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Mote-based underwater sensor networks: opportunities, challenges, and guidelines

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Abstract

Most underwater networks rely on expensive specialized hardware for acoustic communication and modulation. This has impeded wide scale deployments of underwater sensor networks and has forced researchers to use simulations to investigate these systems. To address these issues, this paper examines a system that integrates off-the-shelf acoustic hardware built-in to sensor modules with software modems for establishing underwater acoustic links. Because the hardware in our system is readily available, we have conducted several rounds of field experiments to evaluate it. Building on our recent field experiments in a river, canal, pond, and swimming pool, this paper outlines the technical and logistical challenges for deploying software-driven underwater sensor networks. The design choices include methods for signal modulation at the sender, and symbol synchronization, signal filtering, and signal demodulation at the receiver. We also discuss higher layer communication protocol issues, with a focus on cross-layer optimization, as well as practical solutions to logistical deployment challenges, such as waterproofing and casing, calibration, and fouling. The design guidelines in this paper lay the groundwork for further development of software-driven of underwater sensor networks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computer Science and Informatics, University College Dublin, Belfield 4, Dublin, Ireland

    Raja Jurdak, Antonio G. Ruzzelli & Gregory M. P. O’Hare

  2. University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

    Cristina Videira Lopes

Authors
  1. Raja Jurdak
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  2. Antonio G. Ruzzelli
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  3. Gregory M. P. O’Hare
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  4. Cristina Videira Lopes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Raja Jurdak.

Additional information

R. Jurdak’s work is supported by IRCSET Embark Grant.

A.G. Ruzzelli and G.M.P. O’Hare’s work is supported by Science Foundation Ireland under Grant No. 03z/IN.3/1361.

The work of C.V. Lopes was partially supported by US National Science Foundation Grant No. CCF-0347902.

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Jurdak, R., Ruzzelli, A.G., O’Hare, G.M.P. et al. Mote-based underwater sensor networks: opportunities, challenges, and guidelines. Telecommun Syst 37, 37–47 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-008-9075-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-008-9075-3

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