Ship information network system and method and ship

Abstract

The invention discloses a ship information network system and method and a ship. The system comprises an annular backbone network, satellite communication equipment and a video-on-demand server, and the annular backbone network is formed by connecting network nodes of decks of all layers in a ship in series through multi-core optical fibers and forming a closed loop; the satellite communication equipment is in communication connection with the annular backbone network and is used for communicating a local area network of the ship with an external network so as to realize ship-shore communication; the on-demand server is in communication connection with the annular backbone network and is used for caching local streaming media from a ship and video entertainment information from a shore base; wherein through the virtual local area network, business sub-networks which at least comprise a ship office local area network, a voice communication local area network and a sailor entertainment local area network are logically divided in each layer of deck in the annular backbone network. According to the technical scheme, integration of network communication and entertainment service is achieved, and normal operation of production and life in the navigation process is guaranteed on the whole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of shipbuilding technology, and in particular to a ship information network system, method and ship. Background Technology

[0002] Of course, the polar regions attract international attention, and more and more people are actively seeking opportunities to participate in the future development of the polar regions, promoting the expected growth of polar shipping. The polar waters have a unique geographical location and harsh environmental conditions, posing many additional dangers to ships navigating in them, such as reduced ship stability due to cold weather, frozen pipelines, navigation equipment failure, and decreased crew productivity. Therefore, maintaining communication between the ship and the outside world, as well as between different areas within the ship, is crucial. Ocean-going vessels spend long periods at sea, and the crew's life can be relatively monotonous. Therefore, omnidirectional television or satellite television is usually installed on board for the crew's leisure and entertainment.

[0003] Therefore, ensuring ship communication and providing entertainment services for crew members have become one of the key research focuses for technical personnel in related fields. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a ship information network system, method, and ship to provide an integrated solution for network communication and entertainment services.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, a ship information network system is provided, comprising a ring backbone network, satellite communication equipment, and a video-on-demand server, wherein...

[0006] The ring backbone network is composed of network nodes on each deck of the ship connected in series through multi-core optical fibers to form a closed loop.

[0007] Satellite communication equipment is connected to a ring backbone network to enable communication between the ship's local area network and external networks, thereby achieving ship-to-shore communication.

[0008] The on-demand server is connected to the ring backbone network to cache local streaming media originating from the ship and audio-visual entertainment information from shore-based sources.

[0009] Among them, through virtual local area networks, business subnets, including at least a ship office local area network, a voice communication local area network, and a crew entertainment local area network, are logically divided between each deck in the ring backbone network.

[0010] The network nodes are operated by network switches;

[0011] Network switches include the core switch corresponding to the ship's main bridge and the secondary switches corresponding to each deck. The secondary switches include access switches and aggregation switches.

[0012] The ring backbone network includes:

[0013] Starting from the core switch, access switches or aggregation switches are sequentially deployed on each deck via multi-core optical fibers, and then back to the core switch via multi-core optical fibers to form a physically closed loop topology.

[0014] The system also includes a wireless access network; the wireless access network is connected to the ring backbone network through an access switch, and provides crew members with wireless access services to the ship's office LAN, voice communication LAN and crew entertainment LAN.

[0015] The crew entertainment LAN is used to request local streaming media or audio-visual entertainment information from the shore-based server.

[0016] The satellite communication equipment uses the C-band VSAT satellite network, which covers the North and South Poles and is already operational.

[0017] The voice communication local area network interacts with satellite communication equipment through a ring backbone network, thereby interconnecting with shore-based voice networks via satellite communication equipment.

[0018] The system also includes a bandwidth management device, which is located between the satellite communication equipment and the ring backbone network.

[0019] The bandwidth management device performs bandwidth management on the uplink and downlink of the satellite communication equipment based on a preset strategy; the preset strategy prioritizes the transmission of service data related to ship management, navigation and safety.

[0020] According to a second aspect of this application, a method for providing crew entertainment services is provided, implemented based on a ship information network system provided in the first aspect of this application, the method comprising:

[0021] Using satellite communication equipment, audio-visual entertainment information is synchronized from the shore-based content center to the ship's local on-demand server according to a pre-set plan;

[0022] In response to a request from a crew terminal to a video-on-demand server, the video-on-demand server distributes the requested entertainment information to the crew terminal via the ship's ring backbone network. The crew terminal includes terminal devices connected to the crew entertainment local area network and personal wireless devices authenticated by the ring backbone network.

