A VTS signal coverage test system

Abstract

This invention discloses a VTS signal coverage testing system. The system includes a shore-based VTS testing system and a test vessel. The test vessel is equipped with a data transmission radio, an AIS transmitter, a VHF radio, and a positioning unit. The data transmission radio receives VHF radio test commands sent by the shore-based VTS testing system, enabling the ship's CPU to control the VHF radio to automatically broadcast test voice messages. The AIS transmitter automatically transmits AIS signals using CSTDMA. The shore-based VTS testing system receives and compares the AIS signals transmitted by the AIS transmitter and the radar signals collected by the VTS system's radar to determine the identity and location information of the test vessel, thereby identifying any areas with poor signal coverage. This invention uses AIS signals to identify the test vessel as a target, then compares them with the radar signals of the VTS system to determine the identity and location of the test vessel, thus identifying the true coverage blind spots of the VTS system's radar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of signal coverage testing technology, and more specifically to a VTS signal coverage testing system. Background Technology

[0002] The VTS (Vehicle Traffic Safety Administration) system is a crucial platform for the maritime safety administration to conduct real-time monitoring of its jurisdictional waters. This system can access multiple radar signals to actively detect and monitor moving test vessels within the waters. However, in actual operation, the VTS system cannot accurately determine the actual effective coverage range of the radar. Furthermore, as the system ages, some components deteriorate, increasing the uncertainty of signal coverage. Therefore, this paper designs a radar signal coverage testing system to periodically test the radar system's signal coverage, achieving a low-cost and highly automated testing system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a VTS signal coverage testing system.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a VTS signal coverage testing system, including a shore-based VTS testing system and a test vessel. The test vessel is equipped with a data transmission radio, an AIS transmitter, a VHF radio, and a positioning unit. The data transmission radio, AIS transmitter, VHF radio, and positioning unit are respectively connected to the shipborne CPU.

[0005] The data radio is used to receive VHF radio test commands sent by the shore-based VTS test system and send the VHF test commands to the shipboard CPU so that the shipboard CPU controls the VHF radio to automatically broadcast test voice and record the received shore-based voice signals.

[0006] The AIS transmitter automatically transmits AIS signals in CSTDMA mode;

[0007] The shore-based VTS test system is used to receive AIS signals transmitted by the AIS transmitter and radar signals collected by the VTS system's radar. It compares the AIS signals with the radar signals to determine whether the identity and location information of the test vessel in the AIS signals and radar signals are consistent, thereby determining whether there are areas with poor signal in the VTS system's radar. It also records the VHF voice broadcast audio content in real time, marks the points on the map, and uses automatic voice recognition to determine the quality of the VHF voice content.

[0008] Furthermore, the positioning unit includes a GNSS receiving unit, and the shipborne CPU is also connected to a compass antenna, a rudder control unit, and a rudder angle sensor. The data transmission radio is also used to receive the route path and navigation control commands planned and issued by the shore-based VTS test system. The shipborne CPU is also used to control the operation of the rudder control unit based on the information collected by the GNSS receiving unit, the compass antenna, and the rudder angle sensor, and to control the test ship to navigate along the route path according to the navigation control commands.

[0009] Furthermore, the shipboard CPU is also used to automatically record the VDO information of the AIS and store it in the local navigation log.

[0010] Furthermore, the shipborne CPU is also used to acquire the status information of the test ship and control the data transmission radio to automatically report the status information of the test ship.

[0011] Furthermore, the status information of the test vessel includes latitude and longitude information, ground speed, ground heading, bow direction, rudder angle information, and the operating current and voltage information of the steering gear controller.

[0012] Furthermore, the data transmission radio is model D908, with a transmission power of 55W, and operates in the frequency range of 424MHz-444MHz.

[0013] Furthermore, the VHF radio station is model FM-8900.

[0014] Beneficial effects: This invention uses a test vessel equipped with an AIS transmitter, VHF radio, and other equipment to navigate in the relevant test waters. The system identifies the test vessel as a target using AIS signals and compares them with the radar signals of the VTS system to determine the identity and location of the test vessel, thus identifying the true coverage blind spots of the VTS system's radar. Simultaneously, during radar signal testing, the coverage range of the VHF signal can be tested automatically. The test vessel offers advantages such as remote control operation, accurate navigation path, and low operating costs. It can periodically conduct accurate tests on the VTS signal coverage and generate scientific and intuitive test reports. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the VTS signal coverage testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the equipment configuration on the test ship according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are implemented based on the technical solutions of the present invention, and it should be understood that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a VTS signal coverage testing system, including a shore-based VTS testing system and a test vessel. The test vessel is equipped with a data transmission radio 1, an AIS transmitter 2, a VHF radio 3, and a positioning unit, all of which are connected to an onboard CPU 4.

[0019] Data radio 1 is used to receive VHF radio test commands sent by the shore-based VTS test system and transmit the VHF test commands to the shipboard CPU 4, so that the shipboard CPU 4 controls VHF radio 3 to automatically broadcast test voice and record the received shore-based voice signals. Specifically, the preferred model of data radio 1 is D908, with a transmission power of 55W, and operates in the frequency range of 424MHz-444MHz. The preferred model of VHF radio 3 is FM-8900. The specific parameters of data radio 1 are shown in Table 1.

[0020]

[0021] Table 1

[0022] AIS transmitter 2 automatically transmits AIS signals via CSTDMA. These signals include information such as the test vessel's MMSI number, position, speed, and heading. AIS transmitter 2 has a power output of 5W; specific parameters are shown in Table 2.

