Advancements in Underwater Optical Wireless Communication: Channel Modeling, PAPR Reduction, and Simulations With OFDM

Abstract

Compared to underwater radio waves and acoustic communication technology, underwater optical communication technology has emerged as a technical means of underwater data and information transmission. Due to the complexity and volatility of the channel environment and the various factors that affect optical data transmission, there is no standard theoretical model for underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC). This work systematically evaluated and validated several optical attenuation models, leading to the development of an approach that significantly improves the accuracy of optical signal behavior prediction in underwater environments. The simulations using the Monte Carlo algorithm revealed critical insights into signal propagation, enabling more precise modeling of UOWC channels under varying conditions. We developed and validated a novel PTS-Clipping technique that effectively reduces PAPR by up to 15%, outperforming traditional methods and maintaining system efficiency. The novel PTS-Clipping approach achieved a reduction in OFDM signal PAPR from 11.861 dB to as low as 10.228 dB, demonstrating superior performance, particularly in high-order modulation schemes like 16-QAM, where signal integrity is critical. Theoretical analysis is combined with simulation experiments to promote a more robust and efficient UOWC system.

Keywords

• OFDM
• PAPR
• underwater wireless optical communications