Technologies and networks supporting maritime wireless mesh communications

The recent advances in wireless mesh communications technologies have given the rise to evolve maritime wireless mesh networks (MWMNs). Maritime users require more high data rate applications, where the cost associated with the conventional satellite and the legacy systems that provide low data rate applications have posed major limitations for the emergence of MWMNs. Besides, the network architecture and protocol design remain big challenges in coping with the different ship mobility patterns and with the numerous navigational scenarios in the maritime environment. Most of the research studies [1], [2] have focused on the development of maritime communications technologies, where less attention has been considered to provide a realistic and reliable framework to implement a network that can satisfy maritime users´ requirements. This paper provides a detailed research study (an in-depth overview) on maritime communications technologies which can be deployed for implementing reliable and resilient maritime wireless mesh networks. Comprehensive guidelines are outlined to easily understand and critically assess the different deployed maritime communications networks, and identify the milestones in the process of developing MWMNs. Wireless service providers will use the outcome of this research research in expanding their communications infrastructure to the maritime environment.