Integrated satellite-terrestrial connectivity for autonomous ships:Survey and future research directions

An autonomous vessel uses multiple different radio technologies such as satellites, mobile networks and dedicated narrowband systems, to connect to other ships, services, and the remote operations center (ROC). In-ship communication is mainly implemented with wired technologies but also wireless links can be used. In this survey paper, we provide a short overview of autonomous and remote-controlled systems. This paper reviews 5G-related standardization in the maritime domain, covering main use cases and both the role of autonomous ships and that of people onboard. We discuss the concept of a connectivity manager, an intelligent entity that manages complex set of technologies, integrating satellite and terrestrial technologies together, ensuring robust in-ship connections and ship-to-outside connections in any environment. This survey paper describes the architecture and functionalities of connectivity management required for an autonomous ship to be able to operate globally. As a specific case example, we have implemented a research environment consisting of ship simulators with connectivity components. Our simulation results on the effects of delays to collision avoidance confirm the role of reliable connectivity for safety. Finally, we outline future research directions for autonomous ship connectivity research, providing ideas for further work

Sensor-assisted Video Mapping of the Seafloor

In recent years video surveys have become an increasingly important ground-truthing of acousticseafloor characterization and benthic habitat mapping studies. However, the ground-truthing and detailed characterization provided by video are still typically done using sparse sample imagery supplemented by physical samples. Combining single video frames in a seamless mosaic can provide a tool by which imagery has significant areal coverage, while at the same time showing small fauna and biological features at mm resolution. The generation of such a mosaic is a challenging task due to height variations of the imaged terrain and decimeter scale knowledge of camera position. This paper discusses the current role of underwater video survey, and the potential for generating consistent, quantitative image maps using video data, accompanied by data that can be measured by auxiliary sensors with sufficient accuracy, such as camera tilt and heading, and their use in automated mosaicking techniques. The camera attitude data also provide the necessary information to support the development of a video collage. The collage provides a quick look at the large spatial scale features in a scene and can be used to pinpoint regions that are likely to yield useful information when rendered into high-resolution mosaics. It is proposed that high quality mosaics can be produced using consumer-grade cameras and low-cost sensors, thereby allowing for the economical scientific video surveys. A case study is presented with the results from benthic habitat mapping and the ground-truthing ofseafloor acoustic data using both real underwater imagery and simulations. A computer modeling of the process of video data acquisition (in particular on a non-flat terrain) allows for a better understanding of the main sources of error in mosaic generation and for the choice of near-optimal processing strategies. Various spatial patterns of video survey coverage are compared and it is shown that some patterns have certain advantages in the sense of accumulated error and overall mosaic accuracy

Self-Positioning Smart Buoys, The \u27Un-Buoy\u27 Solution: Logistic Considerations Using Autonomous Surface Craft Technology and Improved Communications Infrastructure

Moored buoys have long served national interests, but incur high development, construction, installation, and maintenance costs. Buoys which drift off-location can pose hazards to mariners, and in coastal waters may cause environmental damage. Moreover, retrieval, repair and replacement of drifting buoys may be delayed when data would be most useful. Such gaps in coastal buoy data can pose a threat to national security by reducing maritime domain awareness. The concept of self-positioning buoys has been advanced to reduce installation cost by eliminating mooring hardware. We here describe technology for operation of reduced cost self-positioning buoys which can be used in coastal or oceanic waters. The ASC SCOUT model is based on a self-propelled, GPS-positioned, autonomous surface craft that can be pre-programmed, autonomous, or directed in real time. Each vessel can communicate wirelessly with deployment vessels and other similar buoys directly or via satellite. Engineering options for short or longer term power requirements are considered, in addition to future options for improved energy delivery systems. Methods of reducing buoy drift and position-maintaining energy requirements for self-locating buoys are also discussed, based on the potential of incorporating traditional maritime solutions to these problems. We here include discussion of the advanced Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) communications draft protocol which offers improved wireless communication capabilities underwater, to adjacent vessels, and to satellites. DTN is particularly adapted for noisy or loss-prone environments, thus it improves reliability. In addition to existing buoy communication via commercial satellites, a growing network of small satellites known as PICOSATs can be readily adapted to provide low-cost communications nodes for buoys. Coordination with planned vessel Automated Identification Systems (AIS) and International Maritime Organization standards for buoy and vessel notificat- - ion systems are reviewed and the legal framework for deployment of autonomous surface vessels is considered

Smart ports: towards a high performance, increased productivity, and a better environment

