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reasonably reliably if handled carefully pin-less connectors though, and since it truly be a game changer. According to and plugged in only once; some might was never obvious to others, we were Bokenfohr “AUV docking is extremely consider them like a solder joint – con- able to secure patents for this inventive risky unless established via a pin-less nected once and not intended to be sepa- step in underwater communication,” ex- connector. Docking has previously been rated. To keep the connector’s precision plained Bokenfohr. It is also interesting demonstrated by others using wireless moving parts safe and the connection to note the advantages of this technol- underwater technologies, but these de- reliable over several wet-mate cycles is ogy over traditional low-frequency RF, velopments have been limited in com- much more challenging due to the need inductive or acoustic technologies. High patibility with other systems and specif- to seal dynamically against corrosive data transmission speed over wide band- ic to certain vehicles and networks. The high-pressure water, align pins perfectly width is the main advantage offered by PAX connection system will increase every time while attempting to seal and WiSub’s microwave-based underwater the viability of long-term subsea dock- re-seal without incurring ground faults data link, starting at 100Mbps and ex- ing stations by delivering a universal or failure. Contaminants in the water and tending past 1Gbps in development. connection system that is compatible rough operator handling exacerbate the “This high-speed advantage is possible between multiple AUV systems, en- problem of sealing and alignment. The due to the frequencies involved, which couraging deployment and proliferation basic physics of pin-to-socket construc- requires small (micro) wavelengths, of the technology throughout all subsea tion also limits the speeds possible for which also happens to be the same fea- industries internationally. An additional data transfer due to the long unshielded, ture that prevents long-distance travel of result of the project will be the ability untwisted pin lengths that introduce the these waves. Microwaves are de