Distributed underwater electromagnetic communication system

• US 7,826,794 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2006
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wireless Fibre Systems
• Original Assignee: Wireless Fibre Systems
• Inventors: Hyland, Brendan, Rhodes, Mark, Wolfe, Derek
• Primary Examiner(s): Milord; Marceau
• Application Number:
  US11/339,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,743 Days
• Field of Search: 455/40, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/500, 455/80, 455/99, 455/345, 367/131, 367/134, 343/719, 343/701, 340/850, 340/870.11
• US Class Current: 455/40
• 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 extended underwater electromagnetic transducer is provided with an electrically insulated transmission line typically connected to a transmitter or receiver or transceiver system. The transmission line allows near-field communications with another transmitter or receiver or transceiver system. The transmission line provided is relatively long, the through water signal path length can be significantly reduced.

Claims

1. An underwater communication system comprising:

a first transmitter and/or first receiver for transmitting and/or receiving electrical signals;

a first elongate transducer electrically insulated from the water and coupled to said first transmitter and/or first receiver;

a second transmitter and/or second receiver for transmitting and/or receiving electrical signals; and

a second elongate transducer electrically insulated from the water and coupled to said second transmitter and/or second receiver;

wherein said first elongate transducer is operable to provide both near-field electromagnetic coupling of said electrical signals to said second elongate transducer and conveyance of said electrical signals along its path from said first transmitter and/or to said second receiver and said first and second elongate transducers have a length that is more than the maximum distance over which said underwater electromagnetic coupling occurs.

2. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and/or second elongate transducers are a coaxial cable that is adapted to couple said near-field electrical signals to and/or from said underwater environment.

3. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and/or second elongate transducers are an electrically insulated conductor cable that is adapted to couple said near-field electrical signals to and from said underwater environment.

4. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and/or second elongate transducers are an electrically insulated imbalanced twisted pair cable that is adapted to couple said near-field electrical signals to and from said underwater environment.

5. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and/or second elongate transducer and its associated transmitter and/or receiver are provided in a mobile station.

6. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and/or second elongate transducer and its associated transmitter and/or receiver are provided in a station that is located at a fixed position.

7. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first and/or second elongate transducer is carried on a sub-water surface.

8. An underwater communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and/or second elongate transducer is selectively extendible into an operational position as and when required.