Mobile asset tracking unit, system and method

An asset tracker, comprising:

• a multi-code SATCOM transceiver having at least 16 codes;
• a multi-channel GPS transceiver;
• at least one antenna electrically connected to each of said multi-code SATCOM transceiver and said multi-channel GPS transceiver;
• and
• a non-continuous operation controller for said SATCOM transceiver, said non-continuous operation controller allows operation of said SATCOM transceiver for only non-continuous operation periods.

An asset tracking unit, comprising:

• at least one transceiver in connection with at least one SATCOM network and at least one GPS network;
• at least one status indicator operably coupled to said at least one transceiver, wherein said at least one status indicator indicates a status of the connection of said at least one transceiver to at least one of the SATCOM network and the GPS network;
• at least one mode switch that, when activated, changes a mode of said at least one transceiver;
• and
• at least one antenna electrically coupled to said at least one transceiver.

An asset tracking system, comprising:

• a central processing unit configured to control at least one transceiver, said at least one transceiver configured to receive a location position for the central processing unit from a multi-channel GPS network, said at least one transceiver configured to communicate with at least one multi-code SATCOM network as directed by said central processing unit;
• and
• at least one remote operations center remote from an asset to be tracked, the asset to be tracked being geographically associated with said central processing unit,
• said at least one remote operations center being configured to communicate with multiple central processing units via the SATCOM network, said at least one remote operations center including a tiered architecture, all communication to and from said at least one remote operations center being encrypted.

A processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to:

• receive a first plurality of signals from a plurality of asset tracking units indicating a position of each asset tracking unit from the plurality of asset tracking units via a multi-code SATCOM network;
• display the position of each asset tracking unit from the plurality of asset tracking units on a display as indicated by a multi-channel GPS signal received at each asset tracking unit from the plurality of asset tracking units;
• receive a second plurality of signals from the plurality of asset tracking units indicating a status of each asset from a plurality of assets, each asset from the plurality of assets being collocated with an asset tracking unit from the plurality of asset tracking units;
• display the status of each asset from the plurality of assets on the display;
• receive a third signal from a first asset tracking unit from the plurality of asset tracking units, the third signal associated with a message intended to be received by a second asset tracking unit from the plurality of asset tracking units;
• and
• send a fourth signal to the second asset tracking unit containing the message.