Performance Analysis of Relay Assisted Single Node to Multi-Node Depth Centric Underwater Wireless Optical Communication System

This paper presents a framework of single node to multi-node underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) link by utilizing reflector optics and beam splitters to generate steerable multiple laser beams. The proposed model outperforms the traditional system by minimizing the geometric loss and eliminating the need for a strict line-of-sight view. An analytical model of the proposed system is developed to study the impact of the system specific and nonspecific losses on the performance metric in terms of the received signal quality factor (Q). Furthermore, a relay-assisted single input and multiple output (SIMO) UWOC system is presented that introduces a scenario where optical relay node is incorporated to mitigate optical attenuation and overcome obstructed line-of-sight challenges in UWOC communication. The analytical analysis along with the MATLAB and Optisystem based simulations envisage that the implementation of SIMO UWOC link with relay and without relay demonstrates 44% and 20% decrement in geometric loss as compared to UWOC link with single transmitter and receiver node. Based on the simulation results, it is concluded that the proposed system facilitates the information broadcasting at a data rate of 1 Gbps to multiple receivers using laser beam communication across a vertical depth of 120 m.