Hybrid acoustic and RF data telemetry systems concepts with experimental results

Abstract

Communications with submerged platforms and instruments continues to pose a limitation on undersea activities. Advancements in underwater acoustic data communications have eased these limitations. Even though significant advancements have been made in the development of underwater acoustic data telemetry with respect to range and data throughput in the past few years, telemetry at useful data rates with submerged assets over very long ranges is unlikely to be achieved directly with a single acoustic link due to the complexity of the acoustic channel and limited propagation ranges. One solution is to employ a hybrid acoustic-RF communications approach, using buoys to convert acoustic signals to and from RF signals. This solution provides real-time two-way communications to distant surface ships, aircraft and/or satellites that can act as relays to integrate undersea communications into RF and terrestrial communications networks.