International Journal of Electronics and Computer Science Engineering Available Online at www.ijecse.

org

370

ISSN: 2277-1956

Submarine Optical Communication: A research Review

1

Dr. Navneet Agrawal 1, Ajay Kumar Vyas 2 College of Technology & Engineering, Udaipur, Rajasthan-313001, India 2 S S College of Engineering, Udaipur, Rajasthan-313001, India Email-1navneetctae@gmail.com, 2ajay_ap7@yahoo.com

Abstract - The future of tactical ocean environment will be increasingly complicated. In addition to traditional communication links there will be a proliferation of unmanned vehicles in space, in the air, on the surface, and underwater. To effectively utilize these systems improvements in underwater communication systems are needed. Since radio waves do not propagate in sea water and acoustic communication systems are relatively low bandwidths, the possibility of high speed underwater optical communication systems are considered. In this paper we discuss the research aspects of submarine optical communication, its design issues and the implementation parameters. Keywords: Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), Polarization hole burning, Submarine Optical Communication, Trans-oceanic fiber- optic link (TAT-8). 1-INTRODUCTION The advances in the technology of satellite & submarine cable media during the past two decades have been breathtaking. The improvements and the innovation in the submarine cable technology have surpassed those in satellite technology. The submarine cable technology has evolved over the years, whereas satellite technology is a relatively new phenomenon. The main advantages of underwater fiber communication is high reliability due to extended repeater spacing; easy handling characteristics like smaller cable diameter. In submarine cables systems, optical fiber is needed which combine low losses with low chromatic dispersion and have quite a good mechanical strength for use in demanding environment. [1-2] Optical communication has the potential to provide data rates that are higher than acoustic rates by orders of Mb/s to Gb/s, if laser is employed. [3] The possibility of using relatively low-power components and circuits equipped with LEDs and photodiodes; the possibility of targeting relatively small dimensions and low costs for the communication system [4]. Optical underwater communication is an effective alternative to current underwater technology especially in some particular environments such as shallow, coastal and fresh inland water where the use of this approach is useful to overcome all the shortcomings related to the use of acoustic communication and to allow a wide adoption of underwater monitoring systems [5]. In particular the possibility of transferring high amount of data in a limited amount of time reducing power consumption can support the transmission of short video and pictures for a reliable monitoring and surveillance. Small dimensions and low-cost components allow establishing a dense deployed networks performing an effective fine grained sampling in the area of interest. It could be possible, for instance, to perform pollution monitoring and frequent data collection (water temperature, specific conductivity, pH, turbidity, and possibly oxygen concentration) and, by using a high-data rate optical link, periodically deliver data reducing the time devoted to transmission and network congestion. 2. Design Issues Implantation of the submarine optical system encounter the problems like Chromatic Dispersion of the transmission fiber, Nonlinearities of transmission fiber, Optical noise accumulation, Polarization dependent loss, Polarization hole burning (it is an critical parameter; influencing the performance of an underwater optical system) and Polarization modal dispersion. The variations in the optical properties of ocean water lead to interesting problems when considering the feasibility and reliability of underwater optical links. Radio waves do not propagate underwater, however with the proliferation of unmanned autonomous vehicles the need to communicate large amounts of data is

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371 Submarine Optical Communication: A research Review quickly increasing. Making physical connections underwater to transfer data is often impractical operationally or technically hard to do. [6] 3. How it can be implemented One of the first oceanic optical systems intended for commercial applications was deployed in the OkinawaKagoshima route, which traveled over 900km. This system was the first to employ EDFAs for undersea repeaters. The incorporation of EDFAs made the transmission of high speed rates with a relatively simple system configuration possible. The two main advantages of the system are the capability of transmitting at either 2.5 Gb/s and the ability to upgrade through WDM. [7] Underwater optical communication is implemented using different methods like submarine optical cable, refection communication and wireless optical communication. 3.1 Using Reflection Communication: In some communication scenarios LOS is not available due to obstructions, misalignment, or random orientation of the transceivers. This would be a common circumstance for underwater sensor nodes or in the case of mobile users and leads us to propose an inventive method for achieving a communication link. In addition, the proposed method affords the advantages of point-to-multipoint links and hence facilitates broadcast communication. The fundamental idea of reflective communication is illustrated in figure 1. The laser transmitter emits a cone of light in the upward direction. It assumes that the sensor nodes self align so that the transmitter faces vertically upward at all times. The light reaching the oceanair surface illuminates an annular area and is partially bounced back in accordance with the reflectivity property described below. Each sensor node will be able to receive signal & transmit a further population of nodes. Hence, by multiple hops, the signal can propagate long distances despite the limitations on the range of each reflective communication link.

Figure 1: Concept of Refection Communication for Underwater Optical Communication

3.2 Using Wireless Communication: In this system, a continuous wave (CW) laser is modulated at radio frequencies between 10-100MHz by an electro-optic modulator. The return signal from the target is detected with a photomultiplier tube and demodulated by a coherent receiver (figure 2.). Magnitude and phase information of the target of interest is then determined. [8] 3.3 Using Submarine Cable: With the help of submarine optical cable, repeaters underwater optical communication system can be established. In the evolution stage trans-oceanic fiber- optic link (TAT-8) was installed for connecting US, France and Britain. TAT-8 initially carried 40,000 telephone circuits (simultaneous calls) between USA, England and France. TAT-8 had two service fiber pairs with the capacity of 280 Mbps each and another fiber pair with similar capacity was available for back-up purposes [(2+1)*280 Mbps]. Signals on each fiber were fully regenerated in equipment placed in pressure housings separated by about 40 km. Cable capacity filled in 1990 six times faster than the expected as in 2000. [9] A typical arrangement is shown in the figure 3.

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IJECSE, Volume1, Number 2

Dr. Navneet Agarwal and Ajay Kumar Vyas

Submarine optical communication system performance is limited by certain parameters

Figure 2: Simple block diagram of submarine Optical Communication

Figure 3: Underwater Optical Communication Using Submarine Cable

4. Oceanic Channel Quality Parameters Light propagation in seawater is highly wavelength sensitive, with transmittance falling from near 100% over several meters in clear ocean water for light of wavelengths 400500 nm to near zero for turbid waters and wavelengths below 300 nm and above 700 nm. This is due to the spectral dependence of scattering and absorption caused by aquatic molecules and suspended particles. These properties display high variability that is depth dependent (up to an order of magnitude) as well as varying over time because of changing oceanic composition and prevailing weather [10]. Some of the key quality parameters are illustrated below. (i) SNR: the SNR of the repeater is depending on the input power of laser, which is effect by the ASE (Amplified spontaneous emission). The progressive increase in ASE decrease noise, therefore 1470 nm wave length window is suitable for increase in SNR. (ii)Adjacent channel: To increase the channel bit rate, an increase in the numbers of channel is required, which is responsible for the non linear adjacent channel interference. (iii)EDFA gain bandwidth limitation: EDFAs employed in WDM submarine optical system requires large bandwidth. The bandwidth expansion can be accomplished through gain equalization, but it reduces repeater gain bandwidth product. (iv) Repeater Optical power limitation: To increase number of channel, as increase in the optical power to be launched into the fiber is require [7].
Table 1: Comparative Study of Submarine Communication Quality Parameters.

ISSN-2277-1956/V1N2-370-374

373 Submarine Optical Communication: A research Review Parameter Reflection communication Nd: YAG pulsed laser used at 532 nm. Output power:1000KW SNR Very less SNR Due to attenuation Adjacent channel EDFA bandwidth limitation gain high Wireless underwater optical Communication Continuous Laser source is used. Output power of 5W. Less SNR due absorption & scattering. to High SNR Underwater Communication submarine cable optical using

Source

DFB or Pump laser is used

Bit rate: 400 b/s

Bit rate: up to 50 Mb/s

Bit rate: 5.3 Gb/s No. of Channel: 22

No

EO Modulator is used.

980 pump

nm

Laser

diode

Operating bandwidth: ~1500-1600 nm Required sensor node for each 20 m. 30dB low noise amplifier and a 50dB Variable gain amplifier. ~200 m ~100 m for error free communication Repeater 8dBm Repeate:19 ~9000 KM Power o/p:

Repeater Optical power limitation Distance Travel

5. Future Scope Currently, eight trans-atlantic fiber optics cable systems like AMENCAS-I, COLUMBUS-II, CARAC, BAHAMAS etc. connecting Europe and North America are either in operation or under construction. [11] The Japanese have laid extensive underwater fiber-optic cables to connect their various islands, besides other forms of communication with neighboring nations. In future Submarine optical communication can be utilize in the area of diver-to-diver communication links, diver-to-submarine links, submarine-to-UAV(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) links, Submarine-to-submarine links, UAV-to-UAV links & Submarine-to-satellite links etc. 6. Conclusion There is several underwater fiber optics already installed in several parts of the world which are working satisfactory. The pace at which the trans-oceanic cable systems are being fibrized is increasing rapidly. In recent decades, there has been a great development in the field of trans- oceanic fiber optic link. From various experiment results & comparative studies (summarized in table 1) of different submarine optical communication. We can conclude that using submarine optical cable the system can achieve like high bandwidth, large repeaters less spacing etc. REFERENCES
[1]. Brandon Cochenour, Linda Mullen,Alan Laux, and Tom Curran, Effects of Multiple Scattering on the Implementation of an Underwater Wireless Optical Communications Link, OCEANS IEEE(J), pp. 1-6, 2006. [2]. Davide Anguita, Davide Brizzolara, Giancarlo Parodi, Design and Implementation of HDL Modules and Circuits for Underwater Optical Wireless Communication, International Conference on Telecommunications and Informatics, Springer (9), pp. 132, 2009. [3]. Frank Hanson and Stojan Radic, High bandwidth underwater optical communication, Applied Optics, Vol. 4(2), January 2008.

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IJECSE, Volume1, Number 2

Dr. Navneet Agarwal and Ajay Kumar Vyas

[4]. Harold Kolimbiris, Fiber Optics Communication first Edition- 2007, PHI. [5]. Jian Chao Li & Dennis R. Alexander, Propagation of ultra short laser pulses through Water, Optics Express, Vol. 15(4), pp.1939-1946, February 2007. [6]. Mohs, G.; Anderson, W.T.; Pilipetskii, A.; Golovchenko; Enhanced Submarine Transmission Fiber Enabling Novel Dispersion Maps and Improved System Performance, Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE, Volume: 23(10), pp. 636638, May, 2011. [7]. Partan, Jim, "A Survey of Practical Issues in Underwater Networks", Computer Science Department Faculty Publication Series, pp. 130-141, 2006. [8]. S. Arnon and D. Kedar, Non-line-of-sight underwater optical wireless communication network, J. Opt. Soc. Am., Vol. 26(3), pp. 530-540, March 2009. [9]. Sui Meihong and Yu Xinsheng and Zhang Fengli, The Evaluation of Modulation Techniques for Underwater Wireless Optical Communications, International Conference on Communication Software and Networks, pp. 138-142, 2009. [10]. William C. Cox, Jim A. Simpson, Carlo P. Domizioli, John F. Muth and Brian L. Hughes, An Underwater Optical Communication System Implementing Reed-Solomon Channel Coding Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE, Volume: 1(8), pp. 978, 2008. [11]. http: www.underseacable.net

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