documentation must be in English and must be sufficient for installation and operation. It must also state the compass safe distance for all units. In practice, this is used during installation planning on a ship.
Each unit must be marked with manufacturer identification, type or model identification, and serial number. Clause 6 also forbids operator-accessible controls for changing the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and Forward And Return Identity (FARI), and it requires essential software to be permanently installed and protected in non-volatile memory.
Operational functions for EGC and distress use
Clause 7 requires printers or stored-message handling for EGC in classes 0, 2, and 3. Distress, urgency, navigational warnings, meteorological warnings, search and rescue information, and certain special warnings must be printed on receipt. That is important because the operator cannot rely on later retrieval for urgent safety information.
The same clause controls service-code selection. Relevant distress and safety messages cannot be rejected, even though other service codes remain under operator control. Clause 7 also requires both manual and automatic entry of position and time through a navigational interface that complies with NMEA 0183, ver. 2.01.
For classes 1, 2, and 3, distress alerts must be possible from at least two different positions. That reduces the risk that one failed operating position prevents a distress call.
Emissions and control/monitoring functions
Clause 8 limits unwanted emissions outside the transmit band and within the 1 626.5 to 1 645.5 MHz band. The limits depend on frequency range, carrier state, and measurement bandwidth, and they are checked by measurement under defined test conditions. This is the core interference-control part of the standard.
Clause 9 requires Control and Monitoring Functions (CMF) for classes 1, 2, and 3. The station must suppress transmissions quickly if processor monitoring or the transmit frequency sub-system fails, must limit initial burst transmission time, and must obey network-control enabling and disabling rules. In practice, these functions are what keep the station from transmitting when it should not.
What terms does SIST ETS 300 460:2000 define?
- Ship earth station - A Maritime Mobile Earth Station (MMES) on board a ship, used here as the equipment covered by the standard.
- Nominated bandwidth - The manufacturer-declared bandwidth that contains the significant spectral elements of the transmission and is recorded in the test report.
- Unwanted emissions - Emissions outside the nominated bandwidth.
- Performance check - The functional check used in the standard, such as distress message transmission or reception of a distress priority EGC message depending on class.
- Special Test Equipment (STE) - The test equipment used to simulate the satellite signal and carry out the standard’s measurements and functional tests.
- Equipment Under Test (EUT) - The complete equipment needed for intended operation, including external and internal units and interconnecting cables.
- Control and Monitoring Function (CMF) - The safety-related monitoring and control logic that helps prevent unwanted transmissions.
Who uses SIST ETS 300 460:2000?
Manufacturers and system providers use SIST ETS 300 460:2000 to design ship earth stations, define test arrangements, and prepare the documentation and declarations required by the standard. Test houses use it to run environmental, emissions, and functional tests with Special Test Equipment.
Network operators use it when certifying or checking the behavior of the station in the GMDSS satellite system. Ship installers and marine electronics technicians use it for positioning, connection, labelling, and verification of operational controls and compass safe distance information.
Shipboard operators and quality managers use it to understand what the station must do in service, especially for distress alerts, EGC printing, and control-channel behavior.
What changed in SIST ETS 300 460:2000 from the previous edition?
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 is identified as identical to ETS 300 460 Edition 1.
Which standards are used with SIST ETS 300 460:2000?
- ITU Radio Regulations - Define the maritime mobile satellite service frequency allocations used by the standard.
- IEC 510-2-1 - Provides measurement methods for satellite earth station sub-systems and is used for antenna gain measurements in an alternative emissions method.
- ETS 300 459 - Covers minimum performance requirements for the Network Control Facility (NCF) used with MMES.
- CISPR 16-1 - Provides the measuring apparatus requirements and screening performance used in the emissions test method.
- SOLAS regulations IV/7, IV/8, IV/9 and IV/10 - Provide the GMDSS-related maritime safety obligations that the equipment supports.
- NMEA 0183, ver. 2.01 - Sets the navigational interface standard for automatic position and time input.
- IMO Resolution A.663(16) - Gives performance standards for INMARSAT Standard-C ship earth stations.
- IMO Resolution A.664(16) - Gives performance standards for Enhanced Group Call equipment.
