HYDRO Group, an Aberdeen-based supplier of optical and electrical products to the global subsea technology sector, has teamed up with an Italian system design firm to develop an innovative underwater communication system.
The project was sponsored by the PSTL Science and Technology Park in Liguria, Italy, and saw Hydro joining forces with SMID Technology to create the core of what is said to be the first “smart” underwater communications network of its kind.
Hydro said the new system – the underwater WEB – was suited to a wide range of situations and used just one cable and one control unit. “The new system benefits underwater networks such as port protection, traffic monitoring, seismic research and mammal survey,” the firm added.
Hydro business partner Bruno Miaschi said the WEB had been sea-tested under the supervision of the Nato Underwater Research Centre, witnessed by Italian navy officers, Genoa University professors and sponsor PSTL.
Hydro subsidiary Hydro Bond Engineering produced parts for the system. The cable was designed by Hydro Cable Systems, which is also part of the group.