Abstract
This paper is focused on the description of the physical layer of a new acoustic modem called ITACA. The modem architecture includes as a major novelty an ultra-low power asynchronous wake-up system implementation for underwater acoustic transmission that is based on a low-cost off-the-shelf RFID peripheral integrated circuit. This feature enables a reduced power dissipation of 10 μW in stand-by mode and registers very low power values during reception and transmission. The modem also incorporates clear channel assessment (CCA) to support CSMA-based medium access control (MAC) layer protocols. The design is part of a compact platform for a long-life short/medium range underwater wireless sensor network.
Highlights
There is an increasing need for short-range, long-life, low-cost underwater communications systems that provide flexibility and maintenance-free installations
Surface buoys are interesting, the development of underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSN) requires more flexible generic solutions using submerged or floating modems that can be adapted to many scenarios [11]
Current difficulties in finding an adequate underwater acoustic modem prompted us to design a flexible, ultra-low power, low-cost modem whose architecture is focused on long-life submerged sensoring nodes and which supports energy efficient communication protocols
Summary
There is an increasing need for short-range, long-life, low-cost underwater communications systems that provide flexibility and maintenance-free installations. Typical applications for these requirements are water pollution monitors, offshore fish farms, autonomous underwater vehicle guidance, water parameter data-logging, and coastal surveillance applications, etc. Acoustic communication is the current choice for distances over one meter when deploying a submerged sensor that communicates wirelessly This approach offers greater reliability and range than radio frequency or optical alternatives [12]. Current difficulties in finding an adequate underwater acoustic modem prompted us to design a flexible, ultra-low power, low-cost modem whose architecture is focused on long-life submerged sensoring nodes and which supports energy efficient communication protocols.
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