Design and development of visible light communication-based underwater communication system for recreational scuba diving

Abstract

Visible light communication (VLC) is a type of data communications which uses the visible light spectrum in the 350-800nm wavelength range. Light signals are converted into electrical pulses to indicate a specific information which in this case, diving instructions. In this study, VLC is used in an underwater communication system for recreational diving activities in order to reinforce the conventional hand signaling protocols. Wearable LED-based transmitter and phototransistor-based receiver were used. The hand-held transmitter was used to emit different light pulses corresponding to 16 commands in which 13 are standard scuba diving hand signals. The goggle receiver process and translates these pulses into an audio signal which can be heard by the diver through waterproof earphones. The VLC system developed was able to achieve an average signal reception accuracy of at least 97.0% on a series of tests conducted underwater with a maximum transmitter-to-receiver distance of 5m using white LEDs. © 2020, World Academy of Research in Science and Engineering. All rights reserved