SWiG 101 Abridged Slide Deck

An Introduction to Subsea Wireless Technologies
Acoustics, Radio & Free Space Optics
SWIG Member and Student Content: SWIG Permission required for redistribution
Presentation Flow
– Introduction to SWiG
– Acoustics
– Radio
– Free Space Optics
– Comparison of Technologies
Introduction to SWiG
Background:
Established in 2011, as the Subsea Radio User Group (SRUG) to cover the use of
radio underwater
Later expanded to encompass all subsea wireless technologies and renamed the
Subsea Wireless Group (SWiG)
Current Situation:
Lack of open standards & interoperability in subsea wireless is driving costs up
SWiG is an industry initiative to:

- Promote interoperability between users of subsea wireless communications
through the development of open standards
- Raise industry awareness, acceptance and integration of subsea wireless,
through the creation of educational material and reference case studies
- Promote best practices & knowledge transfer across the industry
Introduction to SWiG
Technology Areas Covered:

- Acoustic, Radio Frequency, Free Space Optic, Inductive Power, Hybrid
Current Members:
Operators, Service Companies & Technology Providers
Active work groups:

Technology Capabilities
Standards
Managed by OTM Consulting
Technology Capabilities Output
Case study database

- Currently have 15 approved case studies to demonstrate examples of subsea
wireless use in the O&G sector
- Intended to provide a guide to where wireless technologies are being utilised
successfully in real life applications
Wireless 101
- 1/2 day introduction to subsea wireless course developed
- Includes theory & examples for radio, acoustics, Free Space Optics
- Practical assessment of comparative technology capabilities
- 4 courses run to date (approximately 80 people completed)
Other activities
- Raising industry awareness of subsea wireless and SWiG (exhibitions,
promotional presentations, PR/media articles, other industry networks etc.)
Standards Output
• The focus of the Standards Group is to build on existing open standards to

develop new standards that support full interoperability between hardwired
and wireless systems subsea
• Radio standard, based on wirelessHART, submitted to API Sub-committee 17 in
Q1 2016 - now back with SWiG for review
• Acoustic standard being developed
- NATO subsea acoustic standard (Janus) reviewed
- Use cases where acoustic standard would be beneficial have been developed:
Riser Monitoring; Seismic monitoring; AUVs; Environmental monitoring
- Agreement reached on level of standardisation that is beneficial and practical
- Technical sub-committee established to draft standard
Acoustics
Introduction to Acoustics
• The term ‘acoustics’ or ‘hydro acoustics’ typically relates to any wireless

system which operates using pressure waves in water to transmit
information.
• A variety of subsea applications utilise acoustics:
- Control & Monitoring (BOP, AVP…)

- Data Transfer (Loggers, sensors, AUV...)
- Warning Systems (Tsunami)
- Underwater Structural Stress Monitoring
- Voice Communications (Divers)
- Attitude/Altitude Monitoring
- Positioning (Vessel, ROV, AUV)
- Imaging (ROV navigation, object identification)
- Profiling (Bathymetry)
Acoustic Control & Monitoring Example
Industry Need Wireless control of subsea assets (BOP)
Application Shown Control of BOP valve pack and reporting on BOP status
Technology Advantages Enables alternative/backup BOP control method

Enables remote BOP control
Long Range
High Signal Integrity
Technology Acceptance Widely used as emergency/secondary BOP control:
Rowan Companies – HHI 2559, 2560, 2563
Noble Drilling – HHI 2505, 2506, 2507, 2508
Ensco – ENSCO 7500, 8504, 8506
Odfjell Drilling – Deepsea Metro I and II
Diamond Offshore – Ocean Clipper, Brazil
Shell – Transocean Arctic I, Brazil
Murphy – Azurite FDPSO, Congo – (Primary System)
Ophir – Deep Venture, West Africa
Shell – Stena Tay, Brazil and Egypt
* The above examples all utilise the Nautronix
NASBOP/NASeBOP system – other BOP control
solutions are available
Above image courtesy
of Nautronix
Acoustic Data Transfer Example
Industry Need Through Water wireless data transfer
Application Shown Command, control and acquisition of data from

