2. OPEN NETWORKS UNDERSEA
Smartphone users can make calls, read email, stream video,
navigate and exchange text messages using wireless
telemetry. Undersea, the situation is quite different. Physics of
seawater prevent long-range transmission of radio waves.
Acoustic techniques must be used instead, but current
solutions are proprietary and closed.
Teledyne Marine Systems is changing this through innovative
software and business practices. Our researchers have
provided key contributions to the development of “JANUS” an
open protocol being evaluated by NATO and other third-party
organizations.
Thus in 2014 undersea telemetry users will be able to advance
research and operational uses of acoustic networks with
confidence their hardware needs can be met by technology
vendors of their choice.
3. JANUS will allow undersea
modems from diverse
manufacturers to
communicate and is designed
to enable long-range, high-
reliability communications
undersea. While this protocol,
and acoustic telemetry in
general, will not allow scuba
divers to stream videos (they
should be looking at the live
beauty of the ocean anyway) it
will enable to equivalent of
“twitter&rdqu o; undersea.
As we have seen in recent
global events, a “tweet” can
be a powerful message.
Science, defense and
commercial ocean
operators will soon be
sharing open networks
undersea.