Wavelet OFDM Wireless Communication System for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Using Loop-Shaped Antennas in Underwater Environments

The manuscript introduces a radio wave-based wireless communication system tailored for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), optimized for underwater deployment. Initial experiments to ascertain the fundamental properties of a loop antenna were conducted in a small-scale water tank, followed by comprehensive communication and video transmission trials in a larger tank with an AUV. A specialized waterproof enclosure was developed to house a waterproof antenna, a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA), and a communication board. This setup facilitated the evaluation of the loop antenna’s radio propagation attributes and the identification of frequencies conducive to underwater communication. Designed with practical deployment in mind, the system incorporates a 2-meter loop antenna for signal transmission and a 0.5m by 0.8m rectangular loop antenna integrated into the AUV for signal reception. Utilizing a wavelet Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication board and tuning to lower frequencies, the system successfully established User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transfer Control Protocol (TCP) communications within a few meter radius from the transmitting antenna, achieving data transfer rates up to 6.8 Mbps.