RSS-287 — Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT), Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), and Maritime Survivor Locator Devices (MSLD)

This Radio Standard Specification (RSS) document sets out the requirements for certification of:

• emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB)
• emergency locator transmitters (ELT)
• personal locator beacons (PLBs)
• maritime survivor locator devices (MSLD)

EPIRBs are for carriage on ships, ELTs are for carriage on aircraft, and PLBs are for use by persons. Each of these devices may send a distress signal on the 406 MHz dedicated distress frequency band via satellite systems. These devices are also intended and designed to provide the standardized capabilities necessary to transmit alert and location information via coded messages to be relayed through the COSPAS-SARSAT system to Search and Rescue agencies.

MSLDs are devices worn on the person while aboard a vessel, which are intended and designed to provide limited proximity alerting and locating capability. The device will transmit low-power alerting and homing signals to an appropriate directional receiver on board a vessel in the devices’ vicinity to facilitate the distressed user's rescue.

The automatic identification system (AIS) is a maritime navigation safety communication system standardized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

AIS automatically provides vessel information (including the vessel’s identity, type, position, course, speed, navigation status and other safety-related information) to appropriately equipped shore stations, other ships and aircraft, and:

1. automatically receives such information from similarly fitted ships
2. monitors and tracks ships and
3. exchanges data with shore-based facilities

Digital selective calling (DSC) is a type of synchronous system developed by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) that is used to establish contact with a station or groups of stations automatically by means of radio equipment.

MSLDs, EPIRBs and PLBs with added capabilities, such as AIS and DSC, are to be used on a non-interference basis to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system.

In an emergency situation, the radio beacon is turned on either automatically, such as a water activated switch in an EPIRB or an inertia switch in an ELT, or manually by the user for all types of beacons transmitting on the 406 MHz frequency.

The manufacturing, importation, or sale of EPIRBs and PLBs operating only on 121.5 MHz or/and 243 MHz is prohibited.

ELTs shall be certified only if the equipment has, at a minimum, operating frequencies of 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz.

Equipment covered by this RSS is classified as Category I equipment. Either a technical acceptance certificate (TAC) issued by the Certification and Engineering Bureau of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) or a certificate issued by a recognized certification body (CB) is required, pursuant to subsection 21(1) of the Radiocommunication Regulations.

2.1 Coming into force

This standard will be in force as of the date of its publication on ISED’s website.

However, a transition period of six months from the publication date will be provided. During this period, compliance with RSS-287, issue 2, or RSS-287, issue 3, will be accepted. After this period, only applications for the certification of equipment under RSS-287, issue 3 will be accepted. Furthermore, after this transition period, equipment manufactured, imported, distributed, leased, offered for sale, or sold in Canada shall comply with RSS-287, issue 3.

A copy of RSS-287, issue 2, is available upon request by emailing consultationradiostandards-consultationnormesradio@ised-isde.gc.ca.

2.2 Licensing requirements

Equipment covered by this RSS is exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to section 15 of the Radiocommunication Regulations. For further information, consult ISED’s Licensing exemptions.

2.3 Transmitter frequency configurations

The equipment shall comply with the following configurations:

* DSC closed loop communication uses an addressed message for a closed group of users.

2.4 Applicable standards and related documents

The equipment shall comply with the standards listed in this section, where applicable. These documents can be obtained at the addresses listed in annex A.

2.4.1 ISED documents

2.4.2 COSPAS/SARSAT documents

The above documents can be obtained from the COSPAS-SARSAT website.

2.4.3 Transport Canada Civil Aviation documents

Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part VI, section 605.38

Airworthiness Manual (AWM) Chapter 551, Aircraft Equipment and Installation – Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), section 551.104, prescribing the Canadian standards of airworthiness for the design and installation of ELT equipment.

Airworthiness Manual Chapter 537, Standards Appliances and Parts – Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)

2.4.4 Federal Aviation Administration Technical Standard Orders (TSO)

This section specifies the general requirements related to this RSS.

3.1 RSS-Gen compliance

RSS-287 shall be used in conjunction with RSS-Gen, General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus, for general specifications and information relevant to the equipment for which this standard applies. Should there be any discrepancies between the requirements in this standard and RSS-Gen, the requirements in this standard shall govern.

