DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to maximizing throughput and minimizing latency in offshore or urban underwater sensors fields for data collection, also known as Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) network.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Subsea sensors are installed at various locations deep inside ocean and they may be situated far away from the shore. Usually, these sensors collect data and store in their onboard memory for a long duration. Collection of data at a shore station from such sensor nodes is an expensive and time-consuming task as it may involve expensive offshore sailing missions or laying down underwater cabling. Similarly, sensors installed in an onshore underwater environment such as a river, reservoir, pond, or lake require expensive cabling or retrieval of the sensors to access the onboard saved data.
[0003] Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of devices interconnected with each other. In the recent years IoT is gaining popularity in commercial and industrial application due to development of low-cost computing devices. Everyday things such as Kitchen appliances, Automobiles, Air conditioners, etc. can be connected to the internet via embedded devices called IoT devices which have various sensors for controlling, monitoring different parameters by collecting and recording data from the devices. IoT devices are interconnected to share data with other remote devices or systems, and are also equipped to take corrective actions with minimal human interventions.
[0004] Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) typically includes a network of smart interconnected underwater objects that enables to monitor vast unexplored water areas. An IoUT network is implemented by connecting one or more underwater sensor nodes using network links. Typically, underwater acoustic communication or optical links are used for performing communication between the underwater sensor nodes by establishing wireless links between underwater devices. The IoUT network needs to potentially stream the data to the closest command station/server situated on land with reduced latency at a lower cost. The command station/server situated on land can be connected to an Internet of Things (IoT) network for effective control and data analysis.
[0005] For all practical applications of data transmission, the latency at which data is received and the volume of data received (throughput) play a key important role in the utility of the data. Insufficient data volumes or highly delayed receipts may render the data useless in various use cases. Every communication network in the world aims to maximize throughput by maximizing the data bandwidth and minimizing the latency. However, doing so in underwater environments is a challenge for various reasons.
[0006] Current approaches in transporting data from underwater sensor fields in a IoUT network rely upon line-of-sight communication using optical or acoustic links to a gateway that receives the data for further use or transport. There are various challenges with current methods. While underwater optical or electromagnetic links offer high throughput, but they are very short ranged in underwater environment and thus the gateway needs to be in close proximity of the sensors which is almost impractical in a large sensor field.
[0007] Acoustic links have a larger range but offer very low bandwidth thus reducing the throughput. Often gateways are used in the form of buoys or ships which possess an underwater communication link and also a above water transmission link. Such gateways which are operating from surface or fixed at the surface use acoustics for long range underwater data communication and thus offer very low throughput. Further, in offshore locations or in remote onshore (urban) areas with poor network connectivity, either the data is retrieved manually from the fixed gateway, or the gateway has to mobilize to an area with active network. This further adds high latency in the data transport from the sensor to the end use recipient. Using remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) for data collection in sensor fields is a slow process with high latency due to the limitation of an ROV to move in large areas. Whereas when autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are used, they suffer high latency and low throughput due to low capacity of underwater acoustic networks. Additionally, such remote offshore or onshore gateways may withhold the data for a long duration due to absence of any medium of further transport in-air. This may require the data to be sent physically or gateways to be mobilized into an area with active in-air network for further transmission. Such solutions impose a heavy penalty on latency and logistical costs.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need of an invention which solves the above defined problems and provides a system and method for enabling low latency high throughput data transports in underwater networks and connecting the network to an external Internet of Things (IoT) network.
SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts of the present invention. This summary is neither intended to identify essential features of the present invention nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present invention.
[0010] In one aspect of the invention, a gateway modem device for providing network connectivity between an internet of underwater things (IoUT) network and an Internet of Things (IoT) network is disclosed. The device comprises of an Internet of Things (IoT) modem configured to handle communication between one or more carriers and/or gateway devices; an acoustic modem configured to handle communication between one or more internet of underwater things (IoUT) devices of the IoUT network and one or more gateway devices; an interface system configured to interface with a gateway. The IoT modem is configured to receive requests from the carriers or more gateways and transmit to the acoustic modem and the acoustic modem transmits the request to one or more IoUT devices and receive the requested data from one or more IoUT devices and send to the IoT modem and the IoT modem transmits the received data to one or more gateway devices or to carriers.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a method for providing low-latency high-throughput network connectivity between internet of underwater things (IoUT) network and Internet of Things (IoT) network, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: receiving, at a carrier, a request for accessing or configure one or more IoUT devices; identifying, at the carrier, the shortest/probable routing mechanism for request to access or configure IoUT devices; sending, by the carrier, the request to a gateway network, wherein the gateway network comprises of one or more gateway devices; transmitting, by a gateway device, request to one or more IoUT devices; sending, by the IoUT device, the requested data to the gateway network; and transmitting, by the gateway device, to the carrier.
