AN EXPERIMENTAL MARINE DATA COMMUNICATIONS DEMONSTRATION

Under sponsorship of the U.S. Maritime Administration, a two-way data communications demonstration test was conducted between a ship at sea and a shore station. The purpose of the demonstration was (1) to show the technical feasibility of burst-type transmission; (2) to provide pertinent test data to ascertain error rates; and (3) develop equipment requirements for fixed shore stations and mobile marine communications terminals - while using simple, low-power, cost-effective equipment that is currently available. A small, low-power terminal consisting of a 35-watt L-band transmitter, a correlation receiver, a teletype terminal, buffer units and a four-foot parabolic antenna was installed aboard the tanker ESSO BALTIMORE. An identical receiver, buffer unit and teletype were placed at NASA's Mojave STADAN Station, interconnected with an existing transmitter and antenna. Data was transmitted between the two terminals, relayed via the NASA ATS-5 synchronous satellite, using a high-speed, burst message technique that has application for an operational system. Equipment design parameters were derived, error rates measured and a unique modulation technique demonstrated. The results of the demonstration test show that a shipboard terminal operating at L-band frequencies with a synchronous satellite holds great promise for future marine communications and data services.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Presented at the April 24-26th 1972 New Orleans RTCM Assembly Meeting. Volume 1-Papers AA and A thru F-Marine Traffic Systems, Volume 2-Papers G thru L-Safe Ship Operations, Volume 3-Papers M thru Q-Maritime Satellite Systems, Volume 4-Papers R thru Z-Trends in Maritime Communications. SOLD ONLY AS A COMPLETE FOUR VOLUME SET $10.00 PER SET.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services

    P.O. Box 19087
    Washington, DC  United States  20036
  • Authors:
    • Wheatley, S D
    • Walker, R B
    • Hines, R B
  • Publication Date: 1972-4-24

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00033714
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 15 1972 12:00AM