An FAU team will work with Hydromea SA, a pioneer in visible-light optics, to develop an underwater communication system that enables autonomous vehicles, sensors, and operators to exchange information quickly, reliably, and securely beneath the ocean surface. The goal is to combine long-range acoustic communications with high-speed optical networking in a single programmable platform.

“Acoustic communication signals can travel long distances but offer limited bandwidth, while optical communications can transmit data quickly but only over short distances,” says George Sklivanitis. The new technology will leverage the strengths of both. Long-range acoustic links will provide resilient command-and-control communications, while high-speed visible-light links will enable rapid data sharing among nearby autonomous vehicles and sensors.

• Dimitris Pados
• Georgios Sklivanitis