remote underwater instrumentation
Technology Advantages Various products available in the market, with
differing ranges and data rates
Technology Acceptance Presently in use for:
- Command, control and acquisition of data from
remote underwater instrumentation
- Long range, low frequency communication with
remote wellhead location
- Wireless communications between platform and
sea floor instrumentation
Images courtesy of Teledyne Benthos
Acoustic Warning System Example
Industry Need Tsunami sensors located on the seabed

require to report readings back to land
Acoustic Solution Acoustic modem utilised to send data
from seabed to surface buoy. Surface
buoy then forwards data via iridium link
Application Used in areas where Tsunamis are
considered high risk
Can report pressure values from sea bed
over a range/depth of over 4000m
Technology Real-time tsunami warning capability
Advantages
Technology Systems being utilised
Acceptance
Images Courtesy of Teledyne Benthos

Sonar image courtesy of Tritech
Introduction to Acoustics:
Why Use Acoustics?
Electro-magnetic waves (optical, radio) have numerous high bandwidth, short

range, applications. However they have limited range capability underwater.
If we wish to send signals over a long distance, acoustic pressure waves travel
extremely well in water.
The lower the acoustic frequency the farther the sound will travel - some
large, low frequency sonar systems can be heard hundreds of miles away or
even further under the right conditions.
For use in the Oil and Gas industry, we typically only need to span distances
of a few kilometres.
Sound
• Sound is a pressure wave

– Measured in μPascals
• Often specified in Decibels (a ratio to a reference

level)
– In air reference level is 20μPa
– In water reference level is 1μPa
– Difference is 63 dB, i.e. 190dB in water = 127dB in air
• Decibels use logarithmic scale

– 2 x power = 3dB change
Active Sonar Equation
• As a sound wave travels though water, the ability to detect it at a certain

point is governed by a Sonar Equation.
• We all have to obey the Laws of Physics: Fundamental equation which is

at the heart of all hydro-acoustic systems:
SL – TL – (NL – DI) > DT
Source Level Detection Threshold
Transmission Loss Directional Index

Noise Level
Velocity of Sound & Latency
• Speed of light ≈ 300,000 km/s

• Speed of electromagnetic waves ≈ 300,000
km/s
• Speed of sound in air ≈ 340 m/s
• Speed of sound in water ≈ 1500 m/s
• Time for acoustic signal to travel from surface to

seabed in seconds ≈ (Depth/1500)
• Deeper depths = greater latency
• Any acoustic system has a latency defined by
physical limitations of the medium (water)
• E.g. at 3000m depth, latency is 2 seconds.
Round trip latency is 4 seconds
Signalling Standards
• Presently all acoustic manufactures have their own proprietary signalling standard.
• This means that there is no or highly limited compatibility between different

manufacturers’ acoustic equipment.
• Due to the size and nature of the market this is unlikely to change in the immediate
future.
• However, there may be a secondary signalling standard adopted by equipment

manufacturers, to enable a greater level of interoperability between acoustic systems.
• A current area of investigation for SWiG is an open Acoustic signalling standard to

facilitate compatibility between manufacturers
Summary
• Acoustics are applied to a variety of underwater

applications, and have been for many years.
• An in depth understanding of acoustics is not

necessary to facilitate the use of such systems –
but can be useful when it comes to choosing
technologies or products for specific applications.
• Recent signalling developments have resulted in an

increase in acoustic integrity through the use of
spread spectrum signalling techniques. This
provides a step change in the robustness of
signalling when compared to previous ‘analogue’
systems.
Introduction to Acoustics
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages / Challenges

