A Feasibility Study of Cross-Medium Direct Acoustic Communication Between Underwater and Airborne Nodes

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of underwater communication and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, the potential applications of cross-medium communication in environmental monitoring, maritime Internet of Things (IoTs), and rescue operations, in particular, have attracted great attention. This study explores the feasibility of achieving cross-medium direct acoustic communication through the air–water interface. Specifically, it investigates challenges such as acoustic impedance mismatches and signal attenuation caused by energy loss during interface transmission, aiming to understand their impact on communication performance. Experimental tests employed underwater acoustic transducers as signal transmitters to propagate sound waves directly into the air, attempting to establish communication links with aerial UAV nodes. Preliminary experimental results indicate that even conventional underwater acoustic transducers can achieve information exchange between underwater nodes and UAVs, laying a foundation for further research and application of cross-medium communication systems.

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