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Talk-31: Beyond the Acoustic Modem: MARIA and the Popoto Acoustic Platform

James DellaMorte

PopotoModem, a delResearch LLC brand

Underwater acoustic modems are often treated as fixed-function devices that move data between two endpoints. Popoto expands that role by combining acoustic hardware, real-time signal processing, Linux-based computing, and software-accessible interfaces into a more general underwater acoustic platform.

This talk will introduce MARIA, Popoto's framework for integrating user-developed acoustic processing algorithms. MARIA allows developers to work with the modem?s acoustic data path and processing resources to add custom waveforms, detectors, measurement functions, navigation aids, and other mission-specific acoustic capabilities alongside the modem's existing communications and ranging functions.

The talk will also describe Popoto's role as a multi-protocol communications hub. Rather than requiring a separate modem for each acoustic protocol, a single Popoto platform can support multiple communications methods and provide a foundation for message forwarding, protocol translation, and interoperability among otherwise incompatible underwater systems.

The presentation will focus on the architecture and available capabilities rather than a completed MOOS-IvP integration, with the goal of introducing Popoto and MARIA to the MOOS-IvP community and identifying opportunities for future experimentation and collaboration.


Categories:

  • Acoustic communications