SE543301C2

SE543301C2 - An antenna terminal, an antenna system and methods for maritime use

Info

Publication number: SE543301C2
Application number: SE1930041A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Ulf Hårderup
Original assignee: Aecorlink Ab
Priority date: 2019-02-07
Filing date: 2019-02-07
Publication date: 2020-11-17
Also published as: SE1930041A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, an antenna terminal (101) and an antenna system, and more particularly, to methods, an antenna terminal (101) and an antenna system for a vessel in communication via microwave link with fixed base stations located onshore. The antenna terminal of the invention comprises a plurality of antennas (102) arranged on a shaft (109) configured to rotate about its own axis (105). Specifically, the plurality of antennas (102) are directed in different angle directions in relation to the axis (105) of the rotatable shaft (109) on which the plurality of antennas (102) are arranged. The antenna terminal (101) further comprises a control system (106) configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas (102) is active so that only one of the plurality of antennas is active at a time.

Description

TITLE An antenna terminal, an antenna system and methods for maritime use TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system, and moreparticularly, to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system for a vessel in communication via microwave link with fixed base stations located onshore.

BACKGROUND ln a typical state-oflthe-art solution for maritime broadband wireless communication, mainlyLTE/ALG cornmiinication is used along the coasts and further out, outside the coverage area forthe LTE/ÅiG base stations, different types ofsatellite communication are used. Satellitecornmunication is considerably' more expensive than LTE/LEG eoinm uriieation. Today; LTH/fit;ornni antennas are lnainly used for rriaritirrie broadband wireless conirriunicaticari, but there are :also steerable antennas available on the market.

Steerable antennas, or directional antennas, provide for a considerably longer reach and a morestable connection with higher throughput/ data rates. A directional antenna, sometimes alsoreferred to a beam antenna, is an antenna which radiates or receives greater power in specificdirections allowing increased performance and reduced interference from unwanted sources.Directional antennas provide increased performance over dipole antennas, or omnidirectionalantennas in general, when greater concentration of radiation in a certain direction is desired. Inconclusion, 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-antennasystem 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 diffractaround hills, follow the surface as ground waves, or reflect from the ionosphere, so terrestrialmicrowave 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 pointson a narrow beam of microwaves. In microwave radio relay, microwaves are transmitted ona 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 forwireless 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 communicationsdevices, 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.

PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIOR ART Various communications systems are known in the art which allow moving vehicles, such asships, aircraft, or terrain vehicles, to communicate with other moving vehicles or fixedcommunication installations. Because it is not feasible to connect a moving vehicle such as avessel 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 withthe intended target. However, satellite communications suffer from significant drawbacks, suchas 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 withanother 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 inrelation to the communication target, it may further be difficult to maintain communication withmultiple communication sources using the single antenna, as is often required in multi-vessel orvehicle 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 usingconventional omni-directional antennas. Vessels separated by a distance larger than the range ofthe 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 physicaleffects such as “fading.” Fading of the radio signal is caused by reflection of the radio signal fromthe sea surface. The phase-shifted reﬂected signal fades out the direct signal in regions ofreduced 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 unlicensedfrequency bands. Unlicensed bands may also be used by other transmitters, such as thoseonboard other ships in the vicinity of the vessel. The signals broadcast by the other transmittersmay destructively interfere with the high-speed wireless data link and degrade the quality of theconnection. The destructive interference may corrupt the transferred data and/ or interrupt thetransfer 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 linksby increasing antenna sensitivity in a reduced range of angles in the direction of a target, e.g. abase 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 becontinuously monitored. If the target is lost, the data transfer may be interrupted, while thetarget is re-acquired. These problems worsen in marine environments when a vessel is rapidlymoving, which may also be carried by unpredictable water currents. Second, rotating singlesegment 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 solutionfor 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 solutionfor communicating between moving objects, such as vessels, to fixed base stations viamicrowave links. Microwave links, or microwave radio relay technology, is a technology widelyused 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 inmicrowave communication with base stations located on shore, where the system comprises atleast one antenna terminal. The at least one antenna terminal may then comprise a plurality ofantennas directed in slightly different angles and further comprise a control system configuredto 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 proposes an antenna system comprising a plurality ofantenna terminals where each of the antenna terminals comprises a platform provided with onlyone rotatable shaft on which multiple antennas are arranged. The rotatable shaft is configured torotate about its own axis and at any angle within an angle range of 0-360 degrees, or at leastwithin an angle range of 0-180 degrees. In certain embodiments, the multiple antennas of eachof the antenna terminals are arranged on the rotatable shaft so that they are directed in mutuallydifferent 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 furtherconfigured to switch between which one of the multiple, or plurality of, antennas of the antennaterminal is active at least partly based on input data received from at least one other unit, e.g. agyrocompass. The at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass, may then be configured to measureor detect the current inclination of the vessel. The controller, or control system / unit, may thenbe 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 antennasarranged on the rotatable shaft. The measuring or detection of the inclination of the vessel maythen include at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch androll 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 issolely based on measured or detected input data about the current inclination of the vesselreceived from the at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. In certain embodiments, a switch ofwhich antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennasarranged 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 ofthe base station (including height/altitude information) compared to the first antenna.

