Norm Farr, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (IMAGE)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Norm Farr, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Caption

WHOI engineer Norm Farr (above) and colleague Jonathan Ware are partnering with UK-based underwater acoustics and communications company Sonardyne International Ltd., to create the joint venture, Lumasys. Farr worked with colleagues at WHOI to develop an optical modem system, which uses light signals to send data -- at a rate of 10 megabits per second and at ranges up to 100 meters -- between the instrument and other ocean science platforms, for example autonomous underwater vehicles or remotely operated vehicles. The engineers chose blue light for the modem system because it transmits through water better than other light wavelengths.

Credit

Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

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