<p>This thesis investigates techniques for stealth hydroacoustic communication using spread spectrum. The Swedish naval defense organisations have a vision that all their units should be able to communicate with each other, even between underwater vehicles. But the properties of water makes it a complex channel to use for wireless communications. Radiomagnetic waves have very limited range in water, therefore acoustic waves are used. </p><p>In this report the basics of wireless communication systems are described including source coding, channel coding, modulation techniques as well as different techniques for spread spectrum. The fundamental principle for all spread spectrum systems is to use more bandwidth than necessary to spread the signal energy in the frequency spectrum. This limits the data rate but results in a robust communication link which is difficult to detect, intercept and to jam. </p><p>In addition to the theoretical background, this thesis also gives a brief description of a Matlab system and a VHDL-system that was developed during the project. Finally the results of this project are presented and some suggestions of further developments are given.</p>

This thesis investigates techniques for stealth hydroacoustic communication using spread spectrum. The Swedish naval defense organisations have a vision that all their units should be able to communicate with each other, even between underwater vehicles. But the properties of water makes it a complex channel to use for wireless communications. Radiomagnetic waves have very limited range in water, therefore acoustic waves are used. In this report the basics of wireless communication systems are described including source coding, channel coding, modulation techniques as well as different techniques for spread spectrum. The fundamental principle for all spread spectrum systems is to use more bandwidth than necessary to spread the signal energy in the frequency spectrum. This limits the data rate but results in a robust communication link which is difficult to detect, intercept and to jam. In addition to the theoretical background, this thesis also gives a brief description of a Matlab system and a VHDL-system that was developed during the project. Finally the results of this project are presented and some suggestions of further developments are given.