HomeNews€4 million grant for deep-sea communication

€4 million grant for deep-sea communication Twente researchers build new udnerwater networks

Researchers at the University of Twente and the CTIT research institute are embarking on two major research projects to build sensor networks for deep-sea communication. The networks comprise small sensors that can communicate with each other under water at depths of up to 1,500 metres. This new technology could be used for monitoring the quality of pipelines, detecting oil leaks and measuring pollution levels in major ports. The funding available for the projects amounts to over €4 million.

Submarine wireless sensor networks are still very much in their infancy due to the sheer number and difficulty of the challenges posed by their environment. Currently, deep-sea monitoring and communication can only be carried out with bulky, expensive equipment, and the applications are extremely limited. Professor Paul Havinga of the University of Twente is working with his department on a new approach that uses wireless sensor networks. It is the first time that this type of sensor network has been deployed in deepwater conditions.

The networks consist of numerous small and relatively cheap sensors which have a high degree of self-organization and relay particular kinds of data to each other. Each sensor collects its own specific data, such as vibrations, and the temperature and chemical composition of the water. To ensure that the sensors stay dry and are not affected by the high pressure under water, each one is encased in protective packaging the size of a football.

TWO PROJECTS

The Twente researchers are developing the sensor networks for deep-sea communication within the framework of two projects. The first is SeaSTAR, a Dutch project funded by the science and technology foundation STW to the tune of €1.2 million, and implemented by the University of Twente and the spin-off company Microflown. The second project, CLAM, brings together the University of Twente, three Italian universities, the Norwegian research organization SINTEF, the Norwegian firm Kongsberg and - once again - the Dutch company Microflown.

ROBOTIC DIVERS

The big difference between the two projects is the way the various sensors are organized. In SeaSTAR, they are placed on the sea bed in 'starfish' configurations. The data they collect by relaying information to each other is then sent to the surface via a technique known as beamforming, which creates communication networks within and among individual starfish. This allows detailed and reliable observation to be made of the immediate surroundings and warnings to be issued if anything unusual is detected.

In the CLAM project, a 3D topology is used. The sensors detect unusual occurrences and collect specific data which they can relay to each other or pass on to small automatic robotic divers. The robotic divers then bring the measurements to the surface, where they can be studied by the research team. Vertical communication will also be enabled by integrating the results of SeaSTAR in the CLAM project. As part of their project activities, the researchers will also investigate horizontal (1D) topologies. This could be relevant in applications where sensors are placed along a pipeline, for instance to monitor the quality of the equipment so that possible leaks can be detected at an early stage

Note to the press
The networks are being developed by the University of Twente's Pervasive Systems department (http://ps.ewi.utwente.nl).