Concept Design of Satellite Communications System

for Next Generation Marine Observation

- Broadband IP network down to Underwater -
Naoto KADOWAKI

, Ryutaro SUZUKI

, Hiromitsu WAKANA

, Takashi TAKAHASHI

,
Hiroshi YOSHIDA

, Takafumi KASAYA

Kenichi ASAKAWA

and Yasuhisa ISHIHARA

National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

4-2-1 Nukui-Kitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8795 Japan
Japan Agency for Marine-Earthe Science and Technology
2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061 Japan
Abstract - Importance of marine observations and devel-
opments has been increasingly recognized as a key to many
grand challenges of human beings such as development of
mineral resources under seaoor, global climate change, etc.
The amount of data obtained by marine devices is increasing
because many kinds of data from simple ones like tempera-
ture to video image and scanned image of seabed are needed
for such applications. In addition, real-time observation is
required for secure operation of underwater facilities such
as underwater oil wells. It is also required for rapid analysis
of scientic data such as complex three-dimensional acoustic
geological data. On the other hand, communication net-
works for marine observations to carry huge data in real-
time has not been realized. This paper describes the initial
study result of experimental broadband satellite communi-
cation systems for next generation marine observations.
I. INTRODUCTION
Marine and underwater mineral resources are important to
keep lasting economic growth because the most part of Japanese
economic zone is occupied with the oceans. Explorations of
natural resources in the region of seabeds in exclusive economic
zone (EEZ) have done using ships and underwater vehicles. It
is well known that there are huge amount of methane hydrate
existing under seafoor around Japan, the amount oI which are
comparative with that of natural gas consumed in 96 years in
Japan. Natural gas is also expected to exist in East China Sea.
Survey of hydrothermal deposits has also been conducted as a
lot of rare metals contained there.
It is also important to assess environmental problems includ-
ing global warming so that oceans cover 70 % of the Earths
surface. Ocean has been playing an important role to keep
stable climate. Its heat capacity is about 1,000 times larger than
that oI atmosphere, and it absorbs about 30 to 40 oI artifcial-
ly exhausted carbon dioxide . However explicit temperature-
rise has been observed even in deeper waters. Continuous
seabed monitoring and sea bottom survey are also needed to
catch the omens of catastrophic earthquakes which periodically
happen at underwater plate boundaries. Until now, we have,
however, held survey of a tiny percent of entire oceans because
of deep-sea-bound.
Marine and underwater researches and developers use lots of
sensors for surveys, explorations and operations. These sensors
are installed on/in research vessels, buoys, and underwater plat-
form. There are lots of movable underwater platforms: human
occupied vehicles (HOVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs),
autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and gliders. The ad-
vantages of AUVs utilization is reducing operation cost because
of support ship less, and enabling them to go where HOVs or
ROVs have trouble reaching.
The amount of data obtained by marine observation is
thought to be increasing rapidly because of increase of number
of observation and adopting new type of sensors such as high
definition cameras, side scan sonars, and multi-narrow echo
beam sounder. Real time monitoring must be needed for secure
operation of underwater facilities such as oil rigs. It is fresh
in our memories that the accident at the underwater oil well in
Gulf of Mexico brought huge damage to the area. Real time or
rapid analysis of these data is also the key to solve other social
or scientific issues, but current communication systems con-
necting vessels, buoys or underwater platforms are not able to
carry huge amount of data. In order to provide solutions for this
issue, the authors propose to utilize satellite communications
978-1-4577-0164-1/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE
system as the marine observation information network.
II. CURRENT INFORMATION NETWORK IN VESSEL, VEHICLE
AND
MARINE OBSERVATION SYSTEM
Most research vessels in Japan are currently using INMAR-
SAT. Its maximum communication rate is about a few hundreds
kbit/s. The vessels in JAMSTEC do not use a satellite or direct
communications to transfer huge amount of data which are ob-
tained through surveys. Mooring and drifting buoys have small
and low power satellite communication system such as AR-
GOS[1] and ORBCOMM[2] because buoys are not able to have
large energy sources. Some profling foats use Iridium because
of the small amount of data and accessibility of Iridium. These
communications are mostly peer to peer. On the other hand, un-
derwater communication is limited to use acoustical communi-
cation. The HOV, Shinkai 6500 and the AUV, Urashima [3] in
JAMSTEC use acoustic transceiver systems for communication
between the vehicle and the support vessel only. These com-
munications are completely peer to peer. There is no practical
multi-node communication protocol for underwater system.
