Monte Carlo–based channel estimation and performance evaluation for UWOC links under geometric losses

Abstract

SummaryUnderwater wireless optical communication has been studied and proposed as a potential technology for various underwater applications including monitoring and surveillance using wireless sensor networks. In this context, we present a statistical model using an exhaustive Monte Carlo approach for an underwater wireless optical communication link between sensor nodes in a data mulling environment. This work provides insights into the science of photon transport underwater, its utilization in a communication system, evaluation, and optimization of underwater communication. We characterize the temporal channel behavior taking into account multiple scattering of photons involving the constraints of detector aperture diameter, field‐of‐view (FOV), and link distance for an aligned point‐to‐point link. We analyze the designed model in terms of total received power and bit error rate for clear ocean waters. Our simulation results show that the detector aperture and FOV has an impact towards a successful communication in the distance from 5 to 20 m. In addition, results show that the FOV is an affecting factor only in the presence of larger aperture sizes of the detector.

Investigation of the Scattering Noise in Underwater Optical Wireless Communications

“…Compared with the analytical solutions of radiative transfer equation (RTE), the MC approach is more flexible for various link geometries without the restrictions on the scattering angles and therefore is widely employed in simulation of light propagation in a dispersive medium, e.g., beam propagation in the seawater [26,27]. MC numerical method with respect to the absorption and scattering effects has been reported in several recent works [11,28,29]. In [30], they evaluated the continuous-variable quantum key distribution method over an underwater link by using MC simulation.…”

Underwater Optical Wireless Communications: Overview

“…In ocean water, the performance of an underwater optical communication system is mainly limited by oceanic turbulence, which is defined as the fluctuations in the index of refraction resulting from temperature and salinity variations. By means of the Monte Carlo method, it is possible to implement a complete "model" to evaluate also the propagation through weak oceanic turbulence [72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81]. In any case, the characterization of the transmission channel model is a critical point for the development of the UWOC systems.…”

Investigation of 3 dB Optical Intensity Spot Radius of Laser Beam under Scattering Underwater Channel

“…[24] MC Empirical model of transmission distance-dependent path losses. [25] MC Channel estimation and evaluation under geometric losses. [26] MC Scattering regimes of photons.…”