Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Communication Networks for the Maritime Internet of Things: Key Technologies, Opportunities, and Challenges

With the rapid development of marine activities, there has been an increasing number of maritime mobile terminals, as well as a growing demand for high-speed and ultra-reliable maritime communications to keep them connected. Traditionally, the maritime Internet of Things (IoT) is enabled by maritime satellites. However, satellites are seriously restricted by their high latency and relatively low data rate. As an alternative, shore & island-based base stations (BSs) can be built to extend the coverage of terrestrial networks using fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and beyond 5G services. Unmanned aerial vehicles can also be exploited to serve as aerial maritime BSs. Despite of all these approaches, there are still open issues for an efficient maritime communication network (MCN). For example, due to the complicated electromagnetic propagation environment, the limited geometrically available BS sites, and rigorous service demands from mission-critical applications, conventional communication and networking theories and methods should be tailored for maritime scenarios. Towards this end, we provide a survey on the demand for maritime communications, the state-of-the-art MCNs, and key technologies for enhancing transmission efficiency, extending network coverage, and provisioning maritime-specific services. Future challenges in developing an environment-aware, service-driven, and integrated satellite-air-ground MCN to be smart enough to utilize external auxiliary information, e.g., sea state and atmosphere conditions, are also discussed

Wi-Fi Long Distance Maritime Communications Data Analytics

Nowadays, wireless communications are becoming more and more important to the development of the society, not only in land, but also in the sea. When discussing about communications in maritime environments the scenario is different and harder, because of several factors, such as, the movement on the surface of the sea, the characteristics of the radio propagation and the possible intermittent obstruction that decrease the efficiency of signal propagation. Plenty of wireless communications solutions are already used in maritime environment, such as HF/VHF, which doesn't support high rates; satellite communications, which is an expensive technology and not affordable by most of users; and mobile communications (GSM, 3G and LTE), that only ensure connection near the coast. The main purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the characterization of the propagation channel and the problems associated with the use of Wi-Fi technology for different frequencies in this kind of environment

Satellite-based delivery of educational content to geographically isolated communities: A service based approach

Enabling learning for members of geographically isolated communities presents benefits in terms of promoting regional development and cost savings for governments and companies. However, notwithstanding recent advances in e-Learning, from both technological and pedagogical perspectives, there are very few, if any, recognised methodologies for user-led design of satellite-based e-learning infrastructures. In this paper, we present a methodology for designing a satellite and wireless based network infrastructure and learning services to support distance learning for such isolated communities. This methodology entails (a) the involvement of community members in the development of targeted learning services from an early stage, and (b) a service-oriented approach to learning solution deployment. Results show, that, while the technological premises of distance learning can be accommodated by hybrid satellite/wireless infrastructures,this has to be complemented with (a) high-quality audio–visual educational material, and (b) the opportunity for community members to interact with other community members either as groups (common-room oriented scenarios) or individuals (home-based scenarios), thus providing an impetus for learner engagement in both formal and informal activities

A review of relay network on UAVS for enhanced connectivity

One of the best evolution in technology breakthroughs is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This aerial system is able to perform the mission in an agile environment and can reach the hard areas to perform the tasks autonomously. UAVs can be used in post-disaster situations to estimate damages, to monitor and to respond to the victims. The Ground Control Station can also provide emergency messages and ad-hoc communication to the Mobile Users of the disaster-stricken community using this network. A wireless network can also extend its communication range using UAV as a relay. Major requirements from such networks are robustness, scalability, energy efficiency and reliability. In general, UAVs are easy to deploy, have Line of Sight options and are flexible in nature. However, their 3D mobility, energy constraints, and deployment environment introduce many challenges. This paper provides a discussion of basic UAV based multi-hop relay network architecture and analyses their benefits, applications, and tradeoffs. Key design considerations and challenges are investigated finding fundamental issues and potential research directions to exploit them. Finally, analytical tools and frameworks for performance optimizations are presented

Space-Air-Ground Integrated 6G Wireless Communication Networks: A Review of Antenna Technologies and Application Scenarios

A review of technological solutions and advances in the framework of a Vertical Heterogeneous Network (VHetNet) integrating satellite, airborne and terrestrial networks is presented. The disruptive features and challenges offered by a fruitful cooperation among these segments within a ubiquitous and seamless wireless connectivity are described. The available technologies and the key research directions for achieving global wireless coverage by considering all these layers are thoroughly discussed. Emphasis is placed on the available antenna systems in satellite, airborne and ground layers by highlighting strengths and weakness and by providing some interesting trends in research. A summary of the most suitable applicative scenarios for future 6G wireless communications are finally illustrated

Rapidly deployable, self forming, wireless networks for maritime interdiction operations

