Key applications of underwater sensing and communications range from environmental monitoring for climate science and early warnings of tsunami to offshore infrastructure inspection, maritime security, and operating autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
Innovations for reliable underwater communications, particularly acoustic networks, are the focus of the latest issue of the ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies.
The new issue (Volume 7, Issue 1) presents research on how to optimize acoustic network topology and time synchronization, as well as new acoustic networking possibilities emerging with artificial intelligence. Papers also explore innovations for high-quality underwater imagery and reliable decentralized coordination of AUV swarms.
The online ITU Journal – free of charge to readers and contributors – offers comprehensive coverage of communications and networking.
It welcomes research submissions all year long, on all topics relevant to the work of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Published in open access format since 2020, the ITU Journal is indexed in the Directory of Open Access Journals.
Coming up
Submissions are invited for upcoming editions on:
- Digital twins
- Space computing and space AI
- AI/ML solutions in 6G and AI-native networks
- Quantum-safe communication
Along with research articles, the journal includes recorded webinar discussions with researchers and industry leaders.
Look out for these webinars:
- 14 April: Arrays of liquid antennas: Taking reconfigurability to the next level
- 15 April: SLICES: Your scientific instrument to support 6G system research
Join the ITU community
Engaging in ITU’s work as ITU Academia members helps researchers to bring their innovations to market.
Academia members collaborate with companies and governments as part of ITU expert groups responsible for radiocommunication, standardization, and development.
Emerging tech research trends relevant to ITU standards work are in focus at ITU Kaleidoscope academic conferences.
Kaleidoscope 2026: AI and frontier technologies for good will take place at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva from 7 to 10 July 2026.
The conference is organized with the technical co-sponsorship of IEEE and the IEEE Communications Society.
Open until 19 April: Call for Exhibition – Swiss Academic and Research Projects.
Source: https://www.itu.int/hub/2026/04/itu-journal-explores-enhanced-underwater-communications/
