Succorfish Delphis Underwater Acoustic Modem: Transforming Underwater Communication
Reliable communication underwater has always been difficult. Above the surface, wireless networks and radio signals keep systems connected with ease. Underwater, however, radio signals simply do not work effectively, creating major challenges for marine operations, research, and subsea technology.
The Succorfish Delphis underwater acoustic modem has been developed to solve this problem. By using sound waves instead of radio frequencies, Delphis enables dependable wireless communication beneath the surface and helps support the growing development of the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT).
“With the Delphis system deployed across more than 20 universities globally, and growing adoption across research institutes and commercial partners, a new standard for underwater connectivity is emerging. This is enabling innovation in Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), subsea monitoring systems, and next-generation marine technologies.”
Bringing Reliable Connectivity Underwater
An underwater acoustic modem works by transmitting data using sound waves, allowing communication in environments where conventional wireless systems fail.
Delphis has been designed to provide reliable, ultra-low power subsea communication between a wide range of marine systems, including:
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
- Divers and subsea instruments
- Sensors and offshore infrastructure
The system supports up to 256 individually addressable devices and delivers sub-metre positioning accuracy, making it suitable for scalable underwater communication networks.
Supporting Research and Innovation Worldwide
Developed alongside Newcastle University, Delphis is now being used by universities and research organisations across the UK, Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Within research and education, the technology supports:
- Advanced ROV and AUV development
- Testing of autonomous and AI-driven marine systems
- Long-term environmental and oceanographic monitoring
- Practical student training using professional-grade equipment
Its growing adoption is helping establish a new benchmark for underwater communication technology across both research and commercial sectors.
Researchers working in marine robotics, environmental science, and offshore engineering rely on Delphis to deliver consistent subsea data in real-world conditions, helping bridge the gap between laboratory development and operational deployment.
Real-World Environmental Benefits: My Gear Tag (MGT)
Delphis technology is also being used to support environmental initiatives.
One example is My Gear Tag (MGT), a solution designed to help track and recover lost fishing equipment. Abandoned or lost fishing gear, often referred to as ghost gear, is a major contributor to marine pollution and can continue damaging marine ecosystems for years.
Using Delphis acoustic positioning technology, operators can:
- Locate lost fishing gear accurately
- Reduce search and recovery times
- Lower operational costs
- Help minimise long-term environmental damage
- Support more sustainable fishing practices
This demonstrates how underwater communication technology can provide practical environmental benefits as well as operational improvements.
Designed for Demanding Marine Environments
Delphis has been engineered specifically for harsh underwater conditions, balancing performance, efficiency, and compact design.
Key specifications include:
- Communication range of up to 2 km in seawater
- Range of up to 3.5 km in freshwater
- Depth rating exceeding 1000 metres
- Ultra-low power consumption for long-duration deployments
- Compact and cost-effective design
- Approximate ranging precision of 10 cm
- 64-byte data packet transmission
- Operating frequency range of 24–32 kHz
This combination of performance and efficiency makes Delphis suitable for applications where reliability, power management, and integration flexibility are essential.
Applications Across Multiple Sectors
The Delphis underwater acoustic modem supports a broad range of marine and offshore applications.
ROV and AUV Communication
Provides dependable telemetry and communication in deep-water and GPS-denied environments.
Underwater Positioning
Uses acoustic signalling to deliver accurate underwater positioning where satellite navigation is unavailable.
Subsea Data Transfer
Enables wireless communication between subsea assets and surface systems without the need for extensive cabling.
Offshore Energy Monitoring
Supports the monitoring of subsea pipelines, offshore wind infrastructure, and underwater equipment.
Oceanographic Research
Allows long-range environmental monitoring and real-time subsea data collection.
Defence and Security
Supports secure underwater communication and subsea tracking operations.
Supporting the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT)
Delphis is more than a standalone communication device. It provides the foundation for connected underwater systems capable of operating as larger subsea networks.
The modem supports point-to-point communication as well as mesh and tree-based network structures, enabling up to 256 connected devices within a single system.
This capability is helping drive the development of the Internet of Underwater Things, allowing underwater systems and sensors to communicate reliably at scale.
Designed Responsibly for Marine Environments
Managing underwater sound responsibly is an important consideration in marine technology.
Delphis uses low-intensity acoustic transmissions with very short burst durations of approximately 100 milliseconds and an extremely low duty cycle. This helps reduce overall acoustic energy output and minimises potential impact on marine wildlife.
The result is an underwater communication system designed to balance performance with environmental responsibility.
Simple Integration into Existing Systems
Delphis has been designed for straightforward integration into both new and existing marine platforms.
Integration features include:
- RS232 and UART interfaces
- Compatibility with embedded processors and control systems
- Support for custom firmware development
- OEM integration options
Succorfish also provides development support covering embedded systems, cloud connectivity, and mobile applications, helping customers develop complete end-to-end solutions.
How Delphis Works
Each Delphis unit converts digital data into an electrical signal, which is transmitted underwater as a short acoustic pulse through a transducer.
The receiving device detects the signal and converts it back into usable data.
This process enables reliable wireless communication across long underwater distances without relying on cables, GPS, or traditional radio systems.
The Future of Underwater Communication
As offshore industries, marine research organisations, and autonomous subsea technologies continue to advance, the demand for dependable underwater communication will only increase.
With growing global adoption, successful environmental applications such as My Gear Tag, and support for a wide range of subsea operations, the Succorfish Delphis underwater acoustic modem is helping shape the future of underwater connectivity.
