Underwater Wireless Communication System through IR

Abstract

Underwaterwireless communication has become increasingly vital due to its applications in marine research, environmental monitoring, and defence systems. While traditional acoustic methods dominatethefield,theysufferfromsignificant drawbacks such as low data rates, high latency, and susceptibility to environmental interference. As an alternative, Underwater Optical Wireless Communication (UOWC) utilizing infrared (IR) technology offers promising advancements, particularly for short-rangeandhigh-speeddatatransfer.This review paper explores the potential of IR- based UOWC systems by examining their operational principles, advantages, and limitations. Key aspects include channel modelling, modulation techniques, and integration with modern technologies such as 6G and underwater sensor networks. The paper also highlights current challenges, including absorption and scattering losses,and proposes potential solutions like spatial diversity, hybrid communication models, and energy-efficient system designs. By addressing these challenges through enhanced modelling, real-world testing, and adaptive communication protocols, IR-based UOWC systems can significantly enhance underwater communication capabilities.The paperconcludes that infrared technology is still developing,holdsconsiderablepromisefor secure, reliable, and efficient underwater communicationinvarious critical applications.

Introduction

1. Introduction

• The demand for efficient underwater communication is growing, especially for marine research, military operations, and autonomous vehicles.

• Traditional acoustic systems, while reliable for long distances, suffer from:

  • Low data rates

  • High latency

  • Susceptibility to environmental disturbances

• Underwater Optical Wireless Communication (UOWC), particularly using infrared (IR) light, is gaining attention for short-range, high-speed, secure communication.

2. Benefits of UOWC (vs. Acoustic Communication)

• Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) speeds

• Low latency and low power usage

• Increased security due to limited range and directionality

• Blue and green wavelengths are commonly used due to low absorption, but IR offers:

  • Reduced scattering in turbid freshwater

  • Suitability for short-range, high-security applications

3. Channel Characterization & IR-Specific Challenges

• Water introduces absorption, scattering, and turbulence, impacting signal quality.

• Monte Carlo simulations are used to model photon movement and channel impulse response.

• IR light, while more absorptive, can be effective in low-turbidity and controlled environments when paired with:

  • Spatial diversity techniques

  • Error correction methods

• Enhanced channel modeling with accurate environmental inputs is critical for IR system success.

4. Modulation and System Enhancement

• Effective modulation techniques like NRZ-OOK offer simplicity and energy savings.

• Visible light experiments (e.g., with 520 nm lasers) show high data rates (up to 2.7 Gbps), guiding IR system designs.

• IR systems may require:

  • Modified or hybrid modulation schemes

  • Adaptive encoding to handle noise and absorption

• Future designs should optimize for the IR’s unique characteristics.

5. Integration with 6G & Sensor Networks

• Growing use of Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSNs) demands:

  • High bandwidth

  • Low power

  • Minimal latency

• UOWC and IR are candidates for next-gen (6G) underwater systems, enabling:

  • Secure, localized communication

  • Real-time decision-making via AI, edge computing, and blockchain

• Useful in swarms of AUVs or clustered sensor arrays

6. Obstacles and Mitigation Strategies

• Challenges in IR-UOWC include:

  • High absorption and scattering losses

  • Environmental variability (e.g., temperature, salinity)

• Solutions:

  • MIMO systems to reduce error and improve reliability

  • Multi-hop relays to extend communication range

  • Dynamic adaptation using environmental sensing

  • Energy-efficient design, including sleep-wake protocols and energy harvesting

7. Future Directions & Research Gaps

1. Improved channel models:

   • Incorporate physical, chemical, and biological influences

2. Hybrid communication systems:

   • Combine acoustic and optical for flexibility

3. Real-world testing:

   • Field trials needed beyond lab simulations

4. Energy efficiency:

   • Essential for low-power underwater vehicles and sensors

5. Data security:

   • Development of lightweight cryptographic protocols tailored to UOWC/IR

Conclusion

Infrared-basedunderwaterwireless communication systems hold great potential as a promising frontier in the pursuit of high-speed, dependable, and secure underwater connectivity. Despite the persisting challenges, especially in terms of signal weakening and environmental fluctuations, continuous progress in channel modelling, modulation methods, and system integration is propelling the practical implementation of IR. By conducting thorough research on channelcharacterization,hybrid architectures, real-world validations, energy efficiency, and data security, the potential of ir technology to revolutionize underwater communication networks could be realized.Asresearchprogresses,thesignificanceofIR in UOWC is expected to broaden, providing innovative solutions to the increasing needs of underwater exploration, monitoring, and defence purposes.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Sanjay Kumar Maurya , Shashwat Singh, Pragesh Yadav, Nilesh Singh. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.