The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and its AMEBA (A Mechanically Based Antenna) team are building radio transmitter that could open previously impossible communication channels.
AMEBA is in the process of developing portable ULF, or ultra-low-frequency (1Hz to 3kHz), and VLF, or very low frequency (3kHz to 30kHz), transmitters capable of penetrating a whole host of materials such as water and rock that we may have previously thought completely incompatible.
Troy Olsson of DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office is betting on a little-exploited aspect of electromagnetic physics that could expand wireless communication and data transfer into undersea. “If we are successful, scuba divers would be able to use a ULF channel for low bit-rate communications, like text messages, to communicate with each other,” Olsson said.
While we don’t want to see divers distracted by texting underwater this could be a handy tool for buddy teams diving from a liveaboard or dive charter. Each buddy team could have a phone and receive a text message from the boat when it’s time to ascend or in the case of an emergency.
As well these are times when a boat skipper will spot a whale shark or dolphins on the surface feet from a divers bubbles. A skipper could quickly notify the divemaster to keep their eyes peeled, while the divers below may be completely unaware.
There is still the issue of having a supple waterproof container to house the phone, but having a form of communication underwater with the boat could put more divers at ease. The sound of a boats propeller following you from above is always reassuring when you are leading a dive, and having a little communication beacon would give you the same sense of security.
Texting underwater could also be a very affordable means of buddy safety. In most tropical dive destination a simple cellphone that sends and receives text messages can be purchased and activated with a local sim card for $20 or less.
However we still love the peace and quiet that comes with being underwater, so if texting never becomes and underwater reality we’re fine with that too. [DARPA]
