Wireless Mesh Communication Technologies and Protocols for a Full-View Camera Sensor Network Used in Maritime Surveillance

Abstract

Maritime oil exploration and transportation has increased more steeply due to the expansion of the world crude oil and natural gas production. The probability of oilrig pollution, burning, and explosion continues to rise. All these factors stimulate a greater danger for vessels, oil operation safety, and maritime environment. The continuous surveillance of the offshore oil fields and container vessels is essential to secure the production flow, avoid trespassing, and prevent vandalism from intruders and pirates. However, developing a large-scale camera sensor network (CSN) for a maritime surveillance is a challenging problem due to the environment complexity and network connectivity. Maritime wireless mesh networks (MWMNs) are envisaged to provide network connectivity in maritime environment and enable users to access the terrestrial communication networks. The high cost and low data-rate of satellite and other legacy maritime communication technologies and systems deployed in MWMNs pose a major limitation to establishing reliable and affordable maritime communications.