Overview
ISO/IEC TR 30167:2021 - "Internet of Things (IoT) - Underwater communication technologies for IoT" is a technical report that surveys enabling technologies for underwater IoT communications. It describes the technical overviews, characteristics, technology trends, applications, benefits and challenges for key underwater communication methods: acoustic, optical (wired and wireless/FSO), Very Low Frequency (VLF)/Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) radio, and Magnetic Fusion Communication (MFC). The report is intended as a consolidated reference for engineers, researchers and system designers working on underwater sensor networks and IoT applications.
Key Topics
- Acoustic communication
- Overview of underwater acoustic propagation, path loss, multipath and channel impairments
- Typical use-cases and modern trends for acoustic modems and networks
- Optical communication (wired/wireless)
- Fibre-optic cable structures and free-space optical (FSO) approaches for short-range/high-rate links
- WDM and wired fibre solutions for long-haul underwater connectivity
- VLF / ELF communication
- Principles and use for deep-penetration or very long-range signalling where higher frequencies fail
- Antenna infrastructure and operational constraints
- Magnetic Fusion Communication (MFC)
- Near-field magnetic coupling for short-range underwater links and power transfer
- PHY framing, modulation/coding considerations and network structures illustrated in the report
- Cross-cutting topics
- Comparative characteristics (bandwidth, range, latency, power)
- Layered design considerations for integrating different technologies into underwater IoT stacks
- Benefits vs. challenges for each technology (e.g., bandwidth vs. attenuation, range vs. power)
Applications and Who Uses It
ISO/IEC TR 30167:2021 is practical for:
- IoT system architects designing underwater sensor networks, AUV coordination and monitoring systems
- Marine researchers and oceanographers implementing environmental sensing platforms
- Defense and security agencies evaluating long-range undersea signalling options
- Telecommunications planners and subsea cable engineers assessing wired and wireless hybrid solutions
- Product developers building acoustic modems, underwater optical links, or MFC devices
Common applications include environmental monitoring, resource exploration, infrastructure inspection, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) communications, and underwater telemetry for industrial and defence use.
Related Standards
- Developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 41 (Internet of Things and Digital Twin), this report complements other IoT and electrotechnical standards. It contains no normative references but is intended to inform standardization, design and research in underwater communications and IoT deployments.
Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 30167, underwater communication, underwater IoT, acoustic communication, optical communication, VLF ELF, magnetic fusion communication, underwater sensor networks.