The obtained data is recorded into digital recording media, be-
ing analyzed after their dives. Recently, researches of wireless
underwater communication networks [4][5] are focused but
those do not include the communication with the satellites. Un-
derwater cable network systems, in contrast, have been used for
multi disciplinary observations with high-capacity data trans-
mission. [6]-[8]
A seamless wireless communication between marine plat-
forms and land stations achieves all seasons, wide area observa-
tions. This technique also enables quick responses to various
scenarios for example remarkable data acquisition or instrument
trouble. Therefore, a wide-band interactive communication will
bring us a new stage of ocean researches and explorations.
III. CONCEPT DESIGN OF INFORMATION NETWORK
FOR MARINE OBSERVATION
3.1 Underwater multi-node communication system
We propose the seamless communication system between
marine platforms and land stations. The marine platforms
should be mutually connected because the platforms will be
taken multiple confgurations: multiple- buoys, multiple-AUVs
and so on. Fig. 1 shows an image of marine communication in
the near future. Higher data transmission rate is also needed for
underwater explorations so that sea-bottom and sub-sea bottom
images obtained have higher resolution. High frequency acous-
tic waves are drastically attenuated in sea water thus a high-
speed transmission is limited to short range communications.
Ochi and his team [9] achieved 100 kbit/s acoustical communi-
cation in range of 500 m. This acoustical communication rate
exceeds of other previous researches, but still less than that
of radio wave. It is reported [10] that a short wave laser beam
ranges about 100 m in deep sea and laser beam can be modulat-
ed up to 20 MHz. If communication like laser will be improved,
the underwater communication rate will be comparable within
air in short range. Ad-hoc communication may solve these cur-
rent underwater communication divide.
Fig. 2 shows the conceptual image of the multidisciplinary
Figure 1 An image of the seamless communication network
Figure 2 Conceptual image of underwater multidisciplinary observation
system using satellite communication
Seismometer
Electromagnetometer
HD camera
Chemical sensors
Satellite
Tolandstation
Underwater
observatory
Mooringcommunicationbuoy
Hydrothermal deposit or other natural resources
Cableor acoustic communication
observation system for the various scientific purposes using
satellite communication. Until now, we have not used the real-
time data acquisition from underwater instruments. We will be
able to get high-capacity underwater data and to operate the un-
derwater instruments on demand using the satellite communica-
tions. However, data transmission in the sea is serious problem
for actual operation of this system. If we will adapt such system
for the mining of natural resources, there is a possibility to be
able to use the wire communication for data transmit from the
sea-bottom instrument, because it is easier to carry out the min-
ing in the shallower depth.
3.2 Satellite Communications Links
Satellite access link should be bidirectional, but the capac-
ity of forward link from land base station to vessels, buoys and
AUVs for command and control is thought to be smaller than
return link to transmit data obtained.
Transmitting data from buoys to land base station, amount
of data is still not so large because the kinds of data are air/
water temperature, and so on. Then ordinary mobile satellite
communications system in L/S band can be used. On the other
hand, transmitting data from AUVs and ocean facilities such as
oil rigs requires higher capacity because they obtain high capac-
ity data such as high defnition image or sounding inIormation
refected Irom seabed. In such a case, high e.i.r.p. earth termi-
nal is required if direct satellite access link is needed. In case
that AUVs can establish high capacity link to a support vessel,
high e.i.r.p. earth terminal is required on the support vessel with
shaking cancellation function.
3.3 Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks on The Ocean
In case that sensing probes are delivered relatively close area
around support vessels or buoys, there is a possibility to utilize
wireless ad-hoc network. When autonomous floating devices
such as wave gliders[11] or Mobile Offshore Structures[12]
are in practical use, they also can be used as platforms. Fig. 3
shows the concept of marine observation network which wave
glider is used as the communications platform. If we implement
a base station based on IEEE802.11a/b/g/n on a support vessel
or buoy, circular area with diameter from 1 to 2 km will be able
to be covered. In order to extend the distance, antenna gain of
base station should be raised, but MAC protocol with direc-
tional antenna should be employed. If we can use WiMAX base
station, the communication distance is expected to be expanded
to several kilo-meters, but propagation phenomenon between
probes on sea surface and the base station on vessel should be
studied.
3.4 Issues of R&D
(1) Real-Time Data Gathering
Current data gathering from buoys is achieved by ARGOS
and ORBCOMM satellite systems. Both satellite systems are
confgured by LEO satellites and operated in VHF or UHF band
