Breaking waves: feasibility of optical communication through the sea surface
conference paper
Optical laser links between air- or spaceborne platforms and underwater devices could enable significant advantages for secure and high-data-rate communications. In this study, we will consider a ray-based model of a laser beam as it exits an underwater laser system, travels through the water column over a certain distance, exits the sea surface and travels through the atmosphere to a receiving terminal and back. In the model, we account for the refraction of a composite beam, given a set of incidence angles at various sea-state realizations. The results of this study will provide a number of important constraints on the feasibility of through-the-sea-surface laser communications of future civil, dual-use or defense applications.
Topics
Atmospheric thermodynamicsLaser applicationsLaser beamsOcean currentsOptical communicationOptical LaserSatellite communication systemsSurface watersBreaking wavesChannel modellingFree Space Optical communicationLaser linksOptical lasersSatellite communicationsSea surfacesSpace-borneUnderwater communicationAtmospheric turbulence
TNO Identifier
1024384
ISSN
0277786X
ISBN
978-151069277-0
Publisher
The International Society for Optical Engineering
Article nr.
1366909
Source title
Proceedings Environmental Effects on Light Propagation and Adaptive Systems VIII, Madrid, Spain, 17-18 September 2025
Collation
12 p.
Files
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