3.2. EPIRB requirements

3.2.1 Approved test facilities

1. Tests to show compliance to COSPAS-SARSAT standards for the 406 MHz transmitter shall be carried out by a test facility that has been approved by COSPAS-SARSAT. A list of COSPAS-SARSAT approved test facilities can be obtained from the COSPAS-SARSAT website.
2. Battery and reliability tests shall be carried out by a test facility approved by Transport Canada (Marine Safety) or a country that is a signatory to the SOLAS Convention. Addresses of these test facilities can be obtained from these organizations.

3.2.2 Requirements relating to 406-406.1 MHz certification

In addition to the requirements in the test report specified in RSS-Gen, the certification application of EPIRB devices that transmit on 406.0-406.1 MHz shall include documentation to show that the equipment is certified by a test facility recognized by one of the COSPAS-SARSAT partners and that the equipment complies with the requirements in COSPAS-SARSAT standards C/S T.001 and C/S T.007.

3.2.3 Transport Canada requirements

EPIRBs require verification from Transport Canada (TC) that they meet TC’s operational requirements before the applicant can submit the equipment to ISED for certification under this RSS. TC requirements can be found in the Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020.

The test report sent to TC shall contain the following:

1. the signature of the testing and supervising officers
2. the name of the signing persons
3. phone and facsimile numbers
4. the full name and address of the testing facility and
5. proof that the facility is an approved test facility

Proof of compliance submitted to Transport Canada (Marine Safety) shall be in the form of documentation issued by a classification society or by a recognized independent testing establishment. See annex A for Transport Canada (Marine Safety) contact information.

The acceptance letter issued by TC, confirming that the equipment has met TC requirements, shall be included as part of the certification application sent to the Certification and Engineering Bureau (CEB) or a recognized CB.

If applicable, ISED or the appropriate CB shall evaluate the evaluation results for the homing transmitter.

Inquiries concerning TC’s requirements should be directed to Manager, Navigation Safety and Radiocommunications listed in annex A.

3.3 ELT requirements

3.3.1 Approved test facilities

Tests to show compliance to COSPAS-SARSAT standards for the 406 MHz transmitter shall be carried out by a test facility that has been approved by COSPAS/SARSAT. A list of COSPAS-SARSAT approved test facilities can be obtained from the COSPAS-SARSAT website.

3.3.2 Declaration of compliance (DOC)

The certification application for an ELT device shall provide, in the test report specified in RSS-GEN, a DOC stating that the device meets all the applicable requirements from section 104 of AWM chapter 551 and the applicable TSO standards for its operating frequencies.

3.4 PLB requirements

3.4.1 Approved test facilities

1. Tests to show compliance to COSPAS-SARSAT standards for the 406 MHz transmitter shall be carried out by a test facility that has been approved by COSPAS/SARSAT. A list of COSPAS-SARSAT approved test facilities can be obtained from the COSPAS-SARSAT website.
2. Battery and reliability tests for PLBs shall be carried out by a test facility approved by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat. Addresses of such test facilities are obtainable from these organizations.

3.4.2 Requirements relating to 406-406.1 MHz certification

In addition to the requirements in the test report specified in RSS-Gen, the certification application of PLB devices that transmits on the 406.0-406.1 MHz shall include documentation to show that the equipment is certified by a test facility recognized by one of the COSPAS-SARSAT Partners and that the equipment complies with the requirements in COSPAS-SARSAT Standards C/S T.001 and C/S T.007.

3.4.3 NSS requirements

The applicant shall refer to the National Search and Rescue Secretariat, 406 megahertz (MHZ) Personal Locator Beacon performance document, which is amended from time to time. PLB devices require verification from The National Search and Rescue Secretariat and confirmation that it meets requirements in the 406 megahertz (MHz) Personal Locator Beacon performance document before the applicant can submit the equipment to ISED for certification under this RSS.

The test report sent to NSS shall contain the following:

1. the signature of the testing and supervising officers
2. the name of the signing persons
3. phone and facsimile numbers
4. the full name and address of the testing facility and
5. proof that the facility is an approved test facility

Proof of compliance submitted to NSS shall be in the form of documentation issued by a classification society or by a recognized independent testing establishment. See annex A for contact information.

NSS will provide a recommendation letter to the applicant, confirming that the equipment has met NSS Standards, to include as part of the certification application sent to the CEB or a recognized CB.

If applicable, ISED or the appropriate Certification Body shall review the evaluation results for the homing transmitter.

Inquiries concerning the NSS document should be directed to NSS COSPAS-SARSAT listed in annex A.

This section specifies labelling requirements.

