Abstract

Underwater swarm robotics is an emerging topic. Compared to individual autonomous vehicles, high-capacity communication links are required between the mobile agents. In this tutorial, suitable communication technologies are studied, with emphasis on LED-based underwater optical wireless communications. A comprehensive overview about challenges, advances, and practical aspects of underwater swarm robotics employing optical wireless communications is provided. The tutorial includes the following topics: (1) Channel modeling fundamentals; (2) Physical layer transmission techniques for underwater optical wireless communications; (3) Data link layer aspects and hybrid transmission schemes; (4) Ambient light and interference suppression; and (5) Realization aspects. Finally, suggestions regarding future work are given. The tutorial is intended for readers with a background or interest in electrical and information engineering.

Highlights

  • Most wireless underwater communication modems are based on sound waves [7]–[11]

  • The objective of this tutorial is to provide a comprehensive overview of underwater optical wireless communication technologies that are suitable for use in agile robotic swarms

  • A variety of photodetectors are suitable for high-speed communications and their proven operation in several experimental testbeds and different Underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) systems has been published in many places

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Summary

Background on AUVs and AUV Swarms

R OBOTICS is a key technology for the maritime industry. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are an impressively fast developing business. Since smaller vehicles are typically supposed for dedicated tasks and naturally provide a smaller volume, they are equipped with fewer sensors This is due to fundamental weight/volume/bouyancy versus energy constraints, and cost. AUV swarms are a recent but emerging development [5] Like their counterparts in terrestrial-based and air-based applications, called unmanned ground vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, AUV swarms are motivated by schools of fish, flocks of birds, and swarms of social insects. AUV swarm design undoubtedly is an interdisciplinary area, including electronics, control, robotics, mechanical, navigation, communications, artificial intelligence, and oceanic engineering. Corresponding underwater wireless communication techniques and topologies will be studied

Communication Techniques in Underwater Swarm Robotics
Related Overview Articles
Scope of This Tutorial
Organization
Underwater Optical Channel Characterization
Light Emitting Diodes
Photodetectors
Received Power
TIA and Noise
UOWC Transmission System
Fundamentals on Intensity Modulation
SISO Modulation Schemes
MIMO Modulation Schemes
MISO Versus SIMO Architectures
Cognitive Channel Adaptation
Channel Coding
Equalization
Duplexing Strategies
Multiuser Access
Multihop Transmission and Optical Relaying
Hybrid Transmission Schemes
Optical Bandpass Filtering
REALIZATION ASPECTS
Prototypes and Commercial Optical Underwater Modems
Underwater Swarm Projects
Conclusion and Lessons Learned
Findings
Outlook
Full Text
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