Underwater drone: Succeeded in stable long-distance communication
-NEC, NTT, and MHI succeed in horizontal/bidirectional communication
– Combining NEC’s sonar and NTT’s spatio-temporal equalization technology
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NEC, NTT, MHI:
Achieving stable underwater communication is an urgent issue for underwater drones.
On November 6th, we demonstrated ”stable two-way, long-distance communication underwater” using an underwater acoustic communication module.
Underwater acoustic communication module:
NEC has developed a new underwater acoustics module using defense sonar technology.
A combination of ‘NEC’s transducer technology and watertight technology’ and ‘NTT’s space-time equalization technology.’
NTT and MHI cooperate:
With the cooperation of NTT and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the communication module was incorporated into an ”experimental underwater unmanned vehicle.”
Remote control of underwater unmanned vehicles:
An unmanned underwater exploration vehicle that sails at 2 to 3 knots in waters 2.5 km away.
It was controlled remotely and received data collected by an unmanned underwater vehicle.
Successful horizontal two-way communication:
Targets “horizontal, bidirectional, and long-distance communications underwater” between moving devices.
Successful ‘horizontal two-way communication’. It has been demonstrated underwater that stable communication is possible.
Used in marine industrial equipment:
”Achieving stable underwater communications” has become an urgent issue.
Underwater unmanned exploration vehicles and underwater drones operate within a horizontal range of several kilometers.
It can be used for marine industry equipment such as underwater IoT equipment.
NEC aims to commercialize it in 2024.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/af8f5ef3b4c46109783ef9cf49e8d5810f6ee122
NEC’s underwater acoustic communication: Demonstrates stable two-way, long-distance communication underwater
We will provide you with a summary of articles published in TECH+.
Developed jointly by NEC, NTT, and MHI
It will apply NEC’s transducer technology and sonar technology such as watertight technology.
NEC’s underwater acoustic communication technology:
NEC has a track record of developing underwater acoustic equipment for defense for over 90 years.
This time, sonar-related technologies such as transducer technology and watertight technology were applied.
NTT’s spatio-temporal equalization technology:
Combined with ‘NTT’s spatiotemporal equalization technology that removes the effects of multipath waves.’
It enables stable horizontal two-way, long-distance communication between mobile devices underwater.
Advantages of new underwater acoustic communication:
Stable support for communication control of underwater unmanned exploration vehicles and underwater drones.
It can be used not only vertically but also horizontally over a range of several kilometers.
Challenges in underwater acoustic communication:
Traditionally, underwater acoustic communication has had problems with communication between mobile devices and horizontal communication.
1. Due to its characteristics, communication to mobile objects is affected by the Doppler effect.
2. In the horizontal direction, there is the influence of multipath waves (reflection and refraction from the sea surface and seabed).
Solving the problem with new underwater acoustic communication:
Using this underwater acoustic communication drone technology, we have achieved stable communication underwater.
NEC will continue to miniaturize communication modules and carry out demonstration experiments with various partners.
Commercialization in 2024:
NEC will develop a system that allows seamless use of underwater drones, robots, underwater IoT devices, etc.
Contribute to revitalizing the marine industry and solving global environmental problems.
https://news.mynavi.jp/techplus/article/20231107-2811926/