Page No. 29 - 42: Wi-Fi Enabled Autonomous Ship Model Tests For Ship Motion Dynamics And Seakeeping Assessment

Abstract

Captive model testing for ship motions, sea-keeping and dynamic effects has been always a challenge due to the large amount of channels of data, the need for continuous data communication for effect feedback control, and in the case of extended studies relating to fleets, the methodology for group fleet control. For the first time a solution is offered by designing a free self-propulsion, self, on-board controlled, surface ship model. The design incorporates Wi-Fi enabled robust communication and control and protocols for data storage, exchange, multiple device control and communication to fleet sister surface ships for fleet control. The design is described in this paper with details of implementation on a demonstration oceanographic research vessel. It illustrates the excellent communication between shore station computer and the on-board system on a wire-free model with robust control and exhibiting all the motion behavior and dynamic effects.