Joint channel estimation and data detection on commercially available underwater acoustic modems

In this paper, we describe and demonstrate for the first time in the literature a light-weight joint underwater acoustic channel estimation and data detection (JOCEDD) procedure. The procedure generates iteratively channel estimates and data decisions with guaranteed convergence. No pilot signaling is required (blind/unsupervised scheme), except for one-shot overall data frame sign/phase ambiguity resolution. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by field tests with SM-975 Teledyne-Benthos SMART modems. Experimental results show that the proposed JOCEDD procedure can efficiently recover transmitted data and significantly enhance reliability of underwater acoustic communications.