Acoustic communication with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)

Communication with the MARTIN AUV is of great importance to the applicability of the vehicle. Radio communication is not possible under water due to overwhelming attenuation of electromagnetic waves, and acoustic communication is the only practical alternative. A commercial acoustic modem will be mounted on the AUV and the performance will be tested in Danish waters. A software tool is being developed to simulate the propagation of sound and the modem performance. Special emphasis has been given to propagation of sound through turbulent media.