Evaluation of Underwater IEEE 802.11 Networks at VHF and UHF Frequency Bands using Software Defined Radios

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2015

Authors

Teixeira, F (Author) Other; L. M. Pessoa (Author) FEUP; Pereira, M (Author) Other; Campos, R (Author) FEUP; Manuel Ricardo (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Underwater Networks & Systems, WUWNET 2015, Arlington, VA, USA, October 22-24, 2015

Pages: 16:1-16:5

10th ACM International Conference on Underwater Networks and Systems, WUWNet 2015

22 October 2015 through 24 October 2015

Indexing

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-9T4

DOI: 10.1145/2831296.2831313

Abstract (EN): Radio Frequency (RF) communications su.er high attenuation underwater, limiting the range of standard IEEE 802.11 networks to a few centimeters underwater. The usage of custom RF solutions at lower frequencies to increase range entails high development costs, and proprietary hardware. This paper evaluates the performance of cost-e.ective, mass-market IEEE 802.11 networks underwater at di.erent frequencies in the sub-GHz bands using Software Defined Radio platforms. Optimizations to the gr-ieee802.11 implementation, together with custom designed antennas, allowed the testing of frequencies in the 70-700 MHz range, in a large-scale freshwater tank, and in real-world, seawater conditions in Tagus river estuary. Results show a frequency-dependent communications range up to 5 m in freshwater and 1.8 m in seawater, with bitrates up to 550 kbit/s and delay under 45 ms. This proves the feasibility of IEEE 802.11 networks in the sub-GHz bands for applications such as video streaming from an autonomous underwater vehicle and underwater sensors. Copyright 2015 ACM.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific