EM-Based High Speed Wireless Sensor Networks for Underwater Surveillance and Target Tracking

Kumudu Munasinghe,Abbas Jamalipour,Md Farhad Hossain,Mohammed Aseeri,Musbiha Binte Wali,Sultan Almorqi

doi:10.1155/2017/6731204

Abstract

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) are considered as tangible, low cost solution for underwater surveillance and exploration. Existing acoustic wave-based UWSN systems fail to meet the growing demand for fast data rates required in military operations, oil/gas exploration, and oceanographic data collection. Electromagnetic (EM) wave-based communication systems, on the other hand, have great potential for providing high speed data rates in such scenarios. This paper will(1)discuss the challenges faced in the utilization of EM waves for the design of tactical underwater surveillance systems and(2)evaluate several EM wave-based three-dimensional (3D) UWSN architectures differing in topologies and/or operation principles on the performance of localization and target tracking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first of its kind in the field of underwater communications where underwater surveillance techniques for EM wave-based high speed UWSNs have been investigated. Thus, this will be a major step towards achieving future high speed UWSNs.

Highlights

In terms of underwater surveillance, Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) are considered as a tangible, low cost solution [1, 2]
UWSNs typically include a large number of intercommunicating underwater devices such as sensors, buoys, gateways, sinks, anchors, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which are coordinated for carrying out certain tasks in a collaborative manner
According to our comprehensive literature survey, we have found out considerable research challenges such as EM wave propagation behaviour in underwater environments, underwater channel models, physical and chemical properties of the underwater environment, water dynamics, geological distribution of seabed, and other factors influencing the UWSN performance [12,13,14]

Summary

Introduction

In terms of underwater surveillance, Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) are considered as a tangible, low cost solution [1, 2]. 20 kbps) as bandwidth is low (iii) Surface repeater is required as strong reflections and attenuation occurs in crossing water/air boundary (iv) Poor performance in shallow water (v) Less reliable and robust communication as affected by turbidity, ambient noise, temperature, salinity, and pressure gradients (vi) Adverse impact on the marine life and ecosystem (vii) Higher cost of network nodes (i) Higher and variable latency (ii) Difficult time synchronization due to variable delay (iii) Higher bit error rate (iv) Multipath propagation and fading (v) Easy signal corruption due to ambient noise (vi) Mobility of nodes. This paper investigates (1) the opportunities and challenges of using EM wave-based UWSNs supporting high speed data transmissions with a particular focus on the design of suitable tactical underwater surveillance systems and (2) evaluates several EM wave-based threedimensional (3D) UWSN architectures on the performance of localization and target tracking. We introduce the EM wave-based three-dimensional UWSN architectures for localization and target tracking followed by a discussion and conclusion

Underwater Surveillance Systems and Challenges

System Design Considerations

EM Wave-Based Three-Dimensional

Performance Metrics

Conclusions