- IMO Resolution A.694(17) - Gives general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the GMDSS.
- ISO/R694: 1968 - Is used for compass safe distance determination.
- EN 55022 - Provides the Class B radio disturbance limits used for unwanted emissions below 1 GHz.
What does the SIST ETS 300 460:2000 document contain?
The document contains detailed verification rules rather than only a high-level description of the equipment. Clause 4 defines Special Test Equipment and the required contents of the test report, including the manufacturer-declared nominated bandwidth and operating conditions.
Annex A gives environmental test setups for heat, cold, humidity, and vibration, each tied to a performance check during the test. Annex B gives the measurement approach for unwanted emissions above 1 GHz, including apparatus, setup, antenna positioning, and an alternative direct-coupling method.
Clause 8 includes frequency-range tables for unwanted emissions and explains how carrier-on and carrier-off measurements are handled. Clause 9 adds functional monitoring requirements for processor faults, frequency generation faults, burst transmission, and network control authorisation and reception.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Maritime Mobile Earth Stations (MMES) operating in the 1,5/1,6 GHz bands providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications (LBRDC) for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS); Technical characteristics and methods of measurement". This standard covers: To provide specifications for the standardisation of transmit/receive mobile earth stations in order to ensure general safety & to limit interference to other radio communication systems. Also to provide specifications for the standardisation under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).
To provide specifications for the standardisation of transmit/receive mobile earth stations in order to ensure general safety & to limit interference to other radio communication systems. Also to provide specifications for the standardisation under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 33.070.40 - Satellite. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST ETS 300 460:2000 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2000
6DWHOLWVNH]HPHOMVNHSRVWDMHLQVLVWHPL 6(6 3RPRUVNHPRELOQH]HPHOMVNH
SRVWDMH 00(6 NLGHOXMHMRYSDVRYLK*+]LQ]DJRWDYOMDMRSRGDWNRYQH
NRPXQLNDFLMH]QL]NRELWQRKLWURVWMR /%'5& ]DJOREDOQLSRPRUVNL]DVLOQLLQ
YDUQRVWQLVLVWHP *0'66 7HKQLþQHNDUDNWHULVWLNHLQPHULOQHPHWRGH
Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Maritime Mobile Earth Stations (MMES)
operating in the 1,5/1,6 GHz bands providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications
(LBRDC) for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS); Technical
characteristics and methods of measurement
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ETS 300 460 Edition 1
ICS:
33.070.40 Satelit Satellite
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN ETS 300 460
TELECOMMUNICATION May 1996
STANDARD
Source: ETSI TC-SES Reference: DE/SES-05011
ICS: 33.060.50
maritime, satellite, mobile, earth station, MES, MMES, emergency, LBRDC, GMDSS,
Key words:
INMARSAT-C
Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES);
Maritime Mobile Earth Stations (MMESs)
operating in the 1,5/1,6 GHz bands providing
Low Bit Rate Data Communications (LBRDCs) for
the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS);
Technical characteristics and methods of measurement
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETSI Secretariat
F-06921 Sophia Antipolis CEDEX - FRANCE
Postal address:
650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis - Valbonne - FRANCE
Office address:
c=fr, a=atlas, p=etsi, s=secretariat - secretariat@etsi.fr
X.400: Internet:
Tel.: +33 92 94 42 00 - Fax: +33 93 65 47 16
*
Copyright Notification: No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission. The copyright and the
foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
© European Telecommunications Standards Institute 1996. All rights reserved.
