A distributed sensor system for detection of contaminants in the ocean

Abstract

A compact and mobile distributed sensing system which can monitor contaminant content in the ocean and initiate an alert system when high contaminant levels are detected would be useful in the surveillance of ports and harbors. Oceanic data acquisition takes many forms, but miniature and low cost platforms are not available for widespread monitoring and surveillance tasks. In this paper we present a novel sensing system, adapted from a similar concept designed for atmospheric probing and evaluate its feasibility in the ocean environment. Both the probing task itself and the data communication from the sensor nodes to the base station are based on free space optics. We also develop a probabilistic model of multi-access interference in a system using spectral diversity, which may be applicable in many distributed sensor multihop networks.

Underwater sensor network using optical wireless comunication

“…In two recent conference papers we discussed our preliminary ideas regarding the feasibility of an underwater distributed sensing system for contaminant detection and monitoring based on lidar concepts and OWC. 7,8 We addressed three primary challenges to be met: sensing, data communication, and the inevitable multiaccess interference (MAI). In this 'snapshot' report we summarize some of our work.…”