Ports are currently competing fiercely for capital and global investments in order to improve revenues, mostly by improving performance and lowering labor costs. Smart ports are a fantastic approach to realize these elements since they integrate information and communication technologies within smart applications, ultimately contributing to port management improvement. This leads to greater performance and lower operational expenses. As a result, several ports in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America have gone smart. However, there are a lot of critical factors to consider when automating port operations, such as greenhouse gas emissions, which have reached alarming proportions. The purpose of this study is to define the most essential tasks conducted by smart ports, such as the smart ship industry, smart gantry and quayside container cranes, transport automation, smart containers, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, it gives a model of the smart port concept and highlights the critical current technologies on which the ports are based. Each technology’s most significant contributions to its development are noted. This technology is compared to more traditional technologies. It is hoped that this effort would pique the curiosity of fresh researchers in this sector

Autonomous Sailboat Navigation

The purpose of this study was to investigate novel methods on an unmanned sailing boat, which enables it to sail fully autonomously, navigate safely, and perform long-term missions. The author used robotic sailing boat prototypes for field experiments as his main research method. Two robotic sailing boats have been developed especially for this purpose. A compact software model of a sailing boat's behaviour allowed for further evaluation of routing and obstacle avoidance methods in a computer simulation. The results of real-world experiments and computer simulations are validated against each other. It has been demonstrated that autonomous boat sailing is possible by the effective combination of appropriate new and novel techniques that will allow autonomous sailing boats to create appropriate routes, to react properly on obstacles and to carry out sailing manoeuvres by controlling rudder and sails. Novel methods for weather routing, collision avoidance, and autonomous manoeuvre execution have been proposed and successfully demonstrated. The combination of these techniques in a layered hybrid subsumption architecture make robotic sailing boats a promising tool for many applications, especially in ocean observation

Farklı Taşıma Modlarının Çatışmadan Kaçınma Sistemlerinin Karşılaştırılması

Different modes of transportation are often used in our daily lives. Therefore, how safe these modes are commonly researched by researchers. Many models and methods are developed to avoidcollision with the development of technology. This development is aimed to improving the safety of life and property. The technological developments also aim to reduce the minimum level of the humanerror. Technological devices developed to prevent collision are applied in systematic way according to type of transportation mode. When comparatively examined, it is similar to each other technology used indifferent modes. In this respect, proposed model and methods are similar in general. These approaches are generally based on position of vehicles relative to each other and also rules have been developed taking into consideration the possibilities that may occur. Real-time sensors used toavoid collision in vehicles reduce risk of collision and provide significantachievements on behalf of avoiding collision. Besides this, it has beenconsidered important a communication network between vehicles. As a result, the importance of the technological devices developed to ensure collision avoidance is increasing in our life. Thus, the study aims to explain and compare the methods, models and techniques used in the different transportation modes so as to avoid collision.Keywords: Collision avoidance, Transportation mode, Autonomoussystems, Artificial intelligenceGünlük hayatımızda farklı ulaşım modları sıklıkla kullanılmaktadır. Bu sebeple bu modların ne kadar güvenli olduğu sıklıkla araştırılmaktadır. Teknolojinin gelişmesi ile birlikte çatışmadan kaçınma amacıyla birçok model ve metot geliştirilmektedir. Bu gelişmeler can ve mal güvenliği arttırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Teknolojik uygulamaların amacı insan hatasını en az seviyeye indirmektir. Çatışmayı önlemek için geliştirilen teknolojik donanımlar önem sırasına göre farklı ulaşım yollarında sistematik bir şekilde uygulanmaktadır. Karşılaştırmalı olarak incelendiğinde ise farklı ulaşım modlarında kullanılan teknolojiler birbirlerine benzemektedir. Bu bakımdan, önerilen model ve metotlar birbirine benzer niteliktedir. Genel olarak bu hesaplamalarda ulaşım araçlarının birbirlerine göre konumları baz alınmış, oluşabilecek ihtimaller göz önüne alınarak kurallar geliştirilmiştir. Ulaşım araçlarında çatışmayı önlemek için kullanılan gerçekzamanlı sensörler riski azaltarak, çatışmadan kaçınma adına önemli ölçüde başarılar sağlamaktadır. Bunun yanında araçlar arası bir iletişim ağı ile doğrudan haberleşmeye de önem verilmiştir. Sonuç olarak çatışmadan kaçınmayı sağlamak için geliştirilen teknolojik donanımların hayatımızdaki önemi gün geçtikçe artmaktadır. Buradan hareketle, bu araştırmada günümüz teknolojileri ile farklı ulaşım modlarındaki çatışmadan kaçınma amacıyla kullanılan metotlar, teknikler ve yöntemlerin açıklanması ve karşılaştırılması hedeflenmektedir.Anahtar sözcükler: Çatışmadan kaçınma, Ulaşım modları, Otonom sistemler, Yapay zek