The Central government has planned to install indigenously developed transponders on one lakh fishing vessels for two-way communication and support system which enhance the safety and security of fishermen at sea
As a major step towards increasing the maritime safety and saving the precious lives of fisher men the central government of India has decided to mount indigenously developed transponders on one lakh fishing boats along the coast of India. The goal of this project is to make needed information available in real time to the fishing fleet and its entire community to guarantee the people in the boats’ safety and protection while they are in the fishing zone. The introduction of these latest transponders represents a giant leap forward for India in applying technology in the interest of its people.
Ensuring Safety and Real-time tracking
The main reason for placing transponders on fishing boats is so that their movement can be monitored on a minute by minute basis. These transponders invented by Indian research scientists and engineers are satellite based communication system where in, the location of each vessel is transmitted to central monitoring stations with detail exactness. The on-stream tracking facility makes it possible for the authorities to know the vessel’s location at any given time, and offer help, in the event of an incident.
Another crucial rationale for using real-time tracking is an opportunity to identify instantly any violations of the specified fishing areas. The Indian Territory has a very large shore where fishing vessels can face various dangers resulting from natural disasters; therefore, it is very important that the vessels stay within their territory. This is because with the transponders in the place any person or object that gains unauthorized or even inadvertent access to restricted or hazardous areas will be detected immediately; this will enable authorities take corrective action toward any impending misfortune.
Improving Interpersonal Communication
Coordination which is a major factor in the execution of fishing activities requires proper communication. The transponders that have been fitted in the fishing vessels have communication sub-system that facilitates communication between the fishermen and the shore based control centres. This makes it possible for fishermen to send signals of any calamity in the course of the fishing or whenever they encounter an accident such as acutely unfavourable weather, failure of fishing equipment or any other difficulty to the authorities concerned and gets help from them.
Further, due to the communication capabilities of the transponders better co-ordination is possible within the fishing community. There are good feelings that flow from sharing information about where the fish and ways of getting there, the weather, and anything bad that a fisherman can run into. This type approach not only increases safety but also can be beneficial for the general effectiveness of work and fishing operations.
Emergency Response and Search & Rescue Operations
Among the greatest advantages of the transponder initiative there is identification of the possibility to save lives due to immediate reaction on emergencies and rescues. If a ship tips over or an engine stops working, for instance, the transponders can send out distress calls together with the ship’s GPS coordinates. Such details help the coast guard and rescue teams to quickly find the distressed fishermen and help them save lives and avoid near disasters.
Furthermore it is also necessary that the transponders are incorporated with the National Automatic Identification System (NAIS) this helps the authorities in compiling a directory of identified fishing vessel. Search and rescue operations will also find this database useful, as it lists the location, crew, and other information about the vessels before they either capsized or disappeared. The improved visibility improves the outcome of the rescues making it easier to save more lives during calamities.
Indigenous Innovation and Self Reliance
Indigenously manufactured transponders for fishermen not only represent innovation but are also a part of India’s agenda to spur local development and local industry or ;'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The existing unique technology being adopted in these transponders is just a proof to the talents of the Indian scientist and engineers who developed it suit Indian fishing community perfectly. Through the use of indigenous professional the Country is in a better stand to decrease on imported technology and at the same time boost the technological advance of the Country.
Moreover, this transponder initiative is entirely in sync with the government's 'Digital India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). By making use of advanced technological advancement in basically all the sectors including the fishing sector the government is preparing for a connected and stronger India. This plan and its efficiency are set to result in repeats of such technological advancements in other important sectors as the nation strived towards technological and self-sufficiency progress.
Transponders
What are Transponders and How They Work: An In-Depth Look
Transponders have become severally used in today’s communication systems. The main purpose of their usage is to be involved in the reception, boosting and consequent repetition of the signals in selected frequencies. Taking the meaning of ‘transmitter’ and ‘responder,’ transponders are pivotal in several activities such as in satellite; airline, shipping, boating industries; toll collection. It
Understanding the Basics
A transponder is thus most simply defined as an electronic gadget which accepts a signal, process it, and then transmit it. it involves:
- Reception: The transponder receives the incoming signal off its antenna.
- Amplification: the signal has to be re-amplified because to enable transmission it must be strong enough.
- Frequency Conversion: Usually, there is a change of frequency of the signal in order to avoid signal interference of the incoming signal.
- Transmission: The processed signal is then sent back to the desired recipient or the target receiver.
To give efficiency to this process or cycle, the signal must keep its quality intact and it can easily travel long distances without much distortion.
