Maritime Mesh Roaming via Secure Terrestrial Tunneling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maritime vessel communication systems do not leverage proximity to other vessels for more cost-effective and efficient communication, often relying on satellite connectivity that can be lost due to line-of-sight issues, and fail to consider national jurisdictions and ad hoc networks for legal and efficient information exchange.
Innovation Solution
A multi-operator maritime mesh network is established, allowing vessels to dynamically form ad hoc networks, support roaming between operators, and use secure tunnels to terrestrial networks, ensuring data privacy and legality through VPNs and satellite connections, with each vessel equipped with a full segment of network components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single operator controls a maritime mesh network, then network management is simplified, but network utilization and resource sharing across different operators are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the maritime mesh network into multiple operator-specific networks, each managed independently by its respective operator. This allows each operator to maintain control over their own network resources while enabling inter-operator communication and resource sharing through standardized interfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified management and improved utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces that enable different operator-specific maritime mesh networks to interoperate. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain operator-specific management while simultaneously enabling cross-operator resource sharing and collaboration, addressing both simplicity and versatility requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If maritime mesh networks are deployed in specific geographic areas, then local coverage is improved, but the ability to dynamically follow vessels and provide global coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables maritime mesh networks to dynamically adjust their geographic coverage by allowing nodes to move with vessels and by implementing dynamic routing protocols. This transforms static geographic deployments into dynamic systems that can follow vessels across different locations, resolving the contradiction between fixed local coverage and flexible global followability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical network structure where smaller operator-specific maritime mesh networks are nested within a larger global maritime network framework. This allows local networks to maintain their specific geographic coverage while being part of an overarching system that provides global connectivity and flexibility.
3Device complexity
If traditional cellular networks are used on ships, then communication infrastructure is simplified, but coverage is limited to line-of-sight and cannot penetrate ocean environments effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces maritime mesh network nodes as intermediary communication points between traditional cellular networks and vessels at sea. These intermediary nodes relay communications through non-line-of-sight paths, enabling reliable ocean coverage while maintaining compatibility with existing cellular infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between infrastructure simplicity and coverage reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is implemented by a network device to establish secure communication over a maritime mesh network. The network device is in a local network of a communication system of a vessel in the maritime mesh network. The method includes receiving a communication session request from a local user device to access a remote service, determining whether the remote service is accessible via a terrestrial network available over the maritime mesh network, and establishing a secure tunnel between the network device and the terrestrial network for the communication session, in response to determining the remote service is accessible via the terrestrial network.