System for monitoring a maritime environment

A method for monitoring a maritime environment, the method comprising:

• generating a synchronization signal by a synchronization source for synchronizing operations of a plurality of radio detection and ranging devices;
• providing the synchronization signal over a communication network by the synchronization source to the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices;
• receiving the synchronization signal by the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices;
• synchronizing an operation of each of the radio detection and ranging devices according to the synchronization signal;
• performing a synchronous detection of an object in the maritime environment by the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices;
• transmitting a plurality of sensor signals respectively relating to a location of the object in the maritime environment over the communication network by the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices;
• receiving the plurality of sensor signals from the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices by a processing device;
• and
• determining the location of the object in the maritime environment upon the basis of the plurality of sensor signals by the processing device;
• wherein the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices comprises a surveillance radio detection and ranging device and a man-over-board radio detection and ranging device;
• wherein the surveillance radio detection and ranging device and the man-over-board radio detection and ranging device are arranged to form an outstation or a cluster;
• and
• wherein a first radio detection and ranging device of the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices is configured to provide a first sensor signal, wherein a second radio detection and ranging device of the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices is configured to provide a second sensor signal, and wherein the first radio detection and ranging device or the second radio detection and ranging device is configured to combine the first sensor signal with the second sensor signal.

A system for monitoring a maritime environment, the system comprising:

• a plurality of radio detection and ranging devices being configured to perform a synchronous detection of an object in the maritime environment, to transmit a plurality of sensor signals respectively relating to a location of the object in the maritime environment over a communication network, and to receive a synchronization signal, each of the radio detection and ranging devices being configured to synchronize its operation according to the synchronization signal;
• a synchronization source being configured to generate the synchronization signal for synchronizing operations of the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices, and to provide the synchronization signal over the communication network to the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices;
• and
• a processing device being configured to receive the plurality of sensor signals from the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices, and to determine the location of the object in the maritime environment upon the basis of the plurality of sensor signals;
• wherein a first radio detection and ranging device of the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices is configured to provide a first sensor signal, wherein a second radio detection and ranging device of the plurality of radio detection and ranging devices is configured to provide a second sensor signal, and wherein the first radio detection and ranging device or the second radio detection and ranging device is configured to combine the first sensor signal with the second sensor signal.