Types of Transponders
Transponders are divided according to the function they perform and the kind of signal that they receive and transmit. The main types include:
Satellite Transponders:
- Frequency Bands: Satellite transponders work at different bandwidths including C- band, Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies. C band is resistant to the interference of weather signals, Ku band has a higher data rate, which can be further improved by Ka band due to the higher frequency and bandwidth.
- Bent-Pipe Transponders: These transponders merely rebroadcast the signal without adding or deleting information to what was received.
- Regenerative Transponders: These transponders detect the given signal, work on that signal and again modulate the given signal before transferring. This realigns the two and creates a reduction in noise thereby improving the signal.
Aviation Transponders:
- Mode A and C: Mode A transponders give simple information on the identification of an aircraft while Mode C also includes altitude.
- Mode S: This advanced type allows for selective access, which means, it can interactively answer interrogation from the air traffic control center and can supply additional details such as the position and speed of an aircraft.
Maritime Transponders:
- Automatic Identification System (AIS): These transponders are installed on ships to enable them to send to other ships and shore stations without intervention of such information as vessel identification, location, intended path and rate of movement in order to improve safety of sea transport.
Toll Collection Transponders:
- Electronic Toll Collection (ETC): These are installed in toll-booths where, electronically, toll fee is debited from an account that has been deposited before the vehicle passes through the booth. These works by using the radio frequency identification (RFID).
How Transponders Work
Transponders works on the principle of transmitting and receiving signal frequencies. Key components:
- Signal Reception: The transponder’s antenna receives an incoming signal. This signal can be a simple query in aviation or a complex communication in satellite systems.
- Amplification and Filtering: After it has been received, it is first amplified to make it substantive enough for more processing to take place. It may also be done in this stage to get rid of any interferons by filtering the signal.
- Frequency Conversion: In order not to disturb the incoming signal the transponder may shift the frequencies before the retransmission process. For example, a satellite transponder may receive a signal in the Ku-band, convert it to the C-band, and then retransmit it.
- Processing and Modulation: It should also be noted that some more complex transponders can regenerate the received signal by some processing of the signal. This consists of erasing inter-symbol and other types of interference before the signal is re-modulated for transmission.
- Signal Transmission: Last of all the transmitted processed signal is transmitted by the transmitter of the transponder. In the case of satellite transponders this signal is directed back to the earth where it can be intercepted by ground station or user terminal.
Importance of Transponders
Transponders are extremely important for smooth communication in different fields. In satellite communication they allow for the relaying of television signals, Internet information and telephone conversation across continents. In the airborne industry, they guarantee that aircraft can be easily located hence improving on the air traffic control and safety. Maritime transponders, in essence, act as ship-to-ship beacons helping to avoid accidents throughout shipping’s focal regions. In toll collections, they organize the process, make it easier and fast hence solving the problem of traffic jam.
NAIS
The National Automatic Identification System is a new technology that will go a long way in improving the safety and security of the maritime domain. This system aims at controlling and regulating movements on the vessels within a country’s Body of water, maintaining the safety of traffic, preventing or reducing loss and damage to assets.
Overview and Functionality
The NAIS is radio-based VHF stations on the shore that acquire and forward data from AIS transponders on shipboard. AIS transponders are constantly sending variety of information which includes the identity of the vessel, position, course, speed and any other information that can be relevant. This information is then delivered to the shore stations and then passed on to a monitoring system where it is interpreted and acted upon.
To that end one of the features of the NAIS is that they are designed to track and monitor vessel movements in real time. This capability is particularly important for following the movement of ships, especially in areas where water ways are crowded. Thus, presence of a big picture of maritime traffic means the authorities would be able to ensure safety of the traffic, protect against accidents and promptly react to any accidents and emergencies.
Enhancing Maritime Safety
The primary objective of the NAIS is to increase safety of maritime traffic. It enhances the real-time tracking of vessels which allows authorities to strictly implement navigating rules and regulations to minimum chance of events at sea. Moreover the system can give useful information during search and Rescue operations. During a marine calamity, the exact location and specifications of the vessel in distress can be literally determined making it easier to discharge rescue operations.
Enhancing Security
Apart from safety, this NAIS has a critical function in enhancing national security. Frequent tracking of movement results in identifying illegitimate actions such as smuggling, piracy and unauthorized fishing. That is, the NAIS, which has powerful data collecting capabilities, may also serve as a powerful tool for security if certain traces of suspicious behaviour are discovered in someone’s actions.
Environmental Protection
It also plays a social role of protecting the environment since it fosters effective monitoring of ships’ activities. It is useful in monitoring ship that may indulge in dumping of wastes or engage in other detrimental impacts on the environment. The NAIS promotes protection of the marine environment and coastal habitats through adoring to environmental regulations.