Maritime Spectrum Allocation Using Vessel Importance and Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maritime vessels do not effectively utilize nearby vessels for cost-effective and efficient communication, face satellite connectivity issues, and fail to consider national jurisdictions in spectrum allocation, leading to unreliable and inefficient radio communication with terrestrial networks.
Innovation Solution
A management server determines importance values for maritime vessels based on positioning, spectrum request, service request, and chain information to allocate available spectrum, allowing for efficient use of licensed and unlicensed spectrums without jurisdictional restrictions in certain areas, and switches operation modes based on signal quality and geographical location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If maritime vessels use satellite networks for communication when out of range of terrestrial networks, then communication coverage is improved, but communication cost increases and service speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces maritime vessels as intermediary nodes to relay communication between other vessels and terrestrial networks. Instead of every vessel directly connecting to satellites or terrestrial networks, vessels can communicate through nearby maritime vessels that have better connectivity, reducing individual communication costs while maintaining coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple communication paths (terrestrial network, satellite network, and vessel-to-vessel communication) into a unified communication system. The network dynamically selects and combines these paths based on cost, speed requirements, and availability, allowing high-speed terrestrial connections when possible and satellite connections only when necessary.
2Area of stationary object
If maritime vessels rely on satellite networks for communication, then communication coverage is improved, but communication speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the communication route changes based on real-time conditions. Vessels can switch between satellite communication (slower but available everywhere) and terrestrial network communication (faster but location-dependent), or use intermediate vessels to access faster connections, thereby optimizing speed while maintaining coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediary maritime vessels provide a bridge to faster terrestrial networks. Instead of all vessels using slow satellite connections, vessels can relay data through intermediate vessels that have terrestrial network access, significantly improving overall communication speed while maintaining broad coverage.
3Speed
If maritime vessels use terrestrial networks for communication, then communication speed is improved, but communication coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the communication architecture by introducing vessel-to-vessel communication paths. This creates a three-dimensional network structure where communication can occur directly with terrestrial networks (when available), through satellite (when alone), or via intermediate vessels (bridging both dimensions), thus expanding coverage without sacrificing speed where possible.
4Loss of energy
If maritime vessels connect to base stations on nearby vessels, then communication cost is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where vessels continuously assess the quality and stability of potential communication paths. Before selecting an intermediate vessel for relay, the system evaluates factors like signal strength, vessel stability, and connection history, only choosing reliable intermediaries. This feedback loop ensures cost-effective routing through vessels while maintaining communication reliability.
5Productivity
If spectrum allocation does not consider national jurisdictions, then communication efficiency is improved, but legal compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing jurisdiction-aware spectrum allocation. Different regions (national waters vs. international waters) have different spectrum allocation rules, and the system automatically adapts to local regulations. In international waters, more flexible spectrum use is allowed for higher efficiency, while in national waters, jurisdictional constraints are respected for legal compliance, achieving both goals through location-specific strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for maritime communication. According to an embodiment, a network comprises a plurality of first base stations and first servers at a plurality of respective first maritime vessels. In response to a trigger event indicating that a spectrum allocation is needed for two or more of the plurality of first maritime vessels, a management server in the network determines importance values of the two or more first maritime vessels in the spectrum allocation, based on information related to the network. The management server allocates an available spectrum to the two or more first maritime vessels based at least on the importance values.