PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The overall objective of the SASS@Sea project was the development and validation of a system for the provisioning of an integrated maritime communications service. The system will support the following features:
- Provisioning of Committed Information Rate (CIR) at fleet level and bandwidth on-demand at application level,
- Store & forward transfer of high data volumes during off-peak traffic periods,
- “Occasional Use” bandwidth on-demand service for non-routine or emergency applications,
- Transparently switching between different maritime networks,
- Intelligent switching between satellite beams,
- Open system architecture enabling the integration of future maritime networks (future proof).
The scope of development includes:
- An Onboard Multi Services Gateway (OMSG) for vessels providing connectivity to all relevant maritime communications services including a high performance VSAT system,
- A Shore Multi Services Gateway (SMSG) for shipping companies,
- A Service Management System (SMS) supporting advanced bandwidth management and VSAT beam switching functionality.
The SASS@Sea multi services gateways in conjunction with the Service Management System are designed as a service platform which is open to integrate different, also future networks.
The project developments were evaluated during a four months pilot phase by tanker vessels operating in the North Atlantic, US East Coast and Baltic Sea regions.
Challenges
The project is addressing the following issues with current maritime VSAT services:
- Low quality-of-service of shared services,
- High charges of services offering Committed Information Rates,
- Complexity of onboard LAN-, VSAT- and alternative networks (e.g. Inmarsat, Iridium) integration,
- Unreliable satellite and wireless network switching solutions,
- Ureliable and inflexible satellite beam switching solutions,
- Complexity of onboard VSAT system operation.
Plan
In parallel, the business plan for worldwide operation of the SASS@Sea system was finalised. The aim was to migrate the pilot service seamlessly to commercial operation after the end of the project in the first quarter 2014.
Current Status
The project was completed successfully end of 2013. The operation is being continued for beta testing with the pilot user and other friendly users. Subject to the results, the roll-out of the fully operational service is planned until mid of 2014.
