Underwater RF propagation path

• US 7,365,650 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Government of the United States of America
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Ruffa, Anthony A
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Q
• Application Number:
  US11/326,671
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 367/131, 367/117, 114/328, 114/244, 114/312, 114/313, 114/318, 114/322, 114/264, 114/267, 340/850
• US Class Current: 340/850
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy

Abstract

An underwater RF signal propagation path is created by utilizing a plurality of individual RF transceivers such as MEMS RF transceivers. Each MEMS RF transceiver has a predetermined buoyancy. A stream of the RF transceivers are released to form a line of RF transceivers underwater such that the individual RF transceivers have an RF transmission and reception distance greater than the distance between the RF transceivers whereby an RF signal can be repeatedly retransmitted down the line of RF transceivers.

Claims

1. A method for creating an underwater RF signal propagation path, comprising:

releasing a stream of individual RF transceivers from an underwater vehicle at a predetermined rate to effect a spacing between said individual RF transceivers that is less than the distance for which the underwater RF signal would be attenuated to below noise levels; and

propagating an RF signal underwater by transmitting said RF signal to a first of said RF transceivers which in turn retransmits said RF signal so that said RF signal is transmitted along said stream of individual RF transceivers.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing that said individual RF transceivers have a predetermined buoyancy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said predetermined buoyancy is selected so that at least a portion of said individual transceivers reach a water surface to effect an RF signal propagation path from said underwater vehicle to, air.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said predetermined buoyancy is selected to be neutral or approximately neutral.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising utilizing said stream of individual RF transceivers to provide an RF signal propagation path between said underwater vehicle and another underwater vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of propagation further comprises the steps of:

receiving said underwater RF signal;

amplifying said RF signal; and

re-transmitting said amplified RF signal to an adjacent RF transceiver along said RF signal propagation path.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing MEMS RF chips as said individual RF transceivers.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising discarding said stream of individual RF transceivers after use.

9. A system for creating an underwater RF signal propagation path, comprising:

a plurality of individual RF transceivers releasable into water, said plurality of individual RF transceivers having a predetermined buoyancy, said plurality of individual RF transceivers each having an RF transmission/reception range and being operable for transmitting and receiving with respect to each other, whereby when said plurality of individual RF transceivers are released into water, said underwater RF signal propagation path is formed and;

at least one underwater vehicle operable for releasing a stream of said individual RF transceivers at a controlled rate of release.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said predetermined buoyancy is neutral or approximately neutral.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a first and second underwater vehicle whereby said underwater RF signal path is created there between.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said predetermined buoyancy permits at least a portion of said individual RF transceivers to float to a surface to thereby provide a connection from said underwater RF signal propagation path to RF signal propagation path in air.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said individual RF transceivers comprise MEMS RF chips.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the operating life of each said individual RF transceiver is on the order of a few minutes in order to minimize power requirements.

15. A system for creating a covert surface water RF signal propagation path between a plurality of surface ships, comprising:

a plurality of individual RF transceivers releasable into water by at least one of said surface ships, said plurality of individual RF transceivers having a predetermined buoyancy, wherein said predetermined buoyancy permits said individual RF transceivers to float on the surface of the water, said plurality of individual RF transceivers each having an RF transmission/reception range and being operable for transmitting and receiving with respect to each other, whereby when said plurality of individual RF transceivers are released into water, said covert surface water RF signal propagation path is formed, wherein at least one surface ship is operable for releasing a stream of said plurality of individual RF transceivers at a controlled rate of release whereby said controlled rate of release allows said individual RF transceivers to disperse on the water surface at a proximate distance that is less than or equal to said transmission/reception range, thereby establishing said covert surface water RF signal propagation path between said plurality of surface ships.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said individual RF transceivers comprise MEMS RF chips.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the operating life of each said individual MEMS RF chip transceiver is on the order of a few minutes in order to minimize power requirements and increase the covert nature of the RF signal propagation path.