Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Characterization Of Optical Communication In A Leader-Follower Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Formation, Firat Eren, Shachak Pe'eri, May-Win Thein

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

As part of the research to development an optical communication design of a leader-follower formation between unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), this paper presents light field characterization and design configuration of the hardware required to allow the use of distance detection between UUVs. The study specifically is targeting communication between remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). As an initial step in this study, the light field produced from a light source mounted on the leader UUV was empirically characterized and modeled. Based on the light field measurements, a photo-detector array for the follower UUV was designed. Evaluation of the communication algorithms to monitor …