WO2020162817A1

WO2020162817A1 - An antenna terminal, a rotatable antenna platform and methods for maritime use

Info

Publication number: WO2020162817A1
Application number: PCT/SE2020/050099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulf HÅRDERUP
Original assignee: Aecorlink Ab
Priority date: 2019-02-06
Filing date: 2020-02-04
Publication date: 2020-08-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system, and more particularly, to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system for a vessel in communication via microwave link with fixed base stations located onshore. The antenna terminal of the invention may comprise a plurality of antennas arranged on a shaft configured to rotate about its own axis. Specifically, the plurality of antennas are directed in different angle directions in relation to the axis of the rotatable shaft on which the plurality of antennas are arranged. The antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time. The antenna terminal may further comprise at least one antenna of a first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna, where the at least one antenna of a second type is mounted on the same rotatable shaft as the at least one first type of antenna. The at least one antenna of the second type of antenna may then be mounted and arranged in a direction in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotatable shaft different from the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and may be configured for communicating with on-shore base stations which are part of a mobile communications network.

Description

TITLE

An antenna terminal, a rotatable antenna platform and methods for maritime use

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system, and more particularly, to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system for a vessel in

communication via microwave link with fixed base stations located onshore.

BACKGROUND

In a typical state-of-the-art solution for maritime broadband wireless communication, mainly LTE/4G communication is used along the coasts and further out, outside the coverage area for the LTE/4G base stations, different types of satellite communication are used Satellite communication is considerably more expensive than LTE/4G communication. Today, LTE/4G omni antennas are mainly used for maritime broadband wireless communication, but there are also steerable antennas available on the market

Steerable antennas, or directional antennas, provide for a considerably longer reach and a more stable connection with higher throughput/data rates. A directional antenna, sometimes also referred to a beam antenna, is an antenna which radiates or receives greater power in specific directions allowing increased performance and reduced interference from unwanted sources. Directional antennas provide increased performance over dipole antennas, or omnidirectional antennas in general, when greater concentration of radiation in a certain direction is desired. In conclusion, the broadband wireless solutions including steerable antennas are particularly beneficial when longer reach and higher data rates are required.

Some maritime wireless communication solutions use an active base-tracking multi-antenna system and an active base-tracking antenna system to allow a tracking antenna to rotate at optical azimuths always in a stable position regardless of movement of the vessel.

Microwaves travel by line-of-sight and unlike lower frequency radio waves they do not diffract around hills, follow the surface as ground waves, or reflect from the ionosphere, so terrestrial microwave communication links are limited by the visual horizon to about 60 km. At the high end of the band microwaves are absorbed by gases in the atmosphere, limiting practical communication distances to around 1 km. Microwaves are widely used in modern technology, for example in point-to-multipoint communication links.

Microwave radio relay is a technology widely used for transmitting signals between two points on a narrow beam of microwaves. In microwave radio relay, microwaves are transmitted on a line of sight path between relay stations using directional antennas, forming a fixed radio connection between the two points.

Point-to-multipoint telecommunications is typically used in wireless Internet and IP

telephony via gigahertz radio frequencies. Point-to-multipoint is the most popular approach for wireless communications that have a large number of nodes, end destinations or end users. Connections between the base stations and the subscriber units, i.e. mobile communications devices, in a mobile communications network can be either line of sight or, for lower-frequency radio systems, or non-line-of-sight where link budgets permit.

Microwave radio links provide a high, stable data rate with a lower signal delay may be achieved, considerably lower signal delay than typically can be achieved with LTE/4G mobile

communications networks.

WO 2010021595 relates to an antenna system for use on a sea vessel in microwave

communication with on-shore base station. The communication device 1200 in Fig. 12 includes an antenna select block coupled with a first, second, third and fourth antenna arrangement where each antenna arrangement covers a horizontal sector and includes a plurality of antennas. The plurality of antennas are configured in an overlapping manner to provide a certain vertical angular coverage of the respective horizontal sector. Fig. 14 shows an antenna structure including four antenna arrangements where each antenna arrangement has a 90 degrees horizontal beam width and a 90 degrees vertical beam width. The controller of the

communication device controls the antenna select block based on information provided by a gyroscope to select one of the antennas for each antenna arrangement, thereby controlling the directivity of the antenna arrangements. The antenna of an antenna arrangement may be selected such that the impact of the movement of the communication device is alleviated in the respective horizontal 90 degrees sector.

US 20180375187 relates to a system for maximizing signal strength between a land-based or moving first station and a second, moving station on a sea-going vessel, comprising a fixed or rotatable antenna at the base station, where a single antenna at the second station is mounted on a structure rotatable about a vertical axis by a mechanism powered by an electric motor. In EP 1553789, two separate antenna beams, A2 and A3, from two separate antennas are mounted on two different separate rotatable axes on a ship which are directed to the same base station, i.e. they are both active, or are directed to mutually different base stations.

PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIOR ART

Various communications systems are known in the art which allow moving vehicles, such as ships, aircraft, or terrain vehicles, to communicate with other moving vehicles or fixed communication installations. Because it is not feasible to connect a moving vehicle such as a vessel to a communication system using a wired medium, wireless methods are often employed. One such method is to use satellite communications to allow the vehicle to communicate with the intended target. However, satellite communications suffer from significant drawbacks, such as limited bandwidth, increased latency, and instability due to weather conditions or other environmental effects.

Another alternative is to use a single antenna on the vehicle to establish communications with another vehicle or communication node using a broadband wireless communication network. However, in addition to the challenges presented by the fact that the vehicle is moving in relation to the communication target, it may further be difficult to maintain communication with multiple communication sources using the single antenna, as is often required in multi-vessel or vehicle communications environments, such as mesh networks. Commonly-used omni directional antennas in such wireless systems are also not typically capable of achieving the desired speed and bandwidth necessary in modern data and video communications. Improved communication systems and methods are therefore needed in this area.

The high-speed wireless data links of the state-of-the-art solutions are typically formed using conventional omni-directional antennas. Vessels separated by a distance larger than the range of the omni-directional antenna may not be able to exchange data via the high-speed wireless link. The range of the high-speed wireless data link may be further reduced by a number of physical effects such as "fading.” Fading of the radio signal is caused by reflection of the radio signal from the sea surface. The phase-shifted reflected signal fades out the direct signal in regions of reduced sensitivity called "dead zones” around the vessels. For example, fading of a 2.4 GHz radio signal may create a dead zone at a range of about 9-10 kilometers.

Interference with other signals and/or noise may also reduce the range of the transmitters and/or receivers. For example, traditional high-speed wireless data links may use unlicensed frequency bands. Unlicensed bands may also be used by other transmitters, such as those onboard other ships in the vicinity of the vessel. The signals broadcast by the other transmitters may destructively interfere with the high-speed wireless data link and degrade the quality of the connection. The destructive interference may corrupt the transferred data and/or interrupt the transfer of data altogether. In some cases, the data corruption and/or the interruption of the data transfer may even force a suspension of the communication session.

Rotating single-segment antennas have been used to extend the range of high-speed data links by increasing antenna sensitivity in a reduced range of angles in the direction of a target, e.g. a base station. However, the single-segment antennas suffer from at least two drawbacks. First, the position of the target in relation to the current position of the vehicle/antennas must be continuously monitored. If the target is lost, the data transfer may be interrupted, while the target is re-acquired. These problems worsen in marine environments when a vessel is rapidly moving, which may also be carried by unpredictable water currents. Second, rotating single segment antennas have large numbers of moving parts, which may reduce the operational lifetime of the rotating single-segment antenna and increase maintenance costs and downtime.

Hence, there is a need for a more robust and less complex and thereby less expensive solution for maritime broadband wireless communication on a vessel, without increasing the maintenance costs and downtime of the system.

SUMMARY

The technology disclosed relates to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system for a vessel in communication via microwave link with fixed base stations located onshore.

The technology disclosed proposes an improved antenna system and antenna terminal solution for communicating between moving objects, such as vessels, to fixed base stations via microwave links. Microwave links, or microwave radio relay technology, is a technology widely used for transmitting signals between two points on a narrow beam of microwaves.

In microwave radio relay, microwaves are transmitted on a line of sight path between relay stations using directional antennas, forming a fixed radio connection between the two points.

