Underwater optical communication unit

Abstract

A communication unit () configured for wireless optical communication underwater, and including a communication transceiver (), a housing (), an adjustment mechanism (), and a processor (). The transceiver is accommodated in the housing, and includes a signal detector configured to receive an optical communication signal () approaching the unit within a main detection lobe centred on a receiver directivity axis (Ar), and/or includes a signal generator configured to emit an optical communication signal () via a main emission lobe centred on a transmitter directivity axis (At). The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust orientation(s) of the receiver and/or transmitter directivity axes relative to the housing. The processor is configured to determine a directional coordinate (Φi, Θi) for an approaching light signal (), and to control the adjustment mechanism to automatically adjust and align the orientation of the directivity axes with the determined directional coordinate.