Architecture of the regional satellite augmentation system for maritime applications

This paper describes architecture of regional satellite augmentation system (RSAS) in the function of the maritime space communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) networks for enhanced safety and surveying of oceangoing ships, management and tracking of cargo, security of Mariners onboard commercial and passenger ships, yachts, sea platforms and other types of craft. The RSAS network are designed to improve vessel management and transport operation because of the enormous expansion of the world's merchant fleet. However, this network with a special ship tracking system can also improve the protection of merchant ships and their crews against piracy, violence, robbery and terrorist attacks. The international maritime organization (IMO) and shipping flag states have project for development of the international ship and port security (ISPS) and design to implement an approaching and port control system (APCS) by special code for all merchant vessels including determination, tracking and positioning of all ships movements in and out of the seaport area. The Maritime RSAS and CNS systems are integration components of the global satellite augmentation systems (GSAS) of two operational GNSS-1 military networks, such as the US global position system (GPS) and Russian global satellite navigation system (GLONASS). In this paper are also introduced the special effects of the ships RSAS networks and coastal movement guidance and control (CMGC) system for maritime application at sea and in seaports areas

Introduction to Stratospheric Communication Platforms (SCP)

In this paper are introduced the modern airship techniques and technologies as cost effective solutions of Stratospheric Communication Platforms (SCP). The launch or putting in position the airship is not critical point such as launch of satellite and controlling support services in the creation of space-based communication technology and the most expensive phase of the total system cost. Therefore, with few cost effective remote controlled and solar powered airships can be covered some region or country including urban, suburban and rural areas, mobile, farms and other environments with low density of population. The airship SCP network offers better solutions than cellular radio systems, with greater speed of transmission than even optical modes, roaming will be enhanced without severe shadowing or obstacle problems and disturbances inside of buildings and service will cost less. The SPS mission system is more autonomous and discrete, can be integrated with current satellite and cellular systems, and will be the best solution for rural, mobile transportation and military applications. The SCP airship can be seen well from all positions inside coverage area, because they are overlapping the total coverage and because of elevation angle. In any circumstances mountains, buildings and even trees cannot cause obstructions like to cellular network. For these reasons, there is currently a revival of interest for SCP constellations and application types of various system concepts are being studied

Implementation of E-education in Africa via Space Networks

In this paper is introduced an advanced E-education provision in remote dispersed communities, such as rural, remote, mobile, agriculture, mining, construction, surveying, military, tourism and so on, based on the specific needs and requirements, implies significant broadband connectivity requirements, timely and quality-assured content delivery of service, applications and interactivity. The E-education solutions of distance learning and training for remote and rural areas, which are out of range of terrestrial and short distance wireless telecommunications facilities, cannot provide the broadband access without space-enabled communication infrastructures, such as satellite constellations and Stratospheric Platform Systems (SPS) or High Altitude Platforms (HAP). The paper also discusses the integration challenges that are presented by combining use of the space solutions for implementation Education and learning in urban, rural and mobile environments. The configuration of in-house design and development of Space Segment, installation of the scale-down Digital Video Broadcasting-Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) Hub as a Gateway, Ground Network and Interactive VSAT, known as Fixed Interactive Terminals (FIT), for E-education, distance learning and staff training initiative in Africa are described

History of mobile radio and satellite communications

The safety of navigation through all past ages has been a primary preoccupation for all seamen and shipping owners. Distress and disasters at sea caused by the blind forces of Mother Nature or by human factors have occurred during the course of many centuries on ships and in the life of seafarers. For many centuries, seafarers sailed without incoming information about trip, navigation and weather conditions at sea. At that time, only audio and visual transfers of information from point to point were used. However, no earlier than the end of the 19th century, were developed new disciplines, such as the transmission of news and information via wire initially, then by radio (wireless) and latterly, via modern satellite and stratospheric platform communications systems. The facts about airplanes and land vehicles are well determined and clear because these transport mediums have more reliable environments and routes than ships. After a disaster with airplane, train, truck or bus it is much easier to find out their positions and to provide alert, search and assistance. With the exception of safety demands, an important question is the utilization and development of new mobile radio and satellite communications and navigation systems for commercial and social utilization at sea, on land and in the air

