Implementation of AUV and ship noise for link quality evaluation in the DESERT underwater framework

The underwater acoustic channel exhibits many challenges for communications. Since the underwater environment is becoming crowded with both static and mobile users, additional noise is produced in the channel by the physical components of the nodes. In particular, the noise generated by vessels causes interference to the packets transmitted by the acoustic modems, with a consequent increase in packet loss. This paper proposes methods for the simulation of the additive noise introduced by vessels traveling near or inside the network area. Specifically, the simulations include the presence of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and a cargo ship, distinguished by their own noise patterns, in an underwater acoustic sensors network. All simulations have been performed with the DESERT Underwater framework.