Why visual light communication?
Divers could alternatively communicate using underwater wireless networks, which store data on transmitted waves that propagate through mediums such as water. Currently, using acoustic waves has been the most prevalent type of underwater wireless communication since its invention by the U.S Navy in World War II [4].
There has also been research in using waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically with wavelengths in the radio frequency (RF) range and visual light range. RF communication has become an integral part of society on the surface because devices we use everyday such as laptops, phones, and tablets all use this form of communication to send and transmit data wirelessly above ground, however its practicality is currently being researched for underwater scenarios. Optical wireless communication (OWC), on the other hand, has yet to be implemented on large scale above ground or underwater.
So, you might ask, why choose the visual light spectrum as our mode of data transfer for underwater scenarios?
Underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) is a promising new field of research for underwater wireless communication because it has the potential to offer data rates that surpass acoustic communication, at ranges that surpass RF communication underwater. In addition, this technology is more energy efficient and uses slimmer transmitters and receivers compared to acoustic communication, which make this technology more applicable to recreational and professional scuba divers [5].
There has also been research in using waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically with wavelengths in the radio frequency (RF) range and visual light range. RF communication has become an integral part of society on the surface because devices we use everyday such as laptops, phones, and tablets all use this form of communication to send and transmit data wirelessly above ground, however its practicality is currently being researched for underwater scenarios. Optical wireless communication (OWC), on the other hand, has yet to be implemented on large scale above ground or underwater.
So, you might ask, why choose the visual light spectrum as our mode of data transfer for underwater scenarios?
Underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) is a promising new field of research for underwater wireless communication because it has the potential to offer data rates that surpass acoustic communication, at ranges that surpass RF communication underwater. In addition, this technology is more energy efficient and uses slimmer transmitters and receivers compared to acoustic communication, which make this technology more applicable to recreational and professional scuba divers [5].