Enable Underwater Structure Monitoring Through Acoustic Sensor Networking

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Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) have received much attention in recent years due to the wide range of their potential applications, such as environmental and offshore structural monitoring, natural resources development, and geological oceanography. While much research effort has been devoted to the improvement of acoustic signal reception and processing, few studies focus on efficient data transfer, novel medium access control, and energy conservation among sensor nodes in subsea structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. The objective of the proposed research is to develop innovative algorithms that will lead to an energy-efficient underwater sensor networking platform for offshore structural health monitoring applications. The theoretical aspects of the work will focus on modeling, simulation and testing of algorithms for UWSNs in offshore structural health monitoring applications. The experimental thrust will focus on implementation and verifying of outcomes from the theoretical work. Details of the proposed research include: 1) Underwater acoustic channel characteristics modeling; 2) Underwater acoustic network simulation; 3) Energy-efficient routing metric determination; 4) Hybrid architecture design of sensor nodes; and 5) Field testing underwater. The direct benefits from the technology perspective include network algorithms, innovative cooperative networking schemes, and new performance models to enable highly efficient acoustic sensor networking in hash underwater environments. The applications of the proposed research for offshore assets monitoring will bring in a significant growth point for the industrial partner Waterford Energy Services Inc. (WESI). The proposed project will help to reinforce Canada's leadership position and competitive advantage within the global telecommunications industry and offshore oil and gas industry.