A New Acoustic Channel Interference Model for 3-D Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks and Throughput Analysis

Abstract

Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) is regarded as the network of interconnected smart underwater objects that enables marine monitoring and exploration. Underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs) is an ideal network infrastructure to support IoUT. Usually, network-level analysis requires a simplified model for channel interference. Existing research on UASNs usually applies channel interference models from terrestrial wireless networks. Its effectiveness is questionable. In this article, we investigate two specific features of acoustic channels and propose a new channel interference model. First, based on the fact that acoustic signals have inconsistent transmission range in vertical and horizontal directions, we propose an ellipsoid sensing model and derive the probability that a communication pair will have an effective link. Second, we investigate the receiving time inconsistency in time-slotted acoustic networks and derive the analytical probability of collision-free transmission. Finally, a new protocol model is proposed to describe the acoustic channel interference. Its theoretical throughput, in terms of delivery rate, is also presented. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.