Appendix A1: MASTER PROJECT BRIEF FORM To be submitted by: (See deadlines in Module Guide) 2. Project title (provisional) [Meaningful, relevant and concise] Underwater Acoustic communication using visible light communication 3. Outline (synopsis) of your project. [ What are the aims and objectives of the project?] Expand as necessary The aim of the project is to model the underwater wireless communication channel and evaluate the bit error rate (BER) over different signal to noise ratio. Two underwater wireless communication channels will be model, acoustic channel and Optical channel. Acoustic communication offer longer range when compared to optical communication system, however, it is not suitable for high bandwidth. On the other hand, optical communication system offers high bandwidth, particularly light within the blue-green wavelengths. Optical light within the wavelength propagates better through water by a much larger magnitude compared to other regions within the electromagnetic spectrum. Underwater communication systems (either acoustic or optical) undergo severe signal degradation which is necessary that the communication channels are studied. The concept of hybrid wireless communication system which comprises of both optical and acoustic links for communication underwater will be explored. Combing both technologies will offer more benefit than using either of the communication technologies alone. Both communication technologies will leverage on the strength of the other, namely, the bandwidth capacity of optical communication system and the range of acoustic wireless system. This study intends to utilise both communication technologies as part of a duplex communication system. 4. Intended user or group of users and their requirements. [ a) Who is the intended user or group of users? b) Why you think there is need for this project? c) What are the needs of the intended user that your product should satisfy?] Expand as necessary A - oceanographer, Underwater Archaeologist, Marine biologist etc B - Underwater communications plays significant role in investigation of climate change via ocean monitoring, marine life study, oil and gas exploration, submarine communication and AUV communication. C – The project will explore the requirement of offering high bandwidth which will lead to high data rate required by the users for underwater study and communication. Each of the underwater communication technologies when implemented is inherently not able to offer high data rate but combining the two communication technologies have the potential to leverage on one another to offer high data rate. 5. Systems requirements and project deliverables. [ a) What are the characteristics/properties that the final product should possess? b) What are the process stages and the corresponding deliverables that will enable you to create the final product?] Expand as necessary A - the characteristics/properties that the final product are • Matlab / Simulink design for underwater communication system using an acoustic wireless channel • Matlab / Simulink design for underwater communication system using an optical wireless channel B - The process stages and the corresponding deliverables for the final product are Background research – Extensive background research and reading for concepts and ideas New skills – Acquire new skill in using communication tool box in Matlab. Requirements gathering and investigation Project design - Designing the underwater communication system for both channels (the acoustic channel and the optical channel). Project development - Implementing the design in Matlab / Simulink with the goal of making it real time. Product Test – Extensive and effective over all the channels under different signal to noise ratio Final product and report preparation – Demonstration of the design and the preparation of the report for the product. 6. Research [ a) How will you investigate/identify in detail the needs of the specified user in (3) b) How will you investigate the background of the project?] Expand as necessary Conducting a detailed literature review of recent and leading publication gives a well detailed background to the project. 7. Evaluation. [ a) What makes a product successful? b) How will you demonstrate that your product fulfils the needs of the user in (3)? c) How will you evaluate the product?] Expand as necessary A - A successful product is a project that clear meets a need and solves a user existing problem. B – Having an underwater communication system that can deliver high bandwidth and date rate that will meet current and future needs for the users (oceanographer, Underwater Archaeologist, marine biologist, Divers). 8. Development skills. [ a) What information and resources do you need to complete the project successfully? b) Which of these do you need to acquire yourself? ] Expand as necessary Resources Matlab / Simulink – For simulating the underwater communication channel for both acoustic and optics. Journal and papers on underwater communication channel and system The need to learn acquire simulink design skills for the design development is key. 9. Skills acquisition. [How do you intend to gain the skills, information and resources specified in (7)?] Expand as necessary Information and resource Module – Digital communication Matlab and Simulink tutorial Reading publications (journal and articles) on the underwater communication system. Skill Product design knowledge