ARNAV is a software package provided by Bayfront Medical Center that is an established level-2 Trauma Center in St Petersburg, Florida with dedicated men and women in the trauma room and in the air. Our communications center uses this software to enable us to track any Bayflite helicopter in route to our accident scene.

Basic Network Functions

The network offers each user the option for one or more air or ground based graphic displays of the operating area. Each display graphically indicates areas of operation and special areas where additional operations approval may be required. This display is updated in real time as the operator's aircraft fly, by receiving position signals from the satellite based Global Positioning System, (GPS). The pictorial depiction on the screen allows the dispatcher to determine the identification of all equipped aircraft on the display. Each aircraft's call sign, location, speed and direction is available at all times and updated as frequently as every 15 seconds to 3 minutes. A fully automatic recording system creates and maintains a time and location record for each reporting aircraft and vessel.

Radio Relay Network 

To ensure reliable radio communications over the entire mission, the radio subsystem requires the use of low cost ground radio relay stations placed throughout each operating area. Each radio relay can receive incoming radio or digital information, analyze the destination and then transmit it as radio or digital port output as appropriate. Each relay appends its station identity to the message to enable the final recipient of the message to send a reply using the reverse route of the original message. Radio relays are connected with a ground network control center via the Internet or other high-speed packet data transmission facilities utilizing public data networks, microwave and satellite communication networks.

 

The yellow aircraft indicates that the unit is on the ground and the green aircraft is an active flight. In addition, the system has a real time nexrad weather overlay so we can monitor for severe weather at any time. This is one of our many tools we use every day to ensure every patient has the best chance of survival.