Underwater wi-fi technology attempting to create 'deep-sea internet' underway

Underwater wi-fi given test run to create 'deep-sea internet

A team of researchers from the University of Buffalo, New York are conducting tests on their invention dubbed “The underwater wi-fi network.” Their main objective is to develop a deep-sea internet that would assist in detecting catastrophes such as tsunami. The technology will help avail more reliable and timely signals.

Workability of the Technology

Distinct from the ordinary wi-fi that uses radio waves, the underwater network technology puts into use the sound waves.

The team, from the University of Buffalo, New York, says the invention will help notice tsunamis, offering more steadfast warning systems. As evidenced by many aquatic species like dolphins & whales, sound waves are capable of penetrating water with a higher rate and stability compared to the radio waves, which have a limited penetration in terms of range and stability.

Their intention is to come up with an agreed standard for underwater infrastructures, to make communication and data-sharing easier.

Wireless communication underwater has been probable for some time, but the difficultly lies in receiving distinct systems used by diverse organizations to communicate with others.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for example, use acoustic waves to relay data from tidal wave sensors on the sea floor to signals on the exterior.

This data however, cannot be shared swiftly with other information gathered by the US Fleet due to infrastructural differences

According to Tommaso Melodia, the lead researcher,” A submerged wireless network will give us an unprecedented ability to collect and analyze data from our oceans in real time. Making this information available to anyone with a smartphone or computer, especially when a tsunami or other type of disaster occurs, could help save lives."

In future, the team anticipates the sensors might be used to help perceive and decipher environmental issues. With a mutual standard, different research teams with diverse equipment could theoretically combine their data gathering exertions with much ease, and in a timely version.

More details on this technology will be conveyed next month at a conference in Taiwan for underwater technology.

Source: BBC