[0012] The features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and modules.
[0014] Figure 1A illustrates a functional block diagram of Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) according to prior art documents.
[0015] Figure 1B illustrates a functional block diagram of Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) that has been implemented without a gateway device, or without a gateway network, or without data transport carriers.
[0016] Figure 2A illustrates a functional block diagram showing an implementation of the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) and network connectivity for IoUT, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2B illustrates a functional block diagram showing an implementation of the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) and network connectivity for IoUT, with near real-time latency at high throughputs according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2C illustrates an embodiment illustrating access of IoUT data by a IoT network in an offshore environment including data collection and transport.
[0019] Figure 2D illustrates a functional block diagram according to another embodiment of the present innovation in an onshore civil area, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an offshore environment
[0020] Figure 2E illustrates a functional block diagram according to another embodiment of the present innovation in an onshore civil area, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an offshore environment
[0021] Figure 3A illustrates a block diagram depicting a modular architecture of a gateway modem device for interface with a gateway, carrier or sensor node, wherein the gateway modem device implements a system for providing network connectivity for Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) network, and Internet of Things (IoT) network, whether simultaneously or sequentially or one at a time, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3B illustrates a detailed block diagram showing the gateway modem, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart showing the manner in which a data transport in Internet of Underwater Things network is facilitated for a specific operation such as configuration, data access etc., from the sensor(s) to the end-use recipient or vice-versa, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.
[0024] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative methods embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The various embodiments of the present invention describe about device and method for providing network connectivity with low latency and higher throughput between internet of underwater things network and an Internet of Things network.
[0026] In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems.
[0027] However, the systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Further, structures and devices shown in the figures are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the presently invention and are meant to avoid obscuring of the presently invention.
[0028] It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for explanatory purposes to help the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0029] Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) refers to the network of sensors, devices, equipment connected underwater by means of wired or wireless underwater communication devices such as acoustic modems or underwater cables. Underwater wired or wireless sensor networks have applications in various industries such as environmental monitoring, offshore power generation, seismic monitoring, subsea observation, civil infrastructure monitoring and defense. The IoUT domain comprises of a set of sensors installed at discrete locations in an underwater environment and they may or may not be communicating with each other or other connected devices. The sensors can be located in close vicinity known as sensor constellations or sparsely spread in a large area known as distributed sensor fields.
[0030] A gateway is a device that can receive data from any sensor and transmit it further for delivery to end recipient directly or through intermediaries.
[0031] A gateway network is a set of at least two gateways working together to enable the transport of data with better performance. Various possible options for gateways include: underwater drones such as an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) or a Remotely operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV), or fixed installations located on the seabed, near water surface (above or below) or on submerged structures such as offshore platform or bridges. Each sensor can collect the interested data, and exchange or relay or continuously broadcast the data to such gateways which can establish a link with the sensor node using wireless or wired communication methods. The drones or surface devices can operate as per a user-defined schedule to fly around the underwater sensor fields and collected the data for scheduled transmissions. After data collection, the gateway transmits the data to another gateway or to a carrier for further transport of data until the data is received by end recipient.
[0032] Figure 1A illustrates a functional block diagram an underwater sensor network that has been implemented in prior art. Figure 1A shows one or more sensor nodes connected via an acoustic link with each other. Often sensor nodes include a master sensor node that aggregates data from nearby sensors and transmits them together. Gateways such as floating buoys, sailing vessels, or underwater drones link to the sensor nodes to access the data stored in the sensor nodes by a communication network link. For high speed data collection using optical or electromagnetic waves the gateways are required to be present in close proximity of the sensors as high frequency wavelengths rapidly attenuate underwater. For large range data communication only low frequency acoustic communication is feasible which offers very low bandwidths. Further, gateways such as underwater drones operating in remote areas transmit the data to a mother vessel as remote areas do not provide direct cellular connectivity.
