Solutions for Underwater Communication and Positioning Network Development

Abstract

The paper addresses the main problems related to the development of underwater communication networks which differ from the traditional underwater acoustic communication in simultaneous data exchange of a large number of spatially separated nodes, as well as their high-precision positioning. While the problems of traditional acoustic communication are generally associated with the complexity and variability of hydro-acoustic medium for signal propagation, the underwater communication network faces a number of additional significant problems such as collisions in the network, occurring during simultaneous transmission of messages from several nodes and requiring special managerial and engineering measures for their resolution; another problem is complex configuration of the alternating zones of mutual connectivity (“audibility”) of nodes, caused by specific features of underwater acoustic environment and requiring the nontrivial routing of data flows from source to recipient. It is demonstrated in the paper that these problems can be solved by developing the techniques of communication signals generation and transmission, which then form the protocols of nodes’ interaction during exchange of messages, and are implemented in digital acoustic modems that have ultimately developed into complex electronic devices.