Problem Statement

Beginning this year, Boeing and RIT will begin the production of an unmanned underwater robot. One of the key subsystems of this robot will be a limited bandwidth communication system. This subsystem will be designed by RIT to provide underwater acoustic communication between the robot and another underwater source. In future years, it will be combined with several other subsystems to form a fully functioning robot.

Requirements include being able to communicate at a range of 30 meters, be capable of operating despite environmental conditions, and withstand pressures caused by a depth of 10 meters. A communication rate of 15kbps must be obtained while consuming the lowest amount of power possible. The system must be easy to implement into other systems, simple to maintain, and robust. It will have error detection and correction capabilities. Data encryption and compression functionality will be added if time allows.

The communication system will be designed for future integration and expansions made upon this project. Ultimately this project will showcase RIT's technological and production capabilities and lay the groundwork for future Boeing & RIT collaborations.

Project Name

Acoustic Underwater Communications

Project Number

P14251

Project Family

Boeing Underwater Robotics

Start Term

2131

End Term

2133

Faculty Guide

Les Moore, lmoore@saunders.rit.edu

Primary Customer

Dr. Andres Kwasinski, axkeec@rit.edu

Sponsor (financial support)

Kevin Meredith

Boeing

Photo Gallery

Planning & Execution

Problem Definition

Systems Design

Subsystem Design

Detailed Design

Project Review

Photo Gallery

Planning & Execution

Build, Test, Document

Project Review

Final Presentation

Technical Paper

Poster