KVM monitoring shipping traffic

SAAB Technologies, based in Apeldoorn in The Netherlands, specializes in radar systems and applications. SAAB supplies software for the civil sector, in aviation and maritime transport, as well as traffic management systems for ports and busy shipping lanes. Arno Roefs, Lead System Engineer at SAAB visited Intronics in april 2015. Arno was looking for a comprehensive solution. The main challenge was to detect, register and track sea traffic in addition to the already displayed radar images, within a flexible KVM infrastructure.

The solution

SAAB Technologies was commissioned to harmonize all information between shore and ships in the harbor area of Hong Kong and coordinate through a central portal. To achieve this harmonization, not only the VTSS, but also the Kwai Chung Marine Traffic Control Station (KCCS), which lies on the other side of the VTSS, was equipped with IHSE solutions. Both locations are working in the same manner.
All shipping routes are monitored from within the VTSS and KCCS. Each ship or ferry has its own route. From the VTSS, the ships and ferries operate via radio contact. The VTSS consists of six operator desks and one supervisor desk. Per desk there are three 32-inch 4K monitors, two to three 23-inch monitors and a keyboard and a mouse present. The extension of the workstations to the server room is through IHSE 4K @60Hz DisplayPort KVM extenders (over fiber) and IHSE DVI extenders (over CAT6 cabling). The 16-port arrays offer a variety of control methods. The HD and UHD digital video signal and switching within a single frame are supported.

Within the VTSS and KCCS all shipping routes are monitored. Each ship or ferry has its own route. From the VTSS, the ships and ferries are directed via radio contact. The VTSS consists of six operator desks and one supervisor desk. Per desk there are three 32-inch 4K @ 60Hz monitors, two to three 23-inch monitors and one keyboard and one mouse. The extension of the workstations to the server room is through IHSE 4K @ 60Hz DisplayPort KVM extenders (over fiber) and IHSE DVI extenders (over CAT6 cabling). The 16 port arrays offer a variety of control methods. HD and UHD digital video signal and the switch within a single frame are all supported.

VTSS workplace

The KCCS is located at the seaport, on the opposite side of the VTSS. The KCCS is a control tower of 11 stories high and consists of two desks on the 10th floor. Per desk there are three 32-inch 4K @ 60Hz monitors, two to three 23-inch monitors and a keyboard and mouse to monitor and optimize traffic, just like the VTSS setup.

In addition to the listed products for this project, IHSE wrote 'SAAB firmware’ for the KVM switches used. This allows a user to completely arbitrarily move the mouse vertically or horizontally over the screen at a workplace. After selecting the appropriate screen, the operator can perform the operations on that server.
"Together we have delivered a flexible infrastructure in which various needs are integrated into one system. The operation had become very easy fort he users. They can instantly switch between the available sources", explains Wim de Gein, Project Manager at Intronics.
Arno Roefs, Lead System Engineer at SAAB adds: “This project is an example of excellent cooperation! All three parties wanted to make it a success. In addition to a tailor-made solution of IHSE, Wim of Gein was present in Hong Kong, to support us during the configuration".

SAAB Technologies, based in Apeldoorn, specializes in radar systems and radar applications. SAAB supplies include software for the civil sector, aviation and maritime transport, as well as traffic management systems for ports and busy shipping lanes. In aviation the software detects, records and follows all traffic at the airport. 

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