• Long range communicaton • Low bit-rates
possible • Line of sight restrictions
• Works even with low- • High energy consumption
visibility environments • High latency
• Robust systems for digital
transmission
Radio
Introduction to Radio
• The term ‘radio’ typically relates to any wireless system which operates
underwater using signals within the ‘radio spectrum’.
• Radio is an emerging technology
for use underwater, and has
been utilised in a number of
applications:
– Data Recovery
– Wireless Video
– Wireless Integrity Management Sensors
– Offshore Decommissioning
– Wireless LMRP to BOP Link
– Pipeline/Flowline Monitoring
– Riser Monitoring
– Mooring Monitoring
Introduction to Radio:
Why Use Radio?
Sound waves (acoustics) have numerous long range applications. However they
don’t support high data rates and are susceptible to acoustic noise interference.
If we wish to send lots of data (e.g. video), operate in noisy conditions (e.g. splash
zone) or build mesh networks (e.g. around structures), radio offers a compelling
solution.
At very short distances radio can support datarates up to 1Gbps. In addition the
RF signals are immune to acoustic noise interference, and any negative effects of
turbidly and bio-fouling.
As subsea systems become more complex, bandwidth demands are increasing.

Radio offers a flexible, reliable, high performance and energy efficient
communication solution over short distances.
Introduction to Radio:
Overview
The frequency of the electromagnetic system defines system bandwidth and range.
The attenuation of magnetic signals in sea-water varies over distance and the frequency of operation.
It is critical that the appropriate frequency is chosen for the application.
Frequency Bitrate Range in seawater
The level of attenuation is also
related to the frequency with 10Hz 5bps 250m
higher frequencies being subject
100Hz 50bps 100m
to greater attenuation.
500Hz 250bps 50m
There is also an inversely 1KHz 500bps 30m

proportional relationship
10KHz 5kbps 20m
between attenuation-per-metre
and distance from source, i.e. 100KHz 50kbps 10m
the signal attenuation-per-metre
experienced close to the 1MHz 500kbps 2m
transmitter is high but reduces
as distance increases. 10MHz 5Mbps 0.5m
100MHz 50Mbps 10cm
1GHz 500Mbps 1cm

Introduction to Radio: Interference
• Sources of interference
• System’s typically operate at frequencies from 100Hz to 2.4GHz
• There is NO propagated interference sub-sea (radio stations)
• There is a small risk of locally generated noise
• Permanent magnets are NOT a problem
• Only fast switching DC signals can be an issue
• E.g. DC electric motors in particular brushless motors, or switching circuits in ROV power
supplies
• How to overcome interference

• Location of antennas away from source – typically 0.5m is sufficient
• Additional damping of power supplies to avoid conducted noise on power lines
• Shielding has a minimal effect ( we use these signals through 1” steel for comms!)
Introduction to Radio: Interference
• Although it is possible to use radio systems for signal transmission through steel barriers, the
focus of this presentation is transmission through seawater.
• When deploying radio systems for through seawater it is important to be aware of possible
interference.
• To reduce the effects of fixed magnetic disturbances on the Seatooth® output, it should be
mounted as far as is practically possible from the following:
• Ferrous or other magnetically active materials (including fasteners or brackets used to mount the Seatooth®
• Sources of electrically induced magnetic fields such as motors and transformers.
• Moving equipment (e.g. manipulator arms, pan & tilt units etc.)
• Radio systems are unaffected by many factors that commonly interfere with other
transmission methods:
• Bio-fouling
• Light sources
• Turbidity
• Aeration
• Multipath
Radio Data Recovery Example
A method of transferring data quickly

Industry Need underwater
RF Data retrieval using ROV –
Application Shown pipeline pre-commissioning
Radio Solution Radio Modem
High Data Rate
No physical connection to subsea asset
Data can be wirelessly transferred using
ROV/AUV
Technology Reduce time to retrieve logged data
Advantages Works in adverse environmental conditions
Currently the main method utilised by industry
Technology where high data rates are required through
Acceptance water, over a short range
Images courtesy of WFS
Radio Wireless Video Example
Provide multiple viewing angles, without the use

Industry Need of multiple ROVs
Application Shown Wireless video for Construction operations
Radio Solution Wireless camera clamped near to target
Avoids 2nd ROV in the water
Avoids jumpers
Provides perspective when undertaking complex
Technology ROV tasks
Advantages 3 – 8m range capability
Technology Technology deployed with Technip, Canyon,
Acceptance Fugro and Subsea 7
Images courtesy of WFS
Radio AUV Example
Industry need Long term deployment of AUVs

