Big Port is a complex of specialized terminals, such as general cargo, passenger terminal, container terminals, oil terminal and so on with millions of tons cargo capacity, thousands of ships served, hundreds of thousands of passengers during the year. Usually local railroad, container storage, oil or gas tanks, different kind of warehouses and other Port facilities and equipment located on the Port territory in addition to moorings and embarking derricks. Port operations are quite heavy and intensive. It can be hundreds or thousands of employees from different terminals and divisions who are working in the Port. Port facilities and personnel management, containers, goods, vessels and vehicles control is a complex task which require modern communications based on advanced technologies. Heavy Port operation results in the traffic of communication, which requires communication solution with higher level capacity, reliability and functionality.
Alait company offers integrated solution – COMRAD ENTERPRISE, including private LTE network (pLTE) with PTT voice and video, data, dispatch, positioning, monitoring, industrial task management, network interconnectivity, and security functions. COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution ideally fit tough Port requirements to the modern communication system.
Advanced technologies used in COMRAD ENTERPRISE help Port Terminals improve productivity, whilst reducing cost through digitalization and informatization. With a full portfolio of innovative convergence communication solutions, Alait provides tailored solutions that meet Port diverse operational requirements.
Alait solutions enhance monitoring capabilities and improve communication efficiency, and as a result, improve the overall Port safety, productivity and environment protection.
The Challenge
Different type of communication and management systems usually are in use in Port Terminals. These diverse communication systems very often can not be integrated, extended or upgraded due to old and not compatible technologies.
Existed wireless communication systems have No Live Video and high speed data functions which are necessary for work during crises situation and for regular work (for example in container control system, industrial task management or augmented reality (AR).
The Port Terminals can have communication problems due to old communication technology like PMR system with it’s limited functionality and compatibility with modern IT solutions. PMR system coverage very often is not good enough, especially in Port Warehouses and other Port buildings. Narrow band frequency resources are limited, and the channel utilization rate is low, which makes real time video and high speed data not possible in PMR systems.
As Port Oil Terminal users’ working environment contains flammable and explosion liquids intrinsically safe communication equipment should be implemented. Subscriber terminals which compliant with ATEX standard, MILSTD 810G and IP67/IP68 Protection Rating should be in use. It will enhance staff/equipment safety and ensure the best performance even in the toughest and risky conditions.
Complex communication and management system based on advanced technology with high level redundancy and reliability (Mission Critical level), with necessary radio coverage and capacity, with the possibility to integrate existed PMR system, other applications and IT-solutions, with possible expansion and upgrade should be developed at Port Terminals to guarantee trouble free, continuous work, even at peak loads or crises situation. The system should have dispatch functions and not authorized access control.
The Solution
COMRAD ENTERPRISE is complex solutiAlait’son for Port provides strong mobile communications using pLTE (Private LTE) system with additional functionality for industrial use: PTT (Push-To-Talk) Voice and Video, Comprehensive Dispatch, Monitoring, Industrial Task Management, vessels, staff, containers and vehicles fleet control (AVL, Geo Fencing and Tracks), record and playback all the calls and events in the system.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE system can be docked with existed PMR (including special Marine Radio Communication Systems), Telephone and IT systems and can be used as the Platform for other sub-systems integration. COMRAD ENTERPRISE system architecture lets adjust it to specific Refinery needs.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE module structure and flexible licensing which lets choose optimal system configuration, guarantee easy expansion, and upgrade in future.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE pLTE system consist of optimized for use in industrial private network LTE CORE, LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) with big choice of eNBs (LTE Base Stations). The most suitable eNB can be chosen (work in any of regular LTE frequency bands, with necessary power and capacity, for outdoor and indoor installation). In addition various subscriber terminals with the accessories are part of the COMRAD ENTERPRISE system.
Optimized COMRAD ENTERPRISE LTE CORE (3GPP compliant) has only required in the Port Terminals communication system functions and lets to eliminate not necessary functions and so reduce the costs (OPEX and CAPEX).
PTT Voice and Video (based or COMRAD CORE), Industrial Task Management (based on COMRAD TASK), Monitoring subsystems are included into COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution. PMR and SIP Gateways can be included into COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution if the integration with existed radio or telephone networks is necessary. It is possible to have “mixed” user groups consisted of pLTE subscribers and PMR users in case of the COMRAD ENTERPRISE integration with existed PMR system. COMRAD ENTERPRISE Dispatcher will work with both kind of users in such a case.
Modern LTE technology lets Port Terminals have all legacy PMR functionality plus many additional functions based on high speed data transmission (live HD Video, Data, special IT-solutions with wireless subscribers connection and other).
Own COMRAD ENTERPRISE System (located at the customer site and 100% under control) and it’s Sub-Systems special architecture and exchange protocol, all main elements redundancy, lets build in the Port communication and management system with highest level of reliability (during regular work as well in case of crises situation). The system will be compliant with Mission Critical requirements which is extremely important for complex Port facilities.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE Administrative and Dispatch functions let Port Terminals control the System itself, as well as control all employees, vessels, vehicles, containers, technical equipment and all processes in the Port in best way.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution lets create in Port few independent virtual communication systems (for each of Port Terminals) which will work through common pLTE network. Each of the virtual systems will have own Administrative and Dispatch centers and no access to the other virtual systems.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE includes different type subscriber devices (“radio style” portable and mobile, smartphones and tablets, bodycams and data terminals, to deliver instant PTT voice, real-time video streaming and PTT Video, data transmission for front-line maintenance and managements staff at Port Terminals.
Intrinsically safe subscriber devices and eNBs can be shipped with COMRAD ENTERPRISE solution to Port Oil Terminal for use in explosion risky areas.
COMRAD ENTERPRISE subscriber devices are working in different sub-systems (PTT Voice and Video, Industrial Task Management and others) so one device can be used as universal subscriber terminal at the Port communication system.
Alait offer to the customers complete solution and it’s possible integration with other communication and IT systems by customer request.
Communication system planning (including radio coverage calculation), system integration, installation, testing, technical training and technical support can be also provided by Alait to the customer in case of request.
Conclusion
Alait with its COMRAD ENTERPRISE helps the Port with multi functional and reliable communications solution based on advanced LTE technology. Alait’s solution help the customers get a safe and efficient operations, incorporating the best work practices to maximize profits, to ensure high level of safety and minimize possible harm to the environment.