Underwater Optical Communication Research Articles

On-demand quantum light sources for underwater communications

Quantum communication has been at the forefront of modern research for decades, however it is severely hampered in underwater applications, where the properties of water absorb nearly all useful optical wavelengths and prevent them from propagating more than, in most cases, a few metres. This research reports on-demand quantum light sources, suitable for underwater optical communication. The single photon emitters, which can be engineered using an electron beam, are based on impurities in hexagonal boron nitride. They have a zero phonon line at ∼436 nm, near the minimum value of water absorption and are shown to suffer negligible transmission and purity loss when travelling through water channels. These emitters are also shown to possess exceptional underwater transmission properties compared to emitters at other optical wavelengths and are utilised in a completely secure quantum key distribution experiment with rates of kbits s−1.

ZnAl-LDH film for self-powered ultraviolet photodetection

Self-powered photoelectrochemical-type (PEC) ultraviolet photodetectors (UV PDs) have been rapidly developed owing to their low-cost fabrication and good photodetection. However, achieving high-performance and self-powered PEC UV PDs based on an individual material is still challenging. Therefore, developing more wide bandgap semiconductors for high-performance PEC UV PDs is attractive. Here, we demonstrate that ZnAl-LDH is suitable for self-powered PEC UV PDs with high responsivity and excellent wavelength selectivity for the first time. The responsivity is 29.25 ​mA/W (254 ​nm irradiation) and the UV/visible rejection ratio is 1037, surpassing most PEC UV PDs. Furthermore, the PEC UV PDs have fast response, good stability, and underwater optical communication capability. This work offers more chances for the development of high-performance PEC UV PDs and demonstrates the potential application of ZnAl-LDH in underwater optoelectronic devices.

Two-dimensional CuSe nanosheet array for high-performance photoelectrochemical photodetector using simulated seawater as electrolyte

Photoelectrochemical-type (PEC) photodetectors (PDs) show great promise in underwater optoelectronic devices, but most reports of PEC PDs use acid or basic solutions as electrolytes, hindering their practical application in marine scenarios. In this letter, we reported high-performance 2D CuSe-based PEC PDs with use of the electrolyte of simulated seawater for the first time. The 2D CuSe nanosheet array (NSA) is synthesized by a facile electrodeposition method. The PEC PDs based on 2D CuSe NAS has a superior responsivity of 9.5 mA/W for 455 nm light in the simulated seawater, and exhibits a broadband photoresponse in 365–850 nm, surpassing most TMCs-based PEC PDs. The superior photoresponse originates from the vertical NSA structure, providing more interfacial active sites and higher light absorption. In addition, 2D CuSe NSA-based PEC PDs possess self-powered ability, fast response speed, good stability, and underwater optical communication capability. This work demonstrates the great potential of 2D CuSe NSA in PEC-type optoelectronic devices.

Autonomous underwater vehicle link alignment control in unknown environments using reinforcement learning

AbstractHigh‐speed underwater wireless optical communication holds immense promise in ocean monitoring and surveys, providing crucial support for the real‐time sharing of observational data collected by autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). However, due to inaccurate target information and external interference in unknown environments, link alignment is challenging and needs to be addressed. In response to these challenges, we propose a reinforcement learning‐based alignment method to control the AUV to establish an optical link and maintain alignment. Our alignment control system utilizes a combination of sensors, including a depth sensor, Doppler velocity log (DVL), gyroscope, ultra‐short baseline device, and acoustic modem. These sensors are used in conjunction with a particle filter to observe the environment and estimate the AUV's state accurately. The soft actor‐critic algorithm is used to train a reinforcement learning‐based controller in a simulated environment to reduce pointing errors and energy consumption in alignment. After experimental validation in simulation, we deployed the controller on an actual AUV called Tri‐TON. In experiments at sea, Tri‐TON maintained the link and angular pointing errors within 1 m and , respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed alignment control method can establish underwater optical communication between AUV fleets, thus improving the efficiency of marine surveys.