[0023]

[0024] Table 2

[0025] The shore-based VTS test system receives AIS signals transmitted by AIS transmitter 2 and radar signals collected by the VTS system's radar. It compares the received AIS and radar signals to determine if the test vessel's identity and location information in the AIS and radar signals matches, thereby identifying areas with poor radar signal coverage. Specifically, the shore-based VTS test system effectively fuses the received AIS and radar signals. By comparing the test vessel's latitude and longitude position in the AIS signal with the radar signal scan, it accurately determines whether the VTS system's radar can monitor the test vessel's displacement in real time, thus identifying areas with poor signal coverage. The shore-based VTS test system records VHF voice broadcasts in real time, marks them on a map, and uses automatic voice recognition to assess the quality of the VHF voice transmission and reception, thereby simultaneously testing the VHF signal coverage. The shore-based VTS test system can also monitor the test vessel's position and status in real time, adjust the test and navigation parameters in real time, and display the test vessel in a GIS map format.

[0026] The positioning unit in this embodiment of the invention includes a GNSS receiving unit 5. The shipborne CPU 4 is also connected to a compass antenna 6, a rudder control unit 7, and a rudder angle sensor 8. The data transmission radio 1 is used to receive the route path and navigation control commands planned and issued by the shore-based VTS test system. The shipborne CPU 4 is also used to control the operation of the rudder control unit 7 based on the information collected by the GNSS receiving unit 5, the compass antenna 6, and the rudder angle sensor 8, and to control the test vessel to navigate along the route path according to the navigation control commands. The rudder control unit 7 is the actuator controller for the rudder, used to control the test vessel's rudder to make left and right rudder movements. The rudder control unit 7 can be controlled by a servo motor, and the rudder accuracy can be controlled within 0.1°. The rudder angle sensor 8 is a key sensor for the test vessel's navigation, sensing the current rudder angle of the test vessel in real time and transmitting it to the shipborne CPU 4 for automatic navigation calculation. The specific parameters of the rudder angle sensor 8 are shown in Table 3.

[0027]

[0028] The shipborne CPU4 in this embodiment of the invention is also used to automatically record the VDO information of AIS and store it in the local navigation log.

[0029] The shipborne CPU in this embodiment of the invention is also used to acquire the status information of the test vessel and control the data transmission radio 1 to automatically report the status information of the test vessel. The aforementioned status information of the test vessel includes latitude and longitude information, ground speed, ground heading, bow heading, rudder angle information, and the operating current and voltage information of the servo controller. Preferably, the accuracy of the latitude and longitude information is 1 / 600,000 degrees, the accuracy of the ground speed is preferably 0.1 knots, the accuracy of the ground heading is preferably 0.1 degrees, the accuracy of the bow heading is preferably 0.1 degrees, the accuracy of the rudder angle information is preferably 0.1 degrees, and the accuracy of the operating current and voltage of the servo controller is preferably 0.1A and 0.1V, respectively. The test vessel preferably has a maximum speed ≤15 knots and can adapt to sea state 4 at most.

[0030] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, other parts not specifically described are existing technology or common knowledge. Several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A VTS signal coverage test system, characterized by, The test system comprises a shore-based VTS test system and a test ship, wherein the test ship is provided with a DSC, an AIS transmitter, a VHF radio and a positioning unit, and the DSC, the AIS transmitter, the VHF radio and the positioning unit are connected with a shipborne CPU respectively; The DSC is used to receive the VHF radio test instruction sent by the shore-based VTS test system and send the VHF radio test instruction to the shipborne CPU, so that the shipborne CPU controls the VHF radio to automatically broadcast test voice and record the received shore-based voice signal; The AIS transmitter automatically transmits AIS signals in a CSTDMA mode; The shore-based VTS test system is used to receive the AIS signals transmitted by the AIS transmitter and radar signals collected by a radar of the VTS system, compare the AIS signals with the radar signals, determine whether the identity and position information of the test ship in the AIS signals and the radar signals are consistent, and judge whether there is a signal bad area in the radar of the VTS system, record the VHF radio voice broadcast audio content in real time, mark on a map, and judge whether the VHF radio voice broadcast audio content is good or not in an automatic speech recognition mode.

2. The VTS signal coverage test system according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning unit comprises a GNSS receiving unit, the shipborne CPU is further connected with a compass antenna, a rudder execution control unit and a rudder angle sensor, the DSC is further used to receive a route path and a navigation control instruction planned and issued by the shore-based VTS test system, and the shipborne CPU is further used to control the test ship to navigate along the route path according to the information collected by the GNSS receiving unit, the compass antenna and the rudder angle sensor and the control of the rudder execution control unit and according to the navigation control instruction.

3. The VTS signal coverage test system of claim 1, wherein, The shipborne CPU is further used to automatically record VDO information of the AIS and store the VDO information into a local navigation log.

4. The VTS signal coverage test system of claim 1, wherein, The shipborne CPU is further used to acquire state information of the test ship and control the DSC to automatically report the state information of the test ship.

5. A VTS signal overlay test system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The state information of the test ship comprises latitude and longitude information, ground navigation speed, ground navigation direction, ship heading, rudder angle information and operating current and voltage information of a rudder controller.

6. The VTS signal coverage test system of claim 1, wherein, The DSC is of a D908 type, has a transmitting power of 55W and works in a frequency range of 424-444MHz.

7. A VTS signal overlay test system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The VHF radio is of an FM-8900 type.

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