Machine-Type Communication for Maritime Internet of Things: A Design

Abstract

This paper presents a maritime machine-type communication (MTC) concept dedicated to the maritime Internet of Things (IoT). It first outlines the unique maritime MTC requirements on the ubiquity, continuity, heterogeneity, simplicity, interoperability, and scalability for maritime IoT applications and services. It then addresses these requirements through a concrete maritime MTC system design, based on the international VHF maritime mobile spectrum recently allocated for maritime MTC by ITU to enable maritime IoT under the name e-Navigation. Finally, it highlights the potential pitfalls to avoid in future development and standardization of the maritime MTC technology.