Wireless data gathering by AUV
Specific application Wireless recharging of AUV
Enables AUVs to gather data without physical connections,
Opportunity and recharge batteries in docking station
Current solutions AUV deployed for short periods only

AUVs only conduct passive surveys, do not gather data from
remote sensors
ROVs are used when interaction with remote sensors is
required
Problems ROVs more costly to own and operate than AUVs
AUVs have to be recovered very frequently to recharge
Radio systems deployed on multiple AUV platforms:
Technology acceptance Saab, Kongsberg, Lockheed, ISE, DSO
Radio Integrity Management Example
Industry need Integrity management

Specific application Pipeline / flowline inspection
Avoidance of CP stab and similar data collection methods
Opportunity Field-wide CP optimisation
Current solutions Divers with CP guns
ROVs with CP probes
ROV fitted with cameras
Problems Insufficient data for reliable predictive maintenance
CP stabs time-consuming, expensive
Inaccessible locations
Use of wireless today Wireless anode skids available
AUV data harvesting
Future use of wireless Mesh networks of Smart CP nodes
Operational requirements Bandwidth efficient for data recovery

Energy efficient to extend battery life
Radio Pipeline Monitoring Example
Industry need Asset Integrity management
Specific application Upheaval buckling

Opportunity
Monitor to prevent temperature induced

upheaval buckling of subsea pipelines
Current solutions
Visual inspections, mass balances, pressure
checks
Current techniques recognise issues only from a

Problems certain size onwards and not always immediately.
Thereby failures in the early stage are not
recognised in time
Retrofit non-invasive temperature sensor

Use of wireless today
Monitor process temperature flows over 3 –
12 months
Measure temperature through thermal
insulation
Wireless communications through seabed
and concrete blanket
Technology Acceptance Deployed in North Sea with Oil and Gas Operators
Radio Riser Monitoring Example
Industry need Integrity management

Specific application Riser monitoring
Provide more information to improve riser
Opportunity management
Current solutions Cabled sensors
ROV inspection
Acoustic position monitoring
Cabled sensors inefficient for short term
Problems deployment
Acoustic sensors deliver limited file sizes
Acoustic systems require 'dunkers' to collect data
ROV inspection only provides snapshot
Use of wireless today Acoustic-enabled accelerometers on riser towers
Future use of wireless RF and optical download of data using ROVs
Avoidance of dunkers for real time wireless
updates
Operational requirements Large data sets to enable full analysis
Real time alarms
Avoid instrumentation over the vessel during
operations
Radio BOP Mesh Sensor Network
Industry Need Asset integrity management
Application Shown BOP Mesh sensor network

Radio Solution Wireless network topology
- Real time monitoring

- Long term condition and performance
monitoring ROV
- Band B Mesh: up to 50 sensor points
Technology - Integrates with SCM
Advantages - Data refresh rate: 1 min
- Band C: high speed interrogation via ROV
Technology Customer trials

Acceptance
Radio Connector
Industry Need Replacement for hard wired link

Application Shown
Wireless link between LMRP and lower BOP stack
Radio Solution Wireless data and power transfer
- Non-wetmate connection alternative

- Comms link set up prior to re-connect
Technology Advantages - Power transferred by inductive coupling
- Increased uptime
- High reliability connection
Designed into subsea pressure control equipment

Technology Acceptance Designed into Work-Class ROVs
3-4 suppliers to oil industry
Introduction to Radio: Summary
• Radio frequency systems are applied to a variety of underwater applications.
• Recent developments have resulted in an increase in bandwidth capability due

to advanced Digital Signal Processing techniques.
• An in depth understanding of RF theory is not necessary to use such systems.
Free Space Optics
Where are we Starting From?
Narrowband signal (tone) – Legacy, no longer used by Sonardyne
Wideband 1 – Dramatic performance improvement over tone signals
Wideband 2 - Longer codes for robust comms in harshest environments
Wideband 1 – Dramatic performance improvement over tone signals
Wideband 2 - Longer codes for robust comms in harshest environments
Where are we now?

