Range Extension for Underwater Communication via Magnetic Induction Using Parametric Analysis of MI Coils in IoUT Networks

Abstract

This paper discusses the method for extending the range of Magnetic Induction (MI) and its application in underwater networks for the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT). In underwater communication, this technology would provide a wider frequency band than acoustic systems, shorter propagation delay, and increased conductivity, with the added benefit of underwater wireless power transfer. As a use case, we consider a system that allows energy to be transferred from one circuit to another without cables, as in an aerial environment. In this work, transmit and receive coils for underwater environments are designed and analyzed using ANSYS Maxwell v16.0 software. The results show an improvement in terms of underwater magnetic field propagation. We have conducted underwater experiments by applying a frequency range up to 100 kHz and 12 Volts with varied current, achieving a distance up to 80% greater than in air, as determined by parametric analysis. With an improved bit error rate, a delay of less than 2 microseconds, a packet delivery ratio near 100%, and a packet loss ratio less than 10%, the results show an improvement in magnetic field propagation underwater. This demonstrates that it is possible to conduct future research into other underwater applications by implementing MI for underwater communication.