Submarine optical fiber communication provides an unrealized deep-sea observation network

Abstract

The ocean is key to human survival, providing natural resources, most of the global oxygen supply, and economic development through mineral, gas, and oil deposits. Although the sea is primarily considered a silent world, it is abundant with the natural sounds of marine life communication and geological processes. Human activities, especially active sonars, shipping traffic, and underwater vehicles, have significantly affected underwater soundscapes and reduced natural sounds. We report on a joint optical fiber-based communication and sensing technology to minimize noise pollution in the ocean while achieving data transmission and ocean environment monitoring and exploration. The proposed multifunctional communication and sensing fiber system enables two-way data transfer while a) monitoring marine life and ship movement near the deployed fiber at the sea bottom and b) sensing temperature. The same fiber is simultaneously used to transfer energy that can be harvested by devices in the internet of underwater things. The proposed approach dramatically reduces the costs and effects of monitoring marine ecosystems while transferring data, monitoring oceans, and charging submerged devices in the internet of underwater things.