The Worldwide Iridium-based Locator System is a proof of concept compact communication system that combines GPS and Iridium satellite architectures to provide global positioning anywhere in the world. To add to the challenge of interacting with two satellite architectures was the fact that the system had to be compact enough to fit in the volume of a gallon of milk bottle, be able to operate in the ocean, under internal power for at least a month and it had to be fully automated.

The challenges were met with sound concept engineering design analysis while keeping manufacturability as a requirement. This approach is unique to us given our understanding of engineering product development and manufacturability. Many companies, laboratories, universities, groups and entrepreneurs often fail to understand the importance of including manufacturability early during product development. Not only we included manufacturability in the product development, but we designed the manufacturing techniques specifically for the equipment available on our manufacturing floor. This allowed us to keep the cost of producing a work-alike prototype at the lowest level possible. The prototype was successfully tested in real ocean conditions achieving all the predetermined requirements.