Africa Surveyors January-February issue 2023 digital

COVER STORY
UNDERWATER ELECTRONICS
and operational load are not only from water
but also influenced by other factors like
temperature changes, pressure differences
and other stresses such as mineral aging
effects or microorganisms that can attack the
device in the long term.
To address these issues, a series of new
packaging technologies and materials have
been developed. These technologies are
based on organic potting compounds and
are designed to withstand permanent media
exposure in seawater at a depth of up to 50
meters.
This research is part of the National Science
Foundation-funded project 'The Internet of
Underwater Things' (IoUT) to develop smart
interconnected devices and networks that can
connect underwater vehicles.
Optical Wireless Communication: A New Way
to Communicate Underwater
Underwater optical wireless communication
is a relatively new technology that enables
high data rates and moderate distances
communication in undersea environments
using laser beams of light. This type of
communication could be ideal for a variety
of application such as real-time video
transmission or control of remotely operated
vehicles.
In contrast to acoustic and RF
communications, optical wireless
communication can be a great advantage
due to its higher bandwidth. Moreover, it can
provide more information to the receiver with
low latency.
As the amount of data increases, more and
more applications will be developed for
underwater optical wireless communication.
Consequently, more and more research is
necessary on UOWC technologies in order to
improve the quality of these systems.
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