Performance analysis of VLC-based underwater optical communication using polarization division multiplexing and advanced modulation techniques

Abstract Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) has emerged as a promising solution for high-speed, low-latency communication in underwater environments. This study investigates the performance of a visible light communication (VLC)-based UWOC system incorporating polarization division multiplexing (PDM) and advanced modulation schemes, including non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ). The system, utilizing red, green, and blue (RGB) wavelengths, was evaluated under three distinct environmental conditions: Pure Sea, Clear Ocean, and Coastal Ocean, each characterized by varying levels of attenuation due to differences in scattering and absorption coefficients. Through comprehensive simulations, key performance metrics such as bit error rate (BER), transmission range, and eye patterns were analyzed. Results reveal that RZ modulation consistently outperformed NRZ, providing superior signal clarity and lower BER across all conditions. Among the wavelengths, blue light demonstrated the best performance due to its lower susceptibility to attenuation, making it ideal for high-speed communication. These findings contribute to the development of robust UWOC systems for applications in environmental monitoring, underwater exploration, and autonomous vehicle communication.