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Performance analysis of ZCC code-based OCDMA in underwater optical wireless communication links across diverse water types

NEETU1, MEHTAB SINGH1,* , SOMIA A. ABD EL-MOTTALEB2

Affiliation

  1. Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, University Institute of Engineering, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
  2. Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Alexandria Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology, Alexandria 21311, Egypt

Abstract

Underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) offers high-bandwidth alternatives to acoustic systems but faces severe attenuation and scattering in varying water conditions. This paper investigates the efficacy of optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA) employing zero cross-correlation (ZCC) codes for UOWC transmission links. Comprehensive simulations evaluate system performance across five water types—pure sea, clear ocean, coastal ocean, Harbor I, and Harbor II—using log(BER), Q-factor, and eye diagrams as metrics. Results demonstrate robust performance at data rates of 2.5, 5, and 10 Gbps, with maximum achievable ranges of 102 m (pure sea), 42 m (clear ocean), 19.5 m (coastal ocean), 8.5 m (Harbor I), and 4.8 m (Harbor II) while maintaining a Q-factor ≥4 dB and log(BER) ≤-5 which is commonly used as a practical forward-error-correction benchmark in simulation studies. Q-factor and log(BER) versus range graphs reveal ZCC codes' resilience to multi-user interference and channel impairments, outperforming traditional schemes in turbid waters. Eye diagrams confirm signal integrity at optimal ranges. These findings validate ZCC-OCDMA as a promising multiplexing solution for short-to-medium-range UOWC applications, such as underwater sensor networks.

Keywords

Underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC), Optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA), Zero cross-correlation (ZCC) codes, Water channel modelling, Bit error rate (BER), Q-factor, Eye diagram analysis.

Citation

NEETU, MEHTAB SINGH, SOMIA A. ABD EL-MOTTALEB, Performance analysis of ZCC code-based OCDMA in underwater optical wireless communication links across diverse water types, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications, 20, 7-8, July-August 2026, pp.361-370 (2026).

Submitted at: March 4, 2026

Accepted at: Aug. 3, 2026