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Underwater Acoustic Digital Signal Processing and Communication Systems pp 127–165Cite as

Digital underwater voice communications

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Abstract

In many underwater activities, a voice link is an essential requirement for divers [1–9]. Although advanced digital systems for underwater acoustic data transmission and reception have been devised, this is not the case for through-water voice communications. Most commercially available systems use outdated analogue technology and therefore suffer practical limitations compared with the sophisticated digital telecommunications systems now available above the surface. One advantage of a digital system is that it enables private communication links between divers or between divers and the surface so that there is no unwanted cross-talk. Another advantage is that it can be used to transmit scientific data as well as voice information. In this chapter, we consider a new design methodology that includes the implementation of speech signal processing algorithms and the transmission and reception of speech in digital format. The main consideration in the design is to provide a diver with a comparable level of communications capability as is provided by a digital mobile telephone.

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  1. Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK

    H. Sari & B. Woodward

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  1. H. Sari
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  1. Brunel University, UK

    Robert S. H. Istepanian

  2. MIT, USA

    Milica Stojanovic

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Sari, H., Woodward, B. (2002). Digital underwater voice communications. In: Istepanian, R.S.H., Stojanovic, M. (eds) Underwater Acoustic Digital Signal Processing and Communication Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3617-5_4

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