Tech_seminar[2] Edited (1)

HKBK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
A TECHNICAL SEMINAR
ON
UNDERWATER WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION
Under the guidance of

Dr. B. Suresh Kumar Presented BY
Asst. Prof. Department of E.C.E ZAINULLA SHARIEF
(1HK21EC155)
OVERVIEW
1. INTRODUCTION
2. NEED OF UNDERWATER WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
3. HISTORY
4. TYPES OF UNDERWATER WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
5. APPLICATION
6. ADVANTAGES
7. DISADVANTAGES
8. CONCLUSION
9. REFERENCE
INTRODUCTION
Underwater Wireless Communication (UWC)

Underwater Wireless Communication (UWC) is the transmission of data between underwater devices without using
physical cables.
Importance:
It is essential for ocean exploration, environmental monitoring, military operations, and other marine applications.
Main Technologies Used:
Unlike traditional wireless communication, which relies on radio waves, UWC mainly uses acoustic
(sound-based) signals and optical (light-based) signals to transmit information underwater.
Acoustic communication allows long-distance transmission but has limitations like low data
speed and high energy consumption.
• Hybrid solution
hybrid optical-acoustic communication model.
This model optimizes power consumption and selects the best communication method based on traffic load and
water conditions.
• Future Impact: The hybrid model enhances energy efficiency and reliability, making it a key technology for future
underwater wireless networks.
NEED FOR UNDERWATER WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
◼ Exploring the Ocean: Helps scientists and researchers study deep-sea environments,
marine life, and underwater ecosystems.
◼ Environmental Monitoring: Used to track water pollution, temperature changes, and
climate effects on oceans.
◼ Military and Defence: Supports naval operations, submarine communication, and
underwater surveillance.
◼ Scientific Research: Helps collect data on ocean currents, and underwater
archaeology.
HISTORY
◼ Lewis Nixon (1902) conducted the first underwater

acoustic experiments. His work laid the foundation for
sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) technology.
◼ 1915: Paul Langevin developed the first working
sonar system for underwater communication. Used
piezoelectric transducers to generate and receive sound
waves underwater. Helped in submarine detection,
making sonar a key technology in naval warfare.
TYPES OF UNDERWATER WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION
◼Acoustic Communication (Sound-based): Uses sound waves for

long-distance communication (up to several km) but has low speed
and high power consumption. It is affected by temperature, salinity,
and pressure and is used in submarines, marine research, and
navigation.
◼Optical Communication (Light-based): Uses lasers or LEDs for
high-speed data transfer but works only over short distances in clear
water. It is used for underwater robots, video transmission, and
sensor networks.
.
◼Radio Frequency (RF)
Communication: Uses radio
waves, but water absorbs them
quickly, limiting its range to a
few meters. It is mainly used
for shallow water applications,
short-range sensors, and diver
communication.
◼Magnetic Induction (MI)
Communication: Uses
magnetic fields instead of
waves, making it reliable in
murky or deep water. It has a
short range but is useful for
sensor networks and submarine
communication.
APPLICATION
Acoustic Communication (Sound-based): widely used in submarine warfare, deep-sea exploration, disaster
monitoring, and AUV/ROV navigation due to its long-range capability. It helps detect underwater
earthquakes, tsunamis, and oil spills, making it essential for marine safety and defense.
Optical Communication: enables high-speed real-time data transfer, making it crucial for underwater
robotics, live video streaming, and smart ocean monitoring. It supports scientific research, high-resolution
imaging, and rapid data exchange, ensuring efficient underwater operations.
Radio frequency (RF) Communication: is ideal for short-range applications, such as diver communication,
IoUT (Internet of Underwater Things), and shallow water sensor networks. It helps in underwater navigation,
marine research, and environmental tracking.
Magnetic Induction (MI) Communication: is used in harsh underwater conditions where other signals fail.
It is essential for murky water operations, short-range submarine communication, pipeline monitoring, and
underwater sensor networking, ensuring reliable data transfer.
ADVANTAGES
1. Eliminates Physical Cables: Enables seamless communication without the need for heavy,
expensive underwater cables.
2. Facilitates Smart Underwater Networks (IoUT): Supports the Internet of Underwater

Things (IoUT) for automated underwater monitoring.
3. High-Speed Data Transfer (Optical Communication): Optical wireless technology

enables high-speed real-time video streaming and imaging.
4. Long-Distance Communication (Acoustic Communication): Acoustic signals allow

communication over kilometers in deep-sea environments.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Limited Data Speed (Acoustic Communication): Acoustic waves travel slowly (≈1500 m/s), causing
high latency in communication.
2. Short Range (Optical & RF Communication): Optical signals work only in clear water and have a
limited range (meters to hundreds of meters).
3. High Power Consumption (Acoustic Systems): Acoustic modems consume a lot of energy, reducing the
battery life of underwater sensors and vehicles.
4. Environmental Interference: Temperature, salinity, pressure, and turbidity affect signal strength and
reliability.
CONCLUSION
◼Underwater Wireless Communication (UWC) is essential for marine research, defense, disaster
monitoring, and industrial applications.
◼Different technologies (Acoustic, Optical, RF, and Magnetic Induction) are used, each with unique
advantages and limitations.
◼Optical communication offers high-speed data transfer but works only in clear water and short distances.
◼Challenges like environmental interference, high costs, and security risks need further research and
innovation.
◼UWC will play a crucial role in deep-sea exploration, climate monitoring, and global connectivity in the
future.
REFERENCE
[1] I. F. Akyildiz, D. Pompili, and T. Melodia, “Underwater acoustic sensor networks: Research challenges,” Ad Hoc Networks, vol.
3, no. 3, pp. 257–279, 2005.
[2] M. Chitre, S. Shahabudeen, and M. Stojanovic, “Underwater acoustic communications and networking: Recent advances and
future challenges,” Marine Technology Society Journal, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 103–116, 2008.
[3] J. Heidemann, M. Stojanovic, and M. Zorzi, “Underwater sensor networks: Applications, advances, and challenges,”
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences , vol. 370, no. 1958, pp. 158–
175, 2012.
[4] A. Kilfoyle and A. B. Baggeroer, “The state of the art in underwater acoustic telemetry,” IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering,
vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 4–27, 2000.

Tech_seminar[2] Edited (1)

Uploaded by

Tech_seminar[2] Edited (1)

Uploaded by

HKBK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

Under the guidance of

Underwater Wireless Communication (UWC)

◼ Lewis Nixon (1902) conducted the first underwater

◼Acoustic Communication (Sound-based): Uses sound waves for

2. Facilitates Smart Underwater Networks (IoUT): Supports the Internet of Underwater

3. High-Speed Data Transfer (Optical Communication): Optical wireless technology

4. Long-Distance Communication (Acoustic Communication): Acoustic signals allow

You might also like