[0033] This implementation of Figure 1A has certain drawbacks. Drones that move close to the sensor fields for high speed and high-volume data transmission cannot cover large sensor fields or take a lot of time to cover the same. Thus, the overall capture of data from all sensors becomes a slower process and logistically very complex and expensive. For large range transmissions such as through vessels or buoys, the throughput received is very low. Further the range is often limited and will require the gateways to move from one area to another to cover all the sensor fields.
[0034] Further, the implementation of IoUT device network as shown in Figure 1A may require the gateway to withhold the data for a very long period until an external network is available for transmission of the stored data over internet. Remote areas such as offshore or remote onshore areas do not provide a well-connected cellular or network infrastructure. In such a case the further transport of data with either be deferred for a long period or expensive satellite communication will have to be used which may economically be not viable for many applications.
[0035] Additionally, the implementation of Figure 1A does not allow for instantaneous access to sensor data as the data transfer might be delayed due to multiple connects. Additionally, aggregating the data and transferring through master nodes only has higher chances of failure, is slower and requires additional infrastructure.
[0036] Figure 1B illustrates a block diagram showing an implementation of the Internet of Underwater Things, according to the prior art. The Figure 1B shows three layers – a Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) layer, a Cloud IoT layer and IoT End layer. The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) layer shows one or more IoUT devices with sensors such as naval acoustic system, structural health monitoring systems, environmental sensors, seismic sensors, subsea observation sensors etc. In the absence of a gateway device, or in the absence of a gateway network or with the use of conventional gateways as described earlier, the IoT network must rely on the conventional approach to access data using tethers or collect data using a fixed link between a AUV or a ROV and the sensor devices.
[0037] This implementation of Figure 1B has certain drawbacks. The implementation of this IoUT device network does not have any connection to IoT devices above water or has a highly latent low throughput connection, which makes the data collection and processing extremely difficult and time consuming. Secondly, the implementation of Figure 1B does not allow for instantaneous access to sensor data as the data transfer might be delayed due to multiple connects.
[0038] Figure 2A illustrates a block diagram showing an implementation of the low latency high throughput network connectivity for underwater sensor fields, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention. The Figure 2A shows three layers – a Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) layer, a Cloud IoT layer and IoT End layer. The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) layer shows one or more IoUT devices with sensors such as naval acoustic system, environmental sensors, seismic sensors, subsea observation sensors etc. An intermediary device (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV), a ship, a surface drone, underwater drone) that houses a gateway device, acts as a bridge between the IoUT layer and the IoT layer. The gateway device connects to one or more IoUT devices and to one or more Cloud IoT servers and communicates data between the sensor fields and the cloud IoT servers. The Cloud IoT layer may typically contain one or more client servers and other devices communicating with user-end devices in the IoT End layer.
[0039] Figure 2B illustrates a block diagram showing an implementation of the Internet of Underwater Things. Figure 2B shows four layers – a Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) layer, a communication bridge of a gateway network, a Cloud IoT layer and IoT End layer. The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) layer shows one or more IoUT devices with sensors such as naval acoustic system, structural health monitoring system, environmental sensors, seismic sensors, subsea observation sensors etc.
[0040] A communication bridge or a gateway network is shown above the IoUT layer. The communication bridge consists of one or more gateway devices that enable connectivity with the IoUT layer. A gateway device may function as a mobile gateway that connects with one or more IoUT devices present in the IoUT layer. Another gateway device communicatively linked with the mobile gateway device may function as a stationary or a surface gateway, that will communicate with the IoT layer. In one embodiment, the surface gateway and the mobile gateway are linked by a communication link (for e.g., acoustic communication link) to form a gateway network. The stationary or surface gateway communicates with the IoT layer via a carrier such as a ship, a satellite, a road or rail vehicle, a fixed offshore/onshore installation, a seabed installation, an above water installation or a cellphone tower which is equipped with a network such as a WiFi network, cellular network or radio network. The carrier can relay the data to the end recipient or to other carriers. The carrier may be further integrated with a gateway modem device. The gateway modem device communicates with other IoT devices using radio, LAN, WAN, cellular, 3G/4G/5G/6G, optical, wired, satcom, electromagnetic etc. to communicate.
[0041] The gateway network acts as a low latency and high throughput bridge for data transport between the IoUT and IoT layers. The gateway network connects to one or more IoUT devices and to one or more Cloud IoT servers and communicates data between the IoUT devices and the cloud IoT servers. The Cloud IoT layer may typically contain one or more client servers and other devices communicating with user-end devices in the IoT End layer. The manner in which the gateway network acts as a bridge between low latency and high throughput bridge for data transport between the IoUT and IoT layers is explained with respect to various embodiments as shown in figures 2C, 2D and 2E.
