LED-to-LED wireless communication between divers

Abstract

For military divers, having a robust, secure, and undetectable wireless communication system available is a fundamental element. Wireless intercoms using acoustic waves are currently used. These systems, even if reliable, have the defect of being easily identifiable and detectable. Visible light can pass through sea water. Therefore, light can be used to develop short-range wireless communication systems. To realize secure close-range underwater wireless communication, the Underwater Optical Wireless Communication (UOWC) can be a valid alternative to acoustic wireless communication. UOWC is not a new idea, but the problem of the presence of sunlight and the possibility of using near-ultraviolet radiation (near-UV) has not been adequately addressed in the literature yet. In military applications, the possibility of using invisible optical radiation can be of great interest. In this paper, a feasibility study is carried out to demonstrate that UOWC can be performed using near-ultraviolet radiation. The proposed system can be useful for wireless voice communications between military divers as well as amateur divers.