Teams from Shenzhen University of Technology and other universities released MicroLED underwater wireless optical communication architecture

Recently, researchers from Shenzhen University of Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology proposed a new underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) architecture based on Micro LED.

The researchers designed a large gallium nitride Micro LED array with 5,000 chips fabricated through flip-chip technology. The array can achieve transmission rates of 165 Mbps and 90 Mbps at distances of 37.7 meters and 73.5 meters respectively. Researchers say the technology enables high-speed and long-distance transmission in underwater environments.

According to researchers, both laser and Micro LED technologies can be applied to UWOC systems. However, lasers require a heat dissipation system when operating, which increases the size and design difficulty of the UWOC system. Since the luminous dispersion angle of the laser diode is small, laser-based UWOC links require a high degree of accuracy, which is difficult to achieve in complex underwater environments.

Large-size LEDs have the problem of small modulation bandwidth, which greatly limits the data transmission rate of the system. The Micro led has excellent performance, and with its small size and high current density, the Micro led can provide high modulation bandwidth, so it becomes a more suitable light source for UWOC applications.

It is reported that this technology is expected to be widely used in the field of underwater communication in the future, promoting the advancement of underwater communication technology to meet the needs of high-speed and long-distance underwater communication in ocean exploration, underwater monitoring and other fields.