Analytical propagation model for underwater free-space optical communication through realistic levels of oceanic absorption and scattering

Optical communications (OC) through water bodies is an attractive technology for a variety of applications. Thanks to current single-photon detection capabilities, OC receiver systems can reliably decode very weak transmitted signals. This is the regime where pulse position modulation is an ideal scheme. However, there has to be at least one photon that goes through the pupil of the fore optics and lands in the assigned time bin. We estimate the detectable photon budget as a function of range for propagation through ocean water, both open and coastal. We make realistic assumptions about the water’s inherent optical properties, specifically, absorption and scattering coefficients, as well as the strong directionality of the scattering phase function for typical hydrosol populations. We adopt an analytical (hence very fast) path-integral small-angle solution of the radiative transfer equation for multiple forward-peaked scattering across intermediate to large optical distances. Integrals are performed both along the directly transmitted beam (whether or not it is still populated) and radially away from it. We use this modeling framework to estimate transmission of a 1 J pulse of 532 nm light through open ocean and coastal waters. Thresholds for single-photon detection per time bin are a few km and a few 100 m. These are indicative estimates that will be reduced in practice due to sensor noise, background light, turbulence, bubbles, and so on, to be included in future work.

20 Watt single-frequency 509 nm laser by single-pass second harmonic generation in an LBO crystal

High power 509 nm continuous-wave (CW) lasers have important applications in science and communication. Here we demonstrate a robust high-power single-frequency 509 nm laser system based on nonlinear phase demodulation technique and single-pass second harmonic generation (SHG) configuration. In experiments, the single-frequency fundamental wave at 1018 nm was linewidth-broadened by an electro-optical modulator and then amplified to 207 W in a ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier. In subsequent single-pass SHG stage, over 20 W CW single-frequency 509 nm laser was generated in a LiB3O5 crystal with a SHG efficiency of 9.7%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported power for CW single-frequency 509 nm laser, which could be used for advanced underwater optical communication and preparation of cesium Rydberg state.

Experimental Demostration of a MIMO-OFDM Underwater Optical Communication System for Reducing Alignment Angle Requirements

Experimental Demostration of a MIMO-OFDM Underwater Optical Communication System for Reducing Alignment Angle Requirements

Implementation of Underwater Electric Field Communication Based on Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) Modulation.

Stable communication technologies in complex waters are a prerequisite for underwater operations. Underwater acoustic communication is susceptible to multipath interference, while underwater optical communication is susceptible to environmental impact. The underwater electric field communication established based on the weak electric fish perception mechanism is not susceptible to environmental interference, and the communication is stable. It is a new type of underwater communication technology. To address issues like short communication distances and high bit error rates in existing underwater electric field communication systems, this study focuses on underwater electric field communication systems based on direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) and binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation techniques. To verify the feasibility of the established spread spectrum electric field communication system, static communication experiments were carried out in a swimming pool using the DSSS-based system. The experimental results show that in fresh water with a conductivity of 739 μS/cm, the system can achieve underwater current electric field communication within a 11.2 m range with 10-6 bit errors. This paper validates the feasibility of DSSS BPSK in short-range underwater communication, and compact communication devices are expected to be deployed on underwater robots for underwater operations.

ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ПОДВОДНОЙ БЕСПРОВОДНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ СВЯЗИ

The article discusses underwater wireless communication systems. Research in the field of underwater optical wireless communication system will allow developing science, industry, to find solutions to defense tasks and emergencies, to carry out remote monitoring of environmental pollution of the underwater world and control underwater objects and equipment of oilrigs, to conduct underwater research and much more. The purpose of the work is to develop a classification of the principles of construction and organization of underwater wireless communication, taking into account modern achievements and development of technologies in the field of underwater wireless communication systems, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of underwater acoustic, radio frequency and optical communication systems. It is shown that the underwater optical wireless communication system has a great potential to enhance the traditional underwater acoustic communication system and underwater radio frequency communication system due to the high speed of information transmission, low latency, lower power consumption and compact size. To select the equipment and organize the communication channel, a generalized classification of an underwater optical wireless communication system has been developed, depending on the routing protocols used, on the configuration of the communication channel, on the optical properties of water, on the type of water in which the transmission channel is organized, on the mobility of underwater vehicles and the coverage area, on the type of modulation used, the method of underwater communication and from the factors affecting the organization of the communication channel.