In certain embodiments, the determining, by the controller/ control system/ unit of the antennaterminal or antenna system, whether to switch active antenna is partly based on measured ordetected input data about the current inclination of the vessel and partly based on obtainedcurrent GPS position ofthe vessel in relation to the position of at least one fixed base stationlocated on shore, including the altitude position of the at least one fixed base station located onshore. 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 thecontroller / control system / unit of the antenna terminal / system and the decision whether toswitch active antenna is determined based on a calculated current angle direction of a pluralityof antennas of a single antenna terminal to the altitude position of at least one base station, e.g. acalculated altitude position for a base station or an altitude position of a base station stored in amemory 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 antennaterminal of the antenna system comprises a plurality of antennas directed in slightly differentangles. In certain embodiments, the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, may also bemounted at different positions in the latitude direction, i.e. at different heights in relation to thedeck of the vessel. In these embodiments, the antenna terminal of the moving object may furthercomprise a control system configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, orantenna 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 antennaterminal is directed at a first angle direction oc within an angle range of 88-90 degrees to thevertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arrangedand a second antenna directed at a second angle direction ß within an angle range of 80-87,9degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft, where the vertically-orientedaxis is parallel, or essentially parallel, to a normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of thevessel and where first angle direction oc and the second angle direction ß 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 antennasfurther comprise at least a third antenna directed at third angle Q having an angle differencewithin an angle range of 6-10 degrees to the first angle direction oc and an angle differencewithin an angle range of 2-5 degrees to the second angle direction ß. The controller, or controlsystem, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to send control data to switch betweenwhich of the multiple antennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at atime. In certain embodiments, the controller, or control system/ unit, may be configured to selectthe antenna which is best directed to the position, including height, or altitude position, of thebase station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the activeantenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to asecond antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then bedetermined by the controller, or control system / unit, based on that the second antenna isdirected at a smaller angle to the position of the base station (including height/altitudeinformation) compared to the first antenna which is currently in communication with the basestation. The decision to switch antenna may then be determined solely or at least partly on themeasured 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 antennaterminal is directed at a first angle oc within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to thevertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arrangedand at least one another one of the multiple antennas of the same antenna terminal may bedirected at a second angle ß 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 thirdantenna directed at third angle Q within an angle range of 80-84,9 degrees to the samevertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The controller, or control system, of the antennaterminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multipleantennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time. In certainembodiments, the controller, or control system/ unit, may be configured to select the antennahaving the best direction in relation to the position, including height, or altitude position, of thebase station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the activeantenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to asecond antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then bedetermined by the controller, or control system / unit, based on that the second antenna isdirected 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 isconfigured to receive input data from at least one other unit located on the vessel. The controlsystem may be further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, orantenna 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 positionand inclination of the vessel. The control system may then be further configured to switchbetween which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the current positionand inclination ofthe vessel. The measuring or detection ofthe inclination ofthe vessel may theninclude 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 adatabase or memory, is accessible to the control system. The control system may then be furtherconfigured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, is activeat least partly based on determined current distances between the vessel and each of theplurality 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 activeantenna, or active antenna segment, for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoidthat 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 basestation one of the plurality of antenna terminals is in communication with to avoid that all of theantenna 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 ofactive antenna, or active antenna segment, for at least one of the plurality of antenna terminalsand 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 theantenna terminal and are mutually arranged, directed or oriented at an angle in relation to eachother. The antenna terminal may then comprise a rotor unit configured for receiving controldata from a control system and configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about the singleaxis in accordance with the received control data. In embodiments, the antenna system of thetechnology 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 adatabase or memory of the antenna system accessible to the control system. The control systemof the antenna system may then be further configured to switch between which of the pluralityof antennas is active at least partly based on the stored lateral coordinates for the plurality offixed 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 switchbetween which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored geofencingdata 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 switchbetween 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 switchbetween which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on stored historic dataaccessible to the control system. The historic data may then contain data processed or gatheredthrough 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 tripon the same route. As an example, the data processed or gathered through artificial intelligencemay be used to set virtual boundaries in space and to trigger certain actions on the basis ofthese 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 switchbetween which of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on the heading of thevessel, e.g. solely based on the heading of the vessel. In certain embodiments, at least one of agyro-compass and software or a data processing unit of the control system is configured todetermine the heading of the vessel based on a measured or detected current position of thevessel, and the control system may then be configured to switch between which of the pluralityof antennas is to be active at least partly based on the determined heading of the vessel. Inspecific embodiments, the control system is configured to determine the heading of the vesseland use the determined heading for switching base station the antenna terminal iscommunicating with by sending control data to a rotor for rotating an axis to direct the antennato 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 aplurality of fixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be configured tocalculate the distance from the vessel to each of a plurality of fixed base stations on shore andswitch between which of the plurality of base stations the antenna terminal is communicatingwith by transmitting control data to a rotor unit configured to rotate the currently activeantenna, or the antenna determined to be active, in the direction of the base station on shorehaving the closest distance to the vessel.

In embodiments, the control system is configured to switch active antenna for the plurality ofseparate antenna terminals. The decision by the control system whether to switch activeantenna 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 separateantenna terminals are mounted on a single rotatable axis and configured to work together as asingle antenna array. The control system may then be configured to determine the total gain fora 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 ofseparate 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 acertain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamformingaspects 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 microwavecommunication with base stations located on shore. The at least one antenna terminal may thencomprise a plurality of antennas, or antenna segments, mounted on a single rotatable axis andarranged in different angles and different lateral positions in relation to each other. The controlsystem 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 datafrom at least one other unit located on the vessel, and wherein the control system is furtherconfigured 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 storedposition data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore, e.g. the positions for the base stationmay be stored in a memory or database accessible to the control system. The control systemmay 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 betweenwhich 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 betweenwhich of the plurality of antennas is active solely, or at least partly, based on stored historic dataaccessible to the control system. The historic data may then contain data processed or gatheredthrough 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 tripon the same route. As an example, the data processed or gathered through artificial intelligencemay be used to set virtual boundaries in space and to trigger certain actions on the basis ofthese 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 storedpositions for a plurality of fixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then beconfigured to calculate the distance from the vessel to each of the plurality of fixed base stationson shore and switch base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmittingcontrol 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 antennasegment, 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, oractive 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 leastone ofthe current GPS position, the heading and the current inclination of thevessel; b. switching which antenna on the antenna terminal is active solely, or at leastpartly, 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, oractive antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system, where the methodcomprises 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.

