Wi-Fi broadband maritime communications using 5.8 GHz band
Mário Jorge de Matos Lopes, Filipe B. Teixeira, Jorge Mamede, Rui Campos · 2014
Current maritime communications rely on expensive or proprietary technology, such as satellite, WiMAX, and narrowband HF radios. Broadband communications are limited to the near shore 3G/4G coverage provided by mobile operators. The usage of unlicensed and IEEE 802.11 networks may provide ship owners a low-cost broadband access to the Internet offshore, enabling real-time navigation applications and voice/video communications, while increasing safety onboard. Also, they can support underwater communications by acting as a bridge between shore and devices operating underwater. In this paper we present a performance evaluation of IEEE 802.11n networks in the 5.8 GHz band in a maritime environment. A point-to-point link was established between a fishing ship and shore. From our tests, communication links up to 7 km at 1 Mbit/s are possible, showing the advantage of using long range IEEE 802.11 links for broadband maritime communications.