Feasibility analysis of modulation formats in different seawater types and practical implementation on underwater optical communication testbed

Feasibility analysis of modulation formats in different seawater types and practical implementation on underwater optical communication testbed

Cooperative Terrestrial–Underwater FSO System: Design and Performance Analysis

In this paper, we propose, design, and evaluate a new hybrid terrestrial–underwater optical communication link for providing high-speed connectivity between land and underwater systems. A device based on an amplify-and-forward strategy is considered and used for the hybrid optical link. A performance analysis of the proposed hybrid system is then carried out, taking into account both the atmospheric and underwater channels and their respective degradation sources. Different networking scenarios and conditions are evaluated. To this end, the channel model of the terrestrial free-space optical (FSO) link is modeled using the Gamma–Gamma distribution, while the underwater optical link is modeled using the Weibull distribution. The former takes into account atmospheric and turbulence attenuation, geometric spread and pointing errors, while the latter takes into account underwater and turbulence attenuation and geometric spread. Accordingly, a new analytical closed-form expression for the bit error rate (BER), which depends on the cumulative distribution function of the holistic hybrid system, is derived. Analytical results show that pointing errors as well as atmospheric and oceanic turbulence seriously degrade the performance of the hybrid system. In addition, ocean turbulence leads to the occurrence of a BER floor in some scenarios. This is the first time that such a network is proposed and modeled under the assumption of critical channel impairments.

Design of an Acquisition and Tracking System for Underwater Optical Dynamic Communication Based on Servo Control

Design of an Acquisition and Tracking System for Underwater Optical Dynamic Communication Based on Servo Control

AlGaAs photocathode with enhanced response at 532 nm

The AlGaAs photocathode can be used in the field of underwater optical communication because of its fast response speed and adjustable spectral response range. In order to solve the problem that the low light absorption of the AlGaAs emission layer limits the improvement of its quantum efficiency, the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure is used to reflect the light at a specific wavelength back to the emission layer to further increase the absorption rate, thus improving the response capability of the photocathode at 532 nm. The spectral response model of the AlGaAs photocathode with DBR structure is obtained by solving one-dimensional continuity equation. The optical model of the AlGaAs photocathode with enhanced response at 532 nm is established by the finite-difference time-domain method. The effects of the sublayer periodic pairs, the sublayer material and the thickness of emission layer and buffer layer on the absorption rate of emission layer are analyzed. The light absorption distributions of AlGaAs photocathode with and without DBR structure are compared, and the influence mechanism of DBR structure on the blue-green light absorption capacity of AlGaAs photocathode emission layer is clarified, which can provide a theoretical basis for designing its structural parameters. The results show that the DBR structure with a periodic pair of 20 and Al<sub>0.7</sub>Ga<sub>0.3</sub>As/AlAs has the best reflection effect on 532 nm light. Based on the DBR structure, when the thickness of the emission layer and buffer layer are 495 nm and 50 nm, respectively, the emission layer has the best absorption rate of 532 nm light. Furthermore, two kinds of AlGaAs photocathodes with and without DBR structure are prepared by the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition technology, and the reflectivity and profile structure of the grown samples are characterized. Then the Cs/O activation experiments are performed to compare the spectral response curves. It is found that the spectral response of the AlGaAs photocathode sample with DBR structure at 532 nm wavelength is about twice that of the sample without DBR structure.

Структура и элементная база приёмо-передающего модуля для организации подводной оптической беспроводной системы передачи данных

In the paper, the results of theoretical study of a wireless optical data transmission channel, as well as experimental study of its characteristics, taking into account different configurations of the optical component base of receiving and transmitting modules, were presented. The model of the wireless underwater optical communication channel with pulse-position modulation (4 bits per symbol) of digital data traffic with 100 Mbps is proposed. The model showed that to organize a communication channel on a 10 m path, the use of an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is requires (the amount is up to 20 LEDs). For this case, a sufficiently large route budget will be provided, even with additional factor that reduce the efficiency of light propagation in seawater. The LEDs were chosen to organize the data transmission channel, since they have a wide radiation pattern and allow the implementation of a relatively simple driver circuit. The required optical radiation power is realized with the use of an array of LEDs. Schematic diagrams of the LEDs driver and power supply for the receiving and transmitting modules have been designed. A measuring layout with optical transmitter and receiver blocks has been implemented. The test signal is a regular sequence of pulses with a duty cycle of 2, and a frequency of 1 MHz. In the receiving module, the signal from the output of the pin photodiode is amplified using a wideband operational amplifier. Sets of 3 pin photodiodes and 10 LEDs were selected and tests were carried out to determine options for optical components that provide the best time characteristics of the output electrical signal in terms of delay time, rising and falling edges of pulses in a wireless optical airborne communication channel. Also, measurements were done on an air path with a length of 0.25-3 m using one or two LEDs as part of the transmitting module. It has been experimentally confirmed that the organization of a communication channel with a length of up to 10 m requires about 15-20 light-emitting diodes. Further study involves the designing and testing of a driver for the LEDs array and a prototype transceiver module.

