Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are assuming an important role in the monitoring and mapping of marine ecosystems, especially for their ability to explore harsh environments. AUV swarm can collect data operating autonomously for long periods enabling new applications in this field. However, the mission duration is usually limited also by the high power consumption required for acoustic transmissions. A new generation of devices complements the acoustic modem with an optical modem that can provide a communication channel with higher capacity and lower power consumption with respect to the acoustic channel. However, the optical link that uses the visible light is very sensitive to the water turbidity that can strongly limit the link coverage. In this paper, we evaluate the networking performances of the Venus vessel, a real AUV prototype equipped with an acoustical modem and an optical modem. The presented analysis aims to evaluate key system parameters allowing to select the best way to set up network communications according to the surrounding conditions (e.g., quality of water) and to the application requirements. Simulation results account for the case of ports or basins, where the water quality is poor and the use of the optical modem is strongly limited by distance. We evaluate system performance in terms of transmission delay in the network and we also provide a power–capacity trade-off.

New-generation communications aim for ubiquitous and pervasive communications with high data rates. Electromagnetic spectrum saturation and increasing data volumes can employ the use of free-space optical communication to ease capacity loads in modern networks. In this writing, we review the impact of the atmospheric channel on the optical signal dynamics for long-range data links between high-speed and maneuverability suborbital platforms in full atmosphere. This work presents the main propagation constraints, such as path loss, turbulence, and aero-optics, which are environment-dependent and geometry-dependent for this worst-case scenario. To carry out our study, we recall experimental results collected in the literature since the early times, showing system constraints and performance limits. This provides a historical timeline perspective. Theoretical models and channel management techniques that appeared through time are briefly summarized, and their impact on link budget and stability on reference link geometries is addressed through analytical simulation. In conclusion, this paper shows that an integrated approach to this kind of link is successful mainly with a convergence of mitigation techniques and tailored engineering, which cannot neglect the knowledge of the operating environment and strongly relies on accurate physics modeling, which remains an area of active open research.