Abstract
The advent of fifth-generation (5G) and beyond communication technologies holds significant promise for the maritime industry. As ships increasingly adopt wireless configurations with sensors and actuators, the demand for continuous data to support decision-making grows. Autonomous ships, in particular, rely on real-time data for both onboard and shore control center operations. However, the metallic structures, machinery, and containers on ships can obstruct signal paths, especially below the main deck, impeding comprehensive intraship communications. To address this challenge, we propose utilizing Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) to enhance onboard ship communication. RIS mitigates signal blockages and extends coverage areas. In our study, we examine scenarios where signals are blocked between the transmitter and receiver. By strategically installing RIS on the side walls and ceilings of ships, we can control input wavefronts (phase, amplitude, and polarization) without the need for complex encoding, decoding, and signal processing operations typically required by relays. We evaluate the feasibility of implementing RIS in the maritime domain, using multiple RIS units and varying Rician K factor to assess the impact of line-of-sight compared to traditional relaying techniques. Our findings demonstrate that two RIS units with 50 elements each outperform conventional relaying systems. Additionally, we discuss the number of RIS units required to cover entire ships based on previous findings. This enhanced communication model has the potential to improve onboard decision-making and automation in next-generation shipping networks.