R-Mode support of marine terrestrial navigation

Abstract

The article presents issues of R-Mode Baltic project. Ranging Mode (R-Mode) is a promising approach to support mariner with absolute positioning based on the reception of terrestrial ranging signals broadcasted by upgraded maritime radio infrastructure operating in MF and VHF bands. The R-Mode Baltic project, which aims to implement an R-Mode testbed in the Southern Baltic Sea until 2020 and to show that R-Mode is able to meet user requirements for a terrestrial positioning backup system, provided the following results for the further development of the system and upgrade of transmitter sites. User requirements for the R-Mode system were defined based on existing documents of international organizations. A detailed coverage prediction for R-Mode signals performed by General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) show the availability of signals in the area of interest. Compatibility tests of R-Mode signals with legacy radio beacon transmitter equipment reveal additional need for station component upgrade.