[0023] According to a third aspect of this application, a ship is provided that is equipped with a ship information network system provided in the first aspect of this application.

[0024] The technical solution of this application embodiment, by constructing a ring backbone network and combining it with satellite communication equipment and on-demand servers, ensures communication between internal and external parties of the ship. At the same time, the on-demand server provides stable entertainment services for the crew members on board the ship, realizing the integration of network communication and entertainment services, and ensuring the normal operation of production and life during the voyage.

[0025] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this application. Other features of this application will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a ship information network system provided according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a ship information network system provided according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a ship information network system provided in an embodiment of this application. This embodiment is applicable to communication and entertainment services provided by ships navigating in polar regions such as the Antarctic or Arctic. The ship information network system includes a ring backbone network, satellite communication equipment, and a video-on-demand server, as detailed below:

[0032] A ring backbone network consists of network nodes on each deck of a ship connected in series via multi-core optical fibers to form a closed loop. Ships typically have multiple decks, each with compartments designed for different functions. Due to the importance of the decks to the ship, they are generally constructed with the strongest materials, which can lead to poor wireless communication between decks. Therefore, network nodes are deployed on each deck, and different network nodes are serially connected via multi-core optical fibers, ultimately returning to the starting point of the connection to form a closed loop. The starting point of the optical fiber can be the bridge. Once the closed loop is formed, even if a problem occurs and the loop is broken at any point, other network nodes can still interact with the bridge through the other direction of the loop. Generally, network nodes are implemented using actual switching equipment.

[0033] Satellite communication equipment connects to the ring backbone network to enable communication between the ship's local area network (LAN) and external networks, facilitating ship-to-shore communication. This satellite communication equipment can be suitable for high-latitude polar regions, such as VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite network equipment. VSAT supports internet browsing, email and large file transfers, and video conferencing. The satellite communication equipment connects to the ship's ring backbone network via a communication link, and interacts with shore-based equipment through satellite communication. Therefore, any equipment connected to the ring backbone network can establish communication with shore-based equipment through this satellite equipment.

[0034] The on-demand server is communicatively connected to the ring backbone network and is used to cache local streaming media originating from the ship and audio-visual entertainment information from shore-based sources. The on-demand server can be a server for on-demand audio-visual and entertainment information, such as an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) server, etc., which is not limited in this embodiment. The on-demand server can also be connected to the ring backbone network via a communication connection to provide local audio-visual resources on board the ship, or audio-visual entertainment information from shore-based sources, such as including but not limited to movies, news, and games.

[0035] In this system, a virtual local area network (VLAN) is used to logically divide the ring backbone network across each deck into service subnets, including at least a ship's office LAN, a voice communication LAN, and a crew entertainment LAN. It's understood that different cabins on each deck serve different purposes. To ensure that crew members in different cabins can freely and stably connect to the ring backbone network and fulfill their different functional needs, VLAN technology is used on each deck to logically divide the network into multiple independent network domains. A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a method of logically dividing a physical network into multiple independent broadcast domains using software technology. It allows network administrators to divide a physical switch (or the entire network) into multiple logically independent switches without actually adding hardware. In polar vessels, to ensure that the service processes of various needs are not affected by other needs, VLANs can be used to logically divide the switches on each deck into at least a ship's office LAN, a voice communication LAN, and a crew entertainment LAN.

[0036] In other words, although the ship's office LAN, voice communication LAN, and crew entertainment LAN all communicate through the same network switch hardware, they are logically independent. This means that when crew members enjoy entertainment services through the crew entertainment LAN, it does not require bandwidth from the ship's office LAN, thus not affecting the normal operation of the ship.

[0037] The technical solution of this application embodiment, by constructing a ring backbone network and combining it with satellite communication equipment and on-demand servers, ensures communication between internal and external parties of the ship. At the same time, the on-demand server provides stable entertainment services for the crew members on board the ship, realizing the integration of network communication and entertainment services, and ensuring the normal operation of production and life during the voyage.