In embodiments, antenna system of the the technology disclosed is used on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, where the system comprises at least one antenna terminal. The at least one antenna terminal may then comprise a plurality of antennas directed in slightly different angles and further comprise a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to antenna system for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore. The system includes at least one antenna terminal comprising a plurality of antennas arranged on a shaft configured to rotate about its own single axis. The plurality of antennas may be directed in mutually different vertical angle directions in relation to the single axis of the rotatable shaft The antenna terminal may then further comprise a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time and where the decision by the control system which of the antennas is active is at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore. The control system may then be further configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to an antenna terminal for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, where the at least one antenna terminal comprises a control system and a plurality of antennas arranged on a single rotatable shaft of the antenna terminal. The plurality of antennas may be directed in different angle directions in relation to the single axis of the rotatable shaft on which the plurality of antennas are arranged, e.g. the plurality of antennas may be directed in different angle directions in relation to a vertical plane, but may be directed in the same direction in relation to a horizontal plane. The control system may then be configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore. The control system may be further configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single rotation axis so that the currently active antenna (or all or some of the plurality of antennas in the event all or some of the plurality of antennas are directed in the same direction in relation to the horizontal plane perpendicular to the rotation axis but in different directions in relation to a vertical plane to the rotation axis] is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

In embodiments, the plurality of antennas are of a first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with base stations located on shore and the antenna terminal of said antenna system further comprises at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna. The at least one antenna of a second type may then be arranged on the same rotatable shaft as the plurality of antennas of the first type and directed in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the rotation axis which is different from the direction in the horizontal plane for the plurality of antennas of the first type. In certain embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type is directed at an angle in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the rotation axis which is in the range 90-180 degrees from the angle direction in the horizontal plane of the plurality of antennas of the first type. The at least one antenna of a second type of antenna may then be mounted and arranged on the same rotatable shaft as the plurality of antennas of a first type and is operating in accordance with at least one of the 4G wireless communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the first type of antenna, e.g. microwave communication in the form of point-to-multipoint microwave link technology using steerable antennas,.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna system/terminal may then be configured to switch between which of the currently active antenna of the plurality of first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is directed in a direction of a known or determined position of a base station on shore. In certain embodiments, the control system is further configured to control a rotor unit of said antenna system to rotate said plurality of antennas of a first type and said at least one second type of antenna arranged on the same rotatable shaft about said single axis so that either the currently active antenna of the first type of antennas or the at least one of a second type of antenna is directed in a known or determined direction of a base station on shore configured with an antenna of the same type as the antenna directed in the direction of the on-shore base station.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to an antenna terminal comprising a plurality of antennas of a first type configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of a plurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna and which is/are mounted on the same rotatable shaft and single axis of the antenna platform as the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna. The at least one antenna of the second type of antenna may then be mounted on the rotatable shaft in a direction different from the plurality of antennas of the first type. The at least one antenna of the second type may then be configured for communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the plurality of antennas of the first type. The control system of the antenna terminal may then be configured to switch between at least two different communication networks/protocols by controlling a rotor unit to rotate the rotatable shaft about its single axis either to direct at least the active antenna among the plurality of antennas of a first type to be directed towards a base station on-shore having an antenna of a first type adapted for microwave communication or to rotate the rotatable shaft about its single axis to direct an (active] antenna of a second type mounted and arranged on the rotatable shaft in a different direction, e.g. different direction in the horizontal plane to the rotation axis, than the first type of antenna(s] is mounted to be directed towards a base station on-shore which is part of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication. The first communication network may then comprise antennas on the vessel and antennas of base stations onshore configured for microwave link technology, e.g. point-to- multipoint microwave link technology using steerable antennas, and the second communication network may comprise antennas of the antenna terminal on the vessel and antennas of base stations which are part of a LTE/4G/5G mobile communications network and which are configured for communication via a cellular mobile communications network.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to antenna terminal for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, comprising a plurality of antennas of a first type configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of a plurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna and mounted on the same rotatable shaft and single axis of said antenna platform as said at least one antenna of said first type of antenna, and wherein said at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is mounted on said rotatable shaft in a direction different from the plurality of antennas of the first type and configured for

communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of a mobile

communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of said plurality of antennas of the first type. The control system of the antenna terminal may then be configured to switch between (at least] two different communication networks/protocols by controlling a rotor unit to rotate the rotatable shaft about its single axis either to direct at least the active antenna among the plurality of antennas of a first type to be directed towards a base station on-shore having an antenna of a first type adapted for microwave communication or to rotate the rotatable shaft about its single axis to direct an (active] antenna of a second type mounted on the rotatable shaft in a different direction than the first type of antenna(s] is mounted to be directed towards a base station on shore which is part of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication. The first

communication network may then comprise antennas on the vessel and antennas of on-shore base stations configured for microwave link technology, e.g. point-to-multipoint microwave link technology using steerable antennas, and the second communication network may comprise antennas of the antenna terminal on the vessel and antennas of base stations which are part of a LTE/4G/5G mobile communications network and which are configured for communication via a cellular mobile communications network.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to control a rotor unit of the antenna terminal to rotate the plurality of antennas of a first type and the at least one second type of antenna arranged on the same rotatable shaft about the same single axis so that either the currently active antenna of the first type of antennas or the at least one antenna of a second type is directed in a known or determined direction of a base station on shore configured with an antenna of the same type as the antenna directed in the direction of the base station. In certain embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas of the first type is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore. The control system may then be further configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna of the first type is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

The above embodiments of the present invention differ from the closest prior art in that a plurality of antennas are arranged on a rotatable shaft configured to rotate about its own single axis and directed in mutually different vertical angle directions in relation to the single axis of the rotatable shaft, and in that the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna is directed in the horizontal plane to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore. Some of the above embodiments further differ from the closest prior art in that the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to control a rotor unit to rotate the rotatable shaft about its single axis either to direct an (active] antenna (e.g. among a plurality of antennas] of a first type to be directed towards a base station on-shore having an antenna of a first type adapted for microwave communication or to rotate the rotatable shaft about its single axis to direct an (active] antenna of a second type mounted in a different direction than the first type of antenna(s] to be directed towards a base station on-shore which is part of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to an antenna terminal comprising at least one antenna of a first type configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of a plurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna and mounted on the same rotatable shaft and single axis of said antenna platform as said at least one antenna of the first type. The at least one antenna of the second type is then mounted on the rotatable shaft in a direction different from the plurality of antennas of the first type and configured for communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the plurality of antennas of the first type. In certain embodiments, the antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to control a rotor unit of the antenna terminal to rotate the at least one antenna of the first type and the at least one second type of antenna arranged on the same rotatable shaft about the single axis of the rotatable shaft so that either the at least one antenna of the first type or the at least one of a second type of antenna is directed in a known or determined direction of a base station on shore which is configured with an antenna of the same type as the antenna directed in the direction of the base station. In certain embodiments, the technology disclosed therefore propose a combination of using antennas configured for microwave link technology, e.g. point-to-multipoint microwave link technology using steerable antennas, when operating within a certain coverage area, and antennas configured for

LTE/4G/5G mobile communications network when outside the coverage area of the radio network.

The technology disclosed also relates to an antenna system for use on a vessel, where the system comprises at least one antenna terminal. The antenna terminal comprises at least one antenna of a first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type is arranged or mounted on the same platform as the at least one first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is then arranged or mounted in a direction different from the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and is configured for communicating with on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is configured to operate at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the at least one first type of antenna. In certain embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is configured to operate in accordance with at least one of the 5G wireless communications protocols, the 4G wireless communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard.

In embodiments, the at least one antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to switch, for each of the at least one antenna terminal, between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal/system is configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active so that only one of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at a time.

In embodiments, the at least one antenna first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna may be mounted on a single axis and be arranged or directed in different angles and/or at different heights on the single rotatable axis. The antenna terminal typically comprise a rotor unit configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about the single rotatable axis so that at least one currently active, or soon to be active, antenna of either the first or second type of antenna is directed in the direction of the GPS position of a base station on shore. The fixed base station on shore towards which the active antenna is directed is then configured with an antenna of the same type as the at least one active antenna.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to switch between a first and a second type of base stations the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the one rotatable axis so that the currently active at least one antenna of a first or second type of antenna is rotationally oriented in the direction of the base station configured with an antenna of the same type having the closest distance to the vessel.

In embodiments, the antenna system comprises a plurality of antenna terminals and the control system of the antenna system is configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active for the plurality of antenna terminals.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to receive input data from at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass, located on the vessel. The control system may then be further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on the received input data from the at least one other unit.

In embodiments, the at least one other unit is a gyrocompass configured to measure or detect at least one of the current GPS position, heading and inclination of the vessel. The control system may then be further configured to switch between which one of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on at least one of the current GPS position, heading and inclination of the vessel.

In embodiments, position data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore, and which is accessible to the control system, is stored in a memory or database of the antenna system. The control system may then be configured to switch between which one of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on determined current distances between the vessel and each of the plurality of base stations.

