The structural complexity of real-world pipeline networks makes it difficult to derive physicsbased models of acoustic propagation. This work deals with the design of a communication system based on the propagation of acoustic waves in water-filled pipes. A method based on the experimental characterization of the communication channel is proposed. This approach is applied to an urban water distribution pipeline, and a black-box model representing its frequency response is obtained. The derived two-port model is used for the simulation of a complete communication system, comprising transmitter and receiver models, with the aim of using the water pipe as a wireless communication channel. It is shown that the choice of modulation parameters is critical in order to deal with issues such as the frequency selectivity of the channel and multipath wave propagation. A communication system is presented and the experimental results of the communicated data are provided.INDEX TERMS Acoustic wave communication, channel characterization, data transmission, underwater communication, urban water supply system.

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Abstract$$\varDelta \varSigma $$ Δ Σ analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are largely used in sensor acquisition applications. In the last few years, standalone $$\varDelta \varSigma $$ Δ Σ modulators have become increasingly available as off-the-shelf parts. To build a complete ADC, a standalone modulator has to be paired with some advanced elaboration unit, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or a digital signal processor (DSP), which is needed for the implementation of the decimation filter. This work investigates the use of low-cost, general-purpose microcontrollers for the decimation of $$\varDelta \varSigma $$ Δ Σ -modulated signals. The main challenge is given by the clock frequency of the modulator, which can be in the range of a few $$\hbox {MHz}$$ MHz . The proposed technique deals with this limitation by employing two serial peripheral interface (SPI) modules in a time-interleaved configuration. This approach allows for continuous acquisition and elaboration of relatively high-speed, digital signals. The technique has been applied to a case study, and a data conversion system has been practically realized. The performance of the proposed filter is compared to that of a digital filter, present on board a commercial microcontroller, and the results of experimental tests are provided.

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