Introduction to Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: Its Applications, Challenges and Future Scope

Abstract

Three-fourth of our planet Earth comprises of water which is found in the way of several water bodies like seas, oceans, rivers, ponds, canals and a huge number of unexplored, unexploited and dormant resources lying underwater. Underwater wireless sensor network (UWSN) is an upcoming technology primarily used for various types of explorations carried out and held underwater. It is of grave concern in diverse fields such as monitoring, military, disaster, sports and navigation etc.  In general, the wireless sensor network (WSNs) comprises of inexpensive and small sensors which are equipped with wireless interfaces and develop a network. Nowadays, acoustic technology is majorly used for underwater communication systems. UWSNs are more or less focused and are more or less concerned in recent years for their wide range of applications. Also, the quantity of challenges faced in creating the designs of UWSNs projects it as an upcoming and interesting field for researchers to work upon. The main aim of this paper is to present the applications and challenges on UWSN. In order to cover the wide aspects of UWSN, this paper is divided into various sections. Section 1 discusses the introduction. Section 2 is focused on literature review. Section 3 discusses the architecture of UWSNs. Section 4 highlights various applications of UWSN. Section 5 covers various challenges. Section 6 discusses the conclusion of paper.