An Example of Underwater Acoustic Network based on Modems Incorporating Open-Source Networking Software Framework

Organization of real-time access to data collected underwater requires sensors to be fitted out with digital communication means. Also, underwater autonomous vehicles (AUVs) operating in a group require intensive exchange of navigation data when engaged in cooperative maneuvering or performing coordinated measurements, or agreeing on modifying the current mission with an operator on the surface support vessel. This paper presents a development of an underwater acoustic sensor network. The technology enables data transfer in a network of an arbitrary topology, in which the number of relay nodes between data source and data receiver may be fixed or variable, data delivery route can be static or dynamic. Particular implementation of the digital underwater acoustic network is represented in form of a program framework (EviNS-Evologics intelligent Networking Software) - a stack of network protocols, each of which is designed to solve the problem of hydro-acoustic data delivery under certain conditions of underwater acoustic environment.