In embodiments, data about the lateral coordinates for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore are stored in a memory or database of the antenna system and are accessible to the control system. The control system of the antenna terminal/system may then be configured to switch between which one of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on the stored lateral coordinates for the plurality of fixed base stations on shore in relation to at least one of the measured or detected inclination of the vessel and the different angle directions in which the plurality of antennas are mounted on the antenna terminal.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on geofencing data stored in a memory or database of the antenna system and which is accessible to the control system. In embodiments, the technology disclosed proposes an antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna terminals where each of the antenna terminals comprises a platform provided with only one rotatable shaft on which multiple antennas are arranged. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate about its own axis and at any angle within an angle range of 0-360 degrees, or at least within an angle range of 0-180 degrees. In certain embodiments, the multiple antennas of each of the antenna terminals are arranged on the rotatable shaft so that they are directed in mutually different angles in relation to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The vertically- oriented axis about which the shaft is configured to rotate may then be an axis essentially parallel to the normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel.

The controller, or control system/unit, of the antenna terminal/system may be further configured to switch between which one of the multiple, or plurality of, antennas of the antenna terminal is active at least partly based on input data received from at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. The at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass, may then be configured to measure or detect the current inclination of the vessel. The controller, or control system/unit, may then be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the current inclination of the vessel, e.g. the current inclination of the vertically- oriented axis of the rotatable shaft and/or the current angle directions of a plurality of antennas arranged on the rotatable shaft. The measuring or detection of the inclination of the vessel may then include at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch and roll of the vessel. In certain embodiments, the determining, by the controller/control system/unit of the antenna terminal or antenna system, whether to switch active antenna is solely based on measured or detected input data about the current inclination of the vessel received from the at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna.

In certain embodiments, the determining, by the controller/control system/unit of the antenna terminal or antenna system, whether to switch active antenna is partly based on measured or detected input data about the current inclination of the vessel and partly based on obtained current GPS position of the vessel in relation to the position of at least one fixed base station located on shore, including the altitude position of the at least one fixed base station located on shore. The inclination angle of each of the multiple antennas arranged on the one shaft

(configured to rotate about its own vertically-oriented axis] in relation to the altitude position, i.e. height over sea level, of at least one base station on shore may then be determined by the controller/control system/unit of the antenna terminal/system and the decision whether to switch active antenna is determined based on a calculated current angle direction of a plurality of antennas of a single antenna terminal to the altitude position of at least one base station, e.g. a calculated altitude position for a base station or an altitude position of a base station stored in a memory or database and which is accessible to the control system/unit of the antenna terminal/system.

According to different embodiments of the technology disclosed, the at least one antenna terminal of the antenna system comprises a plurality of antennas directed in slightly different angles. In certain embodiments, the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, may also be mounted at different positions in the latitude direction, i.e. at different heights in relation to the deck of the vessel. In these embodiments, the antenna terminal of the moving object may further comprise a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

In certain embodiments, the technology disclosed proposes an antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna terminals where each of the antenna terminals comprises a platform provided with only one rotatable shaft which is configured to rotate 360 degrees about its own vertically-oriented axis and on which a plurality of antennas are arranged/mounted.

According to a certain embodiment, a first antenna of the multiple antennas of an antenna terminal is directed at a first angle direction a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arranged and a second antenna directed at a second angle direction b within an angle range of 80-87,9 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft, where the vertically-oriented axis is parallel, or essentially parallel, to a normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel and where first angle direction a and the second angle direction b have a mutual angle difference within an angle range of 2-5 degrees.

In a certain embodiment, the antenna terminal may in addition to the first and second antennas further comprise at least a third antenna directed at third angle W having an angle difference within an angle range of 6-10 degrees to the first angle direction a and an angle difference within an angle range of 2-5 degrees to the second angle direction b. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multiple antennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time. In certain embodiments, the controller, or control system/unit, may be configured to select the antenna which is best directed to the position, including height, or altitude position, of the base station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the active antenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna which is currently in communication with the base station. The decision to switch antenna may then be determined solely or at least partly on the measured or detected inclination of the vessel, e.g. at least one of yaw, pitch and roll of the vessel.

According to a certain embodiment, a first antenna of the multiple antennas of an antenna terminal is directed at a first angle a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arranged and at least one another one of the multiple antennas of the same antenna terminal may be directed at a second angle b within an angle range of 85-87,9 degrees to the same vertically- oriented axis of the rotatable shaft, where the vertically-oriented axis is parallel, or essentially parallel, to a normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel. In a certain embodiment, the antenna terminal may in addition to the first and second antennas further comprise a third antenna directed at third angle W within an angle range of 80-84,9 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multiple antennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time. In certain embodiments, the controller, or control system/unit, may be configured to select the antenna having the best direction in relation to the position, including height, or altitude position, of the base station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the active antenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna.

In embodiments, the control system comprises software or a data processing unit and is configured to receive input data from at least one other unit located on the vessel. The control system may be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, is active at least partly based on the received input data from the at least one other unit.

In embodiments, at least one other unit is configured to measure or detect the current position and inclination of the vessel. The control system may then be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the current position and inclination of the vessel. The measuring or detection of the inclination of the vessel may then include at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch and roll of the vessel.

In embodiments, position data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore, e.g. stored in a database or memory, is accessible to the control system. The control system may then be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, is active at least partly based on determined current distances between the vessel and each of the plurality of bases stations based on calculations from the stored position data for the plurality of fixed base stations.

In embodiments, the antenna system is configured to introduce a delay in the switching of active antenna, or active antenna segment, for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of antenna terminals switching antennas at the same time, thereby providing for seamless communication.

In embodiments, the antenna system is configured to introduce a delay in the switching of base station one of the plurality of antenna terminals is in communication with to avoid that all of the antenna terminals of the antenna system are switching active antenna at the same time, thereby providing for seamless communication.

In embodiments, the antenna system is both configured to introduce a delay in the switching of active antenna, or active antenna segment, for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals and introduce a delay in the switching of base station the active antenna of one of the plurality of antenna terminals is in communication with, thereby providing for seamless communication.

In embodiments, a plurality of antennas are mounted on a single axis of the platform of the antenna terminal and are mutually arranged, directed or oriented at an angle in relation to each other. The antenna terminal may then comprise a rotor unit configured for receiving control data from a control system and configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about the single axis in accordance with the received control data. In embodiments, the antenna system of the technology disclosed comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a single rotatable axis on which a plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, are mounted.

In embodiments, lateral coordinates for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore are stored in a database or memory of the antenna system accessible to the control system. The control system of the antenna system may then be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the stored lateral coordinates for the plurality of fixed base stations on shore in relation to at least one of the measured or detected inclination of the vessel and the different angle directions the antennas are mounted on the antenna terminal.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal may be configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored geofencing data accessible to the control system, e.g. is the geofencing data stored in a memory or database. In certain embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal may be configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active solely based on stored geofencing data accessible to the control system.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored historic data accessible to the control system. The historic data may then contain data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing, e.g. when the vessel repeatedly goes on the same route, it may be beneficial to use artificial intelligence for gathering historic data for an upcoming trip on the same route. As an example, the data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence may be used to set virtual boundaries in space and to trigger certain actions on the basis of these boundaries. These virtual boundaries, or borders, may be referred to as a geofence.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal may be configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the heading of the vessel, e.g. solely based on the heading of the vessel. In certain embodiments, at least one of a gyro-compass and software or a data processing unit of the control system is configured to determine the heading of the vessel based on a measured or detected current position of the vessel, and the control system may then be configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is to be active at least partly based on the determined heading of the vessel. In specific embodiments, the control system is configured to determine the heading of the vessel and use the determined heading for switching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by sending control data to a rotor for rotating an axis to direct the antenna to be active towards a determined base station, e.g. the base station having the closest distance to the vessel.

In certain embodiments, the control system is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of a plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switch between which of the plurality of base stations the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active antenna, or the antenna determined to be active, in the direction of the base station on shore having the closest distance to the vessel.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to switch active antenna for the plurality of separate antenna terminals. The decision by the control system whether to switch active antenna for a first antenna terminal may then be dependent on which antenna is the active antenna for at least one other antenna terminal among the plurality of antenna terminals.

In embodiments, the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, of a plurality of separate antenna terminals are mounted on a single rotatable axis and configured to work together as a single antenna array. The control system may then be configured to determine the total gain for a plurality of antennas from the plurality separate antenna terminals. In certain embodiments, the control system may be configured to switch which antenna for each of the plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals.

In certain embodiments, the control system is configured to determine the total gain for a certain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interference between partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiation pattern for the plurality of antennas from different antenna terminals.

The technology disclosed also relates to antenna terminal for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore. The at least one antenna terminal may then comprise a plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, mounted on a single rotatable axis and arranged in different angles and different lateral positions in relation to each other. The control system of the antenna terminal may then be configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time. In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to receive input data from at least one other unit located on the vessel, and wherein the control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the received input data from the at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to have access stored position data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore, e.g. the positions for the base station may be stored in a memory or database accessible to the control system. The control system may be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active solely, or at least partly, based on determined current distances between the vessel and each of the plurality of bases stations.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active solely, or at least partly, based on stored geofencing data accessible to the control system.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active solely, or at least partly, based on stored historic data accessible to the control system. The historic data may then contain data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing, e.g. when the vessel repeatedly goes on the same route, it may be beneficial to use artificial intelligence for gathering historic data for an upcoming trip on the same route. As an example, the data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence may be used to set virtual boundaries in space and to trigger certain actions on the basis of these boundaries. These virtual boundaries, or borders, may be referred to as a geofence.

In embodiments, the control system of the antenna terminal is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of the plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switch base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active antenna in the direction of the base station having the closest distance to the vessel.

The technology disclosed also relates to methods for switching active antenna, or active antenna segment, in an antenna terminal on a vessel having a plurality of antenna terminals each comprising a plurality of antennas. In embodiments, the technology disclosed describes a method for switching active antenna, or active antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system where the method comprises the steps of: a. receiving input data from a gyrocompass, wherein the input comprises at least one of the current GPS position, the heading and the current inclination of the vessel;

b. switching which antenna on the antenna terminal is active solely, or at least partly, based on the received input from the gyrocompass, wherein the switching is adapted so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed describes a method for switching active antenna, or active antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system, where the method comprises the further steps of:

a. obtaining geofencing data from a memory or a database; and

b. switching which antenna, or antenna segment, on the antenna terminal is active solely, or at least partly, based on the obtained at geofencing data, wherein the switching is adapted so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

a. obtaining historic data from a memory or a database; and

b. switching which antenna, or antenna segment, on the antenna terminal is active solely, or at least partly, based on the obtained historic data, wherein the switching is adapted so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

In embodiments, the historic data in the above method contains data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing, e.g. when the vessel repeatedly goes on the same route, it may be beneficial to use artificial intelligence for gathering historic data for an upcoming trip on the same route. In certain embodiments, the data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence may be used by the control system to define virtual boundaries in space and/or to trigger certain actions on the basis of these boundaries. These virtual boundaries, or borders, may be referred to as a geofence. In embodiments, the technology disclosed describes a method for switching active antenna, or active antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system, where the method is defined by the steps of:

a. determining the total gain for a plurality of antennas from the plurality separate antenna terminals; and

b. switching which antenna for each of the plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed describes any of the above-mentioned methods for switching active antenna, or active antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system, where the method comprises the further steps of:

c. determining the total gain for a plurality of antennas from the plurality separate antenna terminals; and

d. switching which antenna for each of the plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals.

In certain embodiments, the method includes determining the total gain for active antenna configurations based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interference calculations for partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiation pattern for the plurality of antennas belonging to different antenna terminals. These calculations typically include determining the total gain for a plurality of active antenna configurations, i.e. the method includes switching which antenna for each of the plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for a plurality of active antenna configurations each including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals. xxx

In certain embodiments of the technology disclosed when antenna(s] adapted for microwave link communication, e.g. point-to-multipoint microwave link technology using steerable antennas, is combined with at least one antenna adapted for communication with at least one of LTE, 4G, and 5G mobile communications network, the antenna terminal is typically provided with at least one additional antenna configured for communication with at least one of LTE, 4G, and 5G mobile communications network as well as additional electronics. When using a microwave radio link, a high, stable data rate with a low signal delay is achieved, typically considerably lower signal delay than what can be achieved with LTE/4G/SG technology. An advantage with LTE/4G, on the other hand, is that there is no need for dedicated microwave links, but existing base stations may be used at a low cost.

In embodiments, the technology' disclosed proposes using a combination of microwave radio link technology when the vessel Is within the coverage area of base stations, or radio towers, of the microwave link network, and LTE/4G/5G technology when outside the coverage area of the microwave link network. Alternatively, the LTE/4G/5G antenna may be used as a backup when antenna gain and data rates for the microwave link communication are lower, or if the microwave link is lost In certain embodiments, the technology disclosed suggests the use of antennas configured for microwave link communication and at least one antenna configured for LTE/4G/5G communication integrated into the same antenna terminal. The at least one antenna configured for LTE/4G/5G communication and the antenna(s] configured for microwave link communication may then be at least one of arranged, mounted, directed or oriented at an angle in relation to one another, e.g. the at least one antenna configured for LTE/4G/5G

communication and the antenna(s] configured for microwave link communication may be at least one of arranged, mounted, directed or oriented at 180 degrees in relation to one another.

When using a radio link, e.g. a microwave link, it is possible to achieve a high, stable data rate with a low signal delay, typically considerably lower signal delay than for 4G/LTE

communication. An advantage with LTE/4G/5G, on the other hand, is that there is no need for dedicated radio links, but existing base stations can be used at a low cost.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed therefore propose a combination of using antennas configured for microwave link technology, e.g. point-to-multipoint microwave link technology using steerable antennas, when operating within a certain coverage area, and antennas configured for LTE/4G/5G mobile communications network when outside the coverage area of the radio network.

The technology disclosed also relates to an antenna system for use on a vessel, where the system comprises at least one antenna terminal. The antenna terminal comprises at least one antenna of a first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type is arranged or mounted on the same platform as the at least one first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is then arranged or mounted in a direction different from the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and is configured for communicating with on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is configured to operate at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the at least one first type of antenna.

In embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is configured to operate in accordance with at least one of the 5G wireless communications protocols, the 4G wireless communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on geofencing data stored in a memory or database of the antenna system and which is accessible to the control system. In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely based on stored geofencing data.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on stored historic data accessible to the control system.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely based on stored historic data, where the historic data is stored in a memory or database of the antenna system and accessible to the control system. The historic data may then contain data processed and/or gathered through artificial intelligence processing.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to determine the heading of the vessel based on measured or detected GPS position of the vessel. The control system may then be configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on the heading of the vessel.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore, where at least one of the plurality of fixed base stations is configured for microwave communication and at least one of the plurality of fixed base stations is configured for operating in accordance with at least one of the 5G wireless communications protocols, 4G wireless communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard. The control system may then be configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of the plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switch between a first and a second type of base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active at least one antenna of a first or second type to be rotationally directed/oriented in the direction of the base station on shore for that type of having the closest distance to the vessel.

In embodiments, the antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna.

In certain embodiments, the antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals and a control system configured to introduce a delay in the switching of antennas between at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of the antenna terminals are switching between different types of antennas at the same time, thereby providing for a robust and seamless communication.

In embodiments, antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. The antenna system may then also comprise a control system configured to switch active antenna for the plurality of separate antenna terminals. In certain embodiments, the decision by the control system whether to switch between at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna for a first antenna terminal is dependent on which one of a plurality of antennas of a first type of antenna is the active antenna for at least one other antenna terminal among the plurality of antenna terminals.

In embodiments, antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. The antenna system may then also comprise a control system configured to determine the total gain for a plurality of antennas of a first type of antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals. The control system may further be configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on the determined total gain for a plurality of antennas of the first type of antenna.

In embodiments, antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. The antenna system may then also comprise a control system configured to determine the total gain for a certain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interference between partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiation pattern for the plurality of antennas of a first type of antenna from separate antenna terminals.

The technology disclosed also relates to an antenna terminal comprising a plurality of antennas and adapted for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore. In embodiments, the at least one antenna terminal comprises at least one antenna of a first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of a plurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna mounted on the same single axis of an antenna platform as the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna may then be arranged or mounted in a direction different from the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna. The at least one of the second type of antenna is then configured for communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the at least one first type of antenna.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal is provided with a plurality of antennas of different types and further comprises a control system configured to switch, for each of the at least one antenna terminal, between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal is provided with a plurality of antennas of different types and further comprises a control system is configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active so that only one of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at a time.

In embodiments, the at least one first type of antenna and the at least one second type of antenna are both arranged or mounted on the same rotatable axis and are directed in different angles. In embodiments, the antenna terminal may then comprise a rotor unit configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about a single axis so that at least one currently active antenna of either the first or second type of antenna is rotationally oriented in the direction of a base station on shore configured with an antenna of the same type as the at least one currently active antenna.

In embodiments, control system is configured to switch between a first and a second type of base stations the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to the rotor unit The rotor unit may then be configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about the single rotatable axis so that an active at least one antenna of the first or second type of antenna is rotationally oriented in the direction of the base station configured with an antenna of the same type having the closest distance to the vessel.

In embodiments, control system is configured to receive input data from a gyrocompass located on the vessel. The control system may then be configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on the received input data from the

gyrocompass. In embodiments, the gyrocompass is configured to measure or detect at least one of the current GPS position, heading and inclination of the vessel. The control system may then be configured to switch between which one of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on at least one of the measured or detected current GPS position, heading and inclination of the vessel.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at least partly based on stored geofencing data accessible to the control system.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active solely based on stored geofencing data accessible to the control system.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at least partly based on stored historic data accessible to the control system.

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active solely based on stored historic data accessible to the control system. The historic data may then contain data processed and/or gathered through artificial intelligence processing.

The technology disclosed also relates to a method for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active antenna in an antenna terminal on a vessel, comprising: a. receiving input data from a gyro compass, wherein the input comprises at least one of the current position, the heading and the current inclination of the vessel; and

b. switching between which one of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on the received input from the gyro compass, where only one of the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at a time. In embodiments, the method for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active further comprises the steps of:

c. obtaining at least one of geofencing data and historic data from one of a memory and a database; and

d. switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based on the obtained at least one of geofencing data and historic data, where the historic data contains data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal is part of an antenna system comprising a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. In these embodiments, the method for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active further comprises the further steps of:

e. determining the total gain for a plurality of antennas of the first type from the plurality separate antenna terminals; and

f. switching between which of at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas of the first type from a plurality of antenna terminals.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal is part of an antenna system comprising a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. In these embodiments, the method for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active comprises the steps of:

g. obtaining at least one of geofencing data and historic data from one of a memory and a database; and

h. switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely based on at least one of the obtained at least one of geofencing data and historic data, and where the historic data may contain data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal is part of an antenna system comprising a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. In these embodiments, the method for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active comprises:

i. introducing a delay in the switching of antennas between at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and at least one antenna of the second type of antenna for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of the antenna terminals are switching between different types of antennas at the same time, thereby providing for a robust and seamless communication.

j. rotating the plurality of antennas about a single axis so that at least one currently active antenna of either the first or second type of antenna is rotationally oriented in the direction of a base station on shore configured with an antenna of the same type as the at least one currently active antenna.

In embodiments, the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna is configured for microwave communication with base stations located on shore and the at least one antenna of the second type of antenna is configured to operate in accordance with at least one of the 5G wireless communications protocols, 4G wireless communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of an antenna system and an antenna terminal, according to the technology disclosed will be described more in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example antenna terminal according to embodiments of the technology disclosed.

FIG. 2a shows a vessel which does not roll and where an antenna Nr 2, or antenna element Nr 2, is selected as the active antenna element FIG. 2b shows the same vessel as in FIG. 2a rolling and where an antenna Nr 3, or antenna element Nr 3, is selected as the active antenna element

FIG. 3 illustrates an example antenna terminal according to embodiments of the technology disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, similar details are denoted with the same reference number throughout the different embodiments. In the various embodiments of the network system, according to the technology disclosed the different subsystems are denoted. The "boxes”/subsystems shown in the drawings are by way of example only and can within the scope of the technology disclosed be arranged in any other way or combination.

Microwave links, or microwave radio relay technology, is a technology widely used for transmitting signals between two points on a narrow beam of microwaves. In microwave radio relay, microwaves are transmitted on a line of sight path between relay stations

using directional antennas, forming a fixed radio connection between the two points. The base stations of the microwave link network used according to the technology disclosed are typically dedicated base stations and not base station of a commercial mobile communications networks such as network based on the 5G wireless communications protocols, 4G wireless

communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard.

The technology disclosed proposes an improved antenna terminal solution for communicating from moving objects such as vessels, to fixed base stations via microwave links. Instead of using a gimbal solution with a multi-axis platform, embodiments of the technology disclosed proposes the use of a plurality of selectable antennas, or antenna segments, mounted on the same rotatable single axis of the platform of the antenna terminal. According to different

embodiments of the technology disclosed, the at least one antenna terminal of the antenna system comprises a plurality of antennas mounted in different angles. In these embodiments, the antenna terminal may further comprise a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time. One objective of the technology disclosed is to provide the maritime industry with high speed broadband. The proposed solution includes the use of microwave links for line-o-sight (LOS] communication, typically point-to-multipoint communication. Another objective of the technology disclosed is to achieve a configuration which enables reaching long distances over water, which traditionally has been considered a difficult task when using microwave links.

As mentioned above, the technology disclosed uses line-of-sight (LOS] communication. The antennas mounted on the platform are directional, or steerable, and the antenna terminal system on the vessel is provided with a rotor configured to track and face the antenna of the on shore base stations, often called the radio towers. On the vessel, there is typically at least two, often more, antenna terminals which are configured with a rotor configured for tracking the base stations antenna on shore via a point-to-multipoint network. The antenna terminal of the technology disclosed comprises a rotor which is configured to rotate the antenna(s] about an axis, an antenna dish and microwave radio equipment

The technology disclosed proposes an antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna terminals where each of the antenna terminals comprises a platform provided with only one rotatable shaft on which multiple antennas are arranged. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate about its own axis and at any angle within an angle range of 0-360 degrees, or at least within an angle range of 0-180 degrees.

The multiple antennas of each of the antenna terminals are arranged on the rotatable shaft so that they are directed in mutually slightly different angles in relation to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft The vertically-oriented axis about which the shaft is configured to rotate may then be an axis essentially parallel to the normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel.

According to a certain embodiment, a first antenna of the multiple antennas of an antenna terminal is directed at a first angle direction a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arranged and a second antenna directed at a second angle direction b within an angle range of 80-87,9 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The vertically-oriented axis is then parallel, or essentially parallel, to a normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel. In embodiments, the first angle direction a and the second angle direction b have a mutual angle difference within an angle range of 2-5 degrees. In a certain embodiment, the antenna terminal may in addition to the first and second antennas further comprise a third antenna directed at third angle W having an angle difference within an angle range of 6-10 degrees to the first angle direction a and an angle difference within an angle range of 2-5 degrees to the second angle direction b. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multiple antennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time.

In certain embodiments, the controller, or control system/unit, may be configured to select the antenna having the best direction in relation to the position, including height, or altitude position, of the base station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the active antenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna.

According to a certain embodiment, a first antenna of the multiple antennas of an antenna terminal is directed at a first angle a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arranged and at least one another one of the multiple antennas of the same antenna terminal may be directed at a second angle b within an angle range of 85-87,9 degrees to the same vertically- oriented axis of the rotatable shaft, where the vertically-oriented axis is parallel, or essentially parallel, to a normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel. In certain embodiments, the antenna terminal may in addition to the first and second antennas further comprise at least a third antenna directed at third angle W within an angle range of 80-84,9 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multiple antennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time. In certain embodiments, the controller, or control system/unit, may be configured to select the antenna having the best direction in relation to the position, including height, or altitude position, of the base station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the active antenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna. The controller, or control system/unit, of the antenna terminal/system may be further configured to switch between which one of the multiple, or plurality of, antennas of the antenna terminal is active at least partly based on input data received from at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. The at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass, may then be configured to measure or detect the current inclination of the vessel. The controller, or control system/unit, may then be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the current inclination of the vessel, e.g. the current inclination of the vertically- oriented axis of the rotatable shaft and/or the current angle directions of a plurality of antennas arranged on the rotatable shaft. The measuring or detection of the inclination of the vessel may then include at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch and roll of the vessel. In certain embodiments, the determining, by the controller/control system/unit of the antenna terminal or antenna system, whether to switch active antenna is solely based on measured or detected input data about the current inclination of the vessel received from the at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna.

The advantages of the technology disclosed proposing an antenna terminal comprising an antenna platform with only one single shaft rotatable about its own axis and on which the multiple antenna(s] are mounted, compared to a multi-axis platform, is that the antenna terminal becomes significantly cheaper and that the antenna platform is more robust. The single rotatable axis solution of the technology disclosed also makes the antenna terminal more durable in the harshest marine environments. A simple and robust antenna platform comprising only one single rotatable axis on which the antenna(s] are mounted results in a much better Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF] performance, faster installation times as well as relatively easier service and maintenance.

