ISO IEC TR 30167-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC TR 30167:2021 — Internet of Things (IoT) — Underwater communication technologies for IoT. This technical report surveys and describes communication technologies applicable to underwater IoT systems, providing an overview of acoustic, optical, very low frequency / extremely low frequency (VLF/ELF) and magnetic communication approaches, their characteristics, typical applications and deployment considerations.

Abstract

This technical report summarizes enabling and driving technologies for underwater communications relevant to IoT deployments. It presents technical overviews of different communication modalities (acoustic, optical, VLF/ELF and magnetic-type communications), compares their characteristics (range, bandwidth, power and environmental sensitivity), outlines trends and likely application areas, and highlights benefits and challenges for integrating these technologies into IoT systems.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: June 2021 (edition 1; publication entry shows 2021-06, published 30 June 2021).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — published as an ISO/IEC Technical Report.
• ICS / categories: 33.020 (Telecommunications and related technologies).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2021).
• Number of pages: 60 pages.

Scope

This report addresses communication technologies that enable underwater IoT systems: acoustic methods (widely used for longer-range, lower-bandwidth links), optical methods (high-bandwidth, short-range), very low frequency / extremely low frequency (VLF/ELF) approaches and magnetic-based communications. The scope includes technical descriptions, characteristic comparisons, application examples, deployment considerations (environmental effects, power and transducer constraints) and discussion of benefits and challenges for integrating these technologies into IoT architectures and standards work. It is intended as a survey and gap-analysis resource rather than a prescriptive protocol specification.

Key topics and requirements

• Overview and technical principles of underwater acoustic communication (propagation, attenuation, typical ranges and bandwidth trade-offs).
• Optical underwater communication characteristics (line-of-sight requirements, high throughput at short ranges, impact of turbidity and scattering).
• VLF/ELF communication features and use cases (very long range, extremely low data rates, niche applications).
• Magnetic / magnetic-fusion style communication options for underwater links (alternative propagation mechanisms less sensitive to salinity and turbidity).
• Comparative trade-offs: range vs. bandwidth vs. power vs. environmental sensitivity; selection guidance for IoT use cases.
• Integration considerations with IoT stacks: gateway strategies, energy management, synchronization, network topology and interoperability challenges.
• Operational and environmental constraints: noise, multi-path, platform motion, biofouling and maintenance implications for long-term deployments.
• Research and standardization gaps and recommended directions for future work in underwater IoT communications.

Typical use and users

Primary users include system architects and engineers designing subsea and marine IoT systems (oceanographic and environmental monitoring, offshore energy and aquaculture), researchers and technology developers working on underwater communications, integrators building sensor networks and gateways, and standards bodies and policy makers assessing interoperability and deployment best practices. The report is useful for planners evaluating trade-offs across modalities and for organizations seeking a consolidated overview of underwater communications options for IoT deployments.

Related standards

Relevant and adjacent ISO/IEC deliverables and technical reports include other JTC 1/SC 41 IoT and related technical reports such as ISO/IEC TR 30164 (Edge computing for IoT) and ISO/IEC TR 30176 (IoT — integration with distributed ledger technologies). This TR complements IoT and telecommunications work by focusing specifically on underwater physical-layer and system considerations.

Keywords

underwater communication, Internet of Things, IoT, acoustic communication, optical communication, VLF, ELF, magnetic communication, subsea networks, ocean sensors, JTC 1/SC 41, maritime IoT

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC TR 30167:2021 is a technical report that surveys underwater communication technologies relevant to IoT systems and provides comparative descriptions, trends, applications and deployment considerations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers technical overviews of acoustic, optical, VLF/ELF and magnetic-type underwater communications, their characteristics (range, bandwidth, power, environmental sensitivity), typical applications, benefits, challenges and integration considerations for IoT. The document is intended as an informative survey rather than a prescriptive protocol.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: System designers and engineers in marine and subsea industries, researchers in underwater communications and IoT, integrators of sensor networks and gateways, and standards developers and policy makers working on IoT interoperability and deployment strategies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The report was published in June 2021 (edition 1). There is no indication on the ISO record that it has been superseded; users should check ISO's catalogue or relevant national standards bodies for any subsequent revisions or related newer deliverables.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a Technical Report in the ISO/IEC 3016x series of IoT-related documents and was developed under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 41 (Internet of Things and related technologies). It complements other TRs and standards addressing IoT system aspects.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Underwater communication, IoT, acoustic, optical, VLF, ELF, magnetic communication, subsea network, ocean sensors, maritime IoT, JTC 1/SC 41.