BECS-II: an updated bio-inspired electrocommunication system for small underwater robots

Abstract

Some weakly electric fish can use electric signals to interact and communicate with each other in dark and complex underwater environments where traditional underwater communication fails. In our previous work, we developed a bio-inspired electrocommunication system (BECS) that serves as an effective alternative to traditional methods in this challenging underwater scenario performing communication at a speed of approximately 1200 bps (bits per second) within approximately 3 m. In this study, a novel underwater wireless communication system (BECS-II) is proposed to upgrade the BECS with much better performance. We first propose theoretical and simulation models for electrocommunication, including the effects of the angular frequency and electrode impedance. A custom-made digital communication system is employed in BECS-II to improve the anti-interference ability and channel capacity of the BECS. In addition, a novel circuit optimization strategy was used to develop a customized circuit to enhance the transmitting and receiving capabilities of the BECS-II. Dual-frequency communication is proposed to meet the communication demands of different tasks by taking inspiration from the task allocation and evolution mechanisms of weakly electric fish. The experimental results showed that BECS-II outperformed BECS in high-frequency mode at both the communication speed (approximately 20 kbps) and distance (approximately 10 m), whereas in low-frequency mode, it extended the communication range by transmitting data up to a distance of approximately 20 m at a speed of approximately 200 bps. A substantial increase in the communication distance can expand the robot motion space in a group and improve group flexibility.