Team 2117 Underwater Data TransferRyan Harvey, Kiran Nadkarni, Harris Yousafzai
Project Overview
- Sponsored by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Contact: Eric Hultgren)
- Designing a Wireless Data Transfer System for Underwater Use
- Potential Use Case Between UUV and Submarine
- Collaboration Between ECE, CSE, and MechE
Project Overview
- Background and Concepts
- Expected Deliverables
- Limitations and Specifications
Background and Concepts- Underwater wireless data transfer use cases:
- Military communications and tactical surveillance- Pollution monitoring- Undersea oil control- Climate Change monitoring and Oceanography
Background and Concepts- Current Technology: Acoustic Waves
- Advantages: - Currently commercially available- Viable for long distances at low Bandwidth
- Disadvantages:- Low data rate (~Kbps)- High power/energy requirements (100 bits/J) - Very high latency
Background and Concepts- Previous Alternative: RF
- Advantages:- Much higher data rate than acoustic (~Mbps)- Lower power usage for close range (mW @ 3m)
- Disadvantages:- Strong attenuation by water (3.5-5 dB/m)- Strong distance dependence for Trans. Power
Background and Concepts- Emerging Alternative: Optical Communication (our focus)
- Advantages:- Much higher Data Rate (~Gbps)- Low Latency- Low attenuation (~0.39 dB/m Ocean)- Much more energy efficient (~30,000 bits/J)- Higher Speed (~2.225x10^8 m/s)
Background and Concepts- Emerging Alternative: Optical Communication (our focus)
- Disadvantages:- Not available as COTS product- No clear industry standard optical platform- Potential for LOS issues - High degree of complexity
Background and Concepts- Wavelength Selection:
- Different wavelengths are optimal in differing environments
- ~450nm performs best in pure sea/clear ocean environments
Source: Oliveira & Salas 2020
Background and Concepts
Source: Oliveira & Salas 2020
Background and Concepts
Source: Oliveira & Salas 2020
Expected Deliverables- Continually developed Research Presentation
- Existing research into various optical platforms- Costs/Benefits of various optical technologies- Potential for integration into UUV units- Potential for scaling to multi-unit communication
Expected Deliverables (ECE)- Proof of concept hardware implementation:
- Using microcontrollers and commercially available lasers- Analysis of differences between POC implementation and real
- Simulation and Software:- Simulations of different laser platforms - Modelling of Ocean Attenuation- Analysis of data transfer effectiveness
Expected Deliverables (ECE)- Generate System Model:
- Based on empirical data
- Used to analyze Hardware P.O.C
- Analysis of factors not considered in model
Source: Oliveira & Salas 2020
Limitations and Specifications:
- Minimum Accepted Data Transfer Rate: 100 kBps- Maximum Goal Data Transfer Rate: 1 GBps- Transfer Quality: 100% No Lost Packets- Maximum Data Transfer Equipment Current: 3 A- Maximum Exposed Terminal voltage: 30 VDC- Materials and components selected must be:
- Corrosion Resistant- Seawater Capable- Depth capable for UUV
The Approach
- Optical Communication System- Blue light - 10mW - 5W optical transmission power- Operating Temperature of -5°C - 40°C (Requirement of 0°C to 36.6°C)
- LED/Semiconductor Laser (~405 - 450 nm wavelength)- Focusing on send information to the UUV- Photodiode Receiver- Microprocessor Involvement
Specifications Cont.
- Riptide UUV Specifications
- Approximately 30 Ft of Distance Required
Additional Information
- Research Based Project
- Potential for Hardware Implementation
- Website Information
Possible Parts
- Photodiode - Laser - Microcontrollers - Breadboard - Waterproof housing
Resources Cited:
- Underwater Optical Wireless Communication Oliveira & Salas 2020 REPSOL
- General Dynamics EB Capstone Project Details
- Sponsor Provided Notional Parameters and Requirements
- Riptide UUV specifications Documentation
Questions?
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