[0038] In one implementation, the network nodes are operated by network switches; the network switches include a core switch corresponding to the ship's main bridge and secondary switches corresponding to each deck, the secondary switches including access switches and aggregation switches.

[0039] Network switches are installed on each deck, and these switches are connected via multi-core fiber optic cables to ensure network stability on each deck. It is understood that the main bridge, as the most important compartment of the entire ship, can house the core switch, while secondary switches, such as access switches or aggregation switches, are installed on each deck. This application does not specifically limit the type of switch used. Different decks use network switches to operate network nodes, and each network node can provide network services to users within its deck. The different network switches are connected via fiber optic cables to ensure network stability.

[0040] In one implementation, the ring backbone network includes: starting from the core switch, access switches or aggregation switches are sequentially deployed in series on each deck via multi-core optical fibers, and back to the core switch via multi-core optical fibers to form a physically closed ring topology.

[0041] It is understandable that network switches are connected in series using multi-core optical fibers, such as... Figure 2 As shown, starting from the core switch, the network switches of each layer are connected in series and finally return to the core switch, forming a closed loop topology. Each network switch on the ring backbone can support the Ethernet ring network protocol. When any fiber optic link or single switch on the ring network fails, the network can achieve link self-healing within millimeter time, ensuring uninterrupted network communication and improving the robustness of ship network communication.

[0042] In one embodiment, the system further includes a wireless access network; the wireless access network is connected to a ring backbone network via an access switch and provides crew members with wireless access services to the ship's office LAN, voice communication LAN, and crew recreation LAN. As... Figure 2 As shown, different cabins on each deck, regardless of their function (bridge, conference room, office, power distribution room, central control room, instrument room, medical room, work room, and living quarters, etc.), can all wirelessly access the network node of the switch on that deck.

[0043] The wireless access network provides crew members with the service of directly connecting wirelessly to the network node corresponding to the deck level of any cabin during transmission. Of course, the specific form of the wireless access network is not limited in the implementation of this application.

[0044] In one implementation, the crew recreation LAN is used to request local streaming media or audio-visual entertainment information from the shore-based server.

[0045] Understandably, the on-demand server stores local streaming media and audio-visual entertainment information obtained from shore-based equipment, and crew members can access these entertainment services through the crew entertainment LAN.

[0046] In one implementation, the satellite communication equipment utilizes a C-band VSAT satellite network that covers the North and South Poles and is already operational. The C-band typically refers to frequencies from 4 GHz to 8 GHz. In satellite communication, the most commonly used downlink frequencies are 3.7-4.2 GHz and uplink frequencies are 5.925-6.425 GHz. The C-band is a mid-frequency band that strikes a good balance between coverage, bandwidth capacity, and interference resistance. For high latitudes and polar regions, communication reliability is far more important than high speed. The C-band, with its superior resistance to ionospheric interference and rain attenuation, has become a cornerstone technology for satellite communication in this environment. Furthermore, VSAT antennas installed on ships can also be equipped with VSAT controllers, modems, and integrated gateways, connecting to the aforementioned ring backbone network via the integrated gateway.

[0047] In one implementation, the voice communication local area network interacts with satellite communication equipment via a ring backbone network to interconnect with the shore-based voice network. It is understood that each deck's network node has its own voice communication local area network, allowing crew members to communicate with shore-based equipment via satellite communication equipment connected to the ring backbone network.

[0048] In one embodiment, the system further includes a bandwidth management device, which is located between the satellite communication equipment and the ring backbone network. The bandwidth management device performs bandwidth management on the uplink and downlink of the satellite communication equipment based on a preset strategy. The preset strategy prioritizes the transmission of service data related to ship management, navigation, and safety. Of course, the bandwidth management device can adopt any bandwidth management hardware device in related technologies, and this application does not limit it further.

[0049] On the other hand, this application also provides a method for providing crew entertainment services, implemented based on the ship information network system described above, the method comprising:

[0050] S110. Using satellite communication equipment, audio-visual entertainment information is synchronized from the shore-based content center to the ship's local on-demand server according to a preset plan.

