NEXTGEN University Innovations: Korea Maritime and Ocean University

Talk about your lab or research initiatives as it relates to ATSC 3.0. I am a director of the Center for Creative Leaders in Maritime Convergence (CLMC), which aims to develop convergence solutions that apply technologies from various fields, including ATSC 3.0, to the maritime field. The CLMC has several laboratories, among them, Communication Systems and Signal Processing Laboratory (CSSP Lab) is conducting research on communication systems on ATSC 3.0 technology, including LDM, MIMO, and channel bonding.

Why was it important to you and the institution to begin research or work in the ATSC 3.0 or terrestrial broadcast ecosystem? In recent years, KMOU has also been involved in research and development related to the latest broadcasting technology, ATSC 3.0, and was deeply involved in the standardization of ATSC 3.0-based terrestrial UHDTV broadcasting in South Korea. ATSC 3.0 is a next-generation television broadcasting standard that provides high-quality audio and video, emergency alert services, and advanced features. It is currently being implemented in various countries, including South Korea, where it was launched in 2017. KMOU has been actively involved in research related to maritime communications and its applications in the maritime industry. Also, KMOU is very interested in developing a new Maritime Broadcasting Service (MBS), which utilizes ATSC 3.0 technology to provide real-time information to ships at sea. The MBS system provides weather updates, maritime safety information, and other vital data to help ships navigate safely. In addition to the MBS system, KMOU has also been interested in developing other applications of ATSC 3.0 in the maritime industry, such as remote monitoring of ship engines and equipment using IoT sensors and data analytics. These applications can potentially improve maritime operations’ safety and efficiency. Overall, KMOU’s research and development in ATSC 3.0 and its applications in the maritime industry demonstrate the university’s commitment to innovation and its efforts to contribute to advancing technology and industry in the world.

What projects is the institution participating in with ATSC? This can also include projects with other ATSC members or broadcasters. KMOU worked closely with Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in ATSC 3.0 standardization for many years. Recently, KMOU has been developing LDM, MIMO, and channel bonding technologies for ATSC 3.0 systems with ETRI, Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), and other companies in South Korea. In the “Development of Transmission Technology for Ultra High-Quality UHD” project, LDM-based multi-antenna broadcasting transmission technology was developed to provide ultra-high-quality UHD (UHQ) and integrated broadcasting services. Also, recently, in the “Development of Transceiver Technology for Terrestrial 8K Media Broadcast” project, we are developing core technology for broadcast transmission and reception to maximize transmission rate by combining channel bonding and multi-antenna transmission technology.

What are the institution’s goals for its work with ATSC 3.0? As a new service using ATSC 3.0 technology, KMOU is paying attention to maritime broadcasting and data exchange services, a communication system that uses VHF radio frequencies to exchange data between ships and shore-based communication stations. It is used for a variety of purposes, including ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore messaging, position reporting, and weather information exchange. By integrating maritime communication with ATSC 3.0 networks, a range of new services can be provided to the maritime industry. One potential example of a new service that could be provided is improved safety communications. ATSC 3.0 can provide high-speed data connectivity and robust signal transmission, which can support real-time communication and data exchange between ships and shore-based authorities by integrating with maritime communication networks. This can improve safety by enabling faster response times in emergencies, such as search and rescue operations. Another potential application is in the area of navigation and vessel tracking. By integrating maritime communication networks with ATSC 3.0, more accurate position reporting and tracking can be achieved, allowing for better vessel routing and collision avoidance. Additionally, the integration can enable the sharing of navigation and weather data between ships, improving the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic. Overall, the integration of maritime communications and ATSC 3.0 has the potential to provide significant benefits to the maritime industry, including improved safety, navigation, and communication capabilities. As this technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative applications and services being introduced to the maritime sector.

Is your work with ATSC 3.0 a team effort? Tell us about the team. Our team consists of researchers in ATSC 3.0 technology, maritime service protocols, and maritime communications, and we are just starting to develop new maritime services using ATSC 3.0 in the maritime sector.