Effect of wave height to connectivity and coverage in sea surface wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Sea surface sensor networks with underwater sensing units and oversea communication units, formed either by bottom-anchored or floating sensor nodes, have many scientific, commercial, military, and industrial applications. In these networks, waves constitute significant obstacles for radio communication over the sea surface. We have developed a shallow water wave height model, and analyzed the effect of wave heights to communication and network connectivity under various sea states, by numerous simulations, in order to determine the number of wireless sensor nodes to provide necessary connectivity and coverage for a region. As the waves get higher, the number of nodes required to provide appropriate coverage redundancy increases. Using our wave model, the number of nodes required to provide application-specific redundancy can be determined.