Free-space optical communications is an emerging field that is likely to form a key strand of the next generations of communications protocols. The development of micro-LEDs and visible laser diode sources has enabled high-speed underwater data transfer. The emergence of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), combined with the expansion of underwater infrastructure including surveying and monitoring demands robust communication channels between systems and control bases.

This project seeks to exploit advances in new optical sources and detectors together with optical design to develop robust optical communications in real-world underwater environments. Challenges will include fundamental optical communication channel modelling, combined with a system engineering approach to integrate these systems onto practical devices with a view to real-world deployment and demonstrations.

Working within the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics alongside researchers, engineers, and other students, you'll have the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams within project consortia spanning across academia and industry. Academic support will be provided through the University of Strathclyde whose world-leading LiFi Research and Development Centre specialises in optical wireless communication.

You'll be based in the Technology & Innovation Centre where both the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics and the LiFi Research and Development Centre are based. You'll gain expertise in a wide range of optical technologies and will work with researchers and engineers at both centres. Experimental proof-of-concept demonstration is an important aspect of this project, and you'll learn details of experimental work and prototyping during this project. Research findings will be published in high-impact journals with the opportunity to present at flagship international conferences.