Enhancing Underwater Acoustic Communication Using Digital-Analog Hybrid Systems

Abstract

Underwater acoustic communication is a cornerstone of maritime activities, spanning applications in defense, environmental monitoring, and resource exploration. Despite its importance, the unique challenges of underwater environments, such as multipath propagation, high attenuation, and dynamic variability, limit the performance of traditional communication systems. This paper introduces a novel digital-analog hybrid system to enhance underwater acoustic communication. The proposed hybrid approach leverages the robustness of analog transmission for low-frequency signals and the flexibility of digital modulation for high-frequency data, enabling improved reliability and throughput under challenging conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid system achieves up to a 35% improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a 40% reduction in bit error rate (BER) compared to purely digital systems in environments with high ambient noise and variable water temperatures. The paper also discusses optimization strategies for system design, including modulation techniques, adaptive filtering, and error correction. Potential applications are explored, ranging from underwater sensor networks to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and submarine communications. The findings underscore the potential of hybrid systems to bridge the performance gap in underwater communication, offering a pathway for more resilient and efficient maritime operations.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199565432.2026.124-128