[0042] Figure 2C of the drawings shows an implementation of the gateway network wherein multiple sensor nodes or multiple sensor fields are present. Figure 2C shows sensor constellations 200A-200C and 200D-200E present in the seabed or riverbed. Each of these sensor constellations and the sensor fields are serviced by a mobile gateway 220, which may move in a fixed direction or have a time controlled access to the sensor constellations 200A-200C, 200D-200E and the distributed sensor field 200G-200 (n-1).The mobile gateway 220 may connect with a designated sensor node or receive data from a sensor broadcast from the sensor constellations and the sensor field. The mobile gateway 220 connects to the surface gateway 230 which is connected to one or more carriers. In one embodiment, the surface gateway connects to a distributed sensor field 200G-200(n-1), thereby receiving data directly from the sensor broadcasts of the distributed sensor field.
[0043] In one embodiment, if a request is received to access data from the IoT network to the sensor constellations 200A-200C, the request may be transmitted to the either of the carriers (240-243). The carriers may transmit the request to the surface gateway 230 which may process the request and forward the request to the mobile gateway 220. The mobile gateway 220 checks for the data received from the sensor constellations 200A-200C which are broadcast by the sensor node 200C and forwards the received data to the surface gateway 230, which in turn, routes the data to one or more carrier for forwarding the data to the IoT network. Each of the links between the gateways and carriers may be a secured communication link. Carriers are equipped with connectivity options to transport the data to end recipient using networks such as internet or to another carrier in case the end-recipient is not reachable. In case a carrier cannot find the end recipient, the carrier stores the data onboard. The carrier will further transmit the data to other carriers in the vicinity thus allowing multiple carriers to simultaneously search for and transport the data to the end recipient.
[0044] In another embodiment, for accessing the data from the sensor constellation 200D-200E. A request is received at either of carriers (240-243). The carriers may forward the request to the surface gateway 230 which is then forwarded to the mobile gateway 220. The mobile gateway 230 directly accesses the data from the sensor constellation 200D-200E via a request sent through the communication link between the mobile gateway 220 and the sensor constellation 200D-200E. The mobile gateway 220 receives the data and forwards the data to the surface gateway 230 and the data is forwarded to the carriers and to the requestor. In one embodiment, the link between the sensor constellation and the underwater gateway 220 and the link between the underwater gateway 220 and the surface gateway 230 may be an acoustic link. The underwater gateway 220 and the surface gateway 230 form an gateway network so as to facilitate the communication between the sensor constellations and the IoT network. Each of the gateway devices may perform the necessary communication with other devices via a gateway modem device, which is explained in reference to Figures 3A and 3B below.
[0045] Figure 2D illustrates another implementation of the gateway network to monitor a bridge and the underwater pillars supporting the bridge. In this implementation, a combination of fixed gateways and surface gateways may be used. A subsurface gateway 230 is connected to one or more subsurface sensors 200(n), 200D. The subsurface sensor 200D may be linked to subsurface sensor 230 via a link. The fixed gateways may be fixed onto a pier of a bridge or any fixed surface. Another surface gateway 230 may move between one or more fixed structures to collect data from other sensor nodes. In one embodiment, data from the sensor nodes 200D, 200 (n) may be transmitted to the subsurface gateway 230, which in turn is connected to a fixed gateway 230, which is then transmitted to a requestor or a IoT network. Each of the sensor nodes are connected to the subsurface gateway 230 and the surface gateway 230 via one or more acoustic links or ethernet or any other communication links. Each of these gateways connect with each other using a gateway modem device, which is explained in reference to Figures 3A and 3B below.
[0046] Figure 2E illustrates another implementation of the gateway network where a fixed gateway 230 is mounted on the surface of a bridge and a mobile gateway 230 moves between one or more piers of the bridge. The mobile gateway 230 is connected to one or more carriers 245 and a fixed gateway 230 to transmit and receive data. Each of these gateways connect with each other using a gateway modem device, which is explained in reference to Figures 3A and 3B below.
[0047] The underwater gateway 220 connects with the sensor nodes (IoUT devices) 200A-200(n) to collect the data. The gateway 220 is a mobile unit and its motion is pre-programmed to fly in and out of underwater sensor fields on a routine basis. The gateway 220 enters a sensor field, collects data from the sensor field and then moves to another sensor field as programmed. Another gateway device 230 is situated at the water surface in one embodiment. Gateway device 230 can be situated above water as well or it can be a fixed installation on a structure near the water surface, above or below it. The manner in which the gateways or the carriers or the sensor nodes communicate with each other within the IoUT network and around its vicinity is by using a gateway modem device which is explained using the Figures 3A-3B below.
[0048] Figure 3A illustrates a block diagram depicting a modular architecture of a gateway modem device 310 in a gateway 300, wherein the gateway modem device 310 implements a system for providing network connectivity for Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) network, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention. In one embodiment, the gateway modem device is a single-board compact device. The gateway modem further integrates with onboard systems of carriers through an interface system 310C. The interface system 310C enables the gateway modem 310 to interface with a microprocessor or a microcontroller that performs the requisite processing actions.
