Universal interface device is a part of the Internet of Underwater Things complex. The device is supplied with an open circuitry and source code and is designed for receiving and processing data from various sensors as well as managing miscellaneous executive machinery underwater via Internet.

What is the use of this device if we already have hydroacoustic modems? If you look at it objectively, it is not possible for a modem to provide support for all the potential sensors and actuators, including prospective ones, in that case its structure may become considerably more complicated. Furthermore, in the majority of application cases there is a need for support of one particular type of device. The solution to this quandary was a breakdown of support functions of network protocol with data transmission through hydroacoustic channel and also receiving and processing data from sensors.

Universal Interface Device interfaces with hydroacoustic modems as a part of the Internet of Underwater Things and fully performs a required communication protocol. The circuit allows a physical connection of wide variety of interfaces: everything from analogue to digital ones, including UART (RS-232, 422, 485 and others), SPI, I2C, Ethernet and alike. In that way the user alone can implement data processing with computing capacity, using library functions of operation hydroacoustic modems.

This device has 7 communication ports (3 of which have galvanic isolation) to connect various sensors, executive machinery and an interface port with a hydroacoustic modem. Specially designed and freely distributed framework allows to connect new devices as quickly and as efficiently as possible.