Undersea connection is an important component of the global communications infrastructure, linking governments, continents, and people all over the world. The upkeep and monitoring of these subsea networks can be challenging but is nonetheless critical for guaranteeing their dependability and performance. Undersea drones for network maintenance and monitoring have emerged as a viable alternative in recent years. In this article, we will look into the feasibility of employing underwater drones for network maintenance and monitoring.

Undersea drones, also known as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), can travel enormous distances and depths, making them suitable for subsea network inspection, repair, and maintenance. Undersea drones, as opposed to traditional techniques such as deploying human divers or remotely controlled vehicles (ROVs), may perform jobs with more efficiency and safety. They can also be used in dangerous conditions for people, including as deep marine habitats. I addition to this, they can be used for network surveillance as well as network repair. Outfitted with sensors and cameras that identify possible problems and continuously monitor the condition of subsea networks. Undersea drones, for example, can be used to detect and track environmental conditions like as ocean currents and tides, which might have an influence on the functioning of subsea networks. This information may subsequently be utilised to improve the design and deployment of subsea networks, hence increasing their reliability and performance.

Another benefit of utilising subsea drones for network maintenance and monitoring is their low cost. Traditional techniques, such as deploying human divers or ROVs, can be costly, particularly in deep water missions. Undersea drones, on the other hand, have a far lower operating cost, making them a more cost-effective choice for network maintenance and monitoring. Furthermore, because they do not need the use of ships and other vessels, which may create large glasshouse gas emissions, the use of underwater drones can assist to lessen the environmental effect of subsea network maintenance and monitoring.

Despite the potential benefits of employing underwater drones for network maintenance and monitoring, there are several issues to consider. The development and deployment of subsea drones is one of the most difficult issues. Undersea drones are still in the early phases of development, with limited deployment. Furthermore, operating and maintaining subsea drones requires particular skills and experience, which might be a barrier to their wider adoption.

In summary, the utilisation of subsea drones for network maintenance and monitoring is a viable option for the subsea communications business. They provide a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly method of inspecting, repairing, and maintaining subsea networks, as well as real-time monitoring of their functioning. While significant problems remain, such as undersea drone development and deployment, the potential benefits of deploying undersea drones for network maintenance and surveillance make them an attractive alternative for the future of undersea communication.

Found this article interesting? Stay tuned for the final article in SUBCO’s ten-part series on submarine optimisation and deployment, where we look to the future of undersea cable networks.