High Fidelity Simulator for Standardised Testing of Acoustic Communications (AComms) Modems and Development of AComms Systems for Military Applications

It is anticipated that future MCM and ASW operations could utilise a variety of unmanned systems to deliver capability. Such systems require robust communications networks to command and control devices and uplift information. Digital acoustic communications (AComms) technology is being developed to provide a reliable method for transmitting data between underwater systems. This encompasses both acoustic modem technology and network technology whose role is to manage the sharing of the acoustic channel among multiple users and to deliver information to the intended destination. The development of AComms technology is being supported using a mix of high fidelity simulation and at-sea measurement. This paper describes two simulators that have been used to provide guidance on AComms technology. The Acoustic Communications Simulator is used to conduct standardised performance assessment of acoustic modems under a range of operating conditions and environments. Extensive assessment has been conducted for different modulation schemes, transmit frequencies and bandwidths, transmitter/receiver options and platform configurations. The Acoustic Network Simulator provides performance evaluation of ad hoc AComms networks and networking protocols. The simulator models both quasi-static networks and networks of mobile unmanned vehicles and can inform the selection of optimal network protocols for a given application.