Cellular Underwater Wireless Optical CDMA Network: Potentials and Challenges

Underwater wireless optical communications is an emerging solution to the expanding demand for broadband links in oceans and seas. In this paper, a cellular underwater wireless optical code division multiple-access (UW-OCDMA) network is proposed to provide broadband links for commercial and military applications. The optical orthogonal codes (OOC) are employed as signature codes of underwater mobile users. Fundamental key aspects of the network such as its backhaul architecture, its potential applications and its design challenges are presented. In particular, the proposed network is used as infrastructure of centralized, decentralized and relay-assisted underwater sensor networks for high-speed real-time monitoring. Furthermore, a promising underwater localization and positioning scheme based on this cellular network is presented. Finally, probable design challenges such as cell edge coverage, blockage avoidance, power control and increasing the network capacity are addressed.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure

RF communication between surface and underwater robotic swarms

In order for underwater robots to communicate with land and air based robots on an equal basis, high speed communications is required. If the robots are not to be tethered then wireless communications is the only possibility. Sonar communications is too slow. Unfortunately radio waves are rapidly attenuated under water due to phenomena such as skin depth. These experiments attempt to extend the range of underwater radio communications.<br /

Re-Evaluation of RF Electromagnetic Communication in Underwater Sensor Networks

Most underwater wireless networks use acoustic waves as the transmission medium nowadays, but the chances of getting much more out of acoustic modems are quite remote. Optical links are impractical for many underwater applications. Given modern operational requirements and digital communications technology, the time is now ripe for re-evaluating the role of electromagnetic signals in underwater environments. The research presented in this article is motivated by the limitations of current and established wireless underwater techniques, as well as the potential that electromagnetic waves can offer to underwater applications. A case study is presented that uses electromagnetic technology in a small-scale underwater wireless sensor network. The results demonstrate the likely effectiveness of the designated network

Underwater optical wireless communications

Underwater optical wireless communications (UOWC) is an exciting new field that has grasped attention from several research groups worldwide .This this aimed to conduct a profound study of thew most relevant aspects of a UOWC system. A complete simulation framework for various underwater conditions was developed, a study of different modulation formats for free space optical communications was conducted and a functional prototype using state of the art optical components was developed

Underwater Optical Wireless Communications Link for Short-Range Data Transmission: A Proof of Concept Study

Gemstone Team OPTICThe purpose of this thesis is to lay the groundwork for the development of a cost-effective Underwater Optical Wireless Communications system. Currently, one of the largest barriers to the expansion of underwater enterprise and research is a lack of high-speed wireless communication systems. Wireless communication underwater is essential for safety, improving aquatic technology, and many other marine ventures, yet it is still technologically limited. Current methods, such as acoustic communication, are often power inefficient, cumbersome, and expensive. The proposed system would enable scuba divers and researchers to bridge the technological gaps in available underwater data transmission systems. This paper proposes using visible light to wirelessly transmit data underwater. Visible light is an effective carrier wave underwater due to its large bandwidth and low absorption coefficient. Using light emitting diodes, silicon PIN photodetectors, waterproof enclosures, and consumer-grade microcontrollers, a model for the development of a wireless optical communications system is proposed. The system also adopts a modular design which allows each component to evolve as needed. The proposed system can transmit and receive audio and vitals signals underwater, illustrating the potential of a technology that could make diving and other underwater endeavors safer and more efficient. Furthermore, the proposed data link shows the potential for this technology to be used in other underwater applications that were previously limited by data speeds or mobility. Above all, this technology seeks to build upon existing knowledge of optical wireless communication and advance the field of underwater science and technology

Underwater acoustic communications. From point-to-point to networks

This is a review presentation that addresses recent developments in underwater acoustic telemetry as a tool for ocean observation, monitoring and protection. Distributed sensing is a paradigm with important reflections in oceanic technology where bottom installed structures can not always be connected to a central hub through cabled networks. Moreover, recent developments in ocean robotics lead to the off-the-shelf availability of autonomous underwater vehicles that rely on wireless communications for sending information and receiving commands. Unlike its aerial counterpart wireless underwater communications, are strongly affected and limited by the propagation media: the low speed of propagation, highly limited bandwidth, spatial and time variability of environmental properties and randomness, all together contribute to the slow adoption of standardized and reliable underwater communications networks. This paper addresses the main issues regarding and characterizing the underwater acoustic communication channel as well as the proposed techniques to overcome those issues for, in a first stage, point-to-point (P2P) communications and then for the set up of full underwater networks comprising both fixed and mobile nodes. The presentation is illustrated by real data based examples drawn from experiments carried out at sea by the Signal Processing Laboratory, University of Algarve, Portugal (SiPLAB, www.siplab.fct.ualg.pt) in numerous national and European research projects in the last 15 years.Work supported by FCT (Portugal), ONR (USA), European Commission (EU), CMRE (former NURC, NATO) and numerous other agencies and institutions that will be properly acknowledged and cited in the presentation