Page 2
ETS 300 460: May 1996
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation and publication of this document, errors in content,
typographical or otherwise, may occur. If you have comments concerning its accuracy, please write to
"ETSI Editing and Committee Support Dept." at the address shown on the title page.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
Contents
Foreword .5
1 Scope .7
2 Normative references.8
3 Definitions and abbreviations .9
3.1 Definitions .9
3.2 Abbreviations .10
4 Tests.10
4.1 Special Test Equipment (STE) .10
4.2 Test report .10
5 Environmental tests.11
6 General requirements .11
6.1 Equipment certification .11
6.2 Power supply.11
6.2.1 Power supply reversal .11
6.2.2 Power supply interruption.12
6.3 Mechanical construction .12
6.4 Electrical safety.13
6.5 Radio frequency radiation protection (classes 1, 2 and 3 only) .13
6.6 Additional facilities .14
6.7 Integrity of GMDSS equipment .14
6.8 Operating controls.14
6.9 User documentation.15
6.10 Equipment labelling.15
6.11 Ship earth station identities.16
6.12 Storage of software.16
6.13 Equipment maintenance .16
7 Operational requirements.17
7.1 Printing of Enhanced Group Call (EGC) messages (classes 0, 2 and 3 only).17
7.2 Service codes (classes 0, 2 and 3 only) .17
7.3 Navigational interface .18
7.4 Provision for initiating distress alerts from two positions (classes 1, 2 and 3 only) .18
8 Unwanted emissions .19
8.1 General .19
8.2 Unwanted emissions outside the band 1 626,5 to 1 645,5 MHz.19
8.3 Unwanted emissions within the 1 626,5 to 1 645,5 MHz band (classes 1, 2 and 3 only) .20
9 Ship earth station Control and Monitoring Functions (CMF) .21
9.1 General .21
9.2 Processor monitoring (classes 1, 2 and 3 only).21
9.3 Transmit frequency sub-system (classes 1, 2 and 3 only).21
9.4 Initial burst rate transmission (classes 1, 2 and 3 only) .22
9.5 Network control authorisation (classes 1, 2 and 3 only) .22
9.6 Network control reception (classes 1, 2 and 3 only) .22
Annex A (normative): Environmental tests.24
A.1 Ambient temperature.24
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
A.2 Relative humidity. 24
A.3 Vibration. 25
Annex B (normative): Unwanted emissions above 1 GHz - test procedure . 26
B.1 Introduction. 26
B.2 Measuring apparatus. 26
B.3 Test set-up. 26
B.4 Measuring procedure. 26
B.5 Alternative measurement procedure . 27
Annex C (informative): Manufacturers declaration . 28
History. 29
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
Foreword
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) has been produced by the Satellite Earth Stations and
Systems (SES) Technical Committee of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
Transposition dates
Date of adoption of this ETS: 26 April 1996
Date of latest announcement of this ETS (doa): 31 August 1996
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this ETS (dop/e): 29 February 1997
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 29 February 1997
Every ETS prepared by ETSI is a voluntary standard. This ETS may contain text concerning conformance
testing of the equipment to which it relates. This text should be considered as guidance only and does not
make this ETS mandatory.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
Blank page
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
1 Scope
This European Telecommunication Standard (ETS) sets out the minimum performance requirements and
technical characteristics for ship earth stations capable of transmitting and receiving direct-printing
communications, and for Enhanced Group Call (EGC) equipment, as required by regulations IV/7, IV/8,
IV/9 and IV/10 of the 1974 International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) [5] as amended,
concerning radio communications for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Minimum performance requirements for the Network Control Facility (NCF) are contained in ETS 300 459
[3].
NOTE: The only satellite system accepted by the SOLAS convention to provide LBRDC in the
GMDSS is INMARSAT-C at the date of publication.
For the purpose of this ETS the term "ship earth station" is used in order to align this ETS to ITU
terminology. It is defined as a Maritime Mobile Earth Station (MMES) operating in the GMDSS.
This ETS is applicable to the following classes of equipment:
- Class 0:
- a stand alone EGC receiver;
- Class 1:
- a basic ship earth station providing shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore message transfer only;
- Class 2:
- as for Class 1 but with EGC as an alternative to shore-to-ship transfer using a shared
receiver;
- Class 3:
- as for Class 1 but with EGC using an independent receiver.
This ETS covers equipment construction and performance testing. GMDSS requirements and tests are
included where they are supplementary to those contained in the equipment certification required in
subclause 5.1.