Further advantages with an antenna platform having a single rotatable axis on which the antenna(s] are mounted include that a Point of Entry slip-ring can be used which is configured to manage unlimited turns. A multi-axis platform with more than one axis may use a different kind of slip-ring, but this is a far more expensive solution. If a slip ring is not used, the rotational movement of the axis on which the antennas are mounted may be limited to a few turns and then needs to be unwrapped, which is a disadvantage when the antenna terminal is installed on a vessel out at sea.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed therefore propose a combination of radio link technology, when operating within a certain coverage area, and LTE/4G/5G when outside the coverage area of the radio network. Alternatively, the LTE/4G/5G antenna can be used as a backup if the microwave radio link should fall off. In embodiments, the technology disclosed suggest the use of integrated radio link LTE/4G/5G in one and the same antenna terminal.

In certain embodiments of the technology disclosed, an open band that operates in 5.4 - 6 GHz may be used for the microwave line-of-sight (LOS] communication. In other embodiments, the licensed 6-6,2 GHz band is used. The technology disclosed is not limited to these example frequency bands. However, to reach as far as possible, one does not typically want to operate at too high frequencies. Since antenna gain and effects for microwave radio links are significantly higher than for LTE/4G/5G, the microwave radio links typically have a longer distance range and allows for a higher possible data rate.

The technology disclosed is based on the insight that for line-of-sight microwave communication between two antennas focused on each other, the conditions are optimal if the antennas are directed as accurately as possible. A problem addressed by the technology disclosed is that fixed bases stations are in line-of-sight communicating with a moving vessel, which moves in x, y, z joints, in addition with varying its distance and height against the fixed base stations. To focus an antenna moving together with the moving vessel on which it is mounted, the antenna platform may either rotate the antenna in the X, Y, Z axes by using an expensive multi-axes solution or use many antenna elements, which is also a costly solution. The technology disclosed describes a less expensive solution that combines these two approaches.

According to embodiments of the technology disclosed, only one antenna, or antenna element, per antenna terminal is active at a time, otherwise destructive interference will occur. The reason for why the technology disclosed may use several antenna terminals on the vessel is because the antenna terminals are at a greater distance from each other. The side lobes from the antennas of separate antenna terminals according to the technology disclosed therefore do not interfere with each other. According to embodiments of the technology disclosed, the positioning of the antenna terminals and the antennas mounted on these antenna terminals may be adapted so that the main lobes from antennas of separate antenna terminals overlap to some extent to thereby provide constructive interference. Thus, the overlap of the main lobes of a antennas of separate antenna terminals may be adapted to improve the total antenna gain from the active antennas of a plurality of antenna terminals.

Advantages of the technology disclosed include the various combinations of antenna

configurations that can be used to find a reliable communication channel with an onshore base station and optimize the total antenna gain. In an example embodiment with four antenna terminals where each antenna terminal is provided with four antennas, the antenna system of the technology disclosed provides for different combinations of antennas from separate antenna terminals. In an example embodiment with four antenna terminals where each antenna terminal is provided with four antennas and if only one antenna, or antenna element, of each antenna terminal is allowed to be active at a time due to interference, the antenna system of the technology disclosed provides for 16 different antenna configurations.

As mentioned above and in embodiments of the technology disclosed, the main lobes of antennas of separate antenna terminals may be adapted to overlap with each other to some extent. By optimizing the different antenna configurations for multiple antenna terminals so that an overlap of the main lobes of antennas of the antenna terminals provides for constructive interference, the best possible coverage, or gain, may be achieved.

When the vessel repeatedly goes on the same route, it may be beneficial to use artificial intelligence. In one embodiment, one or more antenna terminals may initially be used to optimize the base station configuration by scanning alternate positions. When optimized, all terminals can use the configuration.

If one has four antenna terminals and loses the signal or goes down in quality, one can use one of the terminals of the terminals to scan against other known base stations in the vicinity according to different embodiments. The others can try with the second-best base station or to the LTE/4G/5G base station. Everything to ensure that communication is not broken. If the problem occurs repeatedly, it can be learned through artificial intelligence.

For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

FIG. 1 illustrates an antenna terminal 101 comprising multiple antennas 102. The antennas are directional in nature to allow communication with distant base stations, but may have substantially different reception characteristics, such as gain levels, beam widths, or other differences due to their mounting locations on the vessel. The antennas 102 are each

respectively connected to a rotor unit 103 and a transceiver 104 as shown. The rotor unit 103 comprises the hardware necessary, e.g. motors, gearing, etc., to rotate the antennas about a vertical axis 105. The transceiver 104 provide for the tuning, amplification and other processing of the signals received and transmitted by antennas.

The antenna terminal, or antenna system, 101 in FIG. 1 further comprises a control system 106 which is in operative communication with the transceiver 104 and the rotor unit 103. The control system 106 may be configured to pair the individual antennas 102 with signals or sources based on various optimization criteria as discussed in detail below. In certain embodiments, the control system 106 contains information relating to base stations. For example, the control system 106 may have access to, or be preloaded with, a list of all of the available on shore base stations in the network and their associated properties and positions, e.g. including their altitude positions.

In example antenna terminal illustrated in FIG. 1, the antenna terminal 101 comprises mechanics in the form of a rotor unit 103 which enables a shaft on which the antennas 102 are mounted to rotate, the antenna dish and the microwave radio 110. This part may also be referred to as the Above Deck Equipment (ADE]

On the antenna terminal 101 illustrated in FIG. 1, three antennas are mounted in different angles. The radio is via a PoE slip-ring connected to the Antenna Control Unit (ACU] 107 of the control system for the communication. To eliminate the interference, only one antenna can stay active at a time. The coax relay is controlled via a transceiver connected to the computer (PC] which calculates which antenna should be active.

The antenna terminal communicates with the ACU 107 of the control system 106. The ACU is controlled by a computer 108 where software calculates the direction of the antenna terminal. The ACU 107 controls the antennas on the vessel. The software continuously calculates the correct direction of the antenna. In certain embodiments, the antennas will per default always communicate with the closest base station on shore. In embodiments and when switching from one base station to another, all antennas will not switch at the same time, in order not to interrupt and maintain a seamless communication. Geo-fencing may also be used, in areas where a second-best antenna is known to provide better connection. The optimal tower connections may over time be determined by artificial intelligence.

The control system 106 in FIG. 1 is configured to switch between which one of the plurality of antennas of the antenna terminal is active based on input data received from a gyrocompass 111. The gyrocompass 111 in FIG. 1 is configured to measure or detect the current inclination of the vessel. The control system may then switch between which of the plurality of antennas 102 is active at least partly based on the current inclination of the vessel, e.g. the current inclination of the vertically-oriented axis 105 of the rotatable shaft 109 and/or the angle directions (a, b] of a plurality of antennas arranged on the rotatable shaft 109. The measuring or detection of the inclination of the vessel may then include at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch and roll of the vessel.

The plurality of antennas in FIG. 1 are arranged on a shaft configured to rotate about its own axis and the plurality of antennas are directed in different angle directions (a, b] in relation to the axis of the rotatable shaft 109 on which the plurality of antennas are arranged.

One first antenna of the antenna terminal in FIG. 1 is directed at a first angle a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. Another second antenna of the same plurality of antennas is directed at a second angle b within an angle range of 85-87,9 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The antenna terminal 101 in FIG. 1 is provided with a rotor unit 103 and only one shaft 109 configured to rotate about its own axis 105, e.g. rotor unit 103 and the shaft 109 may be configured to rotate the antennas 102 to be directed at any angle within an angle range of 0-360 degrees, or at least within an angle range of 0- 180 degrees. The multiple antennas shown in FIG. 1 are arranged/mounted on the shaft 109 so that they are directed in mutually different angles (a, b] in relation to the vertically-oriented axis 105 of the rotatable shaft 109. The vertically- oriented axis 105 about which the shaft is configured to rotate may then be an axis essentially parallel to the normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel.

One of the multiple antennas 102 of the antenna terminal 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 is directed at a first angle a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arranged and another one of the multiple antennas 102 of the antenna terminal in FIG. 1 may be directed at a second angle b within an angle range of 80-87,5 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft, where the vertically-oriented axis is parallel to the normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multiple antennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time.

FIG. 2a shows a vessel comprising a plurality of antennas directed at different angle directions to the axis of a rotating shaft The vessel in FIG. 2a does not roll and an antenna Nr 2 , or antenna element Nr 2, is selected as the active antenna element because it is best directed to the position of the base station on shore.

FIG. 2b shows the same vessel as in FIG. 2a rolling and where a switch of active antenna has occurred in that an antenna Nr 3, or antenna element Nr 3, has been selected by the control system of the antenna terminal/system to be the active antenna element because antenna element Nr 3 is now best directed to the position of the base station on shore.

