Heavy Machinery Zones (Cranes) Communication Solutions

With the growth of global trade and accelerated port automation, this solution builds an integrated "Port Nerve Center System" based on a modern port communication architecture, combining voice, video, alarms, and access control to address communication and dispatch bottlenecks at large container terminals.

Project Background

With the growth of global trade and the acceleration of port automation, large container terminals both domestically and internationally face communication and dispatch bottlenecks. Traditional voice, monitoring, and alarm systems operate independently, leading to command delays, challenges in emergency coordination, and high maintenance costs.

This solution is built upon a modern port operation communication architecture, creating an integrated "Port Nerve Center System" that combines voice, video, alarms, and access control. It supports millisecond-level response times and unified multi-service management, meeting the demands of continuous, high-intensity port operations.

Requirements Analysis

Full-Stack Communication Integration

Must support heterogeneous devices including IP phones (operation/office areas), industrial-grade speakers (dock/yard), and 4K video surveillance (rail crane zones), eliminating traditional system information silos.
Support G.711/G.729 audio codecs and H.264 video codec, ensuring voice clarity ≥98% in harsh sea wind noise environments (signal-to-noise ratio > 30dB).

Hierarchical Command and Dispatch

Implement a three-tier command structure for precise control: dispatch center → zone control consoles (quay cranes, yard, gates) → individual terminals, supporting 200 concurrent calls.
In emergencies, activate a one-touch “Red Alert” mode within 3 seconds, triggering warning lights (120dB), broadcast system (full area coverage), and access control locks (barriers/jetty bridges).

Industrial-Grade Reliability

Wide operating temperature range: -40℃ to 65℃ (tested in Bohai winter and South China Sea summer conditions).
Dual UPS power supply (equipment rooms) and fiber optic ring network (core-aggregation layer) ensure system availability ≥ 99.999%.

Design References

This solution strictly follows current national standards and actual project requirements to ensure full compliance
throughout system design, equipment selection, installation, and acceptance testing.
Key references include:

Mandatory Standards

Technical Specification for Communication Systems of Large Port Machinery (JT/T1350-2023)

Design Code for Industrial Environmental Noise Control (GBJ87-85)

Solution Design and System Architecture

The entire public address and intercom system is built on an IP network architecture, enabling interconnection among devices via switches. The server acts as the core control unit, handling signaling and device registration to ensure stable and efficient voice communication. This IP-based architecture facilitates system scalability and maintenance, while seamlessly integrating with existing enterprise IT systems.

System features

Daily Communication Functions

One-to-One Calls: Staff can make one-to-one voice calls using desktop phones or other devices, as easily and conveniently as regular telephones.
Group Calls: Dispatchers can initiate group calls via the dispatch console, adding relevant personnel into the same call group for real-time multi-party communication, facilitating coordination and information sharing.
Broadcast Function: Supports full-area or zoned broadcasts, such as production notices or safety alerts. Dispatchers can send voice messages to designated areas’ explosion-proof IP network speakers through the dispatch console, ensuring timely and accurate information delivery.

Emergency Alarm Functions

One-Touch Alarm: In emergencies, staff can press the alarm button on waterproof audio-visual alarm phones to quickly send an alert to the dispatch console, which simultaneously connects the call for on-site reporting.
Audio-Visual Alarm: When triggered, these phones emit strong sound and light alarms to attract attention and prompt emergency response.
Emergency Linkage: The public address and intercom system integrates with the enterprise’s fire alarm and security monitoring systems. When fire alarms activate, the system automatically switches to emergency broadcast mode, playing pre-recorded evacuation messages to guide safe personnel exit.

Recording and Retrieval

Call Recording: All calls—including one-to-one and group calls—are recorded in real time. Recordings are stored on the server for a set period (e.g., 3 months) for later review and analysis.
Recording Retrieval: Dispatchers or authorized personnel can conveniently search historical call recordings by time, phone number, or other criteria via the dispatch software, supporting incident investigation and work evaluation.

Device Management Functions

Device Status Monitoring: Dispatch software continuously monitors the operational status of all devices (online/offline, faults, etc.). Alerts are immediately issued upon detecting anomalies to facilitate timely maintenance and repair.
Device Configuration Management: Administrators can configure device parameters via the dispatch software, such as call permissions and volume adjustments, to meet varying scenario and user needs.