Cross-correlation based approach of underwater network size estimation with unequal sensor separation

It is very difficult to estimate the number and location of the operational nodes in underwater network using conventional protocol based techniques due to long propagation delay, strong background noise, non-negligible capture effect, high absorption and dispersion of underwater environment. So, a unique approach based on cross-correlation is applied for underwater network size estimation. In three-sensor case of this approach, network size is obtained by cross-corelating the Gaussian signals received at equidistant pair of sensors. The assumption of equidistant sensors poses some limitations and requires further investigation. The aim of this work is to obtain a more flexible estimation process by removing this assumption. For this purpose, three-sensor case of cross-correlation based underwater network size estimation technique is investigated in this paper with unequal sensor separation.