Underwater Communication

System

SYNOPSIS
OF PROJECT WORK-I (EC-711)

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED BY:
Ajay Thakur (21010104009)
Baljinder Singh (21010104024)
Garima Sharma (21010104030)
Shreya Sharma (21010104049)

SUPERVISOR:
Dr. Ankush Kapoor

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERING, JNGEC, SUNDERNAGAR (H.P.) – 175018
Abstract:

The field of underwater communications and sensor networks is experiencing significant

research advancements, particularly in enhancing bandwidth and network speeds for high-
speed data transmission. This project introduces an underwater communication system utilizing
Li-Fi technology. Li-Fi, or Light Fidelity, employs Visible Light Communication (VLC)
through the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a medium for rapid data transfer. In this
system, LEDs serve as transmitters, transmitting data to photosensors, which function as
receivers. The data is encoded by altering the rate at which the LEDs flicker, creating distinct
patterns of binary digits (1s and 0s). The goal of this project is to enable the transmission of
text, audio, and images in underwater environments using VLC technology.

Motivation:

The motivation behind this project stems from the growing need for efficient and high-speed
communication systems in underwater environments, which are critical for applications such
as environmental monitoring, underwater exploration, and data collection in marine research.
Traditional underwater communication methods, primarily acoustic and radio frequency (RF)
systems, face significant limitations, including low data rates, high latency, and susceptibility
to environmental interference.

As technological advancements continue to demand faster and more reliable data transmission,
there is a clear need for innovative solutions that can overcome these challenges. Light Fidelity
(Li-Fi) technology, which utilizes visible light for data transmission, presents a promising
alternative due to its potential for high data rates, low latency, and immunity to electromagnetic
interference.

This project is motivated by the desire to explore and harness the capabilities of Li-Fi for
underwater communication, aiming to develop a robust system that can transmit text, and audio
effectively in aquatic environments. By advancing Li-Fi technology in this context, the project
seeks to contribute to the broader field of underwater communication and pave the way for new
applications and improvements in underwater sensor networks and exploration tools.

Literature Review:
[1] In this project data is transmitted by modulating the intensity of the light, which is then
received by a photosensitive detector, and the light signal is demodulated into electronic form.
White LED’s used in the head and tail lights can effectively be used for short range
communication with the photo detectors.

[2] Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) offers significant advantages for submarine communication,
providing a high-speed, secure, and reliable alternative to traditional methods like acoustic and
radio frequency (RF) communication. Li-Fi can support much higher data rates with lower
latency, enabling real-time information exchange that is critical for submarine operations.
Unlike RF signals, which can be intercepted, Li-Fi's use of light waves makes it inherently
more secure, as the signals do not penetrate water surfaces, reducing the risk of eavesdropping.
While its range is shorter, the high fidelity and energy efficiency of Li-Fi make it ideal for
short-range communication between submarines, particularly in scenarios where traditional
methods face limitations. Overall, Li-Fi has the potential to enhance submarine communication
by overcoming the challenges posed by existing technologies.

[3] VLC refers to data transmission using visible light between 400 to 800 THz. The bandwidth
of VLC is certainly much greater than the bandwidth of radio frequencies, which range from
3KHz to 300GHz. Audio is transmitted through the optical channel established between the
LED and the photodiode module using OOK modulation.

[4] Li-Fi system can be used to provide short-range tele operational control of an underwater
vehicle. It is used to communicate underwater at distances up to 5m under favourable lighting
conditions using visible light.

[5] We present a framework for estimating the expected variations in the emitted light quality
of illumination LEDs due to Li-Fi.

[6] A novel bidirectional underwater visible light communication (BiUVLC) is proposed. The
VLC transmitter transmits an information signal using the one of RGB LED through the water
tank that represents an underwater environment and then is received by VLC receiver via a
colour filter.

[7] The system able to send text and image data perfectly with maximum transmission distance
is 98 cm. The maximum acceptance angle for transmission is 70o with maximum baud rate is
19200 bps. The quality of the system for text transmission is measured by calculating character
error rate (CER), while the quality of image transmission is calculated by using Bit Error Rate
(BER).

[8] The system consists of a transmitter that directs light beam in the direction of the receiver,
thereby, converting the electrical data signal into optical signal. Transmitter accepts data over
a serial interface which is encoded according to the specification and light pulses generated
through LED’s. Receiver detects the optical signal and transforms it into electrical signal.

[9] In this technology has increased speed, improved bandwidth, and reduced noise. Thus, the
audio signal transmitting with the use of Li-Fi. Initially, the voice signal is converted into
digital values and these digital data values are converted to RGB values. RGB values obtained
are transmitted as light waves of receiver submarines.

[10] Image transmission between two devices is done by using the medium of visible light of
electromagnetic spectrum. In LiFi basically we focus to transmitting multimedia data between
two terminals using LED’s. Li-Fi is a transmission of data through illumination, in which data
can be sent through a LED light bulb that varies in intensity faster than human eye can follow.
[11] In this project Under water is the communication medium. A small 20 micro meter white
LED is the source of light and the silicon-based photo diode is used for the realization of the
system. LASER can also be used as an alternative for LED. The transmitter will be sending
signal pulses. This light is allowed to fall in the photo diode and by using the interference filter,
any possible stray of radiation can be emitted.

