Monitoring Underwater PIpelines Using Sensor Networks

Sensor networks can be used to monitor and control pipeline infrastructures. This paper discusses and compares different sensor network architectures that can be used for monitoring underwater pipelines infrastructures. These architectures are underwater wired sensor networks, underwater acoustic wireless sensor networks, RF (Radio Frequency) wireless sensor networks, integrated wired/acoustic wireless sensor network, and integrated wired/RF wireless sensor networks. The reliability characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages among these architectures are discussed and compared. Three reliability factors are used for the discussion and comparison: the network connectivity, the continuity of power supply for the network, and the physical network security.