4.1 General labelling requirements

In addition to the labelling requirements in RSS-Gen, each device shall be labelled with the following:

1. its type designator, as listed in section 5
2. its class type, as listed in section 6.1, where applicable

4.2 EPIRB

Labelling required by Transport Canada (Marine Safety) for EPIRBs (see document IMO Resolution MSC.471(101)), may be combined with the labelling requirements in RSS-Gen and section 4.1 and put into a single label.

4.3 ELT

Labelling required by Transport Canada (Civil Aviation) for ELTs (see Airworthiness Manual, section 551.104), may be combined with the labelling requirements in RSS-Gen and section 4.1 and put into a single label.

4.4 PLB

Labelling required by The National Search and Rescue Secretariat for PLBs (see 406 megahertz (MHz) Personal Locator Beacon), may be combined with the labelling requirements in RSS-Gen and section 4.1 and put into a single label.

4.5 MSLD

The sale packaging and user manual of MSLDs shall clearly indicate the following or equivalent bilingual statement:

An appropriate type designator shall be appended as a suffix (as shown below) to the technical acceptance certification number to indicate the class of the device.

This section specifies the measurement methods for equipment operating with 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz frequency.

6.1 Transmitter frequency and output power stability for all devices

The output power and frequency stability measurements described below shall be carried out just before the end-of-life battery test that is required by TC or NSS. Other tests, such as the out-of-band emissions test, can be carried out at any time.

The output power and unmodulated carrier frequency shall be measured at the antenna connector and under the conditions specified below. A sufficient stabilization period at each temperature shall be used prior to each frequency measurement:

1. at 10 degree intervals of temperatures between the temperatures listed below and at the manufacturer's rated supply voltage and
2. at +20^oC temperature and ±15% supply voltage variations

The equipment shall be tested at the following temperature ranges:

6.2 Other measurement methods used with EPIRB, PLB and MSLDs

6.2.1 Transmitter output power (Radiated)

The transmitter shall be modulated by an A3X signal as described in section 7.4.1(a). The resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer shall be wide enough to include all significant modulation products. The bandwidth used shall be reported.

The radiated power of a 121.5 or 243 MHz transmitter is required only in the main beam (i.e. antenna pattern is not required).

6.2.2 Transmitter unwanted emissions

The transmitter unwanted emissions shall be measured at room temperature and this temperature shall be recorded. The transmitter shall be modulated with an audio sweep signal as described in section 7.4.1(a).

6.2.3 Modulation factor and audio sweep

The transmitter shall be modulated with an A3X signal as described in section 7.4.1(a) and its output displayed on the oscilloscope.

1. Measure and record the peak and through voltages of the RF envelope of the modulated carrier to determine the modulation factor, which is the ratio of the difference to the sum of the carrier levels at the peaks and troughs of the modulated RF envelope, that is:
   \[ Modulation factor = \frac{V_{peak} - V_{trough}}{V_{peak} + V_{trough}} \]
2. Measure and record the direction of the audio sweep.
3. Measure and record the highest and the lowest audio frequencies of the sweep.
4. Measure and record the audio sweep repetition rate.
5. Measure and record the modulation duty cycle (see definition in section 7.4.1(e)).
6. Modulate the transmitter with voice and CW (carrier wave) if the beacon is equipped with this feature. Provide a diagram of the modulated signal in the time domain, properly labelled to show the duration of each mode (A3X, A3E, N0N) of modulation.

6.2.4 Spectrum characteristics

The spectrum characteristics described in section 7.4.1(d) are to be measured.

The transmitter shall be modulated with an A3X signal, as described in sections 7.4.1(a) and (d).

Set the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer to 60 Hz for 121.5 MHz transmitters and to 120 Hz for 243 MHz transmitters. If a spectrum analyzer of the correct resolution bandwidth is not available, use a narrower bandwidth and sum the powers over the desired band. Record all measurements.

If the beacon design is such that the type of modulation is changed during transmission (e.g. from A3E to N0N), describe the test and verify that the carrier frequency shift complies with section 7.4.1(d).

This section specifies the transmitter and receiver standard specifications for the equipment specified in this RSS.

7.1 ELT

ELTs shall comply with all the requirements in the standard AWM section 551.104.

7.2 EPIRB and PLB

EPIRB and PLB transmitters using 406 MHz shall comply with the technical requirements in COSPAS SARSAT Standards listed in either section 3.2.2 or 3.4.2 as appropriate.

7.3 MSLD

MSLDs with operating frequencies of 161.975 MHz, 162.025 MHz or 156.525 MHz shall comply with the requirements in section 5 of RSS-182, Maritime Radio Equipment Operating in the 156-162.5 MHz Band where applicable.

