126 



to determine the speed and memory requirements of the microprocessors 

 before purchasing. The design of the physical housing and hydrophone 

 analysis will also be undertaken during the first year. The feasibility 

 of the fibre optic link will be investigated by contacting the vendors 

 (ITT and Corning) which have supplied this technology to the Navy. 



The second year will primarily be devoted to construction of the 

 actual hardware and the programming of microprocessors. Preliminary 

 testing in shallow water will be done during the summer of the second 

 year. During the third year, the results of the preliminary testing 

 will be used to develop a final design which will then be tested and 

 documented. 



During each year important research questions must be answered. In 

 the first, there is a need to determine how best to match the results 

 of modern communication theory to the underwater environment. The 

 field is far behind that which is available for electromagnetic 

 communications. Microprocessor and fibre optic technology should 

 be exploited to its fullest extent if a low power, high speed modem 

 is to be obtained. 



Because of its diverse needs, the proposed research will utilize 

 resources from several groups - the Departments of Ocean and Electrical 

 Engineering at M.I.T. and personnel from the Woods Hole Oceanographic 

 Institution. Ocean Engineering Department will be concerned with 

 the transducers, or hydrophones, and the physical properties of the 

 fibre optic cable. The Electrical Engineering Department will focus 

 on the communication theory, the microprocessors, and the electrical 

 aspects of the fibre optic cable. Personnel at Woods Hole will be 

 responsible for the construction of the physical housing of the 

 transmitter and receiver as well as the power network and the connection 

 of the microprocessors within them. 



The following time and event program is scheduled. 



Activity 

 Selection of algorithms for implementing 

 communication theory algorithms with micro- 

 processors for acoustic systems. 



Determine fibre optic system feasibility 



Complete computer simulation of algorithms based 

 upon acoustic channel models in literature 



Complete timing specifications for micro- 

 processor requirements 



Select fibre optic table and system components 



Construct first prototype of acoustic system 



Construct fibre optic systems 



Projected 

 Time Schedule 

 Winter 1977 - Summer 197E 



Winter 1977 - Svimmer 1978 

 Spring - VJinter 1978 



Spring - Winter 1978 



Slimmer - Winter 1978 

 Fall 1978 - Fall 1979 

 Winter 1978 - Winter 1979 



