An time-domain-oriented multiple access protocol for underwater acoustic network communications

It is well known that TDMA protocols have been successfully used in satellite communications. However, it is not possible to use classical TDMA in underwater acoustical channels, because of the significant propagation delay that makes synchronisation impossible. In this work, a new multiple access protocol based on the TDMA concept is investigated. By interleaving the messages at the physical level, the underwater channel is used as a fixed delay FIFO buffer. The new protocol ensures that no user receives a relevant packet whilst simultaneously transmitting.