Evolution of Seaweb underwater acoustic networking

TLDR

The Seaweb series of annual experiments has progressively advanced underwater acoustic signaling and ranging, developing channel‑tolerant methods, hybrid multi‑user access, novel topologies, half‑duplex handshakes, and iterative power‑control to meet shallow‑water constraints. Seaweb 2000 aims to introduce new telesonar modem hardware and a compact protocol to enable advanced network development. The projects deployed battery‑powered, anchored telesonar nodes in noncentralized hi‑directional networks, delivering remotely sensed data and remote control, and incorporated the new modem hardware and protocol. The tests confirmed that battery‑powered, wide‑area undersea networks can be linked via a radio gateway buoy to the terrestrial internet.

Abstract

Seaweb '98, Seaweb '99, and Seaweb 2000 begin a series of annual experiments incrementally advancing telesonar underwater acoustic signaling and ranging technology for undersea wireless networks. The constraints imposed by acoustic transmission through shallow water channels have yielded channel-tolerant signaling methods, hybrid multi-user access strategies, novel network topologies, half-duplex handshake protocols, and iterative power-control techniques. Seawebs '98 and '99 respectively included ten and fifteen battery-powered, anchored telesonar nodes organized as noncentralized hi-directional networks. These tests demonstrated the feasibility of battery-powered, wide-area undersea networks linked via radio gateway buoy to the terrestrial internet. Testing involved delivery of remotely sensed data from the sea and remote control from manned command centers ashore and afloat. Seaweb 2000 introduces new telesonar modem hardware and a compact protocol for advanced network development.