Fuzzy logic, edge enabled underwater video surveillance through partially wireless optical communication

Abstract

The Underwater Internet of Things (UIoT) represents an area of research that holds significant interest among scientific, defence, and industrial communities. The automation of subsea applications is a key focus to safeguard assets in this domain. Visible Light Communications (VLC) shows promise in overcoming the constraints inherent in acoustics, particularly in specific environmental conditions. This project proposes the implementation of a Software Defined Network (SDN) capable of wirelessly transmitting video from source to sink, irrespective of local conditions. This is achieved by incorporating a wired optical connection between the source nodes located on the seafloor, thus providing an additional communication option. This wired connection enables the nodes to bypass obstacles such as suspended particulate matter, objects, or excessive ambient noise in the water, which obstruct VLC communications, and instead transmit the data from an alternate location. To determine whether wireless transmission is viable, a fuzzy logic controller/edge routing system assesses the environmental conditions and based on the collected data, selects the most suitable route. Through MATLAB modelling, it has been demonstrated that this SDN has the potential to reliably transmit video and other forms of data while minimizing energy consumption by eliminating the need for an acoustic communication link.