Pegatron 5G Elevates Cargo Ship Networks with Satellite Integration

Pegatron 5G Elevates Cargo Ship Networks with Satellite Integration
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jun 25, 2024
Pegatron 5G, a leader in system integration in Taiwan, addressed the challenges and development opportunities of 5G O-RAN at the Open RAN Summit. The company also highlighted 5G O-RAN applications in smart factories, energy management, and education.

For the maritime industry, Pegatron 5G introduced an application integrating low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite signals into a 5G network for cargo ships in Taiwan. Sponsored by the National Development Council, Pegatron 5G collaborated with Yang Ming Shipping to implement domestically produced 5G O-RAN using LEO satellite systems, demonstrating potential for maritime communications and technical applications.

Pegatron 5G's communication equipment, designed to be flexible and expandable, provides stable and uninterrupted network service, enhancing resilience, particularly in remote areas. This development aims to improve maritime communications significantly.

"Pegatron 5G has been focusing on developing communications technology," said Dr. James Shue, Senior Vice President and CTO of Pegatron Corporation. "With our expertise in R and D and experiences in integration of hardware and software, we have invested heavily in vertical applications of 5G communications in multiple fields, such as accident redundancy, smart factories, and maritime shipping. Pegatron 5G will continue to push Taiwan's 5G progress forward as a driving force, realize more reliable and efficient forward-looking communications technology, and help the government to build Taiwan into a smart-tech island."

Taiwan plays a key role in the global maritime economy. Increased demand has driven growth in ocean shipping and commercial port capacity, increasing the need for intelligent cargo ships. In 2021, Pegatron 5G launched the 5G O-RAN and corporate satellite communications project, successfully integrating mobile orbit satellite equipment with Pegatron 5G O-RAN base stations in Taiwan for the first time.

In the past, ships at sea had difficulty communicating with the outside world or receiving real-time information, making distress communication challenging. "Under the guidance of the National Development Council, the project collaborates with satellite service providers, system integrators, and various enterprise application sectors to integrate 5G O-RAN private networks and LEO satellite solutions," said CY Feng, General Manager of Business Group 6 Communication Products, Pegatron Corporation. "This integration significantly enhances existing communication conditions, accelerating the maritime industry's digital transformation. Aiming to continuously leverage advanced technologies and Pegatron's comprehensive supply chain resources in the future, we target to establish Taiwan's O-RAN private network ecosystem, create diverse communication application services, and boost global market competitiveness."

Pegatron 5G built a network using the O-RAN architecture and integrated satellite communications with low-latency network connections between satellites. This concept was verified on Yang Ming's ocean-going ships, improving the maritime internet in three scenarios:

Remote Medical Assistance: Enhanced transmission bandwidth from LEO satellite communication and Advantech's telemedicine suitcase enables medical teams to access real-time instrument data and conduct video consultations during long voyages, revolutionizing medical assistance at sea.

Real-Time Troubleshooting: Mariners can report on-site conditions in real time through video using mixed reality solutions and 5G private networks, receiving immediate support from onshore teams. This improves troubleshooting efficiency and reduces potential occupational safety risks.

Signal Extension in Cargo Ships: A distributed antenna system (DAS) extends indoor wireless communication coverage, enhancing network access and optimizing the work environment for mariners.

Pegatron 5G is committed to strengthening relationships with international companies, including telecommunications firms in Southeast Asia and system integrators in Japan. The company aims to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging comprehensive technology and supply chain resources to promote diverse application scenarios, enhance local communication resilience, and boost global competitiveness.