[0049] The gateway modem device 310 comprises an IoT modem 310A for communicating with carriers or the Cloud IoT server. The IoT modem may use varied communication methods, wired or wireless, such as but not limited to radio, LAN, WAN, cellular, serial, USB, satcom, 3G/4G/5F, optical, Bluetooth, NFC, coaxial, electromagnetic wave communication etc. Any requests that are routed to the IoUT network is received from carriers or the IoT network via the IoT modem 310A, which is transmitted to a processing element 320 via the interface system 310C. The processing element 320 processes the request data and transmits the data for further transmission to an acoustic modem 310B.
[0050] The gateway modem device 310 also contains an acoustic modem 310C that enables communication between the IoUT devices such as sensor nodes. The acoustic modem 310B receives data from the processing element 320 for transmission to the one or more sensor nodes or sensor devices.
[0051] Figure 3B shows a detailed system level block diagram for gateway modem device architecture along with its sub modules. The gateway modem device comprises an acoustic modem 310B, IoT modem 310A and an interfacing system 310C for communication. Both the IoT Modem 310A and acoustic modem 310B are interfaced with the microprocessor 320 of the host device using the interfacing system 310C. The IoT Modem 310A along with its antenna is responsible for exchange of data from different carriers or cloud servers above water. The IoT modem may use different technologies for communication such as wired, serial, radio, cellular, 3G/4G/5G, optical, electromagnetic or similar communication methodologies. The acoustic modem 310B along with transducer is responsible for exchange of data underwater wirelessly. The interfacing system 310C also enables one or more sensors to be interfaced with the IoUT modem architecture for real time collection of data.
[0052] There can be multiple sensors connected to the IoUT modem which can be sensors such as naval acoustic system, structural health monitoring system, environmental sensors, seismic sensors, subsea observation sensors etc. In one embodiment, the IoUT modem has capability to operate standalone as well as addon module for existing underwater drones and sensors.
[0053] The manner in which the communication between the Internet of Underwater Things and the Internet of Things network is handled is explained using the flowchart of Figure 4.
[0054] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart showing the manner in which an access to the Internet of Underwater Things network is facilitated for a specific operation such as configuration, data access etc. The process begins at Step 410 where essential configuration, checks and necessary tests to check network connectivity are performed. The process proceeds to Step 420, where a request for configuration or data access from a sensor node is generated at the IoT layer and received at a carrier 241-245 via the cloud and the carriers identify surface or fixed gateways in their vicinity. At step 430, the shortest/probable routing mechanism for routing the request to the IoUT network is identified. At step 440, the request is forwarded to one or more gateway devices using a communication link. In one embodiment, the request is received at a surface gateway device 230, where it is processed and transmitted to an underwater gateway device 220 through the gateway network. At step 450, the underwater gateway device 220 requests for data from one or more sensor fields 200. At step 460, the sensor fields or the IoUT network transmits the requested data to the underwater gateway device 220, and via the gateway network the data is then transmitted to surface gateway device 230 and then to a carrier for further transmission. The process ends at step 480.
[0055] By performing the method steps 410-480, a gateway network enables transmission of data from an IoUT network to an IoT network.
[0056] At least some of the advantages achieved by the system for providing network connectivity for Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) network, include:
1. Bridging the gap between underwater and aerial or on-land communications.
2. Reduced latency and higher throughput in transport of data from an underwater environment to a cloud infrastructure.
3. Higher volume of data transport compared to conventional methods.
4. Data transports at lower cost and reduced infrastructure.
5. Tremendous utilization of existing infrastructure as carriers of data.
6. Increasing the reach and spread of subsurface sensor networks by using multiple gateways.
7. Simplified network architecture by avoiding aggregators or masters.
8. Simultaneous communication of multiple sensors with the external world through gateway networks.
9. Sensor broadcasts without aggregation offer more efficient and more reliable data transfers to any recipient gateways.
10. Distributed transmission through carriers and gateway networks increases system redundancy than single pipeline communications.
11. Connects various types of above water infrastructure to the IoUT sensor fields using a gateway modem interface allowing for high degree of standardization.
12. Uniformity of underwater sensor nodes allows for higher standardization, redundancy and simple network layouts.
13. Establishing seamless wireless communication between different underwater. sensor nodes for exchange of real-time data, for e.g., sensor nodes that have installed permanently on the seabed and exchange of data between sensor nodes and the IoT network.
14. Capability to act as additional payload for existing underwater infrastructure which can be mounted on any type of ROV, AUV, Underwater drones, surface drones, ships, underwater structures etc.
15. Capability to act as slave device for existing marine infrastructure or act as standalone unit for data collection and exchange of data
16. Feeding real time data for different applications like structural health monitoring of submerged structures, subsea monitoring, seismic data monitoring, underwater power generation, environmental monitoring
17. Enabling real time data monitoring and surveillance in defense application.

