Viability and Performance Analysis, at a Physical Level, of a Maritime Communication Network on Medium Frequency

This paper analysed the potentialities that have not yet been exploited of the Automatic Vessel Identification System on Medium Frequency (AVISOMEF) that was previously presented to the scientific community. This system expanded the spectrum of possibilities of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). By the time AVISOMEF was presented, one of the unexpected benefits was that it could constitute a platform capable of supporting a Maritime Communication Network on Medium Frequency; all remotely located vessels could communicate with each other by using AVISOMEF, making use of the new established network, within the geographic area of implementation, without needing to use satellite techniques. Medium frequency propagation is stable and is not subject to coverage restrictions. To conduct this experiment, we collaborated with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (SASEMAR). It was thanks to them that we gathered real-time information about the nationwide maritime traffic that navigated through the Spanish Search and Rescue jurisdiction waters from 2018 to 2020.

Maritime Broadband Communication: Wireless Channel Measurement and Characteristic Analysis for Offshore Waters

For a long time, the development of maritime communication has been restricted by the low data rate, high-latency and high cost of the current communication systems. The upgrade of new generation mobile communication technologies is attracting more and more attention to conduct a shore-based broadband mobile communication network with high-latency and high reliability to serve the maritime industries. This paper presents a solution by means of building a ship-to-infrastructure (S2I) and a ship-to-ship (S2S) wireless communication networks for an offshore region. We characterize the S2I and S2S channels at 5.9 GHz band based on the channel measurements in realistic environments. The channel characteristics, including power delay profile, delay spread, propagation path loss, are extracted and analyzed. In view of the difference between marine and terrestrial communications, we analyze the influencing factors of the offshore water, including effective reflection, divergence and shadowing from the water surface, and diffraction loss caused by the earth curvature. We also predict the power coverage range and the channel capacity for S2I and S2S wireless communications. Finally, the communication performance is evaluated according to the channel measurement and characterization analysis. The research results can be a reference for the construction of maritime communication networks.

EXPERIENCE OF USING SIMULATOR TECHNOLOGIES IN FORMING COMPETENCIES TO FUTURE NAVIGATORS USING RADAR EQUIPMENT AND GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The article presents the generalization of the experience of using simulator technologies in forming the competence to future navigators regarding the use of radar equipment and global maritime communication system in case of disasters and to ensure safety.It has been found that the amendments made by the International Maritime Organization to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers have expanded the role of simulators in assessing the relevant competencies of maritime professionals. At the same time, it should be noted that logistical support of maritime higher educational institutions lags behind the requirements of modern shipping industry, the requirements of the seafarers’ labor market, and so on. It is a systemic problem that encompasses all levels of training and skills upgrading for shipping industry professionals. To solve the problem of improving the quality of professional training it has been proposed to carry out this process taking into account the principles of contextual approach, providing for the use of modern equipment and simulators, which departments and laboratories of maritime higher education institutions are equipped with. Training on simulators occupies a special place in the training of navigators, because it allows to exercise modeling of situations, which reproduce the conditions as close as possible to the real world. It is also important to include into the content of academic disciplines some components of simulator training on the formation and development of skills to work with electronic mapping systems, radio and electro-navigation equipment of ships, as well as skills associated with maritime safety (operation of fire-fighting equipment, rescue equipment, first aid on board ship, cargo operations with heavy cargo and containers, etc.). Each of these courses is taught in specialized laboratories equipped with the necessary simulation equipment in accordance with international requirements for training maritime professionals and the requirements of employers.

Implementation of 5G Communication Network for a Safe Operation of Autonomous and Conventional Ships

The enhanced automation of the shipping industry has increased the demand of real data exchange. The ship-owners are looking more and more to optimize the operational cost of ship, to monitor remotely the cargo and to ensure a satisfactory level of safety and security, in compliance with the international maritime organization requirements. As per international convention for the safety of life at sea requirements, a conventional ship must carry a global maritime distress safety system, depending on the sea areas where it is operating. We assume that assuring a reliable communication service in the shipping industry is a challenging issue, in an era of internet of things and the need for a ship to be continuously connected to its ecosystem. This connectivity should be with a high data rate transmission. However, the future implementation of autonomous ship beside the existing conventional ship as an alternative for a sustainable maritime industry, requires the implementation of a reliable and cost-effective communication carrier, capable to transfer operational data on live basis from ship-to-ship and from ship-to-shore without interruption with a very low latency. To achieve this goal, we propose in this work, the implementation of 5G network as a maritime communication carrier, using unmanned aerial vehicle base stations, which are placed at optimum positions. This placement results in a maximization of uplink and downlink communication data rate, low latency and efficient optimization of transmission power. These make of 5G a potential maritime communication service carrier, capable to support the safe operation of deep-sea conventional vessels and the future deployment of autonomous ships.