Designed, manufactured, and deployed by DICOM — DSC alerting, NAVTEX broadcasting, and RTP voice unified over a single secure IP architecture, running 24/7/365.
DICOM Technology Co., Ltd. has designed, manufactured, and deployed a complete IP-based GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) control system across five coastal radio stations covering Vietnam’s entire maritime coastline, replacing end-of-life analog infrastructure with a unified, fully digital architecture. The control system at the heart of the network — from the IP signal cards that interface with each radio site to the redundant server cluster at the control center — was designed and manufactured in-house by DICOM.
Engineering the Migration: Legacy Analog to Full IP
Vietnam’s coastal radio stations had operated on equipment installed in the early 2000s, now reaching end-of-life (EoL/EoS) status — raising the risk of service disruption and making spare parts and maintenance increasingly difficult to sustain. DICOM was selected to design, manufacture, and deliver a complete replacement of the Operator Control Center (OPC) equipment at all five stations, migrating the entire control layer to a fully IP-based GMDSS architecture while reusing the existing VHF/MF/HF radio assets — protecting prior investment while future-proofing the network.
Core Technologies — Designed and Manufactured by DICOM
The core of the GMDSS control system — the signal-processing cards, the redundant server cluster, and the operator interface — is DICOM-engineered hardware and software, designed to integrate seamlessly with each station’s existing radio equipment.
1. End-to-End IP Architecture for DSC, NAVTEX & RTP Voice
All GMDSS services are fully digitized and routed over a secure IP network, replacing legacy E1 and analog interconnects. This enables centralized management, inter-station resource sharing, and seamless scalability across all five stations from a single control environment.
2. GMDSS Card Modules — Remote Radio Control via IP
DICOM-manufactured GMDSS Cards are deployed at transmit, receive, and VHF sites to perform DSC/NAVTEX modulation and demodulation. They interface with existing MF/HF transmitters and VHF transceivers via RS-232/RS-422 and are controlled remotely from the OPC over IP — eliminating on-site intervention at remote radio sites.
3. 4W E&M Interface Cards — Analog-to-VoIP Conversion for RTP
DICOM 4W E&M cards perform bidirectional conversion between analog audio and VoIP, delivering RTP (Radio Telephone Procedure) voice services to operator workstations over the IP network with no loss of legacy radio capability.
4. Redundant GMDSS & TMCS Server Cluster — 1+1 Active-Passive
Two dedicated server pairs manage the system. The GMDSS processing server handles DSC/NAVTEX data processing and event storage; the TMCS (Telecommunication Management and Control System) server provides centralized monitoring and remote control of all radio equipment. Both run in 1+1 Active-Passive configuration with RAID storage and automatic failover — removing any single point of failure.
5. Controller Working Position (CWP) — Multi-Touch Interface
A multi-touch operator interface designed for effortless radio control and telephony, with integrated call recording and logging for continuous operation and fast history retrieval.
6. Dual Power & Dual Ethernet — Hardware Resilience by Design
Every control and network device carries dual independent power supplies and dual Ethernet paths, ensuring automatic self-recovery and zero downtime in the event of a hardware fault.
Standards Compliance
- IMO SOLAS Chapter IV — GMDSS mandatory framework for coastal stations
- ITU-R M.493 — Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system
- ITU-R M.540 — NAVTEX operational and technical characteristics
- ITU Radio Regulations App. 15 & 18 — DSC frequencies and NAVTEX procedures
- ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System (DICOM certified)
Results: A Unified, Future-Ready Coastal Radio Network
Vietnam’s five coastal radio stations now operate as a single unified IP-networked GMDSS system, delivering:
- Continuous 24/7/365 DSC, NAVTEX, and RTP voice service
- Centralized remote monitoring and control of all transmitters, receivers, and VHF transceivers
- Inter-station resource sharing and automatic cross-station backup on local failure
- Modular, scalable architecture — new radio sites, operator positions, or control centers can be added without redesign
The deployment positions Vietnam’s coastal radio infrastructure to meet the IMO’s next-generation GMDSS modernization roadmap and the global shift toward fully digital, IP-based maritime safety communications.
“Your safety is our concern.” — DICOM Corporation
Explore DICOM’s GMDSS maritime communication solutions → www.dicomcorp.com
Contact our maritime solutions team: info@dicomcorp.com