In embodiments, the technology disclosed describes a method for switching active antenna, oractive antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system, where the methodcomprises the further steps of: obtaining historic data from a memory or a database; and b. switching which antenna, or antenna segment, on the antenna terminal is activesolely, or at least partly, based on the obtained historic data, wherein theswitching 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 gatheredthrough 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 tripon the same route. In certain embodiments, the data processed or gathered through artificialintelligence may be used by the control system to define virtual boundaries in space and / or totrigger 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, oractive antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antenna system, where the method isdefined by the steps of:a. determining the total gain for a plurality of antennas from the plurality separateantenna terminals; andb. switching which antenna for each of the plurality of separate antenna terminalsis 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 forswitching active antenna, or active antenna segment, in an antenna terminal of an antennasystem, 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 terminalsis 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 antennaconfigurations based on calculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects andconstructive interference calculations for partly overlapping main lobes of an antenna radiationpattern for the plurality of antennas belonging to different antenna terminals. These calculationstypically 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 antennaterminals 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 microwavelink communication, e.g. point-to-multipoint microwave link technology using steerableantennas, is combined with at least one antenna adapted for communication with at least one ofLTE, 4G, and 5G mobile communications network, the antenna terminal is typically providedwith 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 amicrowave raidio link, a high, stable :Lata rate with a low signal delay is .achievect typically'considerably low/ei* signal delay than *vi/hat cain be atthieved with l_fl'E/1l-G/5(} technology. :änadvantage ifvith UfE/fl-G, on the other hand, is that there is no need for dedicated niicroifvave links, hut existing base stations may be tised at a lovv ctast. ln ernhtadinieiits, the technology' disclosed proposes using a conibiiiatitin of inicioxvave radiolink technology when the vessel is. within the coverage area of base stations, or radio tot/vers, efthe inicrdvxfaife link iieti/vork, :and ljYE/flíi/Stl technology when outside the tfoverage area of thernicroifvayfe link network. Alternatively, the LTE / 4G/ 5G antenna may be used as a backup whenantenna gain and data rates for the microwave link communication are lower, or if themicrowave link is lost. In certain embodiments, the technology disclosed suggests the use ofantennas configured for microwave link communication and at least one antenna configured forLTE / 4G / 5G communication integrated into the same antenna terminal. The at least one antennaconfigured 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/5Gcommunication 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 ratewith a low signal delay, typically considerably lower signal delay than for 4G/LTEcommunication. 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 antennasconfigured for microwave link technology, e.g. point-to-multipoint microwave link technologyusing steerable antennas, when operating within a certain coverage area, and antennasconfigured 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 systemcomprises at least one antenna terminal. The antenna terminal comprises at least one antenna ofa first type of antenna configured for microwave communication with base stations located onshore and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna different from the first type ofantenna. In embodiments, the at least one antenna of a second type is arranged or mounted onthe same platform as the at least one first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least oneantenna ofthe second type of antenna is then arranged or mounted in a direction different fromthe at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and is configured for communicating withon-shore base stations of a mobile communications network. In embodiments, the at least oneantenna of a second type of antenna is configured to operate at a different frequency range thanthe 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 inaccordance 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 systemconfigured to switch, for each of the at least one antenna terminal, between which of the at leastone 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 switchbetween which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antennaofthe second type of antenna is active so that only one ofthe at least one antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna ofthe second type ofantenna is active at a time.

In embodiments, the at least one antenna first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of asecond type of antenna may be mounted on a single axis and be arranged or directed in differentangles and / or at different heights on the single rotatable axis. The antenna terminal typicallycomprise a rotor unit configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about the single rotatableaxis so that at least one currently active, or soon to be active, antenna of either the first orsecond 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 ofbase stations the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to a rotorunit configured to rotate the one rotatable axis so that the currently active at least one antennaof a first or second type of antenna is rotationally oriented in the direction ofthe 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 controlsystem of the antenna system is configured to switch between which of the at least one antennaof 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 otherunit, e.g. a gyrocompass, located on the vessel. The control system may then be furtherconfigured to switch between which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and theat 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 atleast one of the current GPS position, heading and inclination of the vessel. The control systemmay then be further configured to switch between which one of the at least one antenna of a firsttype 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 ofthe vessel.

In embodiments, position data for a plurality of fixed base stations on shore, and which isaccessible to the control system, is stored in a memory or database of the antenna system. Thecontrol system may then be configured to switch between which one of the at least one antennaof 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 shoreare stored in a memory or database of the antenna system and are accessible to the controlsystem. The control system of the antenna terminal/ system may then be configured to switchbetween which one ofthe at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least oneantenna of a second type of antenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on the stored lateralcoordinates for the plurality of fixed base stations on shore in relation to at least one of themeasured 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 leastone antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna isactive 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 leastone 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 leastone 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 leastone antenna of a first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of a second type of antenna isactive solely based on stored historic data, where the historic data is stored in a memory ordatabase 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 offixed base stations located on shore, where at least one of the plurality of fixed base stations isconfigured for microwave communication and at least one of the plurality of fixed base stationsis configured for operating in accordance with at least one of the 5G wireless communicationsprotocols, 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 toeach ofthe plurality of fixed base stations on shore and switch between a first and a second typeof base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to arotor unit configured to rotate the currently active at least one antenna of a first or second typeto 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 eachhaving at least one antenna of a first type ofantenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna.

In certain embodiments, the antenna system comprises a plurality of separate antenna terminalsand a control system configured to introduce a delay in the switching of antennas between atleast one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antennafor at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of the antenna terminals areswitching 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 eachhaving a plurality of antennas. The antenna system may then also comprise a control systemconfigured to switch active antenna for the plurality of separate antenna terminals. In certainembodiments, the decision by the control system whether to switch between at least oneantenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna for a firstantenna terminal is dependent on which one of a plurality of antennas of a first type of antennais 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 eachhaving a plurality of antennas. The antenna system may then also comprise a control systemconfigured to determine the total gain for a plurality of antennas of a first type of antennas froma plurality of antenna terminals. The control system may further be configured to switchbetween which of the at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and at least one antenna of asecond 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 eachhaving a plurality of antennas. The antenna system may then also comprise a control systemconfigured to determine the total gain for a certain active antenna configuration based oncalculations involving at least one of beamforming aspects and constructive interferencebetween 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 antennasand adapted for use on a vessel in microwave communication with base stations located onshore. In embodiments, the at least one antenna terminal comprises at least one antenna of afirst type of antenna configured for microwave communication with a first type of antennas of aplurality of base stations located on shore and at least one antenna of a second type of antennadifferent from the first type of antenna mounted on the same single axis of an antenna platformas the at least one antenna of the first type of antenna. In embodiments, the at least one antennaof the second type of antenna may then be arranged or mounted in a direction different from theat least one antenna of a first type ofantenna. The at least one of the second type of antenna isthen configured for communicating with a second type of antennas of on-shore base stations of amobile 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 typesand further comprises a control system configured to switch, for each of the at least one antennaterminal, 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 typesand further comprises a control system is configured to switch between which of the at least one antenna ofthe first type of antenna and the at least one antenna ofthe 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 ofantenna are both arranged or mounted on the same rotatable axis and are directed in differentangles. In embodiments, the antenna terminal may then comprise a rotor unit configured torotate the plurality of antennas about a single axis so that at least one currently active antenna ofeither the first or second type of antenna is rotationally oriented in the direction of a basestation 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 ofbase stations the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control data to therotor unit. The rotor unit may then be configured to rotate the plurality of antennas about thesingle rotatable axis so that an active at least one antenna of the first or second type of antennais 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 locatedon the vessel. The control system may then be configured to switch between which of the at leastone antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna ofthe second type ofantenna is active solely, or at least partly, based on the received input data from the gyfOCOmpaSS.

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

In embodiments, the control system is further configured to switch between which of the at leastone 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 leastone antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna ofthe 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 leastone 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 leastone antenna of the first type of antenna and the at least one antenna of the second type ofantenna is active solely based on stored historic data accessible to the control system. Thehistoric 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 oneantenna 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 leastone 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 antennaand at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partlybased on the received input from the gyro compass, where only one of the atleast 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 typeof antenna and at least one antenna of a second type of antenna is active further comprises thesteps of:c. obtaining at least one of geofencing data and historic data from one of a memoryand a database; andd. switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and atleast one antenna of a second type of antenna is active at least partly based onthe obtained at least one of geofencing data and historic data, where the historicdata 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 atleast 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 theplurality separate antenna terminals; andf. switching between which of at least one antenna of the first type of antenna andat least one antenna of the second type of antenna is active at least partly basedon 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 ofseparate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. In these embodiments, themethod for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and atleast 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 memoryand a database; andh. switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and atleast one antenna of a second type of antenna is active solely based on at leastone of the obtained at least one of geofencing data and historic data, and wherethe 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 ofseparate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. In these embodiments, themethod for switching between which of at least one antenna of a first type of antenna and atleast 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 ofthe first type of antenna and at least one antenna of the second type of antennafor at least one of the plurality of antenna terminals to avoid that all of theantenna terminals are switching between different types of antennas at the same time, thereby providing for a robust and seamless communication.

In embodiments, the antenna terminal is part of an antenna system comprising a plurality ofseparate antenna terminals each having a plurality of antennas. In these embodiments, themethod 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: j. rotating the plurality of antennas about a single axis so that at least one currentlyactive antenna of either the first or second type of antenna is rotationallyoriented 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 formicrowave communication with base stations located on shore and the at least one antenna ofthe second type of antenna is configured to operate in accordance with at least one of the 5Gwireless 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 thetechnology 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. Za 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. Zb shows the same vessel as in FIG. Za 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 thedifferent 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.

The technology disclosed relates to methods, an antenna terminal and an antenna system for avessel in communication via microwave link with fixed base stations located onshore.Microwave links, or microwave radio relay technology, is a technology widely used fortransmitting signals between two points on a narrow beam of microwaves. In microwave radiorelay, 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 basestations of the microwave link network used according to the technology disclosed are typicallydedicated base stations and not base station of a commercial mobile communications networkssuch 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 communicatingfrom moving objects such as vessels, to fixed base stations via microwave links. Instead of usinga gimbal solution with a multi-axis platform, embodiments of the technology disclosed proposesthe use of a plurality of selectable antennas, or antenna segments, mounted on the samerotatable single axis of the platform of the antenna terminal. According to differentembodiments of the technology disclosed, the at least one antenna terminal of the antennasystem comprises a plurality of antennas mounted in different angles. In these embodiments, theantenna 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 speedbroadband. The proposed solution includes the use of microwave links for line-o-sight (LOS)communication, typically point-to-multipoint communication. Another objective of thetechnology 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. Theantennas mounted on the platform are directional, or steerable, and the antenna terminalsystem on the vessel is provided with a rotor configured to track and face the antenna of the onshore 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 onerotatable shaft on which multiple antennas are arranged. The rotatable shaft is configured torotate about its own axis and at any angle within an angle range of 0-3 60 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 sothat they are directed in mutually slightly different angles in relation to the vertically-orientedaxis of the rotatable shaft. The vertically-oriented axis about which the shaft is configured torotate 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 antennaterminal is directed at a first angle direction oc within an angle range of 88-90 degrees to thevertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arrangedand a second antenna directed at a second angle direction ß within an angle range of 80-87,9degrees to the same vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The vertically-oriented axis isthen parallel, or essentially parallel, to a normal axis to the plane of the upper deck of the vessel.In embodiments, the first angle direction oc and the second angle direction ß have a mutual angledifference within an angle range of 2-5 degrees. In a certain embodiment, the antenna terminalmay in addition to the first and second antennas further comprise a third antenna directed atthird angle Q having an angle difference within an angle range of 6-10 degrees to the first angledirection oc and an angle difference within an angle range of 2-5 degrees to the second angledirection ß. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured tosend 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 theantenna having the best direction in relation to the position, including height, or altitudeposition, of the base station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating withas the active antenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a firstantenna 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 antennaterminal is directed at a first angle oc within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to thevertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arrangedand at least one another one of the multiple antennas ofthe same antenna terminal may bedirected at a second angle ß 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 essentiallyparallel, 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 athird antenna directed at third angle Q within an angle range of 80-84,9 degrees to the samevertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. The controller, or control system, of the antennaterminal may then be configured to send control data to switch between which of the multipleantennas is active so that only one of the multiple antennas is active at a time. In certainembodiments, the controller, or control system/ unit, may be configured to select the antennahaving the best direction in relation to the position, including height, or altitude position, of thebase station the antenna terminal of the vessel is currently communicating with as the activeantenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to asecond antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then bedetermined by the controller, or control system / unit, based on that the second antenna isdirected 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 furtherconfigured to switch between which one of the multiple, or plurality of, antennas of the antennaterminal is active at least partly based on input data received from at least one other unit, e.g. agyrocompass. The at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass, may then be configured to measureor detect the current inclination of the vessel. The controller, or control system / unit, may thenbe further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at leastpartly 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 antennasarranged on the rotatable shaft. The measuring or detection of the inclination of the vessel maythen include at least one of measuring, detecting and calculating at least one of yaw, pitch androll 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 vesselreceived from the at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. In certain embodiments, a switch ofwhich antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennasarranged 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 ofthe base station (including height/altitude information) compared to the first antenna.

In certain embodiments, the determining, by the controller/ control system/ unit of the antennaterminal or antenna system, whether to switch active antenna is partly based on measured ordetected input data about the current inclination of the vessel and partly based on obtainedcurrent GPS position ofthe vessel in relation to the position of at least one fixed base stationlocated on shore, including the altitude position of the at least one fixed base station located onshore. 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 thecontroller/ control system/ unit of the antenna terminal/ system and the decision whether toswitch active antenna is determined based on a calculated current angle direction of a pluralityof antennas of a single antenna terminal to the altitude position of at least one base station, e.g. acalculated altitude position for a base station or an altitude position of a base station stored in amemory or database and which is accessible to the control system / unit of the antenna terminal / system.

The advantages of the technology disclosed proposing an antenna terminal comprising anantenna platform with only one single shaft rotatable about its own axis and on which themultiple antenna(s) are mounted, compared to a multi-axis platform, is that the antennaterminal becomes significantly cheaper and that the antenna platform is more robust. The singlerotatable axis solution of the technology disclosed also makes the antenna terminal moredurable in the harshest marine environments. A simple and robust antenna platform comprisingonly one single rotatable axis on which the antenna(s) are mounted results in a much betterMean 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 theantenna(s) are mounted include that a Point of Entry slip-ring can be used which is configured tomanage unlimited turns. A multi-axis platform with more than one axis may use a different kindof 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.

When using a radio link, e.g. a microwave link, it is possible to achieve a high, stable data ratewith a low signal delay, typically considerably lower signal delay than for 4G / LTEcommunication. 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 radio linktechnology, when operating within a certain coverage area, and LTE / 4G / 5G when outside thecoverage area of the radio network. Alternatively, the LTE / 4G / 5G antenna can be used as abackup 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 GHzmay be used for the microwave line-of-sight (LOS) communication. In other embodiments, thelicensed 6-6,2 GHz band is used. The technology disclosed is not limited to these examplefrequency bands. However, to reach as far as possible, one does not typically want to operate attoo high frequencies. Since antenna gain and effects for microwave radio links are significantlyhigher 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 communicationbetween 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-sightcommunicating with a moving vessel, which moves in x, y, z joints, in addition with varying itsdistance and height against the fixed base stations. To focus an antenna moving together withthe moving vessel on which it is mounted, the antenna platform may either rotate the antenna inthe X, Y, Z axes by using an expensive multi-axes solution or use many antenna elements, whichis 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. Thereason for why the technology disclosed may use several antenna terminals on the vessel isbecause the antenna terminals are at a greater distance from each other. The side lobes from theantennas 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 maybe adapted so that the main lobes from antennas of separate antenna terminals overlap to someextent to thereby provide constructive interference. Thus, the overlap of the main lobes of aantennas 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 antennaconfigurations that can be used to find a reliable communication channel with an onshore basestation and optimize the total antenna gain. In an example embodiment with four antennaterminals where each antenna terminal is provided with four antennas, the antenna system ofthe technology disclosed provides for different combinations of antennas from separate antennaterminals. In an example embodiment with four antenna terminals where each antenna terminalis provided with four antennas and if only one antenna, or antenna element, of each antennaterminal 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 ofthe technology disclosed, the main lobes ofantennas of separate antenna terminals may be adapted to overlap with each other to someextent. By optimizing the different antenna configurations for multiple antenna terminals so thatan 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 artificialintelligence. In one embodiment, one or more antenna terminals may initially be used tooptimize the base station configuration by scanning alternate positions. When optimized, all terminals can use the configuration.

Ifone has four antenna terminals and loses the signal or goes down in quality, one can use one ofthe terminals of the terminals to scan against other known base stations in the vicinity accordingto 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 ofthe principles of the invention, referencewill now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope ofthe 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 aredirectional in nature to allow communication with distant base stations, but may havesubstantially different reception characteristics, such as gain levels, beam widths, or otherdifferences due to their mounting locations on the vessel. The antennas 102 are eachrespectively connected to a rotor unit 103 and a transceiver 104 as shown. The rotor unit 103comprises the hardware necessary, e.g. motors, gearing, etc., to rotate the antennas about avertical 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 106which is in operative communication with the transceiver 104 and the rotor unit 103. Thecontrol system 106 may be configured to pair the individual antennas 102 with signals orsources based on various optimization criteria as discussed in detail below. In certainembodiments, the control system 106 contains information relating to base stations. Forexample, the control system 106 may have access to, or be preloaded with, a list of all of theavailable 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 comprisesmechanics in the form of a rotor unit 103 which enables a shaft on which the antennas 102 aremounted 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 differentangles. The radio is via a PoE slip-ring connected to the Antenna Control Unit (ACU) 107 of thecontrol system for the communication. To eliminate the interference, only one antenna can stayactive 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 iscontrolled 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 thecorrect 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 tointerrupt and maintain a seamless communication. Geo-fencing may also be used, in areas wherea 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 ofantennas of the antenna terminal is active based on input data received from a gyrocompass111. The gyrocompass 111 in FIG. 1 is configured to measure or detect the current inclination ofthe vessel. The control system may then switch between which of the plurality of antennas 102is active at least partly based on the current inclination of the vessel, e.g. the current inclinationof the vertically-oriented axis 105 of the rotatable shaft 109 and/ or the angle directions (oc, ß) ofa plurality of antennas arranged on the rotatable shaft 109. The measuring or detection of theinclination 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 axisand the plurality of antennas are directed in different angle directions (oc, ß) 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 oc within an anglerange of 88-90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of the rotatable shaft. Anothersecond antenna of the same plurality of antennas is directed at a second angle ß 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 109configured to rotate about its own axis 105, e.g. rotor unit 103 and the shaft 109 may beconfigured to rotate the antennas 102 to be directed at any angle within an angle range of 0-3 60degrees, 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(oc, ß) 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 afirst angle oc within an angle range of 88-90 degrees angle to the vertically-oriented axis of therotatable shaft on which the multiple of antennas are arranged and another one of the multipleantennas 102 ofthe antenna terminal in FIG. 1 may be directed at a second angle ß 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 thevessel. The controller, or control system, of the antenna terminal may then be configured to sendcontrol 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. Za shows a vessel comprising a plurality of antennas directed at different angle directions tothe axis ofa rotating shaft. The vessel in FIG. Za does not roll and an antenna Nr 2 , or antennaelement Nr 2, is selected as the active antenna element because it is best directed to the position of the base station on shore.

FIG. Zb shows the same vessel as in FIG. Za rolling and where a switch of active antenna hasoccurred in that an antenna Nr 3, or antenna element Nr 3, has been selected by the controlsystem 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, ormicrowave 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 oneadditional antenna as well as additional electronics. Vl/'lien using a inicrovvave radio link, a high,stable data rate *With a lovv signal delay is achieved, typically corisiderably lovi/er' signal delaythan with LTE/LlG/SG technology. An advantage m/ith LTE,/ÅAS, on the other hand, is that there isno need for dedicated rnicionfave liriks, hut existing base stations may be used at a low cost. Theantenna. for at least one of LTE, 4G, and 5G communication illustrated in FIG. 3 is mounted on thebackside 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 niicrovvave radiolink technology vvhen the vessel is »vithin the coverage area of the niicrfayvatfe radio network,and LTE/ÅlG/SG technology when fiutside the coverage area of the :microwave link network.Alternatively, the LTE / 4G / 5G antenna may be used as a backup when antenna gain and datarates for the microwave link communication are lower, or if the microwave link is lost. In certainembodiments, the technology disclosed suggests the use of antennas for microwave linkcommunication 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 theothers or configured as a single unit. Furthermore, the control system may be embodied in aform having more than one processing unit, such as a multi-processor configuration, and shouldbe 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 definingdigital 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 processoris used to store information pertaining to, such as, but not limited to, antenna position, vessellocation, GPS location, heading, speed, geofencing data, historic data gathered through artificialintelligence, services delivered through the network, signal strength, distance between vehiclesor vessels etc., on a temporary, permanent, or semi-permanent basis. The memory can includeone 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 theantenna having the closest direction to the direction, including height, or altitude position, of thebase station closest to the antenna terminal of the vessel, and/ or the closest direction to thedirection of the base station the antenna terminal is currently communicating with, as the activeantenna. In certain embodiments, a switch of which antenna is active, from a first antenna to asecond antenna among the multiple antennas arranged on a rotatable shaft, may then bedetermined by the controller, or control system / unit, based on that the second antenna isdirected 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 furtherconfigured to switch between which one of the multiple, or plurality of, antennas of the antennaterminal is active at least partly based on input data received from at least one other unit, e.g. agyrocompass. The at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass, may then be configured to measureor detect the current inclination of the vessel. The controller, or control system/ unit, may thenbe further configured to switch between which of the plurality of antennas is active at leastpartly 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 androll 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 issolely based on measured or detected input data about the current inclination of the vesselreceived from the at least one other unit, e.g. a gyrocompass. In certain embodiments, a switch ofwhich antenna is active, from a first antenna to a second antenna among the multiple antennasarranged 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 ofthe 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 themaccording to an optimization-criteria relating to the signal and antenna characteristics. Thecontrol 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 antennasto fixed base stations on shore. In one embodiment, the ranking and/or pairing of antennas tobase 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 signalsources 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 foregoingdescription, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allequivalents, changes, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions asdescribed 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 beachieved, considerably lower signal delay than may be achieved with LTE / 4G mobilecommunications 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 stationscan be used at a low cost. In embodiments, the technology disclosed therefore propose acombination 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, theLTE/4G/5G antenna can be used as a backup when antenna gain and data rates for themicrowave link communication are lower, or if the microwave link is lost. In embodiments, thetechnology 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 communicationon a vessel. These solutions are often using an expensive multi-axis antenna platform mountedon a gimble. The antenna gimbal typically tracks a moving object by receiving data from theobject and a data processing and unit in a computer is used to calculate a rotational angle oftheantenna gimbal by determining the direction of the antenna gimbal by processing data from theantenna gimbal. A control unit then transmits an activation signal to the antenna gimbal inresponse 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 geographicalarea. 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 inspace 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 areasto manage administrative tasks, supplement marketing, or to check security-relevant aspects. Inprinciple, such systems work like positioning and navigation systems. The difference is in theboundary coordinates, which enclose a specific area in the shape of a rectangle or circle andfunction as a geofilter. This virtual positioning is known from vehicle location by GPS. Bydistinguishing 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 vesselalong with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location bydrawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, thegeo-fence can be activated so as to notify the control unit/ system of the antenna system ofmovement of the vessel beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In variousembodiments of the technology disclosed, a geo-fence may be used for determining, based onthe current position of the vessel, whether to use microwave point-to-multipoint communicationor LTE/4G/5G mobile wireless communication, or which antenna among a plurality of antennasto be active. The geofence may always be active, or may be automatically activated upon certainconditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof. A geo-fence can be definedby 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 inmicrowave communication with base stations located on shore, said system comprising at leastone antenna terminal, wherein the at least one antenna terminal comprises a plurality ofantennas mounted in different angles, and wherein the antenna terminal further comprises acontrol 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 areaccessible to the control system, and the control system is further configured to switch betweenwhich of the plurality of antennas is active at least partly based on said stored lateralcoordinates for the plurality of fixed base stations on shore in relation to at least one of themeasured 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 onthe heading of the vessel. The control system may then be further configured to switch betweenwhich 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 offixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be further configured tocalculate the distance from the vessel to each of said plurality of fixed base stations on shore andswitching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control datato 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 ofantennas 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 basestation 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 ofseparate antenna terminals, and the decision by the control system whether to switch activeantenna 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 aremounted and configured to work together as a single antenna array. The control system maythen be configured to determine the total gain for a plurality of antennas from the pluralityseparate antenna terminals and further switch which antenna for each of the plurality ofseparate antenna terminals is active at least partly based on the determined total gain for atleast 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 acertain active antenna configuration based on calculations involving at least one of beamformingaspects 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 offixed base stations located on shore. The control system may then be further configured tocalculate the distance from the vessel to each of the plurality of fixed base stations on shore andswitching base station the antenna terminal is communicating with by transmitting control datato 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. Ett antennsystem för användning på ett fartyg i mikrovågskommunikation medbasstationer belägna på land, nämnda system omfattande åtminstone en antennterminal(101) omfattandes ett flertal antenner (102) anordnade på en vridningsaxel (109)konfigurerad att rotera runt sin egen axel (105) och där nämnda flertal antenner (102)är riktade i ömsesidigt olika vertikala vinkelriktningar i förhållande till den roterbaravridningsaxelns (109) enda axel (105), varvid antennterminalen (101) vidare omfattarett kontrollsystem (106) konfigurerat för att växla mellan vilken av de flertal antennerna(102) som är aktiv så att endast ett av de flertal antennerna (102) är aktiv åt gångenbaserat åtminstone på åtminstone en av en bestämd aktuell lutning för fartyget, fartygetsaktuella kurs och en erhållen aktuell position för fartygeti förhållande till en kändposition för åtminstone en stationär basstation på land, kännetecknat av attkontrollsystemet (106) är vidare konfigurerat att kontrollera rotationen av denroterbara vridningsaxeln (109) runt sin enda axel (105) så att den för tillfället aktiva antennen riktas in mot en känd position för en stationär basstation på land.

2. Antennsystemet enligt patentkrav 1, varvid axeln (105) runt vilken vridningsaxeln (109)är konfigurerad att rotera omkring är en vertikalt orienterad axel (105) huvudsak parallell med normalaxeln för fartygsdäckets plan.

3. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkrav 1 och 2, varvid en första antenn avantennterminalens (101) flertal antenner (102) riktas i en första vinkel oc inom ettvinkelområde i 88-90 graders vinkel till den vertikalt orienterade axeln (105) för denroterbara vridningsaxeln (109) på vilken de flertal antennerna (102) är anordnade ochen andra antenn av samma flertal antenner för samma antennterminal riktas i en andravinkel ß inom ett vinkelområde i 85-87,9 graders vinkel till samma vertikalt orienterade axel (105) för den roterbara vridningsaxeln (109).

4. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 1 till 3, varvid kontrollsystemet (106)innefattar programvara eller en databehandlingsenhet och är konfigurerat att ta emotindata från åtminstone en annan enhet på nämnda fartyg, och varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är vidare konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken av de flertalantennerna (102) som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på den mottagna indata från nämnda åtminstone en annan enhet. 10. 11. Antennsystemet enligt patentkravet 4, varvid nämnda åtminstone en annan enhet ärkonfigurerad att mäta eller detektera fartygets aktuella position och lutning, och varvidnämnda kontrollsystem (106) är vidare konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken av de flertalantennerna (102) som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på fartygets nuvarande position och lutning. Antennsystemet enligt patentkravet 5, varvid lagrad positionsdata för ett flertalstationära basstationer på land är tillgänglig för kontrollsystemet (106), och varvidnämnda kontrollsystem (106) är vidare konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken antenn avde flertal antennerna (102) som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på bestämda aktuella avstånd mellan fartyget och var och en av de flertal basstationerna. Antennsystemet enligt någon av patentkraven 5 och 6, varvid lagrade lateralakoordinater för de flertal stationära basstationerna på land är tillgängliga förkontrollsystemet (106), och varvid nämnda kontrollsystem (106) är vidare konfigureratatt växla mellan vilken av de flertal antennerna (102) som är aktiv åtminstone delvisbaserat på nämnda lagrade laterala koordinater för de flertal stationära basstationernapå land i förhållande till åtminstone en av uppmätt eller detekterad lutning för fartygetoch de olika vinkelriktningar som de flertal antennerna är monterade på antennterminalen (101). Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 4 till 7, varvid nämnda kontrollsystem(106) är vidare konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken antenn av de flertal antennerna(102) som är aktiv baserat på lagrad geofencing-data tillgänglig för nämndakontrollsystem (106). Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 4 till 8, varvid nämnda kontrollsystem(106) är vidare konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken antenn av de flertal antennerna(102) som är aktiv baserat på lagrad historisk data tillgänglig för nämnda kontrollsystem(106). Antennsystemet enligt patentkrav 9, varvid nämnda historisk data innehåller data som bearbetats eller insamlats genom artificiell intelligens. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 5-10, varvid åtminstone en av nämnda åtminstone en annan enhet och nämnda programvara eller databehandlingsenhet är konfigurerad att bestämma fartygets kurs baserat på den uppmätta eller detekteradeaktuella positionen för fartyget, och varvid nämnda kontrollsystem (106) vidare ärkonfigurerat att växla mellan vilken av de flertal antennerna (102) som är aktiv baserat på åtminstone fartygets kurs. 12. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 5-10, varvid kontrollsystemet (106) vidareär konfigurerat för att växla mellan vilken antenn av de flertal antennerna (102) som äraktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på fartygets kurs mottagen som indata från åtminstone en annan enhet. 13. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 3 till 12, varvid nämnda kontrollsystem(106) är konfigurerat att bestämma fartygets kurs baserat på en uppmätt ellerdetekterad position för fartyget, och varvid kontrollsystemet (106) vidare ärkonfigurerat att använda nämnda bestämda kurs för att växla basstation somantennterminalen kommunicerar med genom att rikta den för närvarande aktiva antennen mot en stationär basstation på land. 14. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 3 till 13, varvid nämnda kontrollsystem(106) är konfigurerat att ha åtkomst till lagrade positioner för ett flertal stationärabasstationer belägna på land, och varvid nämnda kontrollsystem (106) vidare ärkonfigurerat att beräkna avståndet från fartyget till vart och ett av nämnda ﬂertalstationära basstationer och byta basstation som antennterminalen kommunicerar medgenom att sända styrdata till en rotorenhet (103) konfigurerad att rotera den förnärvarande aktiva antennen i riktning mot basstation på land som har kortast avstånd till fartyget. 1

5. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 5 till 14, varvid nämnda mätning ellerdetektering av fartygets lutning innefattar åtminstone en mätning av, detektering och beräkning av åtminstone en av fartygets girning, stigning och rullning. 1

6. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 5 till 15, varvid nämnda åtminstone en annan enhet innefattar åtminstone en av en gyro-kompass (111) och en kompass. 1

7. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 1 till 16, varvid nämnda antennterminalinnefattar en rotorenhet (103) konfigurerad att rotera nämnda ﬂertal antenner kring nämnda enda axel (105). 1

8. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 1 till 17, varvid nämnda antennsysteminnefattar ett ﬂertal separata antennterminaler (101) som var och en har ett flertal antenner (102). 1

