Underwater Data Transfer

[jerni2Bfre]

A question to the scuba tek gods,
I'm a student at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, I am designing a product for scuba divers and diving companies that can seriously reduce some of the risks of diving. The product is lacking proof that a data transfer system exists that can transmit through water. Without the data transfer system that works underwater I can't prove that my idea can work. I have been doing research online looking for any product online that involves any kind of data tranfer underwater but can find nothing that invoves what i'm trying to do. If anyone knows of a product, or can point me in anykind of a direction to a similar product I would be greatly appreciative. Unfortunatly, I am on a tight deadline my design is due for completition on September 22, 2002.
Respectfully Requesting,
M. J.

[raxafarian]

there are hoseless, air-integrated computers that transfer data from a sending unit mounted on the tank to a wrist mounted computer. Don't know how they work, but they are wireless.


whoops...guess this should be in a different area, but I don't have the power to move it.

[King Kong Matt]

Lots of dive computers have this feature. A transmitter that sits on your tank valve transmits information to a wrist-based computer about your remaining tank pressure, etc.

Check out http://www.uwatec.com and look for Aladin Air 2 as an example.

Here is a quote from their site:



The Aladin Air-Z is a wrist-mounted, interactive dive computer with a remote tank mounted transmitter...


Hope this helps.

[reefraff]

Aga full-face masks with ultrasound communication system (http://www.airsource-one.com/aga.html)

EPIRB beacons (http://www.epirb.de/)

The trick is to find an energy level that is effective, reliable and affordable. Extremely long frequencies work best underwater (duh) but have serious baud limits. High frequencies will carry more data but are prone to signal distortion and disruption and thus become expensive energy-wise.

How much data are you looking to stream? You might want to try marine mammal research facilities for information on electronic tagging devices.

Good luck.

Steven