[12] Li-Fi is ideal for high density wireless data coverage in confined area and for relieving
radio interference issues. Li-Fi provides better bandwidth, efficiency, availability and security
than Wi-Fi. Important factors we should consider while designing Li-Fi as following: (1)
Presence of Light (2) Line of Sight (Los) (3) For better performance use fluorescent light and
LED.

METHOD PROS CONS

- Effective for long
distances. - Low data transmission rates.
- Works in various - High latency to multipath
Acoustic Communication water conditions. interference.
- Can provide higher
data rates than acoustic - Poor penetration in water;
systems in air. limited to very shallow
- Suitable for surface- depths.
Radio Frequency (RF) to-surface - High signal attenuation
Communication communication. underwater.
- High data rates and
bandwidth. - Short communication range
- Low latency. (up to a few meters).
- Immune to - Performance heavily
Optical Communication electromagnetic depends on water clarity and
(e.g., Li-Fi) interference. lighting conditions.

Problem Formulation/Objectives:

The objective of this project is to develop a system that can:

1) Develop an underwater communication system using Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technology.
2) Utilize visible light communication with LEDs and photodetectors for data transmission.
3) Achieve high-speed, short-range communication in underwater environments.
4) Employ Arduino microcontrollers for modulation and demodulation of signals.
5) Facilitate reliable transmission of text and audio data.
Methodology/Planning of Work:

 TRANSMITTER SECTION: The transmission block diagram consists of

Microcontroller which operates with 5V/12V power supply. It also contains a laser
light, audio player and AUX wire. Light Fidelity is a fast, remote correspondence
utilizing visible light. It falls under the classification of optical remote communications.
Any form of signal that is to be transferred is firstly converted into laser signal. Then
the laser light is used to transmit the obtained signals. Given below is the block diagram
of the model.

FIGURE 1: TRANSMITTER SECTION

 RECEIVER SECTION: The receiver block diagram consists of Microcontroller

which operates with 5V/12V power supply. It also contains a solar panel, amplifier, and
a speaker. The solar panel will act as a receiving device, the laser light will fall on solar
panel thus the received signals are converted into electrical signals. Therefore, output
is displayed through speakers.

FIGURE 2: RECIEVER SECTION

 ARDINO PROGRAMING: Arduino IDE is an open-source software, its easily

available for operating systems like MAC, windows, Linux, and run on JAVA platform
that comes with inbuilt functions and commands that helps for debugging, editing, and
computing the code environment.

 WORKING PRINCIPLE: Connect the transmitter to the audio device through the
AUX wire. Then we will see the laser light output, the range of the laser may differ
accordingly. Then we will play the audio, through the laser the audio signal will get
transmitted and solar panel is used to receive the audio signals. Filters can also be used
to avoid distortion/noise. The speaker attached at receiver end will play the received
audio signal.
 FIGURE 3: UNDERWATER COMMUNCATION SYSTEM

Facilities Required for Proposed Work:

Hardware Components:
- Arduino Microcontroller (x2)
- Battery/Power Supply
- Voltage Regulator
- Laser
- Amplifier
- Speaker
- Jumper Wires

Software:
- Arduino IDE
- Embedded C
Bibliography/References:

[1] Y. R. Lata, R. Gusain, S. Shekhar, A. Vidyarthi, R. Prakash and R. Gowri, "Development

of a LiFi System for Under Water Communications," 2023.

[2] T. Shanthi, S. P and S. H. S, "Communication Between Submarines Using Li-Fi

Technology," 2023.

[3] Mei Yu Soh, Wen Xian Ng, Qiong Zou, Denise Lee, T. Hui Teo, and Kiat SengYeo, “Real-
Time Audio Transmission Using Visible Light Communication”, 2018.

[4] Robert Codd-Downey and Michael Jenkin. “Wireless Teleoperation of an Underwater

Robot using Li-Fi”, 2018.

[5] Evangelos Pikasis and Wasiu O. Popoola, “Understanding LiFi Effect on LED Light
Quality”, 2018.

[6] Arsyad Ramadhan Darlis, Andre Widura, Muhamad Rifan Andria, “Bidirectional
Underwater Visible Light Communication”, 2018.

[7] Nenggala Yudhabrama, Inung Wijayanto, “Low-Cost Visible Light Communication

Transceiver Prototype for Real Time Data and Images Transfer”, 2017.

[8] Narmatha.M, Portia Sahayam J, Prabavathi M, Tharani T, “Optical Data Transfer in

Underwater System using Lifi”, 2017.

[9] G.Pravin Raj, P.Prabakaran, ”Implementation of Li-Fi Technology For Underwater

Communication Through Light Waves”, 2016.

[10] R. Mahendran, “Integrated Li-fi (Light Fidelity) For Smart Communication Through
Illumination”, 2016

[11] Lince Mathew, Y. P. Singh, Swati Sharma, “An Extensive Study on Underwater
Communication using LED/LASER Enabled Li-Fi Modules”, 2016.

[12] R. Karthika, S. Balakrishnan, “Wireless Communication using Li-Fi Technology”, 2015.