A mobile Tracking and Reporting System (TRS) for vehicles, boats, cargoes, railcars, etc., with a capability of self position determination combined with a means of communications world-wide through satellite data links to a tactical command and control center, would provide valuable assistance to special operations forces as well as drug enforcement and law enforcement agencies. The proposed TRS system will employ small, light weight, low-power consumption remote terminals with small, easily concealed omni-directional antennas. Features of the TRS terminal design include: 2-way data communications, autonomous operation, low-cost and self-powered with an operating goal of days to weeks depending on the number of transmissions required. Position location to a 100 meters or better would be accomplished using an integral GPS receiver or by Doppler measurements of the satellite downlink signals. A second version of the TRS terminal will be designed for use by field personnel for messaging and reporting. This terminal would contain a small display and a keyboard for sending short data messages either among field personnel or to the control and monitoring center. The field terminal would have a pre-programmed push-button to immediately send an emergency message including the sender's location.
