Acoustic Tomography With An Underwater Sensor Network

The distance between nodes in an underwater sensor network typically ranges from tens to hundreds of meters. [...]this technique is called small-scale acoustic tomography to differentiate it from existing, large-scale ocean acoustic tomography techniques. Another challenge for those that deploy underwater sensor networks are the algorithms and protocols required to convey data across the network. Since the propagation properties of acoustic signals underwater differ so drastically from radio frequency (RF) in the air, sensor network algorithms and protocols must be redesigned to take into account the unique properties of underwater acoustic communications. Precise Timing Acoustic tomography is possible in water because the speed of sound for an acoustic wave in water is approximately proportional to the water temperature. [...]the precision with which we can measure the speed at which an acoustic signal travels directly relates to the precision to which we can measure the water temperature.