Port communications Voice, Data, CCTV Security and Muster points
Over the last twenty years port operations have changed, container traffic has grown year on year ships have got larger and the need to unload and reload, and turn these vessels around quickly has put more pressure on port operators; to this end the requirement to deliver exactly the right container or cargo is imperative. Information fluidity is vital; we at Bridge have developed various communication solutions to address the requirement for wide area communications in a port environment.
WIRELESS NETWORKS
A wireless mesh network is an ideal way to deliver real time information across large expanses and is easily expandable allowing the network to grow with either your requirement or your businesses. A mesh gives resilience to the network meaning that data can find a route to its recipients even in the event of a failure. Fundamentally a mesh network gives you the convenience of a wired network switch combined with the deployment flexibility of wireless network technology.
The design of a mesh network makes it ideal for locations where cabling is too difficult or expensive to implement. Mesh networks can operate in or outdoors in the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands and with the use of ATEX enclosures, antennas or isolation equipment pose no risk in areas that are hazardous such as the petro-chemical industry.
With its self-healing capabilities and traffic prioritisation (Qos) a mesh network can offer a solution for critical high bandwidth low latency applications such as video, voice and data.
Similar systems in different ports could also be linked allowing operators to move between different sites though continuing to use the same devices wherever they are deployed.
EQUIPMENT
The user would have access to handheld data terminals, tablets or in vehicle display showing the location of a container, with all the information communicating to and from a central data base.
The system that would deliver this data would also transport a CCTV network for the port security. This would also allow for any temporary CCTV to be deployed without the requirement to run cables. The same system can also be used to incorporate Muster stations and access control.
IP67 RATING
Much of our equipment comes with an IP67 rating: The Ingress Protection rating system (IP) is a classification system showing the degrees of protection from solid objects and liquids. The ‘67’ rating is made up of the following;
‘6’- No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact
‘7’- Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion) See appendix 1 for IP code table
OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN COMMUNICATION DESIGN ATEX
Safety is paramount when working in a hazardous environment. Communication equipment is essential and in certain circumstances and has to be intrinsically safe (ATEX – a technique based on limiting energy, electrical and thermal, to a level below that’s required to ignite a specific hazardous atmospheric mixture) Our various technologies are used in many sectors including petrochemical sites, utilities, transportation and civil engineering. Designing and installing systems features highly within our skillset, we are a ‘one stop shop’ for all communication needs;
- Leaky feeder systems (confined space communications)
- Point to point microwave networks
- Secure ATEX mesh networks (Tag reading, CCTV, data communications / internet)
We can apply our extensive technological knowledge to audit and improve your existing communications and offer guidance on the potential for improvement and expansion within your existing or new communication networks
GPS
GPS can send location information to dispatcher systems. Dispatchers can evaluate this information and use functions such as geofencing, radio localisation and GPS tracking. GPS has the additional benefit of allowing the deployment of the Engineer closest to a problem, quicker, thereby enhancing health and safety in the event of an incident.
MAN DOWN
Another optional benefit of this system could include Man Down; Man-Down is a tilt-switch inside the radio that automatically sends an alarm signal if the radio is tipped on its side for more than a preset period. If a radio user falls, central control and his colleagues will be informed immediately with the location of the person in distress.
LONE WORKER
Lone Worker is also a useful feature; a two way radio would sound an audible tone (intermittent tone duration is set by system controller) once the user presses any button on the handheld device the system recognises that there are no issues. If the user fails to press a button then their colleagues and central control will be alerted, again with the users’ location.
SMS MESSAGING
With the latest advances in Digital two way radio (DMR) users can send text messages to individuals or groups. Messages can be pre-set and programmed into the radio, freeing up time for the user.
GROUPING
Users can be formed into groups which is a benefit when information is restricted or conversations are only relevant to certain parties. This also has the benefit of the users outside the group being able to continue with the use of the handheld without interruption.
DMR works just in the same way a conventional analogue systems but carries an number of benefits such as the ability to speak to other users on a one to one basis, one to many (group calls) as well as the traditional one to all call. The radio network can also be tied in with a VOIP telephone system allowing telephone users (either fixed or mobile) to call a radio directly.
VOICE RECORDING DVRS (Digital Voice Recording System)
For DMR Trunking is a professional voice recording solution for the DMR trunked radio system. DVRS records several calls at once in the mobile radio system, to log them and store them for subsequent evaluation.
Users of DMR Trunking expect reliability from their trunk radio system to be able to respond quickly particularly in critical situations. This is why the use of a voice recorder is indispensable when it is necessary to subsequently analyse complex applications or to meet legal requirements that bind the user organisation to log its voice communication.
Overview of highlights:
- IP-based, network-wide voice recording
- Lossless storage of talks
- 24-hour voice recording through redundancy in the system architecture
- Client-server structure for flexible data access High security when accessing recordings
- Statistical analyses of all calls
- Online playback and download of recordings
- Detailed display of server utilisation level in DVRS terminal
The IP Code (or International Protection Rating, sometimes also interpreted as Ingress Protection Rating*) consists of the letters IP followed by two digits and an optional letter. As defined in international standard IEC 60529, it classifies the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water in electrical enclosures. The standard aims to provide users more detailed information than vague marketing terms such as waterproof.
The digits (characteristic numerals) indicate conformity with the conditions summarized in the tables below. For example, an electrical socket rated IP22 is protected against insertion of fingers and will not be damaged or become unsafe during a specified test in which it is exposed to vertically or nearly vertically dripping water. IP22 or 2X are typical minimum requirements for the design of electrical accessories for indoor use.
*Explanation of the letters IP is given in IEC 60529 (Ed. 2.1), clause 4.1
FIRST DIGIT –
SOLIDS The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects.
LEVEL EFFECTIVE AGAINST
- 1- No protection against contact and ingress of objects
- 2- Any large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part.
- 3- Fingers or similar objects.
- 4- Tools, thick wires, etc.
- 5- Most wires, screws, etc.
- 6- Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact.
- 7- No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact.
- 8- N/A
- 9- N/A Appendix 1
SECOND DIGIT – LIQUIDS LEVEL EFFECTIVE AGAINST
- 0- No protection
- 1- Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmful effect.
- 2- Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position.
- 3- Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect
- 4- Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect
- 5- Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
- 6- Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
- 7- Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion).
- 8- The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects.