Frequency bands allocated by the Radio Regulations [1] to the Maritime Mobile Satellite Service (MMSS)
are as follows:
MMSS
Transmit frequencies 1 626,5 to 1 645,5 MHz
Receive frequencies 1 525,0 to 1 545,0 MHz
Requirements are specified in order to ensure the requirements of the GMDSS are met, to protect other
users of the frequency spectrum from unacceptable interference, for the purposes of general safety and
for the provision of protection of the ship earth station against electromagnetic interference from other
systems.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
2 Normative references
This ETS incorporates, by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications
apply to this ETS only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest
edition of the publication referred to applies.
[1] International Telecommunication Union, Radio Regulations, (WARC 1992).
[2] IEC 510-2-1 (1978): "Methods of measurement for radio equipment used in
satellite earth stations, Part 2: Measurement for sub-systems".
[3] ETS 300 459: "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Network Control
Facilities (NCF) for Maritime Mobile Earth Stations (MMESs) operating in the
1,5/1,6 GHz and 11/12/14 GHz bands providing Low Bit Rate Data
Communications (LBRDCs)".
[4] CISPR 16-1 (First edition 1993-08): "Specification for radio disturbance and
immunity measuring apparatus methods. Part 1: Radio disturbance and
immunity measuring apparatus".
[5] Regulations IV/7, IV/8, IV/9 and IV/10 of the 1988 Amendments to the 1974
SOLAS convention as amended.
[6] NMEA 0183, version 2.01: "Standards for Interfacing Marine Electronic
Devices".
[7] IMO Resolution A.663(16): "Performance Standards for INMARSAT Standard-C
Ship Earth Stations Capable of Transmitting and Receiving Direct-Printing
Communications".
[8] IMO Resolution A.664(16): "Performance Standards for Enhanced Group Call
Equipment".
[9] IMO Resolution A.694(17): "General Requirements for Ship borne Radio
Equipment forming part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) and for Electronic Navigational Aids".
[10] ISO/R694 (1968): "Recommendations for the positioning of compasses,
Method B".
[11] EN 55022 (1994): "Limits and methods of measurements of radio disturbance
characteristics of information technology equipment".
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this ETS, the following definitions apply:
ship earth station: A MMES on board a ship, (see clause 1).
nominated bandwidth: The nominated bandwidth encompasses all spectral elements of the
transmission which have a level greater than the specified spurious levels. The nominated bandwidth is
wide enough to take account of the transmit carrier frequency stability. The nominated bandwidth is within
the MMSS transmit frequency band within which the ship earth station operates. The bandwidth of the
ship earth station radio frequency transmission is nominated by the manufacturer and included in the data
sheet of the test report.
unwanted emissions: For the purpose of this ETS unwanted emissions are those falling outside the
nominated bandwidth.
performance check: A performance check consists of the following:
- for Class 0 equipment:
- reception of a distress priority EGC message;
- for Class 1 equipment:
- transmission of a distress message;
- for Class 2 and 3 equipment:
- transmission of a distress message and reception of a distress priority EGC message.
The transmission of a distress message is considered to be successful when:
- the Special Test Equipment (STE) has received the distress message and correctly interpreted it;
and
- the Equipment Under Test (EUT) has correctly indicated to the user, the acknowledgement of
receipt of the transmission from the STE.
The reception of a distress priority EGC message is considered to be successful when the EUT has
printed the message and the appropriate indications are provided to the user that a distress priority EGC
message has been received.
Special Test Equipment (STE): Specific equipment which enables the tests specified in this ETS to be
carried out.
Equipment Under Test (EUT): For the purposes of this ETS the EUT includes all units necessary for
intended operation.
This includes:
- the Externally Mounted Equipment (EME);
- the Internally Mounted Equipment (IME) including the data terminal equipment such as keyboard,
Visual Display Unit (VDU), printer, etc.;
- all interconnecting cables and power supply leads.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this ETS, the following abbreviations apply:
CMF Control and Monitoring Function
EGC Enhanced Group Call
EIRP Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
EMC Electro-Magnetic Compatibility
EME Externally Mounted Equipment
EUT Equipment Under Test
FARI Forward And Return Identity
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
IME Internally Mounted Equipment
IMO International Maritime Organisation
MMSS Maritime Mobile Satellite Service
NCF Network Control Facility
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
RF Radio Frequency
SOLAS Safety Of Life At Sea
STE Special Test Equipment
VDU Visual Display Unit
4 Tests
4.1 Special Test Equipment (STE)
The STE shall be supplied by the manufacturer or system provider. Since this test equipment will be
specific for the particular system, it is not possible to provide detailed specifications in this ETS. However,
the following baseline is provided:
- special test arrangements are required to simulate the satellite signal, thus enabling the ship earth
station to transmit, to allow measurement of transmission parameters;
- any specification of these special test arrangements which may have direct or indirect effects on
any specification of this ETS shall be clearly stated by the manufacturer;
- the STE shall prevent any radiation of signals, and it shall be certified by the system operator to be
suitable for such purpose;
- when using STE it shall be ensured that no transmission to the satellite occurs.
