Open AccessProspects and problems of wireless communication for underwater sensor networks
Author(s) -
Lanbo Liu,
Shengli Zhou,
JunHong Cui
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
wireless communications and mobile computing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.42
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1530-8677
pISSN - 1530-8669
DOI - 10.1002/wcm.654
Subject(s) - underwater acoustic communication , underwater , computer science , wireless sensor network , implementation , wireless , telecommunications , communications system , computer network , electrical engineering , engineering , software engineering , geology , oceanography
Abstract This paper reviews the physical fundamentals and engineering implementations for efficient information exchange via wireless communication using physical waves as the carrier among nodes in an underwater sensor network (UWSN). The physical waves under discussion include sound, radio, and light. We first present the fundamental physics of different waves; then we discuss and compare the pros and cons for adopting different communication carriers (acoustic, radio, and optical) based on the fundamental first principles of physics and engineering practice. The discussions are mainly targeted at underwater sensor networks (UWSNs) with densely deployed nodes. Based on the comparison study, we make recommendations for the selection of communication carriers for UWSNs with engineering countermeasures that can possibly enhance the communication efficiency in specified underwater environments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.