Coding the Test User Protocol

The test protocols are used when conducting any tests of beacons (e.g. demonstrations, type approval tests, training exercises, etc.) whenever the emitted signals might be detected by the satellites. The test user protocol can be formed from any of the other user protocols by setting bits 37 - 39 to "111". This protocol is available in both long and short format messages.

Short Format Messages

For short format messages bits 40 to 85 may be set to any bit pattern (even random) provided the error-correcting code (BCH-1) is set accordingly, and bits 107 - 112 may also be set to any bit pattern, although these bits are not protected by any error correcting code.

Long Format Messages

For long format messages bits 40 to 85 and bits 107 - 132 may be set to any bit pattern (even random) provided the two error correcting codes (BCH-1 and BCH-2) are set accordingly.

Cospas-Sarsat MCCs will not respond to, or forward alert messages corresponding to beacons coded with the test user protocol, unless requested by the appropriate authority of the country conducting the test (e.g. the SPOC in that country) and co-ordinated with the appropriate MCC (i.e. the MCC in which service area the test is being conducted). Details of the procedure to co-ordinate tests are provided in the System document C/S A.001 (DDP).

The test user protocol is different than the beacon "self-test" mode. The self-test mode transmission of the beacon is not processed by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite equipment.