CAREER: Joint Power-Allocation and Diversity (JPAD) Optimization for Networked Underwater Acoustic Transceivers

本研究的目标是设计网络化的水声收发器，以实现浅水传感器网络的高网络吞吐量和高可靠性。该方法是通过结合自适应介质访问控制（MAC）和多输入多输出（MIMO）方案的功率分配和分集（JPAD）联合优化方法来实现功率和带宽效率的最大化。该研究通过两门新课程与教育和推广相结合，这两门新课程弥合了网络与通信、信号处理与电路设计、水下研究的学生培训之间的课程差距，并与密苏里科技大学的女性领导力研究所和夏季研究学院合作。在智能方面，该项目通过两个主要的范式转变，有助于提高水下通信的网络容量和可靠性：优化实用的离散输入，而不是理想化的高斯输入，以改进收发器设计；使用联合功率分配和分集矩阵，而不是仅使用自适应功率分配的方案。本项目为水下通信开发的设计方法也应适用于射频（RF）通信。就更广泛的影响而言，该项目有可能推动水下传感器网络的发展，增强环境监测、灾害预防、海上勘探和监视的能力。教育和外联活动有助于培训下一代研究人员，增加妇女和代表人数不足群体的其他学生的参与，倡导负责任的工程方法以减少海洋中的声音污染，并教育公众关于水声通信和传感器网络对水生环境的影响。

The objective of this research is to design networked underwater acoustic transceivers to achieve high network throughput and high reliability for shallow water sensor networks. The approach is to maximize the power and bandwidth efficiency through a joint power allocation and diversity (JPAD) optimization method combined with adaptive medium access control (MAC) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) schemes. The research is integrated with education and outreach through two new courses that bridge curricula gaps between networking and communications and between signal processing and circuit design, student training for underwater research, and collaboration with the Women's Leadership Institute and the Summer Research Academy at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.With respect to intellectual merit, this project contributes to boosting network capacity and reliability for underwater communications through two major paradigm shifts: optimization with practical discrete inputs rather than idealized Gaussian inputs to improve transceiver design and using joint power-allocation and diversity matrices instead of scheme using only adaptive power allocation. The design methodologies developed for underwater communications in this project should also be applicable to radio frequency (RF) communication.With respect to broader impact, the project has the potential to advance the development of underwater sensor networks and enhance capabilities for environmental monitoring, disaster prevention, offshore exploration, and surveillance. The education and outreach activities help to train the next generation of researchers, increase the participation of women and other students from underrepresented groups, advocate responsible engineering approaches for reducing sound pollution in oceans, and educate the general public about the impact of acoustic communications and sensor networks in aquatic environments.