An Experimental Baseline for Underwater Acoustic Broadcasts

摘要

Underwater networking is a research area of growing importance. It finds applications in the exploitation of subsurface natural resources and monitoring of coastal waters for environmental and marine life protection purposes. Such networks usually rely on acoustic waves for underwater communications. It is a mechanical phenomenon affected by specific impairments, which have been the subjects of numerous theoretical studies. In this paper, a practical aspect of underwater communications is investigated. We report on a three-week long sea trial conducted using four commercial-of-the-shelf underwater acoustic modems operated in a broadcast mode in Bedford Basin (N.S., Canada). First, environmental conditions are presented. Then, underwater acoustic broadcasts results are discussed, modeled, and compared to theoretical predictions. Results are worst than theory, but comparable to other experiments. A higher signal-to-noise ratio seems beneficial for reducing bit-error-rate.