Optical Wireless Communication for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: Hardware Modules and Circuits Design and Implementation

Underwater wireless optical communication has been used for establish a link between mobile vehicles and/or fixed nodes because light, especially in the blue/green region, allows to achieve higher data-rate than acoustical or electromagnetic waves for moderate distances. The here proposed work has the aim to pave the way for diffuse optical communication allowing to support optical communication in an Underwater Wireless Sensor Network of dense-deployed fixed nodes for specific application, such as monitoring and surveillance, for shallow, coastal and inland water in the case of moderate/limited area. In particular our research explores the possibility of targeting the interface with current available terrestrial tecnologies. The use of light impulse for communication is motivated by the possibility of targeting high data-rate, low-cost and small dimension components. This paper describes an overall vision of the system: a HDL implementation of flexible modules for the management of optical communication (based on IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.11 standard) which target the interface with current terrestrial technology for Wireless Sensor Networks; the design and implementation of circuits for underwater optical point-to-point and planar communication. The preliminary results and design consideration are reported considering also future possible developments.