Global Asset Tracking and Recovery System (GATRS)

The objective of this multi phase SBIR effort is the design, development, test and demonstration of a simple, cost effective system for global tracking and recovery of stolen assets Such a system does not presently exist, but would be invaluable for both military and commercial applications. Commercially, global monitoring and tracking is necessary because in many cases vehicles are stolen and shipped, or driven, to foreign countries for sale. Military operations by their very nature are global and require deployment of equipment and aircraft to various regional contingencies located throughout the world. More specifically for this solicitation, it would provide the Air Force Security Police world wide tracking for recovery of valuable stolen assets such as vehicles, weapons, nuclear assets, etc. Not only does the proposed system provide global coverage it also allows the location of concealed assets, another capability not currently supported by existing or planned systems. In addition, because of ViaSat's unique combination of digital signal processing, modulation, coding, and interleaving, and operation at C band, antennas the size of quarter can be used for ommunication! ! ! Finally, the system uses existing geosynchronous satellites, and therefore is not dependent on the technical and financial success of the planned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems.