Work

Underwater Drone-Enabled Wireless Communication Systems for Smart Marine Communications: A Study of Enabling Technologies, Opportunities, and Challenges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Underwater drones such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are revolutionizing underwater operations and are essential for advanced marine applications like environmental monitoring, deep-sea exploration, and marine surveillance. In this paper, we concentrate on the enabling technologies and wireless communication strategies for underwater drones. Specifically, we analyze acoustic, optical, and radio frequency (RF) approaches, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. We investigate the potential of integrating underwater drone-enabled wireless communication systems for smart marine communications. The study highlights the benefits of combining acoustic, optical, and RF methods to improve connectivity and data reliability. A hybrid underwater communication system is ideal for underwater drones because it can reduce latency, increase data throughput, and improve adaptability under various underwater conditions, supporting smart marine communications. The future direction involves developing hybrid communication frameworks that incorporate the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT), AI-driven data, virtual reality (VR), and digital twin (DT) technologies, enabling a next-generation smart marine ecosystem.

Source: Drones

DOI: 10.3390/drones9110784

Authors: Sarun Duangsuwan, Katanyoo Klubsuwan

Institutions: King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia

Language: English

Topic: Underwater Vehicles and Communication Systems

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137