Kilo User Manual Version 3.0
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General Description
The Kilo Subsurface Iridium Satellite Mooring Location Beacon continuously monitors for
unplanned or accidental release of subsurface instrument moorings. The Kilo makes use of the
bi-directional, global, real time Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data (SBD) network in combination
with GPS position location. The Kilo’s sleek tubular design allows it to be easily retrofitted into
subsurface flotations such as syntactic foam.
Inside the Kilo is a stainless-steel chamber, 9602 Iridium satellite Short Burst Data core radio
transceiver, a specialized low power Xeos digital controller with GPS, Iridium antenna, GPS
antenna, and water sense circuitry specially designed to measure changes in capacitance.
Kilo is intended for use in both surface and subsurface deployments and is rated for 2500m below
sea level. Xeos Technologies Inc. manufactures other specific products for either surface or
subsurface applications, up to 11,000m below sea level.
Theory of Operation
The Kilo is intended for instantly and accurately locating and recovering high value, free drifting
surface assets at sea during surface deployments, or sub-surface deployments at the time of
surfacing. At default settings, the Kilo will operate for up to 6 months, with 1 year underwater in
addition.
The Kilo can establish a watch circle post-deployment and will notify users if it moves outside of
the watch circle area. If the Kilo exits its circle or surfaces, it will transmit a position message
every 10 minutes for 1 hour. After the first hour, the Kilo will exit this mode and continue to
transmit at its user configurable timings.
Operators can communicate with the Kilo via Iridium using email commands or XeosOnline™.
Through messages from the Kilo, status information can be obtained, including the health of the
GPS system and battery voltage.
The Kilo will continue to send position messages while at the surface until it is manually turned
off or the battery pack drops below the minimum voltage requirement of 7V.
