Fluorescent Light Collector for Underwater Applications

Abstract

The work in this thesis presents the use of a florescent visible light collector (FVLC) receiver for implementation in underwater environments as part of a novel underwater optical communication (UWOC) system.Specific methodologies for analysis are defined in a comprehensive model. Experimental verification in-air is presented and shows good agreement with the values predicted by the model. Further calculations are presented to show the potential of the current FVLC UWOC system in water and demonstrates the FVLC UWOC system has great advantage over fielded devices. The consumer-off-the-shelf system as designed here, totally upoptimized, show a separation distance of up to 7m which is comparable to fully optimized, fielded systems. Greater optimization offers further improvements.Improvements, optimizations, and differing implementation schemes are identified and explored, showcasing the versatility of the FVLC system. Whether the mission requirements call for low data-rate, large separation distances to high data-rate with small separation distance, the modular approach shows the FVLC UWOC system and proposed model well define the behavior of the system deployed in the operational environment combined in a highly customizable platform.