Self-Adapting Under-Ice Integrated Communications and Navigation Network

Abstract

Complex vehicle missions (such as under-ice operations) require balancing the various competing uses of the acoustic channel. We present an integrated communications and navigation system, where a single synchronized digital communication packet is used to both provide tracking and data to the operator. In response, a navigation correction is telemetered to the vehicle. This system was deployed and operating during the ICEX20 experiment in the Beaufort Sea in March 2020. The variability of acoustic propagation with depth in the Beaufort Sea imposes a challenge to ensure reliable connectivity between the vehicle and the topside operators (in this case, via ice buoys). In the context of this under-ice system, where the ice buoys have multiple receiver and transmitter depths, we explore a self-adapting network that uses oceanographic and propagation modeling to predict the expected optimal receiver depth layer and transmitter hydrophone.