with transmission rate up to 4,800 bit/s. Because of LEO con-
stellation and very low data rate, it is impossible to gather glob-
al data in real time. Real time data gathering is a very important
factor in case, for example, for operation of marine facilities
and monitoring propagation of tsunami after a big earthquake
occurs. In order to make sure unbroken link connectivity and
suIfcient link capacity, suIfcient number oI satellite should be
launched in LEO, or several number of GEO satellite should be
used, and high capacity data link in L- or S-band should be ad-
opted.
As a trial of usage of a GEO satellite in S-band, JAMTEC
and NICT conducted a demonstration of communication sys-
tems between support vessel Natsushima and land base station
in Yokosuka by ETS-VIII in 2007 [13].
(2) Implementation of Earth Stations
Implementing earth stations on vessels (ESV) has been done
for Inmarsat application, ETS-VIII experiments by JAMSTEC
and NICT mentioned above, and Ka-band ESV has been dem-
onstrated as one of WINDS experiments done by JAMTEC and
JAXA. The biggest issue is implementing compact earth termi-
nal on sensing probes such as buoys or AUVs. The earth termi-
nal should be as small as possible not to occupy much space in
the probes. Especially, there are several severe constraints exist
Figure 3 Marine Observation Network with Wace Glider
WINDS
WiMax or Wireless LAN
Wave Glider
Wave Glider
AUV
AUV
Sensors
Acoustic Transducer
Acoustic Data
Transmission
in case of earth terminal on AUVs. Antenna on-board should be
low profle to avoid disturbing navigation, and should have sat-
ellite pointing function even in severely bad weather condition
that shaking 45 degrees. In addition, all equipment should not
be corrupted by water pressure when AUV is operated in deep
sea.
(3) Radio Wave Propagation on Sea Surface
In order to implement wireless ad-hoc network between sens-
ing probes and support vessel, propagation phenomenon should
be studied, and MAC protocol for directional antenna utilization
should be adopted in order to extend communication coverage
and ensure the data transmission.
(4) Antenna for Ad-Hoc Networks
Antennas on sensing probes must stand high water pressure
and should be small so that the antenna can be mounted on
small probes. Fortunately, small-sized modems for wireless
LAN and WiMAX are commercially available. It should be
easy to put them in non-conductive pressure housing made of
synthetic resin or ceramics[14]. These modems can be connect-
ed to CPUs by USB. As their transmission rate is 480 Mbit/s
(high speed), 12 Mbit/s (full speed) and 1.5M/bit/s (low speed)
in case of USB2.0, their electrical connection through underwa-
ter connectors or feed-throughs should be easy.
(5) Underwater Broadband Communication Technology
The only underwater communication system is acoustic wave
communication system. Therefore, communication capacity is
limited up to 100 kbit/s as mentioned above. There is a strong
requirement to develop much higher capacity communication
technology for underwater data transmission. Deep sea laser
communication technology is a good candidate to such appli-
cations. Multi-node communication protocol is also required
technology for multidisciplinary observation.
IV. EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PLAN
4.1 Proposal of Experimental System using WINDS
Low rate data gathering from buoys is already done by AR-
GOS or ORBCOMM satellite communications system though
real time data gathering is not achieved. The biggest issue is to
realize broadband connectivity from ocean. Though gathering
data from all types of marine devices via satellite directly is ide-
al, it is not feasible because required conditions to install earth
station on marine devices have wide variety due to those size,
shape and many other circumstances. Therefore, we propose
a simple system configuration as the first step of demonstra-
tion. In this proposal, we propose to use Japanese experimental
satellite WINDS to connect between a support vessel and a
land base station and utilize wireless LAN (WLAN) to connect
probes like AUVs and a support vessel. WINDS features ac-
tive phased array antenna (APAA) to provide global coverage
and high data rate capability from 1.5 Mbit/s to 1.2 Gbit/s with
single transponder|15||16|. System confguration Ior the frst
stage demonstration is shown by Fig. 4. We assume that AUV
gathers high volume data such as high defnition video (HDV)
and stores it in high capacity storage during diving, and after
surfacing, the data is sent to the vessel by WLAN and transmit-
ted to WINDS from the vessel.
The earth station on vessel (ESV) is based on compact VSAT
(C-VSAT) developed for usage in APAA coverage area. C-
VSAT can provide the transmission rate of 1.6, 6.5, 25, 52, and
104 Mbit/s. Antenna of C-VSAT must be modified to cancel
shaking of vessel and equipped within radome to protect from
seawater. WLAN equipment on AUV should be protected from
water pressure during diving. WLAN antenna on AUV should
be as small as possible not to disturb navigating, then it is dif-
fcult to install high gain antenna. ThereIore, WLAN antenna
on vessel had better to have higher gain to carry high capacity
data from AUV and to extend communication distance between
AUV and vessel. Yagi antenna can provide high gain capabil-
ity from 12 to 19 dBi, and planner antenna can provide up to 13
dBi in 2.4 ~ 2.5 GHz band, but direction control mechanism is
needed to point AUV on sea surface.
4.2 Antenna
4.2.1 Requirements
Though ESV will be installed on a support vessel, it should
Figure 4 Conceptual image of demonstration System using WINDS
Rising up after survey
Data transfer
by WLAN
Data transmission
to land base station
Support vessel
WINDS
better to be as small as possible considering applicability to oth-
er small platforms such as buoys. On the other hand, high data
rate transmission requires larger aperture of antenna. In order to
develop antenna for ESV, requirements are listed as followings:
- Frequency bands are 28GHz band for transmit and 18GHz
band for receive.
- Antenna polarization must be vertical for transmitting and
receiving.
- The transmitting data rate should be more than 1.6 Mbit/s
which is the lowest rate of C-VSAT.
- Beam control range of Azimuth: 0~360 and Elevation:
45TBD to point satellite in any attitude of vessel.
- Beam control function to cancel shaking of vessel must be
realized.
- ITU-R recommendations S.524-9 of the off-axis e.i.r.p den-
sity must be satisfed.
4.2.2 Antenna Conhguration
As the AUV antenna is required as possible as small, the
minimum antenna aperture diameter will be 45cm due to the
ITU-R recommendations, and besides, the azimuth and eleva-
tion angles of the beam must be controlled to point the satellite
and to compensate the ship rolling and pitching. For the consid-
erations of those conditions, it is suitable to control the azimuth
direction by mechanical revolution mechanism and elevation di-
rection by mechanical or electrical mechanism. Fig. 5 and Fig.
6 show the conceptual confgurations oI antenna.
The Fig. 5 is a planer active array antenna of 45cm aperture
diameter that is applied the mechanical beam pointing mecha-
nism for both azimuth and elevation directions. Fig. 6 is a
planer active phased array antenna that is installed to direct the
zenith direction and its aperture diameter of 55cm. This antenna
is applied the mechanical control mechanism for the azimuth
direction and electrically controlled mechanism for the eleva-
tion direction. Both antennas consist of active array antenna
installed transmitting and receiving modules behind the array
antenna. Those confgurations have the advantages oI eliminat-
ing the primary radiator using the refector type antenna and RF
rotary joints.
The antenna needs a radome to protect from sea water. The
balljar type radome and the disk type radome will be used for
Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 respectively. The balljar radome become large
amount of water drag. On the other side, the disk radome has an
advantage oI low water drag due to low profle confguration.
As the disk type of radome is more critical for vertical pressure,
it should be designed more frmly than the balljar type.
Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show the block diagrams of the transmitting
antenna and the receiving antenna, respectively. Each antenna
Figure 6 Planer active phased array antenna with mechanical
beam pointing (azimuth) and electrical beam pointing (elevation)
Figure 5 Planer active phased array antenna with mechanical
beam pointing mechanism for azimuth and elevation
(600mm)
(500mm)
Planer Antenna
(450mm)
(450mm)
Radome
Rotation Axis
Radome
(650mm )
(200mm)
Antenna Drive
Mechanism
Planer Antenna
(550mm)
(550mm)
#1
#2
#3
#4
#49
#50
13-Elements Waveguide
Slot Subarray
Solid State Power
Amplifier
Phase
Shifter
Pre-Amplifier
Figure 7 Phased array design of transmiting antenna
#1
#2
#3
#4
#48
#49
Low Noise
Amplifier
Phase
Shifter
Low Noise
Amplifier
18-Elements Waveguide
Slot Subarray
Figure 8 Phased array design of receiving antenna
is used to the waveguide slot array antenna for the reduction
of antenna feed loss, and the sub-array feed method is used to
avoid complex Ieed network. In those fgure, the phase shiIter is
used only for active phased array antenna in Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 shows the calculated e.i.r.p. of the transmit antenna
of Fig. 5 with allowable maximum limit of ITU-R S.524-9 for
both vertical and horizontal planes. To satisfy the ITU-R limit,
spread spectrum techniques will be applied.
4.2.3 Development Plan
For the development of those antennas, following subjects
must be considered.
- Possibility of common antenna for both transmitting and
receiving,
- To make sure to provide required data rate based on charac-
teristics of antenna, and
- Development of the water-resistant and the pressure-resis-
tant radome to protect the antenna.
V. CONCLUSIONS
Marine observation becomes more important than ever for
keep lasting economic growth or keeping environment. On the
other hand, communication networks for marine observation is
still narrowband and high capacity data cannot be transmitted.
The authors have started conceptual study for developing com-
munications network for next generation marine observation
utilizing satellite communication systems in order to provide
solutions for real time high capacity data gathering from ocean.
Optimal network confguration and frst step demonstration plan
under discussion is described in this paper. We plan to proceed
this study and develop demonstration system as early as pos-
sible.
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