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Simulation software

UWOTA — Underwater Optical Turbulence Analyzer

UWOTA (Underwater Optical Turbulence Analyzer) is a standalone Windows desktop application developed by SCOPT Inc. for simulating the effects of underwater optical turbulence on la

Overview

UWOTA (Underwater Optical Turbulence Analyzer) is a standalone Windows desktop application developed by SCOPT Inc. for simulating the effects of underwater optical turbulence on laser beam propagation. It computes key channel quality metrics — scintillation index, wave structure function, phase structure function, coherence length, and Rytov variance — across a range of ocean environmental conditions and link geometries. The tool supports both horizontal and slant-path (uplink/downlink) propagation, making it suitable for analyzing underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) links, imaging systems, and optical sensor networks operating in turbulent ocean environments. It is aimed at researchers, system designers, and engineers who require rigorous, physics-based turbulence channel characterization without writing simulation code.

Note: Delivered as a compiled Windows executable (.exe). Python source code is not provided.

Key features

  • Multiple Simulation Modes: Five dedicated analysis tabs — Scintillation Index ( I ), Wave Structure Function D( ), Phase Structure Function D ( ), Coherence Length ( ₀), and Rytov Variance — each with independent parameter control and sweep capability.
  • Dual Turbulence Spectrum Models: OTOPS model using full seawater optical properties derived from temperature, salinity, and pressure; and Nikishov model for Kolmogorov-based underwater turbulence with configurable T/S ratio.
  • Comprehensive Beam Support: Plane wave, spherical wave, and Gaussian beam with configurable beam waist and phase-front radius (collimated or focused).
  • Weak and Strong Scintillation Regimes: Extended Rytov theory for saturation-regime turbulence; aperture averaging for both point receivers and finite-aperture collecting optics.
  • Slant-Path Propagation: Uplink and downlink geometry with depth-varying turbulence profiles driven by wind speed, tidal velocity, buoyancy flux, and surface friction velocity.
  • Parametric Sweeps: Sweep over propagation distance (L), energy dissipation rate ( ), temperature dissipation rate ( T), water temperature (T), salinity (S), or transverse separation ( ) on linear or logarithmic axes with user-defined range and resolution.
  • Interactive Plot Workspace: Multi-curve overlay on a single plot, light/dark theme toggle, legend hover popup showing full parameter set, curve renaming by double-click, interactive line selection, and a statistics dialog.
  • Flexible Export: Save plots as PNG, SVG, or PDF; export raw numerical data as CSV or MATLAB .mat files for post-processing.

Use cases

  • Design of UOWC Links: Predict turbulence-induced scintillation, coherence degradation, and wave structure distortion for short- and mid-range underwater optical wireless communication links under realistic ocean conditions.
  • Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Assess the reliability of laser-based navigation and communication systems operating through turbulent, stratified water columns at varying depths and orientations.
  • Subsea Imaging and Sensing: Evaluate coherence length and phase structure function limits for high-resolution optical imaging, LIDAR, and sensing payloads deployed at depth.
  • Slant-Path Link Analysis: Model uplink and downlink propagation between shallow-deployed and deep-deployed platforms using depth-varying turbulence profiles driven by wind, tidal flow, and buoyancy forcing.
  • Naval and Defense Applications: Quantify signal distortion and link margin degradation for covert optical communication or surveillance systems operating in dynamic underwater environments.
  • Academic Research: Investigate underwater optical turbulence physics using the OTOPS and Nikishov spectral models, reproduce published results, and explore parameter sensitivity across temperature, salinity, and dissipation rate regimes.

System requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Software Dependencies: No external software required — delivered as a self-contained compiled executable (.exe); no Python installation needed
  • Disk Space: Approximately 150 MB
UWOTA — Underwater Optical Turbulence Analyzer · SCOPT Inc.