Subsea Telecommunication System Real-Time Parameter Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The harsh and dynamic underwater acoustic environment interferes with data transfer from underwater vehicles, requiring frequent updates of communication parameters, which is time-consuming and costly due to the need to surface the vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A subsea telecommunication system that updates physical layer parameters and data delivery parameters in real time in response to changes in the acoustic communication channel and acoustic noise, allowing for continuous operation without surfacing the underwater vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If underwater vehicles surface frequently to update communication parameters, then communication reliability is improved, but mission time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of surfacing the underwater vehicle with an optical wireless communication system. The vehicle uses an optical modem to receive communication parameter updates via light signals transmitted through the water column, eliminating the need to surface for parameter updates while maintaining communication reliability in the dynamic acoustic environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical communication intermediary (optical modem and surface light source) that acts as a mediator between the underwater vehicle and the surface support system. This intermediary enables parameter updates to be transmitted through the water column without requiring the vehicle to surface, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining communication reliability and preserving mission time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If underwater vehicles surface to update communication parameters, then communication adaptability is improved, but operational cost and resource consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the energy-intensive mechanical operation of surfacing with an optical communication system that transmits parameter updates through light signals. This maintains the vehicle's adaptive communication capabilities while significantly reducing energy consumption and operational costs by keeping the vehicle submerged throughout the mission.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical communication system provides universal parameter update capability that works across different mission phases and environmental conditions. The same optical link used for data transmission also carries communication parameter updates, eliminating the need for separate surfacing operations and reducing overall operational costs while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If acoustic communication is used in dynamic underwater environment, then data transmission capability is improved, but communication stability deteriorates due to changing thermoclines and acoustic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of communication parameters through real-time updates transmitted via optical communication. The system continuously monitors acoustic channel conditions and adjusts modulation schemes, data rates, and other parameters dynamically, allowing stable and reliable data transmission despite changing thermoclines, currents, and acoustic noise during the mission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the underwater vehicle reports channel conditions to the surface, which then calculates and sends updated communication parameters back to the vehicle via optical communication. This closed-loop feedback system maintains communication stability in the dynamic acoustic environment by continuously adapting to changing conditions without requiring the vehicle to surface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A subsea telecommunication system (10) that includes a first acoustic modem (20) that couples to a first vehicle (12) and communicates acoustically. A second acoustic modem (32) couples to a second vehicle (14) and communicates acoustically with the first acoustic modem (20). A first computer system (26) receives an environmental parameter and updates a physical layer parameter of the subsea telecommunication system (10) in real time in response to the environmental parameter.