Modem M16
The Modem M16 is a miniature 16 bits per second underwater acoustic modem that has been designed for use in the most challenging of environments, where a reliable connection is of utmost importance.
The M16 enhances ROV, AUV, and commercial diving operations with reliability and robustness. By prioritizing reliability over data rate, its design ensures consistent communication even under challenging conditions, such as varying salinity, temperature fluctuations, and moderate turbidity.
Secure communication ensuring reliable data transmission
Save power and weight
Less than 0.3 watts in listen mode and 2 watt-seconds when transmitting data
Wireless connection
1000 m range, 600 m depth rating
Features
Robust bi-directional communication
Multiple connections without clash of data
1000 m range and 600 m depth rated
Half duplex, 16 bits per package transmission
Low-power consumption
Extremely small size
Technical specifications
Mechanical
- Device length 47 mm (Standard, ex cable), 47.5 mm (Flange, ex cable)
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Device weight (air)
40 gram (Standard), 62 gram (Flange)
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Device weight (submerged)
14 gram (Standard), 32 gram (Flange)
- Depth rating 600 meter
- Materials POM (housing)
- PEEK (transducer)
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Operating temperature
-10 to 70 °C
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Device diameter
29.5 mm
Electrical / Interface
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Input voltage
3.0 - 4.2 Vdc (UART), 10 - 30 Vdc (RS422)
- Power consumption UART: <1.5 W (Tx), <300 mW (Rx)
- RS422: <2.0 W (Tx), <400 mW (Rx)
- Physical interface 5 wires for OEM, Flange (0.5m wires)
- 5 wires for Standard (2m open ended cable)
- 6 wires for Extended (15m open ended cable)
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Communication
Serial UART (2.5-3.3V CMOS, 2.5-5V TTL) or RS422
Acoustic / Performance
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Range
1,000 meter
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Transducer directivity
Omnidirectional
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Transducer frequency
58.5 kHz
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Transmission
16 bits per package (1.6s package duration), Half duplex
Approvals
-
CE certificate
Yes - RoHS compliant Yes
Designed for difficult situations
Need to communicate in harsh environments?
Water Linked's Modem M16 enhances ROV and AUV operations with reliability and robustness. By prioritizing reliability over data rate, its design ensures consistent communication even in difficult conditions, such as varying salinity, temperature fluctuations, and moderate turbidity.
Thanks to advanced signal processing, the M16 is built to handle environments with background noise and multipath propagation. By focusing on reliability, the Modem M16 excels in scenarios where stable communication is critical, making it an ideal choice for demanding underwater applications.
Need to communicate over long periods of time?
With a boot-up time of less than 10 milliseconds, the M16 modem can be set to sleep when not required and quickly boot-up to transmit or receive data. Where it’s not possible to set the modem into the sleep mode each modem draws less than 0.3 watts in listen mode and less than 2 watt seconds when transmitting data.
Need to communicate with other modems in close proximity?
With 12 channels to choose from, operating around a 58.5 kHz centre frequency, multiple modems can be operated at the same time in the same area without interference.
Need a modem on a vehicle without adding size or weight?
Maintaining a small physical size and being lightweight was critical when designing the M16 modem for optional OEM integration, allowing the M16 modem to be tightly integrated with little impact on the design of the overall system.
In this video you can see how the Desert WAVE team utilized our Modem M16 and won the RoboSub 2024 competition by enabling communication between their two autonomous underwater vehicles
Follow the industry trend
As underwater vehicles become smaller and more accessible, the demand for affordable, lightweight sensors is skyrocketing. Stay ahead of the curve and make sure that you meet your customers' needs.
The M16 modems worked perfectly, and the support we received from Water Linked was fantastic. I’d recommend them to any team looking for reliable underwater communication technology.
- Daniel Frank, Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University
Downloads / Resources
Contact us for more information
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