A Novel Underwater Acoustic Communications Paradigm Exploiting Biological Sounds

这项研究的目的是开发一种新的集成框架，以促进仿生信号设计、水声通信和水下信道建模与处理的最新发展。通过利用与传播环境相匹配的海洋哺乳动物声音，非侵入性地解决了水声传播的高度失真特性带来的挑战，例如扩展的多径传播、依赖于频率的路径损耗、以及多普勒尺度和非线性相位变化。提出的方法是建立具有时变特征的信号模型来表示哺乳动物的特征声音，设计具有信道匹配的仿生传输信号的数字通信系统，表征水下信道并估计非线性变化的动态参数，进行信息论分析和最优信道码设计，将仿生信号的使用与水下环境匹配处理技术相结合产生的变形性研究有望为水声通信的革命性进展奠定基础。这些进展将直接影响在科学研究、海洋地质、生态、潜水安全和海洋考古等领域应用的新通信产品的开发。该技术还将影响用于国防、环境监测或石油勘探应用的隐蔽水声通信。这项研究将对水下科学研究产生更广泛的影响，因为它可能影响未来的科学发现及其对社会的影响。此外，通过将研究和教育相结合，将推进课程创新，包括一个教育工具箱，其中包括基于网络的练习和演示，通过高级设计和荣誉项目为本科生提供研究机会，并为少数群体和外联活动提供途径。

The objective of this research is to develop a novel integrative framework for advancing state-of-the-art in biomimetic signal design, underwater acoustic communications, and underwater channel modeling and processing. The challenges brought upon by the highly-distortive nature of underwater sound propagation, such as extended multipath spread, frequency-dependent path loss, and Doppler scale and nonlinear phase changes, are addressed non-invasively by utilizing marine mammal sounds that match the propagation environment. The proposed approach is to develop signal models with time-varying signatures to represent characteristic mammal sounds, design a digital communications system with channel-matched biomimetic transmission signals, characterize the underwater channel and estimate nonlinearly-changing dynamic parameters, and perform information theoretic analysis and optimal channel code design.Transformative research emerging from integrating the use of biomimetic signals with underwater environment matched processing techniques is expected to set up set the groundwork for revolutionary advances in underwater acoustic communications. These advances will directly impact development of new communications products with applications in scientific research, ocean geology, ecology, diving safety, and maritime archeology. The technology will also impact covert underwater acoustic communications for defense, environmental monitoring or oil exploration applications. This research will have broader impacts on scientific underwater research as it can affect future scientific discoveries and their consequential benefits to society. Furthermore, through the integration of research and education, curriculum innovations will be advanced, including an educational toolbox with web-based exercises and demonstrations offering research opportunities for undergraduate students through senior design and honors projects and providing an avenue for minority and outreach activities.