Simulation-Based Evaluation of Underwater Sensor Network Performance Using DBR and Broadcast MAC in Shallow and Deep Sea Scenarios

Reliable and adaptive underwater monitoring systems are essential due to the diverse oceanographic conditions in the Southeast Asian maritime region, encompassing both shallow coastal areas and deep-sea zones. Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) enable real-time data acquisition in such environments. This study employs the Aqua-Sim-NG simulator on the NS-3 platform to evaluate the performance of Depth-Based Routing (DBR) combined with Broadcast MAC under shallow- and deep-sea scenarios. Simulations are conducted at two acoustic frequencies (3 kHz and 25 kHz) across four network topologies—combinations of one or two sink nodes with 5 or 10 sensor nodes. Underwater acoustic properties, including the Sound Speed Profile (SSP) and SOFAR channel, are considered alongside key performance metrics such as end-to-end delay, throughput, and packet loss ratio. Results show that 25 kHz yields lower latency and higher throughput in shallow marine environments, whereas 3 kHz enables more reliable long-distance communication in deep-sea conditions with significantly reduced packet loss. The simulation results align well with theoretical predictions from the Thorp attenuation model, indicating minimal deviation within numerical precision. These findings highlight the importance of network topology and frequency selection in UWSN deployment. The study provides practical insights for sensor placement strategies in Indonesian waters, where bathymetric diversity significantly affects network performance. Future work will consider the impact of various underwater noise sources, including ambient, shipping, and thermal noise, on communication performance. In addition, the Bit Error Rate (BER) will be evaluated alongside existing performance metrics—delay, throughput, and packet loss—to provide a more comprehensive assessment of acoustic channel quality.