Abstract
In underwater wireless networks (UWNs), conventionally there is no direct communication between an underwater node and a remote command center. A floating base-station is often used to serve as an interface to a UWN; such a base-station would typically have both acoustic and radio modems to communicate with underwater nodes and off-shore centers, respectively. Although employing an airborne base-station would avoid the logistically-complicated surface nodes deployment, communication across the air-water interface becomes the main challenge since it involves two mediums. This paper promotes a novel way to interconnect UWNs to airborne base-stations through visible light communication (VLC) links. The paper analyzes the viability of VLC across the air-water interface by determining the coverage area and intensity inside the water for a light transmitter placed in the air. We show that enough intensity can be achieved for VLC communication even in the presence of a wavy water surface. We then provide guidelines for using single and multiple light sources to establish robust VLC links under rough environmental conditions like high water current and turbidity. Our approach is validated using simulation and a lab experiment is done to validate the simulation result for flat water surfaces.
Highlights
Underwater wireless networks (UWNs) are deemed promising technology with numerous applications such as marine biology, oil field monitoring, water pollution studies, security surveillance, naval combat, etc
A gateway carries dual modems, an acoustic modem to communicate with underwater nodes and a radio modem to interact with command centers
We analytically study the effect of water surface and the various visible light communication (VLC) parameters on the underwater coverage and optical beam intensity and provide guidelines for establishing robust VLC air-to-water links when using single and multiple light sources
Summary
Underwater wireless networks (UWNs) are deemed promising technology with numerous applications such as marine biology, oil field monitoring, water pollution studies, security surveillance, naval combat, etc. Due to the high absorption and attenuation coefficient of radio waves in underwater environments, acoustics has been the prime choice for communication in the water medium [1]. A typical UWN uses floating nodes, e.g., boats or buoys, which act as gateways. A gateway carries dual modems, an acoustic modem to communicate with underwater nodes and a radio modem to interact with command centers. Such an approach requires preplanning and is costly; it may be impractical in risky application scenarios, e.g., during combat, and too slow when dealing with emerging events.
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