Surface-Reflection-Based Communication and Localization in Underwater Sensor Networks

Most communication and localization algorithms in underwater environments have been constrained by dependencies on the Line Of Sight (LOS), which is hard to guarantee due to the inherent node mobility. This constraint hinders node discovery and ad hoc formation in underwater networks and limits the performance of routing protocols. This article introduces a novel Surface-Based Reflection (SBR) model that uses a homomorphic deconvolution technique to establish water-surface-reflected communication links. We then propose a Surface-Based Reflection Anchor-free Localization (SBR-AL) algorithm that can be employed by the individual nodes to establish a relative coordinate system. Our approach also employs a switch-beamed directional antenna model that allows each node to use the LOS estimated from SBR-AL to enable directional communication which is beneficial for higher Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR). The relative locations can facilitate the various network operation functions such as geo-routing and collision-free medium access. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

[1]  Dmitry Chizhik,et al.  Coherent and differential acoustic communication in shallow water using transmitter and receiver arrays , 2010, OCEANS'10 IEEE SYDNEY.

[2]  Winston K. G. Seah,et al.  A Survey of Techniques and Challenges in Underwater Localization , 2011 .

[3]  Mohamed F. Younis,et al.  Surface Based Underwater Communications , 2010, 2010 IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference GLOBECOM 2010.

[4]  Xing Shi,et al.  Weighted Least Square Source Localization Theory in an Underwater Wireless Sensor Array Network , 2010, 2010 6th International Conference on Wireless Communications Networking and Mobile Computing (WiCOM).

[5]  M. B. Porter.  Acoustic models and sonar systems , 1993 .

[6]  J. S. Kole,et al.  Solving the Maxwell equations by the Chebyshev method: a one-step finite-difference time-domain algorithm , 2002, physics/0208060.

[7]  Curt Schurgers,et al.  Collaborative tracking in mobile underwater networks , 2009, WUWNet '09.

[8]  Chris Savarese.  LOCATIONING IN DISTRIBUTED AD-HOC WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS , 2001 .

[9]  Michael B. Porter,et al.  Computational Ocean Acoustics , 1994 .

[10]  John B. Schneider,et al.  An FDTD method for analysis of scattering from rough fluid-fluid interfaces , 2001 .

[11]  D. Billon,et al.  Performance of high data rate acoustic underwater communication systems using adaptive beamforming and equalizing , 1994, Proceedings of OCEANS'94.

[12]  G. Loubet,et al.  Underwater acoustic channel simulations for communication , 1994, Proceedings of OCEANS'94.

[13]  B.M. Howe,et al.  Sensor networks for cabled ocean observatories , 2004, Proceedings of the 2004 International Symposium on Underwater Technology (IEEE Cat. No.04EX869).

[14]  I.J.G. Scott,et al.  Acoustic wave propagation in underwater shallow channel environments , 2007, OCEANS 2007 - Europe.

[15]  Wei Cheng,et al.  3D Underwater Sensor Network Localization , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing.

[16]  Kainam Thomas Wong.  Adaptive source localisation and blind beamforming for underwater acoustic wideband fast frequency-hop signals of unknown hop sequences and unknown arrival angles using a vector-hydrophone , 1999, WCNC. 1999 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (Cat. No.99TH8466).

[17]  Kaveh Pahlavan,et al.  CN-TOAG: a new algorithm for indoor geolocation , 2004, 2004 IEEE 15th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (IEEE Cat. No.04TH8754).

[18]  Mohamed F. Younis,et al.  Surface Based Anchor-Free Localization Algorithm for Underwater Sensor Networks , 2011, 2011 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC).

[19]  Mohamed F. Younis,et al.  On the accuracy of multi-hop relative location estimation in wireless sensor networks , 2007, IWCMC.

[20]  Nan Zou,et al.  Vector Hydrophone Array Development and its Associated DOA Estimation Algorithms , 2006, OCEANS 2006 - Asia Pacific.

[21]  John Heidemann,et al.  Understanding and exploiting the acoustic propagation delay in underwater sensor networks , 2009 .

[22]  Shengli Zhou,et al.  Efficient localization for large-scale underwater sensor networks , 2010, Ad Hoc Networks.

[23]  G. Carter.  Coherence and time delay estimation , 1987, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[24]  O. Postolache,et al.  Underwater Acoustic Source Localization Based on Passive Sonar and Intelligent Processing , 2007, 2007 IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Technology Conference IMTC 2007.

[25]  Dario Pompili,et al.  Underwater acoustic sensor networks: research challenges , 2005, Ad Hoc Networks.

[26]  Melvin A. Pedersen,et al.  Normal‐Mode and Ray Theory Applied to Underwater Acoustic Conditions of Extreme Downward Refraction , 1972 .

[27]  R. Weber,et al.  Performance enhancement of blind adaptive equalizers using environmental knowledge , 2003, Oceans 2003. Celebrating the Past ... Teaming Toward the Future (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37492).

[28]  Joseph A Rice,et al.  A tri-modal directional transducer. , 2001, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.

[29]  A. Quinquis,et al.  Denoising underwater signals propagating through multi-path channels , 2005, Europe Oceans 2005.

[30]  Mohamed F. Younis,et al.  Accurate anchor-free node localization in wireless sensor networks , 2005, PCCC 2005. 24th IEEE International Performance, Computing, and Communications Conference, 2005..

[31]  Bayan S. Sharif,et al.  A blind multichannel combiner for long range underwater communications , 1997, 1997 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing.

[32]  Mario Gerla,et al.  Phero-trail: a bio-inspired location service for mobile underwater sensor networks , 2008, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications.

[33]  A. Quazi,et al.  Underwater acoustic communications , 1982, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[34]  Jan M. Rabaey,et al.  Location in distributed ad-hoc wireless sensor networks , 2001, 2001 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing. Proceedings (Cat. No.01CH37221).

[35]  Kaveh Pahlavan,et al.  AOA Assisted NLOS Error Mitigation for TOA-Based Indoor Positioning Systems , 2007, MILCOM 2007 - IEEE Military Communications Conference.