Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
6-2016
Primary Advisor
Dennis Derickson
Abstract/Summary
Scuba diving carries risks that can endanger lives. Many of these risks are preventable. However, an underwater communication system can increase a diver’s safety. Along with providing safety, an underwater communication device can enhance the scuba diver’s enjoyment.
A low cost underwater optical wireless audio transceiver is designed. The project consists of the off-the-shelf parts that uses a microphone and speaker to transmit and receive sound. The project uses the concepts of visible light communications and pulse width modulation to transmit and receive sound. Although sound is commonly transmitted through ultrasound methods, visible light communications has several advantages. Visible light communications have higher bandwidth capability, suffer no electromagnetic interference, and travel at the speed of light. It also has its limitations including short ranges and line of sight. Fortunately, there is a small window in the blue-green region that is not heavily absorbed by water.
The final prototype of the project is non-functional. However, there are possible fixes that could improve the project’s performance such as higher powered LEDs and collimating lens to focus the light to the receiver.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/352