Bio-Inspired Vibrational Transmitters for Wireless Underground Communication: Fid-Bau Portal

Bio-Inspired Vibrational Transmitters for Wireless Underground Communication

Zhong, Yi / Tao, Julian

This study aims to develop small-size, energy-efficient, and low-cost sources for a bio-inspired underground communication system using seismic waves. Inspired by how animals generate substrate-borne vibrations, two different vibrational sources were designed, fabricated, and evaluated. One source is inspired by tremulation and it features an enclosed vibrator; the other is inspired by drumming and it features an enclosed solenoid. The two sources were then used to transmit plain text files and image files in dry sand. The data files were first converted to binary streams and then encoded using on–off keying modulation, based on which the vibrational sources were controlled. The results showed that a 0.6W tremulation-inspired vibration source could send clear signals up to 70 cm in loose dry sand, but it would encounter a jamming problem when the embedment depth was high. Even though it is hard to control the solenoid to sub-milliseconds precision, the drumming-inspired vibrational source performs well at depth and at distance. It can serve as a high-quality source for a vibrational underground communication system.