On reliability of data transmission and distance estimation using mobile underwater acoustic modems

This work is aimed at the improvement of performance of underwater acoustic communication and navigation systems of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), and is dedicated to the problem of accuracy of distance measurements and reliability of data transmission between underwater acoustic modems in cases when transmitting and receiving devices are moving relative to each other. Estimation was done using developed underwater acoustic modems and emulators of digital signal processing under relative motion of transmitter and receiver. The paper provides the description of conducted sea and pool experiments, and presents the main results which allow the assessment of distance measurements accuracy, the quality of underwater digital communication performed by underwater acoustic means moving relative to each other at the speed of 1 m/s, and the pattern of corresponding measurement errors distribution.