Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have introduced the world’s first “ultraenergo-efficient” subway communication system capable of transmitting signals over long distances. This groundbreaking technology uses significantly less energy compared to existing underwater communication methods and has the potential to revolutionize various fields such as aquaculture, hurricane forecasting, and climate modeling.
The key to this technology lies in the utilization of underwater reverse scattering, a method that encodes data in sound waves and reflects them back to the receiver. To enhance this method, the researchers adapted a 70-year-old radio device called the Van Atta Array. This modification enables the system to focus the reflected signal, increasing its range and effectiveness.
Through a series of experiments conducted on the Charles River and in the Atlantic Ocean, the new system demonstrated its capability to transmit data up to a distance of 300 meters, which is 15 times farther than previous underwater communication systems. However, the researchers faced limitations in these studies due to space constraints on the docks. To overcome this, the team developed an analytical model that confirmed the system’s potential for long-distance communication, spanning kilometers.
Looking ahead, the MIT researchers have planned subsequent stages of work, including further testing and the commercialization of this technology. They believe that their innovation can play a crucial role in the development of new systems for monitoring climate changes and observing coastal zones.
This groundbreaking development has the potential to reshape the understanding of underwater communication, offering not only increased effectiveness but also environmental stability. It represents a significant breakthrough in the study and preservation of the world’s oceans.