Sophisticated coding techniques BUT still limited to 10kbps at MF frequencies
Underwater Communications Options
Acoustics
+ Long range , moderate bandwidth
- Noise / channel dependent
Electromagnetic/Radio
- High bandwidth but only at extremely short range
- Large antenna & lots of power for longer range
+ Non line of sight
Optical
+ Ultra high bandwidth at short to medium range
- Ambient light/turbidity affects data rate
- Line of sight required
What is Free Space Optics (FSO)
Transmission
Light Transmit Medium
Data In Modulator Driver
Source Optic
Data Out Light Receive

Demodulator Driver
Detector Optic
• Principle the same as for fibre optic communication BUT:

• Transmission medium different
• Optical elements different
• Source and detector different
SWIG Member and Student Content: SWIG Permission required for redistribution 39
Emitter Types – LASERs and LEDs
Laser
• High conversion efficiency
• Narrow linewidth
• Low beam divergence
• High coherence
• High speed direct modulation
LED
• Lower efficiency (but rising)
• Broad linewidth
• Divergent – non-coherent
• Medium speed direct modulation
Choice based on link requirements
Optical Link Concepts
http://www.whoi.edu/main/underwater-optical-modem
http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id http://newlaunches.com/a
=64583&pt=2&p=76726 rchives/tag/underwater/
http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=119416&tid=3622&cid=163149
Commercial Availability
• 100’s of experiments have been performed

• Only a few commercial systems available today
Ambalux (California) Sonardyne (UK w/ offices in U.S.) QinetiQ North America SA Photonics (California)
http://www.ambalux.com http://www.sonardyne.com https://www.qinetiq- http://www.saphotonics.com/high-
Claim*: 10 Mb/s, 40m, uses LEDs Technology licensed from WoodsHole na.com/products/pscs/underwater bandwidth-optical-
Bluecomm: -optical-communications/ communications/underwater/ Claim:
Claim: Up to 20 Mb/s, range up to 100m, Claim: 1 to 100’s of Mb/s through 10 to 250 Mb/s at ranges of up to
and up to 1 Mb/s at 200 m water (unspecified range). Uses 200 meters are supported,
Uses array of LEDs lasers. depending on water turbidity.
Uses lasers
* Likely best performance for all above
Link Considerations
• Water Turbidity
• Ambient Light
• Deep ocean no ambient light
• Shallow ambient sun\moon light
• Non-natural light
• Vehicle lighting Picture from NOAA:
Creative Commons Licence
• Other equipment lighting
• Directionality
• Omni-directional - Wide receive zone, tracking not required
• Directional – Low divergence, small receive zone, tracking/beam steering
• Secondary Considerations
• Pulse broadening
Application Examples
Applications for Optical Comms
• OComms supports real time HD video transfer

• We can use it to obtain a different camera perspective from an
ROV without cables
Data Upload to Vessel – in >2000m depth
• Free hanging dunker deployed from the

surface vessel.
• Onboard acoustics measured range and
bearing to node with acoustic beacon
enabling vessel to keep the dunker
within 100m range.
• Data upload via optics controlled by
acoustic communications.
CTD cage to deploy acoustics &

optical receiver
Vehicle Data Transfer Application - Nereus Hybrid ROV/AUV
• The only AUV known to have dived to

the bottom of the Marianas Trench
• Operates as both an AUV and a
wireless ROV
• Acoustic Communications provides
vehicle control
• Optical communications used to
provides real time HD video feedback
• Sadly recently lost – but not due to
the optics!
HD Optical Picture Transfer – From Nereus via BlueComm
Video Transfer - Deep Water Visitor
Wireless Vehicle Control
Wireless Vehicle Control
Outdoor tank used for turbidity 22m range achieved in Jerlov 9

testing using milk powder conditions (dirty coastal water)
TOTAL/Ifremer Vortex Vehicle > Mediterranean (Night Ops)
Up to 100m range at
2.5m depth
Performance matches
theory
Video streaming
Command and control

demonstrated
Estimated range of
150m in dark water
Bringing it All Together – OneSubsea “Pool Party”
Where Next?
BlueComm 5000
500 – 1000Mbps @ up to 7m range
Targeted asymmetrical bi-directional link
LASER based system
Hybrid Systems
Multiple technologies
Single system
Comparison of Technologies
Acoustics vs Radio vs FSO
Pros Cons
Acoustic - Highly proven Technology - Can be adversely affected by:

- Long range – up to 20km - Water aeration & turbidity
- Energy efficiency at longer ranges - Multi-path in shallow water
- Precision Navigation - Limited bandwidth
- High integrity (spread spectrum) - High latency
- Does not transit water/air
Radio - Water aeration & turbidity improve - Limited range through clear water
performance (compared to acoustics and FSO)
- Non-line-of-sight performance - Low energy efficiency at longer
- Low latency ranges
- Immune to marine fouling - Susceptible to in-band EMI
- High bandwidth
- Transits water/air & water/seabed
Free Space Optical - Ultra-high bandwidth - Susceptible to aeration & turbidity
- Low latency - Marine fouling on lens faces
- Immune to acoustic & EMI noise - Requires line–of-sight and/or
- Longer range capability than Radio in alignment
clear water - Limited range through water
(compared to acoustics)
- Laser safety issues
Conclusions
• Acoustic, Optical and Radio Technologies offer complementary

performance for subsea wireless communication.
• Technology selection should consider required performance in

terms of bandwidth, range, efficiency cost and reliability.
• The operating environment is key to system performance.
• This presentation is intended only as a general introduction to

technology, individual vendors should be contacted for specific
product performance and recommendations.

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An Introduction to Subsea Wireless Technologies

Acoustics, Radio & Free Space Optics

– Free Space Optics

SWiG is an industry initiative to:

Technology Areas Covered:

Active work groups:

Managed by OTM Consulting

Case study database

• The focus of the Standards Group is to build on existing open standards to

• The term ‘acoustics’ or ‘hydro acoustics’ typically relates to any wireless

• A variety of subsea applications utilise acoustics:

- Control & Monitoring (BOP, AVP…)

Industry Need Wireless control of subsea assets (BOP)

Technology Advantages Enables alternative/backup BOP control method

Industry Need Through Water wireless data transfer

Application Shown Command, control and acquisition of data from

Images courtesy of Teledyne Benthos

Industry Need Tsunami sensors located on the seabed

Images Courtesy of Teledyne Benthos

Electro-magnetic waves (optical, radio) have numerous high bandwidth, short

• Sound is a pressure wave

• Often specified in Decibels (a ratio to a reference

• Decibels use logarithmic scale

• As a sound wave travels though water, the ability to detect it at a certain

• We all have to obey the Laws of Physics: Fundamental equation which is

SL – TL – (NL – DI) > DT

Source Level Detection Threshold

Transmission Loss Directional Index

• Speed of light ≈ 300,000 km/s

• Time for acoustic signal to travel from surface to

• This means that there is no or highly limited compatibility between different

• However, there may be a secondary signalling standard adopted by equipment

• A current area of investigation for SWiG is an open Acoustic signalling standard to

• Acoustics are applied to a variety of underwater

• An in depth understanding of acoustics is not

• Recent signalling developments have resulted in an

Advantages Disadvantages / Challenges

As subsea systems become more complex, bandwidth demands are increasing.

There is also an inversely 1KHz 500bps 30m

100MHz 50Mbps 10cm

1GHz 500Mbps 1cm

• How to overcome interference

A method of transferring data quickly

Images courtesy of WFS

Provide multiple viewing angles, without the use

Images courtesy of WFS

Industry need Long term deployment of AUVs

Current solutions AUV deployed for short periods only

Industry need Integrity management

Operational requirements Bandwidth efficient for data recovery

Industry need Asset Integrity management

Specific application Upheaval buckling

Monitor to prevent temperature induced

Current techniques recognise issues only from a

Retrofit non-invasive temperature sensor

Industry need Integrity management

Industry Need Asset integrity management

Application Shown BOP Mesh sensor network

- Real time monitoring