Characterization of underwater acoustic channels

Underwater communication is predominantly by acoustic waves. However the attenuation and delay associated with the acoustic channel limits the range and data rate supported. Channel simulators are required to support the deployment of expensive experimental setup which relies on the characterization of the underwater acoustic channel. Acoustic communication is suitable at low frequency. Since the available bandwidth is less, higher order modulation techniques such as OFDM are employed. Inherent motion of the system poses stringent limitation on the synchronization issues. Thus modeling of multipath propagation especially Doppler Effect plays an important role.