In the antenna terminal illustrated in FIG. 3, the antennas for microwave link communication, or microwave radio relay technology, is combined with at least one antenna for a least one of LTE, 4G, and 5G communication, the antenna terminal is typically provided with at least one additional antenna as well as additional electronics. When using a microwave radio link, a high, stable data rate with a low signal delay is achieved, typically considerably lower signal delay than with LTE/4G/5G technology. An advantage with LTE/4G, on the other hand, is that there is no need for dedicated microwave links, but existing base stations may be used at a low cost The antenna for at least one of LTE, 4G, and 5G communication illustrated in FIG. 3 is mounted on the backside of the at 180 degrees rotational angle to the multiple antennas for microwave link communication.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed proposes using a combination of microwave radio link technology when the vessel is within the coverage area of the microwave radio network, and LTE/4G/5G technology when outside the coverage area of the microwave link network. Alternatively, the LTE/4G/5G antenna may be used as a backup when antenna gain and data rates for the microwave link communication are lower, or if the microwave link is lost. In certain embodiments, the technology disclosed suggests the use of antennas for microwave link communication and antennas for LTE/4G/5G communication integrated into the same antenna terminal.

The control system is used to control the operation of the system by analyzing the various forms of information discussed herein and dictating wireless signal source and antenna pairings and/or antenna movements. The control system may be comprised of one or more components. For a multi component form, one or more components may be located remotely relative to the others or configured as a single unit. Furthermore, the control system may be embodied in a form having more than one processing unit, such as a multi-processor configuration, and should be understood to collectively refer to such configurations as well as a single-processor-based- arrangement. One or more components of the processor may be of electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. The processor can be of a programmable variety responsive to software instructions, a hardwired state machine, or a combination of these.

Among its many functions, the memory of the control system in conjunction with the processor is used to store information pertaining to, such as, but not limited to, antenna position, vessel location, GPS location, heading, speed, geofencing data, historic data gathered through artificial intelligence, services delivered through the network, signal strength, distance between vehicles or vessels etc., on a temporary, permanent, or semi-permanent basis. The memory can include one or more types of solid-state memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few.

In certain embodiments, the controller, or control system/unit, may be configured to select the antenna having the closest direction to the direction, including height, or altitude position, of the base station closest to the antenna terminal of the vessel, and/or the closest direction to the direction of the base station the antenna terminal is currently communicating with, as the active antenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then be determined by the controller, or control system/unit, based on that the second antenna is directed at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitude information] compared to the first antenna.

Once the list of available base stations is determined, the control system may rank them according to an optimization-criteria relating to the signal and antenna characteristics. The control system may then instruct the rotor unit to direct the selected active antenna toward the base station which is currently closest to the vessel.

Various optimization criteria may be used to determine the ranking and/or pairing of antennas to fixed base stations on shore. In one embodiment, the ranking and/or pairing of antennas to base stations on shore may be based on the angle direction and/or distance from the vessel to the respective base station.

In still further embodiments, the ranking and/or pairing of the antennas to remote signal sources may be based on the predicted future relative distances based on movement of the vessel and the fixed positions of the base stations on shore.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all equivalents, changes, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions as described herein and/or by the following claims are desired to be protected.

When using a microwave radio link, a high, stable data rate with a lower signal delay may be achieved, considerably lower signal delay than may be achieved with LTE/4G mobile communications networks. An advantage with using LTE/4G mobile communications networks, on the other hand, is that there is no need for dedicated radio links, but existing base stations can be used at a low cost In embodiments, the technology disclosed therefore propose a combination of radio link technology, when operating within a certain coverage area, and LTE/4G/5G technology when outside the coverage area of the radio network. Alternatively, the LTE/4G/5G antenna can be used as a backup when antenna gain and data rates for the microwave link communication are lower, or if the microwave link is lost In embodiments, the technology disclosed suggests the use of antennas for microwave link communication and antennas for LTE/4G/5G communication integrated into the same antenna terminal.

The technology disclosed relates to solutions for maritime broadband wireless communication on a vessel. These solutions are often using an expensive multi-axis antenna platform mounted on a gimble. The antenna gimbal typically tracks a moving object by receiving data from the object and a data processing and unit in a computer is used to calculate a rotational angle of the antenna gimbal by determining the direction of the antenna gimbal by processing data from the antenna gimbal. A control unit then transmits an activation signal to the antenna gimbal in response to a control signal according to the rotational angle calculated by the data-processing computer.

Geofencing is a technology that defines a virtual boundary around a real-world geographical area. In doing so, a radius of interest is established that can trigger an action. The term

"geofencing” refers to a technology that uses GPS coordinates to draw a virtual boundary in space and to trigger certain actions on the basis of this boundary. This virtual border is called a geofence, which is a portmanteau word made up of geographic and fence.

Geofencing is technically based on a GPS system and is typically used in a wide variety of areas to manage administrative tasks, supplement marketing, or to check security-relevant aspects. In principle, such systems work like positioning and navigation systems. The difference is in the boundary coordinates, which enclose a specific area in the shape of a rectangle or circle and function as a geofilter. This virtual positioning is known from vehicle location by GPS. By distinguishing between the inside and the outside of a precisely defined area, it is possible to trigger actions on entering or exiting from this defined area.

A geo-fence may be defined and established automatically based on a current location of a vessel along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the control unit/system of the antenna system of movement of the vessel beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In various

embodiments of the technology disclosed, a geo-fence may be used for determining, based on the current position of the vessel, whether to use microwave point-to-multipoint communication or LTE/4G/5G mobile wireless communication, or which antenna among a plurality of antennas to be active. The geofence may always be active, or may be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof. A geo-fence can be defined by reference to a perimeter, or boundary, surrounding a geographic area. The geographic area can be substantially circular or can be a polygon or any other shape.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed relates to an antenna system for off use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, said system comprising at least one antenna terminal, wherein the at least one antenna terminal comprises a plurality of antennas mounted in different angles, and wherein the antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

In embodiments, stored lateral coordinates for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore are accessible to the control system, and the control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on said stored lateral coordinates for the plurality of fixed base stations on shore in relation to at least one of the measured or detected inclination of the vessel and the different angle directions in which the plurality of antennas are mounted on the antenna terminal.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to determine the heading of the vessel based on said measured or detected current position of the vessel, and the control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the heading of the vessel. The control system may then be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the heading of the vessel received as input data from the at least one other unit.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be further configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of said plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active antenna in the direction of the base station on shore having the closest distance to the vessel.

In embodiments, the antenna system is configured to introduce a delay in the switching of antennas for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of antenna terminals switching antennas at the same time, thereby providing for seamless communication.

In embodiments, the antenna system is configured to introduce a delay in the switching of base station for at least one of said plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of antenna terminals switching antennas at the same time, thereby providing for seamless communication.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to switch active antenna for said plurality of separate antenna terminals, and the decision by the control system whether to switch active antenna for a first antenna terminal is dependent on which antenna is the active antenna for at least one other antenna terminal among said plurality of antenna terminals. In embodiments, the plurality of antennas of a plurality of separate antenna terminals are mounted and configured to work together as a single antenna array. The control system may then be configured to determine the total gain for a plurality of antennas from the plurality separate antenna terminals and further switch which antenna for each of the plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals. In certain embodiments, the control system is configured to determine the total gain for a certain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interference between partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiation pattern for the plurality of antennas from different antenna terminals.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be further configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of the plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active antenna in the direction of the base station having the closest distance to the vessel.

Claims

1. An antenna system for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, said system comprising at least one antenna terminal comprising a plurality of antennas arranged on a shaft configured to rotate about its own axis and where said plurality of antennas are directed in mutually different vertical angle directions in relation to a single axis of the rotatable shaft, wherein the antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore, and wherein the control system is further configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the axis about which the shaft is configured to rotate about is a vertically-oriented axis essentially parallel to the normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel.

3. The antenna system according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein a first of the plurality of antennas of an antenna terminal is directed at a first angle a within an angle range of 88- 90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the plurality of antennas are arranged and a second antenna of the same plurality of antennas of the same antenna terminal is directed at a second angle b within an angle range of 85-87,9 degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft.

4. The antenna system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control system

comprises software or a data processing unit and is configured to receive input data from at least one other unit located on said vessel, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the received input data from said at least one other unit.

5. The antenna system according to claim 4, wherein said at least one other unit is

configured to measure or detect the current position and inclination of the vessel, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the current position and inclination of the vessel.

6. The antenna system according to claim 5, wherein stored position data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore are accessible to the control system, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on determined current distances between the vessel and each of the plurality of bases stations.

7. The antenna system according to any of claims 5 and 6, wherein stored lateral

coordinates for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore are accessible to the control system, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on said stored lateral coordinates for the plurality of fixed base stations on shore in relation to at least one of the measured or detected inclination of the vessel and the different angle directions in which the plurality of antennas are mounted on the antenna terminal.

