Smarter Radio Network Planning for Safer, More Connected Ports
Modern ports and harbours depend on reliable wireless communications to maintain safe navigation, coordinate operations and support increasingly complex maritime infrastructure. From marine VHF and radar systems to private mobile networks, telemetry and operational communications, ensuring seamless connectivity across busy ports and waterways presents significant engineering challenges.
As ports expand, adopt new technologies, and modernise their infrastructure, radio network operators must manage interference, eliminate coverage gaps, and maximise existing spectrum resources.
ATDI provides advanced RF planning, modelling, and optimisation software to help port authorities, maritime operators, and infrastructure providers design reliable, resilient, and future-ready communications networks. Our flagship solution, HTZ Communications, supports radio technologies from 8 kHz to 1 THz within a single platform, enabling operators to plan, simulate and optimise multiple networks throughout their operational lifecycle.
Addressing the Communications Challenges Facing Ports
Ports present some of the most demanding environments for radio communications. Large vessels, container terminals, cranes, industrial buildings and constantly changing infrastructure can affect signal propagation and network performance.
ATDI helps operators address these challenges by providing the tools to understand how radio signals behave across complex coastal and maritime environments.
Our solutions support the planning and optimisation of critical communications, helping operators identify coverage limitations, assess interference risks, evaluate new infrastructure and make informed decisions before investing in network upgrades.
From large commercial ports to smaller harbours and inland waterways, ATDI helps organisations improve network reliability while using their available radio spectrum more effectively.
Key Features & Benefits
Marine VHF & Critical Communications Planning
Model and optimise marine VHF, DMR, UHF and other operational radio networks. Identify coverage gaps across harbours, shipping channels and inland waterways to improve communications reliability and operational safety.
Radar Coverage & Surveillance Analysis
Simulate radar coverage, identify surveillance blind spots and assess overlapping radar systems. Evaluate the impact of new buildings, wind turbines and other developments on existing radar infrastructure to support safe navigation.
Interference & Spectrum Management
Analyse interference between multiple radio technologies operating within congested maritime environments. Conduct coexistence studies and automated frequency planning to improve spectrum efficiency and minimise disruption to critical services.
Private LTE & 5G Network Planning
Design and optimise private LTE and 5G networks to support connected port operations, industrial automation and digital transformation. Assess coverage, interference and capacity requirements across terminals, warehouses and operational areas.
Advanced Maritime Propagation Modelling
Simulate radio propagation across coastal and over-water environments, accounting for terrain, sea conditions, antenna heights and atmospheric effects. Use deterministic and ITU-based propagation models to support accurate coverage predictions.
Network Coverage & Site Optimisation
Identify radio not-spots, optimise antenna locations and heights, and evaluate alternative infrastructure configurations. Automated planning tools help operators improve coverage and capacity while reducing unnecessary infrastructure investment.
Infrastructure Development & Impact Assessments
Predict how new buildings, cranes, wind farms and other infrastructure developments may affect existing communications and radar systems. Model proposed changes before construction to identify potential interference and coverage risks.
Telemetry, CCTV & Operational Network Planning
Plan UHF telemetry links, point-to-multipoint communications, and wireless connectivity to support CCTV systems. Evaluate network performance across distributed port assets and identify opportunities to strengthen operational connectivity.
Discover how ATDI’s advanced RF planning and spectrum analysis solutions helped the Port of London (PLA) overcome complex communications challenges in this real-world case study. Download our Ports flyer to learn more.
