Design of Communication Circuits for Underwater Wireless Communication Utilizing Ion Wave

Underwater wireless communication is essential for various marine applications, such as exploration and monitoring. However, existing methods, including acoustic, optical, and electromagnetic waves, have limitations in enclosed environments. This research proposes a new underwater wireless communication system utilizing electrical conductivity of seawater. This method employs ion plasma wave propagation, offering a potential alternative for reliable communication in electrically isolated spaces. The study investigated the feasibility and performance of this method through experiments in controlled environments. Previous tests in a polyvinyl chloride pipe demonstrated the influence of salt concentration on signal intensity, suggesting the role of ion plasma waves. To enhance transmission efficiency, the research focused on optimizing the communication circuits. By incorporating a transformer on the transmission side and a band-pass filter on the reception side, communication over 15 meters was achieved with a significantly reduced input voltage of 5 V, compared to 50 V used in previous studies. Further experiments explored vertical signal propagation, revealing limitations in depth compared to horizontal transmission. The findings suggest that the proposed ion wave communication method holds promising potential for underwater applications in confined spaces. Future research directions include further optimization of the circuits, a thorough investigation of the communication principles, and exploration of signal propagation characteristics in diverse underwater environments.