Use of sensor network for real-time monitoring systems in ships and offshore structures

Abstract

Monitoring systems typically employ many numbers of various sensors, with very complex wiring among them. Due to the complexity in wiring, maintenance and changing sensor configurations after they are installed, wireless sensors receive much interest, which are expected to provide more convenience. However, wireless communication in an environment composed of steel structures and many obstructions, as it is the case in ships and offshore platforms, is very difficult and often lead to short communication range or redundant systems to achieve the level of reliability required for monitoring systems. In this paper, wireless communication in steel structures is tested with emphasis on its expected performance on ships and offshore platforms, and recommendations for composing efficient sensor network are proposed. In addition to wireless communication, PLC (Power Line Communication) is also tested as a suitable complement to increase reliability of sensor network where wireless communication is limited without the complexity of conventional wired network. Copyright ？ 2008 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).