Meiwei Kong

Underwater wireless transmission of high-speed QAM-OFDM signals using a compact red-light laser.

We first study the transmission property of red light in water in terms of extinction coefficient and channel bandwidth via Monte Carlo simulation, with an interesting finding that red light outperforms blue-green light in highly turbid water. We further propose and experimentally demonstrate a broadband underwater wireless optical communication system based on a simple and cost-effective TO56 red-light laser diode. We demonstrate a 1.324-Gb/s transmission at a bit error rate (BER) of 2.02 × 10-3 over a 6-m underwater channel, by using 128-QAM OFDM signals and a low-cost 150-MHz positive-intrinsic-negative photodetector, with a record spectral efficiency higher than 7.32 bits/Hz. By using an avalanche photodetector and 32-QAM OFDM signals, we have achieved a record bit rate of 4.883 Gb/s at a BER of 3.20 × 10-3 over a 6-m underwater channel.

Underwater Laser Communication Using an OFDM-Modulated 520-nm Laser Diode

In this letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an underwater wireless optical communication system based on a simple and cost-effective TO56 transversal multi-mode green-light laser diode (LD) and a low-cost 150-MHz positive-intrinsic-negative detector. We use quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing modulation, with fine frequency granularity and high spectral efficiency, to tackle the challenging issue imposed by the ragged and uneven frequency response of the green LD within a limited bandwidth. We have demonstrated that a bit rate of 1.118 Gb/s (net bit rate: 0.927 Gb/s) can be achieved at a bit-error-rate of 2.98 × 10-3, with the assistance of bit loading (using both 16-QAM and 256-QAM signals). A spectral efficiency as high as 6.18 bit/s/Hz is also obtained in the proposed underwater wireless optical communication system.

26 m/5.5 Gbps air-water optical wireless communication based on an OFDM-modulated 520-nm laser diode

We experimentally demonstrate a high-speed air-water optical wireless communication system with both downlink and uplink transmission employing 32-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and a single-mode pigtailed green-light laser diode (LD). This work is an important step towards the future study on optical wireless communications between underwater platforms and airborne terminals. Over a 5-m air channel and a 21-m water channel, we achieve a 5.3-Gbps transmission without power loading (PL) and a 5.5-Gbps transmission with PL in the downlink. The corresponding bit error rates (BERs) are 2.64×10-3 and 2.47×10-3, respectively, which are below the forward error correction (FEC) criterion. A data rate of 5.5 Gbps with PL at a BER of 2.92×10-3 is also achieved in the uplink.

10-m 9.51-Gb/s RGB laser diodes-based WDM underwater wireless optical communication

The availability of the underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) based on red (R), green (G) and blue (B) lights makes the realization of the RGB wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) UWOC system possible. By properly mixing RGB lights to form white light, the WDM UWOC system has prominent potentiality for simultaneous underwater illumination and high-speed communication. In this work, for the first time, we experimentally demonstrate a 9.51-Gb/s WDM UWOC system using a red-emitting laser diode (LD), a single-mode pigtailed green-emitting LD and a multi-mode pigtailed blue-emitting LD. By employing 32-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation in the demonstration, the red-light, the green-light and the blue-light LDs successfully transmit signals with the data rates of 4.17 Gb/s, 4.17 Gb/s and 1.17 Gb/s, respectively, over a 10-m underwater channel. The corresponding bit error rates (BERs) are 2.2 × 10-3, 2.0 × 10-3 and 2.3 × 10-3, respectively, which are below the forward error correction (FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10-3.

Security weaknesses of underwater wireless optical communication

In this work, for the first time, we uncover that the level of security we have traditionally taken for granted on underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) may not always be there. We first numerically investigate the security weaknesses of UWOC via Monte Carlo simulation. With the link distance increasing or the water becoming more turbid, the simulation results indicate that the possibility of information leakage increases, which may pose a great threat to the security of UWOC. By using a high-sensitivity multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) placed aside the water tank, a 5-MHz square wave signal is successfully tapped at 1-m, 3-m, and 5-m underwater transmission distances, which preliminarily verifies the probability of information leakage. We further experimentally demonstrate an UWOC system with potential eavesdropping employing a 2.5-Gb/s orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal. After transmitting through a 15-m underwater channel, the OFDM signal is eavesdropped by a mirror at 7.8 m. Both the normal receiver at 15 m and the eavesdropping receiver at 7.8 m can achieve a bit error rate (BER) below the forward error correction (FEC) limit of 3.8 × 10-3, which validates that UWOC indeed suffers potential safety hazard.

A Combined Radio and Underwater Wireless Optical Communication System based on Buoys

We propose a system of combining radio and underwater wireless optical communication based on buoys for real-time image and video transmission between underwater vehicles and the base station on the shore. We analysis how the BER performance is affected by the link distance and the deflection angle of the light source using Monte Carlo simulation.

Underwater Wireless Optical Communication System Using Blue LEDs

We demonstrate a self-designed underwater wireless optical communication system using blue LEDs. The performance of the transmitter and receiver was experimentally investigated. Four different square wave signals (10 KHz, 100 KHz, 500 KHz and 1 MHz) were successfully transmitted via a short water channel at the first phase.

Airborne Wireless Optical Communication System in Low Altitude Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and LEDs

In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of airborne wireless optical communication system using an unmanned aerial vehicle and LEDs. Monte Carlo simulation method is used to evaluate the performance of the communication channel. Considering OOK modulation, we illustrate how the BER performance is affected by the link distance, the divergence angel and the deflection angel of the light source.