[0057] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively.
,CLAIMS:
1. A gateway modem device (310) for providing network connectivity between an internet of underwater things (IoUT) network and an Internet of Things (IoT) network, the device comprising:
an Internet of Things (IoT) modem (310A) configured to handle communication between one or more carriers and/or gateway devices;
an acoustic modem (310B) configured to handle communication between one or more internet of underwater things (IoUT) devices of the IoUT network and one or more gateway devices;
an interface system (310C) configured to interface with a gateway;
wherein the IoT modem (310A) is configured to receive requests from the carriers or more gateways and transmit to the acoustic modem (310B) ;
wherein the acoustic modem (310B) transmits the request to one or more IoUT devices and receive the requested data from one or more IoUT devices and send to the IoT modem (310A) and the IoT modem (310A) transmits the received data to one or more gateway devices or to carriers.

2. The gateway modem device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gateway modem device comprises of one more antennas interfaced with a multi-channel IoT modem to transmit/receive data to/from the IoT network across multiple channels simultaneously.

3. The gateway modem device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gateway device further comprises of single or multiple transducers interfaced with a multi-channel IoUT modem to communicate with the IoUT devices across multiple channels simultaneously.

4. The gateway modem device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface system is configured to be interfaced with a processor or a microcontroller of the gateway device or the carrier, and wherein the carrier is selected from underwater drones such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), or a Remotely operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) or a standalone device or a fixed device or any suitable carrier such as a marine vessel (ship or boat), a rail or road vehicle, an aerial vehicle or plane, a satellite, a communication router, a cell phone tower, a communication base station or so on.