The term "Maritime Interdiction Operations" usually refers to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations executed today all over the world. These operations are conducted as a part of the maritime law enforcement policy of each country inside their respective territorial waters or as a part of the homeland security requirements as they are mandated today by the global war against terrorism. Very often lately, they are conducted by allied maritime forces in international waters as well. Although such operations might seem quite simple in execution, the global war against terrorism has dramatically increased their level of complexity. In the past, searching cargo ships for illegal or contraband cargo was not that complicated or that important for national security, but now, searching for non-proliferation, radiological or bio-chemical material, as well as for possible terrorists among the crew members of a ship, is a very complex operation that cannot tolerate mistakes or omissions. This thesis examines the requirements posed by a boarding team, either from the navy or the law enforcement community, on information flow from and to them, in order to enhance their situational awareness and decision making capability during Maritime Interdiction Operations. That information flow is provided by several wireless network technologies, implemented during field trials, as part of the NPS CENETIX (Center for Network Innovation and Experimentation) lab s maritime subset of experimentation. During these field trials, a wireless extension of the internet is deployed to the sea, allowing the boarding team to access information and collaborate with remotely located experts and respective operational commands, the technical aspects, the benefits and shortcomings of the utilized technologies and collaborative tools are screened against the maritime war fighter's operational requirements.http://archive.org/details/rapidlydeployabl109452647Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

5G and beyond networks

This chapter investigates the Network Layer aspects that will characterize the merger of the cellular paradigm and the IoT architectures, in the context of the evolution towards 5G-and-beyond, including some promising emerging services as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Base Stations, and V2X communications

MM-Wave HetNet in 5G and beyond Cellular Networks Reinforcement Learning Method to improve QoS and Exploiting Path Loss Model

This paper presents High density heterogeneous networks (HetNet) which are the most promising technology for the fifth generation (5G) cellular network. Since 5G will be available for a long time, previous generation networking systems will need customization and updates. We examine the merits and drawbacks of legacy and Q-Learning (QL)-based adaptive resource allocation systems. Furthermore, various comparisons between methods and schemes are made for the purpose of evaluating the solutions for future generation. Microwave macro cells are used to enable extra high capacity such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), eNodeB (eNB), and Multimedia Communications Wireless technology (MC), in which they are most likely to be deployed. This paper also presents four scenarios for 5G mm-Wave implementation, including proposed system architectures. The WL algorithm allocates optimal power to the small cell base station (SBS) to satisfy the minimum necessary capacity of macro cell user equipment (MUEs) and small cell user equipment (SCUEs) in order to provide quality of service (QoS) (SUEs). The challenges with dense HetNet and the massive backhaul traffic they generate are discussed in this study. Finally, a core HetNet design based on clusters is aimed at reducing backhaul traffic. According to our findings, MM-wave HetNet and MEC can be useful in a wide range of applications, including ultra-high data rate and low latency communications in 5G and beyond. We also used the channel model simulator to examine the directional power delay profile with received signal power, path loss, and path loss exponent (PLE) for both LOS and NLOS using uniform linear array (ULA) 2X2 and 64x16 antenna configurations at 38 GHz and 73 GHz mmWave bands for both LOS and NLOS (NYUSIM). The simulation results show the performance of several path loss models in the mmWave and sub-6 GHz bands. The path loss in the close-in (CI) model at mmWave bands is higher than that of open space and two ray path loss models because it considers all shadowing and reflection effects between transmitter and receiver. We also compared the suggested method to existing models like Amiri, Su, Alsobhi, Iqbal, and greedy (non adaptive), and found that it not only enhanced MUE and SUE minimum capacities and reduced BT complexity, but it also established a new minimum QoS threshold. We also talked about 6G researches in the future. When compared to utilizing the dual slope route loss model alone in a hybrid heterogeneous network, our simulation findings show that decoupling is more visible when employing the dual slope path loss model, which enhances system performance in terms of coverage and data rate

CONCEPTUALIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES AS COMMUNICATIONS RELAYS IN A GPS-DENIED ENVIRONMENT

Many armed forces are becoming network-centric and highly interconnected. This transformation, along with decentralized decision-making, has been enabled by technological advancements in the digital battlefield. As the battlefield evolves and missions require units to be mobile and support numerous tactical capabilities, the current concept of deploying static radio-relay nodes to extend the range of communication may no longer be suitable. Hence, this thesis aims to design an operational concept using unmanned aerial systems such as aerostats and tactical drones to provide beyond line-of-sight communication for tactical forces while overcoming the limitations in a GPS-denied environment. The proposed concept is divided into three phases to assess operational and communication system needs, given Federal Communications Commission regulations that set the maximum effective isotropic radiated power in the industrial, scientific, and medical band at 36 dBm. The maximum communication range between two nodes can be studied using the Friis propagation equation. In addition, Simulink software is used to study the effective application throughput with respect to distance. From the analysis, IEEE 802.11ax can provide a higher data throughput and support both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz frequency bands. Using a simulated environment and operational scenario, the estimated number of aerial systems required to provide communication coverage for a 50 km by 50 km area is determined.Captain, Singapore ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited