Implementation of an IEEE 802.11ax-Based Maritime Mesh Network in the Red Sea

TL;DR

This paper presents AX-MMN, a maritime mesh network based on IEEE 802.11ax, designed to improve communication for fishermen in the Red Sea, demonstrating significant performance benefits through real-world experiments.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel maritime mesh network architecture using IEEE 802.11ax to overcome satellite phone limitations in the Red Sea region.

Findings

AX-MMN significantly enhances maritime connectivity.

Real-world experiments validate performance improvements.

Potential to improve fishermen's communication and quality of life.

Abstract

In this article, we explore the limitations of satellite phones in meeting the communication needs of fishermen operating in the Red Sea. We propose AX-MMN, a maritime mesh network based on the IEEE 802.11ax standard, to address these shortcomings of satellite phones and outline AX-MMN's system architecture. To validate the performance of AX-MMN, we conduct extensive real-world experiments, demonstrating its potential to enhance maritime connectivity significantly. We also discuss the broader benefits of AX-MMN, particularly for fishermen in underdeveloped East African countries bordering the Red Sea, emphasizing its capacity to improve their communication capabilities and overall quality of life.