Hydro-X-Mesh: Autonomous Mesh Networking for Cross-Domain, Multi-Modal, High-Speed Data Transfer

Bionet Sonar, Inc., doing business as Hydronet, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Marine Autonomy Laboratory are bringing together a diverse multi-disciplinary team to develop first-of-its kind technology that will enable dynamic, multi-modal, and high-rate exfiltration of undersea data via unmanned platform teaming through a cooperative fleet of autonomous surface vehicles (ASV), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and undersea unmanned vehicles (UUVs). The project will develop Hydro-X-Mesh, a novel multi-domain, multi-spectrum, multi-modal mesh networking system for high-speed, cross-domain data transfer. Hydro-X-Mesh will provide capabilities to connect teams of USVs, UUVs, and UAVs through mesh technology spanning the water-air domain and leveraging multi-modal acoustic/visible-light/RF communication. This will be obtained through algorithmic joint control of the communication/networking functionalities (through Hydronet’s programmable modem platform), and of the team of unmanned vehicles (through MIT’s open and modular robotic platforms).  The  Hydronet software-defined communication platform will be integrated with a fleet of MIT vehicles spanning water and surface and with custom UAVs carrying Hydronet devices. The project will bring to fruition an initial demonstration of the feasibility of this technology during Phase I, and fully develop it during Phase II by pushing the data rate capabilities beyond 10 Mbit/s and by enabling full dynamic mesh and demonstrations in relevant environments (West Point's experimental facility at Lake Popolopen).