The system functions like an underwater mesh network.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) and West Australian partner Proteus Maritime has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Western Australian Government to develop an undersea networking system to transform defence communication.
The two partners worked on the idea of an undersea mesh communications last year within the Exercise Western Dawn Innovation project, where it was named the overall winner.
The system functions like an underwater mesh network, ECU Associate Professor Iftekhar Ahmad said, enabling real-time connections between devices deep in the ocean. Rather than relying on a single hub, which could fail, each device links with others nearby, forming a resilient network that keeps information flowing even in the depths.
"The underwater communication research team at ECU is developing advanced technologies to enhance the reliability and robustness of underwater communication across Australia's diverse undersea environments. This grant will enable the ECU team to collaborate with its industry partner in addressing critical challenges in underwater surveillance applications," Associate Professor Ahmad said.
Western Australian Defence Industries Minister, Hon Paul Papalia MLA, said the innovation will not only bolster communication between submarines, subsea drones and sensors but also potentially support scientific research as well as search and rescue operations.
"This technology will potentially give our submarines, and sea drones the upper hand with a clear line of communication even in hostile waters.
"We are proud of what our local businesses and researchers are achieving, and the State Government continue to invest in the defence sector to help it to grow," the Minister said.
The $200,000 Defence and Research Teaming grant was administered through Defence West's Defence Science Centre, which seeks to foster engagement between industry and academia to address real world problems in the defence sector.
