A network connects air and underwater environments using light, enabling data exchange on the move. Learn more about this technology!
Researchers have demonstrated a mobile all-light communication network prototype, enabling connectivity across air, land, and underwater environments, even when communication nodes are mounted on moving vehicles. This development could allow continuous data exchange in various conditions, supporting navigation, emergency response, research, and operations applications.
The researchers show that two prototype communication devices deployed on a moving vehicle can establish bidirectional light transmission between network nodes across air and underwater environments.
Solving the alignment challenge
The system integrates mobile green light communication under the TCP/IP framework with blue laser technology for underwater data exchange, deep UV light for solar-blind wireless transmission, and an 850-nm laser diode for data reception. These components are interconnected via Ethernet switches, enabling seamless access to various terminals like sensors and computers.
The researchers developed an image identification module and a full-duplex communication module mounted on a three-axis gimbal stabilizer to achieve bidirectional light transmission across air and underwater environments. The image module captures light signals and provides real-time feedback to maintain optical alignment, ensuring dynamic and reliable data transmission. A mapping network architecture supports balanced, real-time data flow, allowing simultaneous information exchange without delays or losses.
Air-water connectivity
The researchers tested their network using two green-light communication devices, each equipped with an image identification module and mounted on a three-axis gimbal stabilizer, installed on separate moving vehicles. Experiments conducted on an outdoor lawn, in full sunlight, and an indoor water tank demonstrated bidirectional light transmission across air and underwater environments. The system achieved a maximum bandwidth of 4 Mbps, enabling seamless video and audio transmission and internet access via a Wi-Fi modem.
Looking ahead, the team aims to create an all-light communication network combining wired and wireless nodes with light sources of varying wavelengths. They also plan to integrate mobile all-light communication with other technologies, such as radio, sonar, and gas, to establish a robust and versatile future communication network.
Reference: Pengzhan Liu et al, Mobile all-light communication network, Optics Express (2024). DOI: 10.1364/OE.543730