7.4 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz transmitters excluding ELTs

7.4.1 Modulation characteristics

The modulation technique for each carrier is described as follows:

1. The type of emission shall be A3X, with periods of voice modulation or no modulation (CW) permitted, as described below.
   • During A3X transmissions, the emissions shall have the distinctive characteristic achieved by amplitude modulating the carrier with an audio frequency sweeping upwards or downwards for EPIRBs and upwards for PLBs, over a range of not less than 700 Hz within the band 300 Hz to 1600 Hz, at a sweep repetition rate between 2 and 4 Hz.
2. The modulation factor for A3X modulation shall be at least 85% and not more than 100%, that is, over modulation is not permitted.
3. The transmission shall be continuous, except in the case of a homing transmitter when it may be interrupted for up to two seconds during the transmission of the 406 MHz burst.
4. The A3X modulation must have a clearly defined carrier frequency distinct from the modulation sideband components. For this, at least 30% of the total power emitted during any transmission shall be contained within ±30 Hz of the carrier frequency in the case of the 121.5 MHz beacon, and ±60 Hz of the carrier frequency in the case of the 243.0 MHz beacon.
   • Additionally, if the type of modulation is changed during transmission, the carrier frequency shall not shift by more than ±30 Hz and ±60 Hz for the 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz transmitters, respectively.
5. Modulation duty cycle is the ratio of the positive modulation duration, measured at the half-amplitude points on the modulation signal envelope to the period of the audio modulating frequency. This duty cycle shall be between 33% and 55%.

7.4.2 Transmitter frequency stability

The carrier frequency shall not depart by more than 0.005% (±50 ppm) from that measured at 20°C and the rated supply voltage. If the 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz frequencies are derived from the same oscillator circuitry, it is not necessary to repeat the frequency stability test for the other frequency.

7.4.3 Transmitter output power (Radiated)

The average output power of EPIRBs and PLBs shall not be less than 50 mW when the transmitter is used as a primary beacon and not less than 25 mW when used as a homing transmitter. The output power of MSLDs shall be less than 25 mW.

7.4.4 Transmitter unwanted emissions

The average power of unwanted emissions in a 300 Hz resolution bandwidth shall be attenuated below the level of the average transmitter power P (dBW) by: 

1. at least 25 dB on any frequency removed from the centre of the authorized bandwidth by more than 50%, up to and including 100% of the authorized bandwidth and
2. at least 30 dB on any frequency removed from the centre of the authorized bandwidth by more than 100%

where the authorized bandwidth is set at 25 kHz with the transmit frequency at the centre of the bandwidth.

7.4.5 Spectrum characteristics

The total power in the reference bandwidth (see section 6.2.4) shall not drop by more than 5 dB below the transmitter mean output power that is measured by a wideband meter (see section 6.1 or 6.2.1), indicating that at least 30% of the power resides within the band ƒ_c ±30 Hz (at 121.5 MHz) and within the band ƒ_c ±60 Hz (at 243 MHz), where ƒ_c is the carrier frequency.

Before carrying out any tests at offset frequencies or at distress frequencies in Canada that involve radiation of signal into the air (including any tests not performed in a properly shielded room, whether the antenna is attached to the device or not), prior authorization from the offices/agencies nearest to where radiation testing is to be conducted shall be obtained. The agencies are listed below (see addresses in annex A for the nearest office/agency):

• NAV CANADA Area Control Centres (ACC)
• Canadian Mission Control Centre (CMCC) at CFB Trenton, Ontario (406 MHz devices only)
• Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC)

The agencies’ written consent to the test shall be submitted to the local ISED office for the purpose of issuing the authorization to use the radio frequency.

Unless there are valid reasons to use distress frequencies, only offset frequencies may be authorized as follows:

• 121.100 to 121.450 MHz; 121.550 to 121.900 MHz
• 242.200 to 242.900 MHz; 243.100 to 243.800 MHz
• 406.000 to 406.99 MHz (in accordance with CMCC authorization and COSPAS-SARSAT technical directives, see C/S T.007)

Great care shall be taken not to accidentally radiate in the forbidden bands (121.5 MHz ±50 kHz and 243 MHz ±100 kHz).

No activation of operationally coded 406 MHz devices is permitted without prior registration in the appropriate National Beacon Registry.

The following addresses are relevant to this document. The addresses, especially telephone and fax numbers, are subject to change without notice:

Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCCs), East to West:

NAV CANADA Area Control Centre (ACC)