[0051] The preset plan can be a synchronization plan for audio-visual entertainment information related to the ship's navigation plan. For example, when the ship is sailing close to the land (the center of gravity of shore-based content), audio-visual entertainment information (such as movies and TV shows) can be obtained from the center of gravity of shore-based content and copied and saved to the ship's local on-demand server.

[0052] S120. In response to the crew terminal initiating a video-on-demand request to the video-on-demand server, the video-on-demand server distributes the requested entertainment information to the crew terminal through the ship's ring backbone network; wherein, the crew terminal includes terminal devices connected in the crew entertainment local area network and personal wireless devices authenticated by the ring backbone network.

[0053] The crew terminal can be a personal terminal device owned by the crew (such as a mobile phone or tablet computer), which can be authorized to connect to the virtual local area network constructed by the ring backbone network. For example, it can send a video-on-demand request to the video-on-demand server through the aforementioned crew entertainment local area network, requesting the playback service of a certain movie. The video-on-demand server then distributes the movie content to the crew terminal through the crew entertainment local area network under the ring backbone network.

[0054] The technical solution of this application embodiment, by constructing a ring backbone network and combining it with satellite communication equipment and on-demand servers, ensures communication between internal and external parties of the ship. At the same time, the on-demand server provides stable entertainment services for the crew members on board the ship, realizing the integration of network communication and entertainment services, and ensuring the normal operation of production and life during the voyage.

[0055] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide a ship equipped with a ship information network system as described above, which is used by the crew on board.

[0056] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this application can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this application can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0057] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A ship information network system, characterized in that, This includes a ring backbone network, satellite communication equipment, and on-demand servers. The ring backbone network is composed of network nodes on each deck of the ship connected in series through multi-core optical fibers to form a closed loop. The satellite communication equipment is connected to the ring backbone network and is used to communicate between the ship's local area network and external networks to achieve ship-to-shore communication. The on-demand server is communicatively connected to the ring backbone network and is used to cache local streaming media originating from the ship and audio-visual entertainment information from shore-based sources. Specifically, through virtual local area networks (LANs), business subnets, including at least a ship office LAN, a voice communication LAN, and a crew entertainment LAN, are logically divided between each deck level in the ring backbone network.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The network nodes are operated by network switches; The network switches include a core switch corresponding to the ship's main bridge and secondary switches corresponding to each deck. The secondary switches include access switches and aggregation switches.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ring backbone network includes: Starting from the core switch, the access switches or aggregation switches deployed sequentially on each deck are connected in series via the multi-core optical fiber, and then back to the core switch via the multi-core optical fiber to form a physically closed loop topology.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes a wireless access network; the wireless access network is connected to the ring backbone network through the access switch, and provides crew members with wireless access services to the ship's office LAN, the voice communication LAN and the crew entertainment LAN.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crew entertainment local area network is used to request the local streaming media or the audio-visual entertainment information from the shore-based server.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite communication equipment uses a C-band VSAT satellite network that covers the North and South Poles and is already operational.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voice communication local area network interacts with the satellite communication equipment through the ring backbone network, so as to interconnect with the shore-based voice network through the satellite communication equipment.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a bandwidth management device, which is located between the satellite communication equipment and the ring backbone network; The bandwidth management device performs bandwidth management on the uplink and downlink of the satellite communication device based on a preset strategy; the preset strategy prioritizes the transmission of service data related to ship management, navigation, and safety.

9. A method for providing recreational services to crew members, characterized in that, Based on the ship information network system according to any one of claims 1-8, the method includes: Using satellite communication equipment, audio-visual entertainment information is synchronized from the shore-based content center to the ship's local on-demand server according to a pre-set plan; In response to a crew terminal initiating a video-on-demand request to the video-on-demand server, the video-on-demand server distributes the requested entertainment information to the crew terminal via the ship's ring backbone network; wherein, the crew terminal includes terminal devices connected to the crew entertainment local area network and personal wireless devices authenticated by the ring backbone network.

10. A ship, characterized in that, The vessel is equipped with a ship information network system as described in any one of claims 1-8.

Images