Abstract

In this study, we theoretically analyze the performance of an underwater optical wireless communications system using different modulation techniques and an avalanche photodiode APD receiver over underwater environment channels. Based on the LOS geometrical model and combined with signal to noise ratio model for Si and Ge APD and BER; then the impact of the distance of transmission and power of the transmitter and Jerlov water type are analyzed. The characteristics of bit error rate BER for different optical modulation techniques are studied. Simulation results indicate that the performance of H-QAM is more suited for an underwater optical wireless communication. On the other hand, the suitability of avalanche photodiodes under these modulation techniques is discussed, because the photodiode Si APD has more advantages compared with Ge APD when used in an underwater optical communication.

Keywords:

Avalanche photodiode APD, bit error rate BER , modulation , underwater optical communication,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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Copyright

The authors have no competing interests.