Reliable Communication Protocols for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey

Abstract

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) have received tremendous concern and interest in recent years. They find many applications, from underwater exploration and monitoring to naval and marine operations. However, due to the harsh and challenging aquatic environmental conditions, the networks have to face challenges such as limited bandwidth, long latency, and packet loss, which makes the communication channel unreliable. Numerous approaches have been proposed to enhance reliable data transmission in UWSNs. These approaches range from protocol modification to specialized algorithms tailored to UWSN requirements. This paper explores UWSNs, focusing on their applications, challenges, and reliability protocols. It provides a comparative analysis of different reliability protocols, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, it examines available simulators and testbeds for UWSNs and their approaches to ensuring reliable data transfer. © 2024 IEEE.