Leveraging Wi-Fi 6 and MPTCP for Efficient and Reliable Real-Time Video Streaming in Safe Port Monitoring

Abstract

Continuous and reliable unlicensed wireless con-nectivity solutions could play a fundamental role in the next generation of ports. To provide secure and reliable video moni-toring, Automated Rubber- Tyred Gantry cranes (AutoRTGs) rely on wired cable reel connections. By adopting 5G technology, smart ports can eliminate the need for fixed wired connections in favour of low-latency wireless communication, allowing effective communication and control. However, occasionally it is better to leverage complementary wireless technologies to carry resource-intensive traffic like large amounts of video data in uplink (UL). As a result, Wi-Fi is being considered as a potential solution. Wireless networks are widely utilized for their quick installation and simplicity. However, the presence of multiple unlicensed Wireless Access Networks could impact the wireless connection performance due to the possibility of channel interference. This paper studies how the utilization of a Multipath Trans-mission Control Protocol (MPTCP) wireless system can serve as an alternative to a fixed fiber cable reel. To minimize the latency, we propose the simultaneous use of two Wi-Fi 6 networks and MPTCP's redundant scheduler to send video streams from the crane to a remote control center (RCC) desk. We compare different wired and wireless topology alternatives to assess the most reliable network configuration when the AutoRTG is in operation. Thus, we evaluate each topology with dynamic quality of service (QoS) measurements. We find that duplicating packets with MPTCP over two Wi-Fi 6 networks allows for stable and reliable low-latency video streaming, even in instances where one of the networks experiences sudden high delay peaks. Finally, we discuss how the utilization of Wi-Fi and MPTCP can be a choice to support and complement 5G in situations with heavy uplink traffic.