Shallow seawaters are problematic for acoustic and optical communications.
Sensor networks based on electromagnetic (EM) communications are evaluated in
this environment. In order to characterize the subaquatic channel, several
measurement systems have been designed, built and tested in the sea obtaining
very reliable results. Experiments carried out with dipoles and loop antennas
showed serious disagreement with the state of the art, especially when dipole
antennas are used. Dipoles performance was poor while magnetic loops showed
relevant results. Measurement system is described in detail and real
attenuation of the subaquatic channel is obtained for several distances and
antennas. Finally, measured and simulated results are compared with good
agreement.Comment: submitted to conference Ucomms 201