Learning-Aided Joint Beam Divergence Angle and Power Optimization for Seamless and Energy-Efficient Underwater Optical Communication

Learning-Aided Joint Beam Divergence Angle and Power Optimization for Seamless and Energy-Efficient Underwater Optical Communication

Polarized OFDM-Based Pulse Position Modulation for High-Speed Wireless Optical Underwater Communications

Polarized OFDM-Based Pulse Position Modulation for High-Speed Wireless Optical Underwater Communications

Monte-Carlo based vertical underwater optical communication performance analysis with chlorophyll depth profiles

Although underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) has the advantages of high speed, low latency, and high confidentiality, the transmission of light in water will be affected by the absorption and scattering of particles, which will lead to the aggravation of channel path loss as well as channel pulse spreading, finally causing false codes. Therefore, how to analyze the channel impulse response (CIR) effectively is a key task in channel modeling. In this paper, we consider a two-way underwater vertical line-of-sight (LOS) communication system model, based on the inherent optical property (IOP) model of chlorophyll, using the Kopelevich phase function containing water depth information, the CIR curves under different water types and transceiver configurations are plotted using the Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS). The obtained simulation results are fitted with the double gamma function (DGF) model and the Gaussian model, respectively. The Gaussian model exhibits better properties than the DGF model in each water condition. Based on the closed-form expression of the CIR obtained from the Gaussian model, we solve for the bit error rate (BER) and 3-dB bandwidth of the system under different settings. The conclusions obtained can be used for the design and optimization of underwater vertical channels.

Research on a Blue–Green LED Communication System Based on an Underwater Mobile Robot

Underwater robots have been widely used in ocean exploration, deep-sea observation, seabed operations, marine scientific research, and other fields. Underwater low-latency, efficient, and safe communication modes are key to realizing the application of an underwater robot data transmission system. This paper mainly studies the optical communication between underwater mobile robots, including the large-dispersion-angle light-emitting diode (LED) design, large field of view receiving technology, weak light detector technology, etc. By designing a 120° large divergence angle underwater optical communication system in this study, the receiving field-of-view angle of the receiving end can reach 60°, which is suitable for the optical communication system of an underwater mobile platform. The high-power LED driver circuit is designed to drive the high-power LED and adopt weak light detection technology to ensure its stability and reliability. The experimental results show that, in the case of incomplete alignment between the transmitter and receiver, stable communication of underwater robots in motion is achieved through the design of a large divergence angle and a receiving field-of-view angle and the use of an underwater weak light detection technology. The communication distance is 30 m, and the communication rate remains above 10 Mbps. The information transmission content can include network data transmission, real-time video, high-definition video, high-definition images, and other data types. This equipment provides a solution for cableless data transmission of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and substantially enhances the application field of ROVs.

Underwater quantum key distribution with continuous-variable via photon additions

Quantum key distribution with continuous-variable (CVQKD) provides an alternative way for the security improvement of underwater optical communication, but facing into the awkward situation of short distance. For this reason, here we exploit photon addition operation at the emitter into enhancing the performance of underwater CVQKD. Based on numerical simulation, it is shown that applying photon-addition non-Gaussian operation between entangled resource and the sender can further enhance both the secure key rate and the transmission distance, compared to apply photon subtraction operation between entangled resource and the receiver. In addition, the influence of seawater quality factors in underwater CVQKD system is also considered, so as to provide technical support for underwater safety communication.

Properties of focused Laguerre–Gaussian beam propagating in anisotropic ocean turbulence

We analyze the properties of a focused Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beam propagating through anisotropic ocean turbulence based on the Huygens–Fresnel principle. Under the Rytov approximation theory, we derive the analytical formula of the channel capacity of the focused LG beam in the anisotropic ocean turbulence, and analyze the relationship between the capacity and the light source parameters as well as the turbulent ocean parameters. It is found that the focusing mirror can greatly enhance the channel capacity of the system at the geometric focal plane in oceanic turbulence. The results also demonstrate that the communication link can obtain high channel capacity by adopting longer beam wavelength, greater initial beam waist radius, and larger number of transmission channels. Further, the capacity of the system increases with the decrease of the mean squared temperature dissipation rate, temperature-salinity contribution ratio and turbulence outer scale factor, and with the increase of the kinetic energy dissipation rate per unit mass of fluid, turbulence inner scale factor and anisotropy factor. Compared to a Hankel–Bessel beam with diffraction-free characteristics and unfocused LG beam, the focused LG beam shows superior anti-turbulence interference properties, which provide a theoretical reference for research and development of underwater optical communication links using focused LG beams.