IEC 61097-1:2007

Overview

IEC 61097-1:2007 is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard that defines operational and performance requirements, type testing methods and required test results for marine radar transponders used in search and rescue - commonly called SART (Search and Rescue Transponder). It is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) suite and ensures SARTs meet SOLAS obligations (1988 amendments) and harmonize with IMO and ITU technical recommendations.

This second edition (2007) replaces the 1992 edition and updates performance and test provisions to reflect later IMO resolutions (notably A.802(19)) and ITU‑R Recommendation M.628-4 (including optional circular polarisation). The standard is associated with IEC 60936 (shipborne radar) and IEC 60945 (general marine equipment requirements).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & applicability
  • Performance standards and type testing for SARTs; categories include integral survival craft units, portable floating units, and SARTs incorporated in EPIRBs.
• Operational requirements
  • Simple activation by unskilled personnel, prevention of inadvertent activation, visual/audible operation indicators, manual activation/deactivation (automatic optional).
• Robustness & seaworthiness
  • Drop survivability (specified: 20 m into water), watertightness (10 m for at least 5 min), resistance to thermal shock (45 °C under specified immersion conditions), floating capability when not integral to a craft.
• Radio and antenna characteristics
  • Frequency, polarisation (optionally circular per ITU-R M.628-4), sweep rate, sawtooth sweep form, response signal, E.i.r.p., effective receiver sensitivity, antenna height, vertical/azimuthal beamwidths.
• Performance metrics
  • Range performance, recovery time after excitation, delay between radar interrogation and SART transmission, battery capacity and duration, environmental temperature requirements.
• Testing & conformity
  • Detailed test methods and required results for operational checks, battery tests, environmental (dry heat/low temp) cycles, antenna/beamwidth measurements, radiated power, receiver protection and labelling.

Applications and who uses it

• Manufacturers of marine radar transponders/SARTs - for product design, type testing and documentation to achieve SOLAS/GMDSS compliance.
• Test laboratories & certification bodies - to perform standardized tests, verify performance and issue approvals.
• Shipbuilders, fleet operators and procurement teams - to specify compliant SART equipment and ensure regulatory conformity.
• Flag administrations and maritime safety authorities - to reference in regulations and inspections.
• Search and rescue organizations - to understand SART signalling characteristics and integration with shipborne radar.

Related standards

• IEC 60936 (Shipborne radar)
• IEC 60945 (Marine navigational equipment - general requirements)
• IMO Resolutions A.530(13), A.802(19), A.694(17)
• ITU‑R Recommendation M.628-4
• SOLAS (1974, 1988 GMDSS amendments)

Keywords: IEC 61097-1, GMDSS, SART, marine radar transponder, SOLAS compliance, SART testing, IMO, ITU-R M.628.