Some design problems in wireless diver communications

Communication equipment for use by divers involves problem areas that are normally not considered as part of the design engineer´s interest. Because all equipment carried by the diver must be considered in the context of his life support system, design engineering is critically affected by the diver´s psychological attitude, his physiological limitations in stress situations, and the compatibility of peripheral equipment with the basic life support system. This paper deals with some of the major problems indigenous to each of these areas, the effect on system design and the solutions used in each area in the design of a 42 kHz amplitude-modulated, wireless diver communication unit. Having attained an acceptable design, evidenced by several hundred working units in the field, the author discusses some of the pressing needs for diver communication today.