9. Antennsystemet enligt patentkrav 18, varvid nämnda antennsystem är konfigurerat attintroducera en fördröjning vid byte av aktiv antenn för åtminstone en av nämnda flertalantennterminaler (101) för att undvika att alla antennterminaler byter antenner samtidigt, därigenom tillhandahålla sömlös kommunikation. 20. Antennsystemet enligt patentkrav 18, varvid nämnda antennsystem är konfigurerat attintroducera en fördröjning vid byte av basstation för åtminstone en av nämnda flertalantennterminaler (101) för att undvika att alla antennterminaler (101) byter antenner (102) samtidigt, därigenom tillhandahålla sömlös kommunikation. 21. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 18 till 20, varvid nämnda kontrollsystem(106) är konfigurerat att byta aktiv antenn för nämnda flertal separata antennterminaler(101), och varvid beslutet av kontrollsystemet (106) att byta aktiv antenn för en förstaantennterminal är beroende av vilken antenn som är den aktiva antennen för åtminstone en annan antennterminal (101) bland nämnda flertal antennterminaler (101). 22. Antennsystemet enligt något av patentkraven 18 till 20, varvid de ﬂertal antennerna(102) från ett ﬂertal separata antennterminaler (101) är monterade och konfigureradeför att fungera tillsammans som en enda antennuppsättning, och varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat att bestämma den totala förstärkningen för ettﬂertal antenner (102) från nämnda ﬂertal separata antennterminaler (101) och vidareväxla vilken antenn för var och en av nämnda ﬂertal separata antennanslutningar (101)som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på den bestämda aktuella totala förstärkningenför åtminstone en aktiv antennkonfiguration inkluderandes antenner från ett ﬂertal antennterminaler (1 0 1). 23. Antennsystemet enligt patentkrav 22, varvid kontrollsystemet (106) är konfigurerat attbestämma den totala förstärkningen för en viss aktiv antennkonfiguration baserat på beräkningar som innefattar åtminstone en av strålformningsaspekter och konstruktiv 24. 25. 26. 27. interferens mellan delvis överlappande huvudlober i ett antennstrålningsmönster från de ﬂertal antennerna (102) från olika antennterminaler (101). En antennterminal (101) för användning på ett fartyg i mikrovågskommunikation medbasstationer belägna på land, varvid antennterminalen (101) omfattas av ettkontrollsystem (106) och ett flertal antenner (102) anordnad på en enda roterbarvridningsaxel (109) på antennterminalen (101 ), varvid de ﬂertal antennerna är riktade iolika vinkelriktningar i förhållande till den roterbara vridningsaxelns (109) enda axel(105) på vilken mångfalden av antenner (102) är anordnade, och varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken av de ﬂertal antennerna(102) som är aktiv så att endast en av de ﬂertal antennerna är samtidigt aktivåtminstone delvis baserad på åtminstone en av en bestämd lutning för fartyget, fartygetsnuvarande kurs och en erhållen position för fartygeti förhållande till en känd positionför åtminstone en stationär basstation belägen på land, och varvid antennterminalen(101) kännetecknas av att nämnda kontrollsystem (106) är vidare konfigurerat attkontrollera rotationen av vridningsaxeln (109) kring sin enda axel (105) så att den förnärvarande aktiva antennen riktas mot en känd position för en stationär basstation belägen på land. Antennterminalen (101) enligt patentkrav 24, varvid en första antenn bland de ﬂertalantennerna (102) är riktad mot en första vinkel oc inom ett vinkelområde av 88-90graders vinkel mot axeln (105) för vridningsaxeln (109) på vilken de ﬂertal antennerna(102) är anordnade och en andra antenn bland samma ﬂertal antenner på sammaantennterminal är riktad mot en andra vinkel ß inom ett vinkelområde av 83-87,9 grader mot samma axel (105) för vridningsaxeln (109). Antennterminalen (101) enligt något av patentkraven 24 och 25, varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat att ta emot indata från åtminstone en annan enhetpå nämnda fartyg, och varvid kontrollsystemet (106) är vidare konfigurerat att växlamellan vilken antenn i antenngrupp (102) som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på den mottagna indatan från nämnda åtminstone en annan enhet. Antennterminalen (101) enligt något av patentkraven 24 till 26, varvid nämnda kontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat att ha tillgång till lagrad positionsdata för ett ﬂertal 28. 29. 30. 31. stationära basstationer på land, och varvid nämnda kontrollsystem (106) är vidarekonfigurerat för att växla mellan vilken av de flertal antennerna som är aktiv åtminstonedelvis baserat på bestämda aktuella avstånd mellan fartyget och var och en av de flertal basstationerna. Antennterminalen (101) enligt något av patentkraven 24 till 27, varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken antenn bland de flertalantennerna som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på lagrad geofencing-data tillgänglig för nämnda kontrollsystem (106). Antennterminalen (101) enligt något av patentkraven 24 till 28, varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat att växla mellan vilken av de flertal antennernasom är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på lagrad historisk data tillgänglig för nämnda kontrollsystem (106). Antennterminalen (101) enligt något av patentkraven 24 till 29, varvid nämndakontrollsystem (106) är konfigurerat för att ha tillgång till lagrade positioner för ettflertal stationära basstationer belägna på land, och varvid nämnda kontrollsystem (106)är vidare konfigurerat att beräkna avståndet från fartyget till var och en av nämndaflertal stationära basstationer på land och växla basstationen som antennterminalenkommunicerar med genom att sända styrdata till en rotorenhet (103) konfigurerad attrotera den för närvarande aktiva antennen i riktning mot basstationen som har kortast avstånd till fartyget. En metod för att växla aktiv antenn (102) för en antennterminal (101) på ett fartyg,varvid nämnda antennterminal (101) innefattar ett ﬂertal antenner (102) anordnade påen roterbar vridningsaxel (109) konfigurerad att rotera kring sin egen enda axel (105)och där nämnda ﬂertal antenner (102) är riktade i ömsesidigt olika vinkelriktningar i förhållande till vridningsaxelns (109) egen enda axel (105), innefattande: a. ta emot, av ett kontrollsystem (106) i antennterminalen (101), indata frånåtminstone en av ett gyro och en gyrokompass (111), varvid nämnda indatainnefattar åtminstone en av fartygets aktuella position, kurs och fartygets aktuella lutning; b. växla, medelst kontrollsystemet (106) i antennterminalen (101), vilken antenn(102) på nämnda antennterminal som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat pånämnda mottagna indata från åtminstone en av ett gyro och en gyrokompass(111) och åtminstone delvis baserat på åtminstone en av en bestämd aktuelllutning för fartyget, fartygets aktuella kurs och erhållen nuvarande position förfartyget i relation till åtminstone en stationär basstation på land, varvid endasten av de ﬂertal antennerna (102) är aktiv samtidigt, och varvid nämnda metodkännetecknas av det vidare steget att: rotera, kontrollerat av antennterminalens kontrollsystemet (106), den roterbaravridningsaxeln (109) kring sin enda axel (105) så att den för tillfället aktivaantennen är riktad mot en känd position för en stationär basstation belägen på land. 32. Metoden enligt patentkrav 31, vidare innefattande: erhålla åtminstone en av geofencing-data och historisk data från en databas; ochväxla vilken antenn på nämnda antennterminal som är aktiv åtminstone delvisbaserat på nämnda erhållna åtminstone en av geofencing-data och historisk data,varvid nämnda historisk data innehåller data som behandlats eller samlats in genom bearbetning av artificiell intelligence. 33. Metoden enligt något av patentkraven 31 och 32, varvid nämnda antennterminal (101) är en del av ett antennsystem innefattande ett ﬂertal separata antennterminaler som var och en har ett ﬂertal antenner, varvid nämnda metod vidare innefattar: a. b. bestämma den totala förstärkningen för ett ﬂertal antenner (102) från nämndaﬂertal separata antennterminaler (101); och växla vilken antenn för var och en av nämnda ﬂertal separata antennterminaler(101) som är aktiv åtminstone delvis baserat på den bestämda totalaförstärkningen för åtminstone en aktiv antennkonfiguration inkluderandes antenner (102) från ett ﬂertal antennterminaler (101). 34. Metoden enligt patentkravet 33, varvid nämnda bestämning inkluderar att bestämma den totala förstärkningen för en viss aktiv antennkonfiguration baserat på beräkningar som inkluderar åtminstone en av strålformningsaspekter och konstruktiv interferens 35. mellan delvis överlappande huvudlober i ett antennsträlningsmönster för de flertal antennerna (102) från olika antennterminaler (101). Metoden enligt något av patentkraven 33 och 34, varvid nämnda växling inkluderar attväxla vilken antenn som är aktiv för var och en av nämnda flertal separataantennterminaler (101) åtminstone delvis baserat på den bestämda totalaförstärkningen för ett ﬂertal aktiva antennkonfigurationer som var och en innefattar antenner (102) från ett ﬂertal antennterminaler (101).