A photon-counting optical communication system for underwater data transfer

Philip A. Hiskett; Robert A. Struthers; Roy Tatton; Robert Lamb

doi:10.1117/12.974938

19 November 2012 A photon-counting optical communication system for underwater data transfer

Philip A. Hiskett, Robert A. Struthers, Roy Tatton, Robert Lamb

Proceedings Volume 8542, Electro-Optical Remote Sensing, Photonic Technologies, and Applications VI; 854214 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.974938
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2012, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

We report on the performance of a photon-counting optical communication system which was used to transmit optical data at clock rates (not detection rates) of 40Mb/s at a wavelength of 450nm. The transmitted test data patterns comprised of one page of ASCII text preceded by a pseudo-random sequence used as a timing reference pattern by the receiver. The optical data patterns were transmitted through an aquarium tank containing ~110 litres of water and were detected at the receiver by a shallow junction silicon single photon avalanche diode detector. An antacid, brand name Maalox, was introduced into the tank to increase the scattering of the optical pulses. The bit error rate and bit rate of the transmitted data were investigated for a range of Maalox concentrations. The optical attenuation and pulse distortion caused by the introduction of Maalox was also investigated.

Citation Download Citation

Philip A. Hiskett, Robert A. Struthers, Roy Tatton, and Robert Lamb "A photon-counting optical communication system for underwater data transfer", Proc. SPIE 8542, Electro-Optical Remote Sensing, Photonic Technologies, and Applications VI, 854214 (19 November 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.974938

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