Researchers from the University of Essex’s 6G Lab are teaming up with two UK technology companies, RINICOM Ltd and ROS Technology Ltd, to test a new platform designed to provide accurate sensing and communications in challenging underwater environments.
The collaboration will lead to the development of a next-generation underwater integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) platform, which will help monitor offshore wind farms and undersea cables, support maritime security and boost marine wildlife tracking.
The project will use technology designed by the Essex 6G Lab called Affine Frequency Division Multiplexing (AFDM) waveform technology, which helps digital communications remain reliable when signals are disrupted.
The tech will be combined with specialised equipment that sends and receives data using sound waves, helping it detect things underwater and transmit information more reliably.
The Essex team, which will receive £350,000 of the funding from the Innovate UK-backed project, will develop the algorithms underpinning the technology.
These will be transferred to RINICOM, a UK company specialising in secure wireless communications and AI-powered detection systems, and ROS Technology, an engineering company that designs and manufactures bespoke electronic systems, including for underwater communications, robotics and the Internet of Things.
The Essex team, which consists of Professor Leila Musavian and Dr Zilong Liu, will also help both companies upgrade their modem platforms and test the technology in real-world underwater trials.
Professor Musavian, Head of the COMNET research group at Essex, said: “This project represents a significant example of research translation and impact, taking knowledge and innovations generated by The Essex 6G Lab into real-world industrial applications.
“It will also help strengthen the UK's Advanced Connectivity Technologies sector and support the development of sovereign capability from space and air into the water.”
She added: “This project builds upon the expertise and know-how developed through the team's previous EPSRC-funded research projects, demonstrating the continued impact of UK government investment in advanced connectivity technologies.”
RINICOM Director, Professor Garik Markarian, said: “As consortium lead, we are proud to spearhead the development of next-generation underwater integrated sensing and communications technology.
“Serving as the technical lead on modem development and implementation, we will be upgrading our advanced software defined radio (SDR) platforms with cutting-edge AFDM waveform algorithms from the University of Essex to deliver reliable, secure underwater connectivity.”
The project forms part of a £25m Government initiative, run by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, to develop practical technologies that improve connectivity across the UK.
The initiative aims to make internet and mobile connections more reliable, secure and energy-efficient, including in areas with poor signals and where essential communications are disrupted.
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