Architecture of the global navigation satellite system for maritime applications

This paper introduces architecture of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) networks in the function of the maritime space communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) for enhanced navigation and positioning of vessels deploying passive, active and hybrid global determination satellite systems (GDSS) networks. These GNSS networks have to enhance safety and control oceangoing ships in navigation across the ocean and inland waters, to improve logistics and freight of goods, security of crew and passengers onboard ships. The maritime GNSS networks integrated with geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite constellations are providing important global satellite augmentation systems (GSAS) architecture, which is established by two first generations known GNSS as GNSS-1 infrastructures. The GNSS-1 network is the composition of two subnets such as the US global position system (GPS) and Russian global satellite navigation system (GLONASS). Both GNSS-1 networks play a significant contribution in very precise timing, tracking, guidance, determination and navigation of the oceangoing ships. At this point, both GNSS-1 networks, GPS and GLONASS, are used in maritime and many other mobile and fixed applications to provide enhanced accuracy and high integrity monitoring usable for positioning of the oceangoing ships. To provide improvements of GNSS-1 network it will be necessary to carry out their augmentation within several regional satellite augmentation systems (RSAS) as integration parts of GSAS infrastructures

Space Remote Sensing and Detecting Systems of Oceangoing Ships

This paper introduces the implementation of space remote sensing and detecting systems of oceangoing ships as an alternative to the Radio – Automatic Identification System (R-AIS), Satellite – Automatic Identification System (S-AIS), Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), and other current vessel tracking systems. In this paper will be not included  a new project known as a Global Ship Tracking (GST) as an autonomous and discrete satellite network designed by the Space Science Centre (SSC) for research and postgraduate studies in Satellite Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) at Durban University of Technology (DUT). The ship detection from satellite remote sensing imagery system is a crucial application for maritime safety and security, which includes among others ship tracking, detecting and traffic surveillance, oil spill detection service, and discharge control, sea pollution monitoring, sea ice monitoring service, and protection against illegal fisheries activities. The establishment of a modern sea surface and ships monitoring system needs enhancement of the Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SSAR) that is here discussed as a modern observation infrastructure integrated with Ships Surveillance and Detecting via SSAR TerraSAR-X Spacecraft, Ships Surveillance and Detecting via SSAR Radarsat Spacecraft and Vessels Detecting System (VDS) via SSAR

Development of Airships Stratospheric Platform Systems (SPS)

In this paper are introduced airships as part of new Stratospheric Platform System (SPS) in function of space communications. Airships are the latest space techniques with advanced technology for fixed and all mobile applications, including military and rural solutions. This SPS employ unmanned or manned, solar or fuel energy airships or aircraft carrying payloads with transponders and antennas. The airship SPS can be considered as a novel solution for providing communication and navigation services. The research and development of airships for putting the system in to practical use is ongoing in some countries. The remote controlled-solar powered airships or aircraft offer a much more cost effective solution for coverage of some region or country including urban, suburban, rural areas, farms and other environments with low population densities. The airship network offers a better solution than existing cellular radio systems, with greater speed of transmission than even ground optical modes. An airship roaming is enhanced without severe shadowing problems and disturbances inside buildings, and the service costs less. The airships mission today can be integrated with current Satellite or cellular systems. This space solution is more autonomous and discrete and will be good solution for rural, military and all mobile applications

Introduction to Ships Satellite Tracking Systems

This paper introduces the current and new Satellite solutions for local and global tracking of ships for enhanced Ship Traffic Control (STC) and Ship Traffic Management (STM) at sea, in sea passages, approaching to the anchorages and inside of seaports. All transportation systems and especially for maritime applications require far more sophisticated technology solutions and equipment for modern Satellite ship tracking than current standalone the US GPS or Russian GLONAS positioning systems. The existing and forthcoming Global Ship Tracking (GST), Satellite Data Link (SDL) and Local Ship Tracking (LST) systems with Space and Ground Segment infrastructures for all three systems are discussed including benefits of these new technologies and solution for improved STC

Implementation of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS)

In this paper is introduced the first proposal for development of Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) in 1999 by the author of this article. The GADSS is de facto the integration of space (radio and satellite) Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) with Tracking, Detecting and Search and Rescue (SAR) systems, which have to provide airmen with global communications and locating networks. The GPS, GLONASS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide precise positioning data for vessels, land vehicles and aircraft, but modern CNS demands need for enhanced services and augmentation of GNSS networks. Both networks have to be integrated under an GADSS umbrella with elements capable of being operated by any individual onboard aircraft to ensure prompt distress alert for SAR procedure. The enhanced concept of GADSS is that SAR authorities ashore and ships in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft in distress have to be rapidly alerted via radio and satellite communication systems and to assist in a coordinated SAR operations with the minimum of delay. In 2016, 16 years in delay, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has begun its process to amend international standards and recommended practices to align with GADSS concept. This paper will also introduce the necessary networks and equipment, which has to ensure harmonized and enhanced maritime and aeronautical global SAR systems