Relay-Based Maritime Communication Beyond Terrestrial Coverage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Maritime communication systems face challenges such as interference among vessels, limited satellite connectivity, high communication costs, and non-compliance with national jurisdictions, leading to inefficient and unreliable radio communication.

Innovation Solution

A self-organized maritime communication network utilizing relay terminal devices and servers to determine and mitigate interference by adjusting power levels of base stations based on contribution values, leveraging positioning, network configuration, and connection status information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If satellite networks are used for maritime communication when out of range of terrestrial networks, then communication connectivity is maintained, but communication costs increase and interference among vessels occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication connectivityVSAvoidinterference among vessels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors communication quality and interference levels, using feedback mechanisms to dynamically adjust transmission parameters and select optimal communication paths, thereby maintaining connectivity while reducing interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation and adaptive power control based on real-time vessel positions and communication conditions, allowing the system to optimize performance and minimize interference as maritime vessels move through different locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If base stations transmit at high power to ensure communication range, then communication reliability is improved, but interference with other vessels increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission power parameters based on distance to terrestrial networks, presence of other vessels, and communication quality requirements, optimizing the balance between reliability and interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transmission power levels and communication parameters to different spatial regions and vessel types, customizing the communication behavior to local conditions to minimize interference while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If maritime vessels use terrestrial networks when in range, then communication costs are reduced, but connectivity is lost when out of range of terrestrial networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication costsVSAvoidconnectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses relay terminal devices as intermediaries to extend communication coverage, allowing vessels to maintain connectivity in areas where direct terrestrial network access is unavailable by routing communications through intermediate nodes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If satellite communication equipment operates continuously to maintain connectivity, then communication availability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring and selective activation of communication functions, turning on satellite communication only when terrestrial networks are unavailable or insufficient, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4118759B1Methods and apparatuses for maritime communication
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4118759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4118759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4118759B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for maritime communication. According to an embodiment, a network comprises a first server and a first base station at a first maritime vessel, and one or more second servers and one or more second base stations at one or more respective second maritime vessels. In response to a trigger event indicating that interference between at least two base stations of the first base station and the one or more second base stations is serious, the first server obtains a contribution value of the first base station to the network determined by the second server. The first server determines whether the first base station needs power reduction or power off based at least on the obtained contribution value. When determining that the first base station needs power reduction or power off, the first server sends an instruction for power reduction or power off to the first base station.