Implementation of an IEEE 802.11ax-Based Maritime Mesh Network in the Red Sea
Yingquan Li, Jiajie Xu, Narek Khachatrian, Mohamed-Slim Alouini
TL;DR
The study addresses the high cost and bandwidth limitations of satellite maritime communications for Red Sea fishermen by introducing AX-MMN, a Wi‑Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) based maritime mesh network that uses RS-UIs and solar-powered buoys to enable multi-hop, last-mile connectivity to terrestrial networks. A complete system architecture is presented and validated through real-world field trials over a $1\ \mathrm{km^2}$ area, with long-range links reaching $\approx 2\ \mathrm{km}$ and data rates up to tens of Mbps (e.g., $90\ \mathrm{Mbps}$ near shore, $30\ \mathrm{Mbps}$ down / $5\ \mathrm{Mbps}$ up at $2\ \mathrm{km}$). The work details node configurations, OFDMA/TWT-enabled protocols in $2.4\ \text{GHz}$ and $5\ \text{GHz}$ bands, and demonstrates autonomous solar-powered operation for months, while confirming coexistence with existing networks and potential NTN integration. This approach offers a scalable, affordable solution to bridge the digital divide for fishermen in East Africa, enabling video, IoT, and safety services and potentially improving livelihoods and safety at sea.
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.