8. The antenna system according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored geofencing data accessible to said control system.

9. The antenna system according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored historic data accessible to said control system.

10. The antenna system of claim 9, wherein said historic data contains data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing.

11. The antenna system according to any of claims 5-10, wherein at least one of said at least one other unit and said software or data processing unit is configured to determine the heading of the vessel based on said measured or detected current position of the vessel, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the heading of the vessel.

12. The antenna system according to any of claims 5-10, wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the heading of the vessel received as input data from the at least one other unit.

13. The antenna system according to any of claims 3 to 12, wherein said control system is configured to determine the heading of the vessel based on a measured or detected position of the vessel, and wherein said control system is further configured to use said determined heading for switching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by directing the currently active antenna towards a fixed base station on shore.

14. The antenna system according to any of claims 3 to 13, wherein said control system is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore, and wherein said control system is further configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of said plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active antenna in the direction of the base station on shore having the closest distance to the vessel.

15. The antenna system according to any of claims 5 to 14, wherein said measuring or

detection of the inclination of the vessel includes at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch and roll of the vessel.

16. The antenna system according to any of claims 5 to 15, wherein said at least one other unit includes at least one of a gyro-compass and a compass.

17. The antenna system according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein said antenna terminal comprises a rotor unit configured to rotate said plurality of antennas about said single axis.

18. The antenna system according to any of claims 1 to 17, said antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas.

19. The antenna system according to claim 18, wherein said antenna system is configured to introduce a delay in the switching of active antenna for at least one of said plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of antenna terminals switching antennas at the same time, thereby providing for seamless communication.

20. The antenna system according to claim 18, wherein said antenna system is configured to introduce a delay in the switching of base station for at least one of said plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of antenna terminals switching antennas at the same time, thereby providing for seamless communication.

21. The antenna system according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein said control system is configured to switch active antenna for said plurality of separate antenna terminals, and wherein the decision by said control system whether to switch active antenna for a first antenna terminal is dependent on which antenna is the active antenna for at least one other antenna terminal among said plurality of antenna terminals.

22. The antenna system according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the plurality of

antennas of a plurality of separate antenna terminals are mounted and configured to work together as a single antenna array, and wherein said control system is configured to determine the total gain for a plurality of antennas from said plurality separate antenna terminals and further switch which antenna for each of said plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals.

23. The antenna system according to claim 22, wherein said control system is configured to determine the total gain for a certain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interference between partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiation pattern for the plurality of antennas from different antenna terminals.

24. An antenna terminal for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, wherein the at least one antenna terminal comprises a control system and a plurality of antennas arranged on a single rotatable shaft of the antenna terminal, wherein the plurality of antennas are directed in different angle directions in relation to the single axis of the rotatable shaft on which the plurality of antennas are arranged, and wherein said control system is configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore, and wherein the control system is further configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

25. The antenna terminal according to claim 24, wherein a first of the plurality of antennas is directed at a first angle a within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to the axis of the rotatable shaft on which the plurality of antennas are arranged and a second antenna of the same plurality of antennas of the same antenna terminal is directed at a second angle b within an angle range of 83-87,9 degrees to the same axis of the rotatable shaft

26. The antenna terminal according to any of claims 24 and 25, wherein said control system is configured to receive input data from at least one other unit located on said vessel, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the received input data from said at least one other unit

27. The antenna terminal according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein said control system is configured to access stored position data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore, and wherein said control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on determined current distances between the vessel and each of the plurality of bases stations.

28. The antenna terminal according to any of claims 24 to 27, wherein said control system is configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored geofencing data accessible to said control system.

29. The antenna terminal according to any of claims 24 to 28, wherein said control system is configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored historic data accessible to said control system.

30. The antenna terminal according to any of claims 24 to 29, wherein said control system is configured to access stored positions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore, and wherein said control system is further configured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of said plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently active antenna in the direction of the base station having the closest distance to the vessel.

31. A method for switching active antenna for an antenna terminal on a vessel, said antenna terminal comprising a plurality of antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft configured to rotate about its own single axis and where said plurality of antennas are directed in mutually different angle directions in relation to the single axis of the rotatable shaft, comprising: a. receiving, by the control system of the antenna terminal, input data from at least one of a gyro and a gyro compass, wherein said input comprises at least one of the current position, the heading and the current inclination of the vessel;

b. switching, by the control system of the antenna terminal, which antenna on said antenna terminal is active at least partly based on said received input from the at least one of a gyro and a gyro compass and at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore, wherein only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time, and

c. rotating, by the control system of the antenna terminal, the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising:

a. obtaining at least one of geofencing data and historic data from a database; and b. switching which antenna on said antenna terminal is active at least partly based on said obtained at least one of geofencing data and historic data, wherein said historic data contains data processed or gathered through artificial intelligence processing.

33. The method according to any of claims 31 and 32, wherein said antenna system

comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas, said method further comprising:

a. determining the total gain for a plurality of antennas from said plurality separate antenna terminals; and

b. switching which antenna for each of said plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for at least one active antenna configuration including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said determining includes determining the total gain for a certain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interference between partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiation pattern for the plurality of antennas from different antenna terminals.

35. The method according to any of claims 33 and 34, wherein said switching includes

switching which antenna for each of said plurality of separate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for a plurality of active antenna configurations each including antennas from a plurality of antenna terminals.

36. The antenna system according to any of claims 1 to 23, wherein said plurality of

antennas are of a first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with base stations located on shore, and wherein the antenna terminal of said antenna system further comprises at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna.

37. The antenna system according to claim 36, wherein said at least one antenna of a second type is arranged on the same rotatable shaft as said plurality of antennas of a first type, and wherein said at least one antenna of said second type of antenna is mounted in a direction different from said plurality of antennas of said first type of antenna.

38. The antenna system according to any of claims 36 and 37, wherein said at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is mounted on the same rotatable shaft as the plurality of antennas of a first type and operating in accordance with at least one of the 4G wireless communications protocols and the 3 GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE] standard at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of the first type of antenna.

39. The antenna system according to any of claims 36 to 38, wherein said control system is configured to switch between which of the currently active antenna of said plurality of first type of antenna and said at least one antenna of said second type of antenna is directed in a direction of a known or determined position of a base station on shore.

40. The antenna system according to any of claims 36 to 39, wherein said control system is further configured to control a rotor unit of said antenna system to rotate said plurality of antennas of a first type and said at least one second type of antenna arranged on the same rotatable shaft about said single axis so that either the currently active antenna of the first type of antennas or the at least one of a second type of antenna is directed in a known or determined direction of a base station on shore configured with an antenna of the same type as the antenna directed in the direction of said base station.

41. An antenna terminal for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, comprising a plurality of antennas of a first type configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of a plurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna and mounted on the same rotatable shaft and single axis of said antenna platform as said at least one antenna of said first type of antenna, and wherein said at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is mounted on said rotatable shaft in a direction different from the plurality of antennas of the first type and configured for communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of said plurality of antennas of the first type.

42. The antenna terminal according to claim 41, wherein said antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to control a rotor unit of said antenna terminal to rotate said plurality of antennas of a first type and said at least one second type of antenna arranged on the same rotatable shaft about said single axis so that only one of the currently active antenna of the first type of antennas and the at least one of a second type of antenna is directed in a known or determined direction of a base station on shore configured with an antenna of the same type as the antenna directed in the direction of said base station.

43. The antenna terminal according to any of claims 41 and 42, wherein the control system is further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas of the first type is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time at least partly based on at least one of a determined current inclination the vessel, the current heading of the vessel and an obtained current position of the vessel in relation to a known or determined position of at least one fixed base station located on shore, and wherein the control system is further configured to control the rotation of the rotatable shaft about its single axis so that the currently active antenna of the first type is directed to a known or determined position of a fixed base station located on shore.

44. An antenna terminal for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located on shore, comprising at least one antenna of a first type configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of a plurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type of antenna and mounted on the same rotatable shaft and single axis of said antenna platform as said at least one antenna of the first type, and wherein said at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is mounted on said rotatable shaft in a direction different from the plurality of antennas of the first type and configured for

communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of a mobile communications network operating at a different frequency range than the frequency range used for the microwave communication of said plurality of antennas of the first type.

45. The antenna terminal of claim 44, wherein said antenna terminal further comprises a control system configured to control a rotor unit of said antenna terminal to rotate said at least one antenna of a first type and said at least one second type of antenna arranged on the same rotatable shaft about said single axis so that either the at least one antenna of the first type or the at least one of a second type of antenna is directed in a known or determined direction of a base station on shore which is configured with an antenna of the same type as the antenna directed in the direction of said base station.