Evaluation of IEEE 802.11 Underwater Networks Operating at 700 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

Abstract

The usage of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and sensors in surveillance, maintenance and inspection of underwater facilities is increasing the need for broadband, cost-effective communications solutions. Current solutions, mainly based on acoustic communications, enable long ranges but provide low bitrates and have high communication delays. Despite its strong attenuation underwater, RF is envisioned as a technology to enable broadband, short-range communications.We present an ns-3 and an experimental evaluation of IEEE 802.11 networks in freshwater at 700 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Evaluation results confirm the accuracy of the new developed ns-3 underwater RF propagation model and show that IEEE 802.11 networks are feasible for broadband, short range underwater communications, with range and throughput exceeding 2 m and 100 Mbit/s, respectively.