Secure, Low-Cost Prototype Design of Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

Abstract

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks are essentially different from terrestrial RF-based sensor networks due to its highly variable and long acoustic delay. This paper describes our hardware/software co-design of low-cost underwater sensor nodes for deployment in a shallow underwater environment. Each sensor is comprised of a DSP board responsible for modulation/demodulation and sensor readings, as well as an analog board responsible for signal strength amplification and signal conditioning.