fuel efficiency, installing solar panels, and implementing advanced waste processing systems, such as onboard biodigesters that convert food waste into energy. They are also leveraging AI and IoT technology to improve operational efficiency. For example, major cruise lines now rely on AI to accurately predict required quantities of food and analyze information about currents, weather, and vessel draft to optimize routes. Passive optical LANs play a crucial role in this sustainability initiative, offering a significant
opportunity to reduce both embodied and operational carbon emissions. Not only does the technology lower energy consumption by reducing the number of required network switches and their associated power and cooling requirements, but OLTs and ONTs also have a longer lifecycle of approximately eight to 10 years, compared to traditional network switches that typically last around five years on average. Passive optical LANs require far less material and plastic than traditional copper cabling. Also, singlemode optical fiber’s primary component, silicon
dioxide, is far more abundant than copper and has a much lower environmental impact during extraction. In addition to the installation benefits of a smaller diameter, singlemode optical fiber cables weigh only a tenth of shielded copper cabling. This weight reduction contributes to an overall lighter ship tonnage, requiring less engine power to maintain speed and resulting in a significant decrease in fuel consumption. 6 Based on recent proof-of-concept, replacing heavy Category 7A shielded cables with lightweight singlemode optical fiber for connections from 20 RDPs reduces cabling weight by 35 tons, delivering an estimated annual fuel savings of $35,000 for a 3,000-passenger cruise ship.
technology and who have specialized shipboard network integration expertise. Several key considerations are essential for ensuring a successful deployment. ONTs are available with two to 48 ports, delivering speeds ranging from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps and supporting PoE for various applications and devices throughout a cruise ship. ONTs that serve passenger cabins are often housed in small, secured boxes or lockers. A single ONT can support one or two cabins, depending on the required applications and number of connections. For connecting devices, robust shielded Category 6A patch cords are recommended to withstand the harsh marine environment. To facilitate management, these cords can be color-coded for different applications and purchased in specific lengths to avoid excess slack, which is ideal for repetitive cabin layouts, as shown in Figure 2. Power is another important factor. While ONTs
OPTIMIZING DEPLOYMENTS FOR RESILIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
When designing, installing, and managing passive optical LANs on a cruise ship, it is recommended to work with integrators who are proficient in the
FIGURE 2 : Cabin ONT powered and connected using hybrid copper-fiber cables delivers data and PoE to in-cabin devices over Category 6A patch cords, which can be color-coded for diverse applications and purchased in specific lengths. Source: APOLAN
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