5. The gateway modem device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gateway device is a wearable device for underwater divers to exchange data from IoUT network.

6. The gateway modem device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IoUT modem and IoT modem can work simultaneously while operating across various channels.

7. A method for providing low-latency high-throughput network connectivity between internet of underwater things (IoUT) network and Internet of Things (IoT) network, the method comprising:
receiving (420), at a carrier, a request for accessing or configure one or more IoUT devices;
identifying (430), at the carrier, the shortest/probable routing mechanism for request to access or configure IoUT devices;
sending (440), by the carrier, the request to a gateway network, wherein the gateway network comprises of one or more gateway devices;
transmitting (450), by a gateway device, request to one or more IoUT devices;
sending (460), by the IoUT device, the requested data to the gateway network; and
transmitting (470),by the gateway device, to the carrier.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gateway devices and carriers use a gateway modem device for communicating with the IoT network and the IoUT network.

9. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the carrier are selected from underwater drones, surface drones, ships or marine vessels, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), a Remotely operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV), a satellite, a rail or road vehicle, a cell phone tower, an offshore installation, a fixed installation on a civil infrastructure (dam, bridge), an aerial drone or vehicle or plane, a radio base station, a network router, or any other device in the vicinity of IoUT area with a communication network.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein identifying a routing mechanism comprises of:
identifying one or more gateway devices (220, 230, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, G) that are visible or connected to the IoUT network directly or accessible through a gateway network,
calculating time period for transmission or access of data between the IoUT device and the one or more gateway devices (220, 230, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, G); and
establishing communication connection between one or more gateway device (220, 230, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, G) and the IoUT device.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein carrier devices (240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245) are used as carriers of data between the IoUT and IoT network, and can perform simultaneous communication of data to/fro the gateways or to/fro the IoT cloud.

12. The method as claimed in claim 7, where different types of existing infrastructure such as installations, civil infrastructure, vehicles, satellites and networks are interfaced with a gateway modem device and used as carriers of data between the IoUT and the IoT network.

13. The method as claimed in claim 7, where different carriers and gateways are chosen to form an optimized gateway network for efficient data transport between the IoUT and IoT networks.

14. The method as claimed in claim 7, used by mobile gateways to maintain optimum range between the IoUT sensors fields and the surface/fixed gateways to allow for throughput.

15. The method as claimed in claim 7, used by mobile gateways to swim from one IoUT sensor field to another, in a pre-programmed manner or based on on-demand request, to allow for data transactions in the shortest possible time.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a surface gateway identifies of one or more mobile gateways to maximize the area of underwater sensor fields covered by the surface gateway, through direct access to sensor fields and through bridged access using the mobile gateways,

17. The method as claimed in claim 9, used by the surface gateway to dynamically adjust its position to minimize the latency of data transport, maximize the numbers of carriers in vicinity and maximize the area of underwater sensor fields covered.

18. The method as claimed in claim 9, used by IoUT sensor nodes to eliminate aggregation or polling and simultaneously continuously broadcasting sensor data in the surrounding medium waiting for interception from mobile gateways.

19. The method as claimed in claim 9, used for appropriately spacing and installation of IoUT sensor nodes on the bed for maximizing the throughput of data transmission to gateways.

20. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the communication between IoUT devices and the carrier and gateway devices (220, 230, G) are performed through an acoustic modem or wired communication; and
the communication between the IoT network and the carrier and gateway devices are performed using an IoT modem or wired communication.