4.2 Test report
The test report shall contain:
- the value of the nominated bandwidth declared by the manufacturer;
- the results of the test;
- all parameters and operational conditions.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
5 Environmental tests
Purpose:
To ensure that the equipment is capable of continuous operation under conditions of various sea states,
vibration, humidity and temperature likely to be experienced in ships.
Specification:
Elements of the equipment shall be divided into two categories as follows, marked to indicate the class for
which it is intended:
- IME: equipment or units designed to be protected from the weather;
- EME: equipment or units intended to be exposed to the weather.
The equipment shall be subjected to the tests specified in annex A. These tests shall be carried out before
any other test specified in this ETS.
The manufacturer shall declare to which category each of the elements of the equipment belongs.
Verification:
The equipment shall successfully complete the performance checks under the conditions, defined in
annex A.
6 General requirements
6.1 Equipment certification
Purpose:
To ensure that the ship earth station has obtained certification for operating in the satellite system to be
used for communications in the GMDSS.
Specification:
The ship earth station shall have obtained certification for operating in the satellite system to be used for
communications in the GMDSS as required by IMO Resolution A.663(16) [7], section 2 or IMO Resolution
A.664(16) [8], section 2.
Verification:
By documentary evidence.
6.2 Power supply
6.2.1 Power supply reversal
Purpose:
To ensure that the equipment is protected from the effects of reversal of the power supply polarity.
Specification:
Means shall be incorporated for the protection of equipment from reversal of the power supply polarity.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
Verification:
The ship earth station shall be connected to a power supply of reversed polarity at nominal voltage.
If a protection fuse blows during this test it shall be replaced.
Normal power supply polarity shall then be restored and a performance check carried out successfully.
6.2.2 Power supply interruption
Purpose:
To ensure satisfactory operation after power supply interruption.
Specification:
Any interruption of the power supply of up to 60 seconds duration shall not require the equipment to be
manually re-initialised and shall not result in change or loss of stored operational parameters or in loss of
stored messages.
Verification:
With the equipment in the stand-by mode, and with a message stored, the power shall be removed for a
period of 60 seconds, and then restored.
The ship earth station shall automatically return to the stand-by mode. The stored operational parameters
and the stored message shall be retained unaltered.
The test shall be repeated with the power supply interruption being effected first during transmission and
then reception. For Class 0 equipment the test shall be effected only during reception.
6.3 Mechanical construction
Purpose:
Protection of persons and goods from insecure or unsafe equipment.
Specification:
The equipment shall, as far as practicable, be constructed of non-flammable materials and shall have
adequate strength to ensure safety.
Equipment shall be mechanically designed to minimise the possibility of injury to persons, for example,
from sharp edges or protruding corners.
Verification:
Verification shall be by visual inspection.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
6.4 Electrical safety
Purpose:
To ensure the protection and safety of persons against accidental access to dangerous voltages.
Specification:
Accidental access to dangerous voltages shall be prevented. All parts and wiring in which the direct or
alternating voltages or both, other than radio frequency voltages, combine to give a peak voltage greater
than 50 volts shall be protected against accidental access and shall be isolated automatically from all
sources of electrical energy when the protective covers are removed. Alternatively, the equipment shall be
so constructed that access to such voltages may only be gained after having used a tool for the purpose,
such as a spanner or screwdriver, and warning labels shall be prominently displayed both within the
equipment and on protective covers.
Means shall be provided for earthing exposed metallic parts of the equipment. This shall not cause any
terminal of the source of electrical energy to be earthed.
Verification:
Conformance to the electrical safety requirements shall be checked by visual inspection of the units.
6.5 Radio frequency radiation protection (classes 1, 2 and 3 only)
Purpose:
To ensure the protection of persons from potentially dangerous RF power densities.
Specification:
The radiating part of the equipment (which includes the exterior of any radome or other antenna enclosure
where fitted) shall be labelled with a warning notice which shall be clearly visible when the equipment is in
its normal operating configuration. This notice shall indicate the closest distance to the radiating part within
which a person may approach the equipment without experiencing radio frequency power density levels in
excess of 8 W/m , when under worst case conditions (e.g. maximum power, maximum on/off ratio),
averaged over a 6 minutes period. This notice shall also state that before approaching the radiating part
within any distance closer than that indicated, the ship earth station equipment shall be switched-off or
otherwise disabled so that it shall not transmit.
Where the radiating part is mounted in a position where it is not normally visible, further warning notices
shall be provided to be attached to the ship so as to be clearly visible to anyone attempting to reach the
radiating part of the equipment.
In the case where the antenna is enclosed in a radome, or other antenna enclosure, and when no RF
power density greater than 8 W/m , when under worst case conditions (e.g. maximum power, maximum
on/off ratio), averaged over a 6 minutes period, is produced outside of this radome, or antenna enclosure,
then it is not necessary to label the radiating part. Instead, the external surface of the radome or antenna
enclosure shall be clearly labelled with a warning that the ship earth station equipment shall be
switched-off, or otherwise disabled, so that it shall not transmit while any work requiring the removal of the
radome or antenna enclosure takes place.
Verification:
Verification of the distance below which RF power densities exist in excess of 8 W/m , when under worst
case conditions (e.g. maximum power, maximum on/off ratio) averaged over a 6 minutes period, shall be
by documentary evidence. The manufacturer shall quantify the worst case conditions.
Conformance with the labelling requirements of this subclause shall be demonstrated by visual inspection
of the external surface of the radome or antenna enclosure and, if relevant, an examination of the notices
provided by the manufacturer.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
6.6 Additional facilities
Purpose:
To ensure that the provision of facilities additional to those required for normal operation does not inhibit
normal operation.
Specification:
Where a facility is provided which is additional to the minimum requirements of this ETS, the operation or
malfunction of such a facility shall not degrade the performance of the equipment below these minimum
requirements.
Verification:
By documentary evidence or demonstration.
6.7 Integrity of GMDSS equipment
Purpose:
To protect the integrity of GMDSS operation.
Specification:
Any ancillary device which is part of the GMDSS equipment, such as VDU, keyboard and printer, shall be
provided with fixing arrangements to prevent unauthorised or unintended removal or disconnection.
These ancillaries shall, if available for use with non-GMDSS systems, revert immediately and
automatically or on a single prominently indicated and easily performed command, to service GMDSS
functional requirements.
Verification:
By demonstration and inspection.
6.8 Operating controls
Purpose:
Equipment shall be so constructed that it is capable of being operated properly and readily by a suitably
qualified member of a ship's staff.
Specification:
The number of operational controls, their design and manner of functions, location, arrangement and size
shall provide for simple, quick and effective operation. The controls shall be arranged in a manner which
minimises the chance of inadvertent operation.
All operational controls shall permit normal adjustments to be easily performed and shall be easy to
identify from the position at which the equipment is normally operated. Controls not required for normal
operations shall not be readily accessible.
The controls intended for initiating distress alerts, shall be clearly marked, dedicated to the function and
protected against inadvertent activation by at least two independent mechanical actions, e.g. lifting or
breaking a protective cover and pressing a button. Such controls shall not be a standard key of an ITU-T
digital input panel or of the keyboard provided with the equipment.
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ETS 300 460: May 1996
When a distress alert transmission has been initiated, the equipment shall indicate the status of this
transmission.
It shall be possible to interrupt and initiate distress alerts at any time.
Adequate adjustable illumination may be provided in the equipment to enable identification of controls and
facilitate reading of indicato
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