Abstract: An optical communication assembly includes a plurality of optical communication modules, each module having at least one optical receiver which can receive optical signals, and at least one optical transmitter which selectively transmits an optical signal. Each module initiates the transmission of data in response to the module receiving a transmit command, and receives the same clock signal which clocks when the module transmits the data, so that the optical transmission of the plurality of modules is synchronised A control module selectively provides a data signal along a bus cable, so each of the optical communication modules receives the same data. The transmit command is simultaneously received by each of the optical communication modules. The clock signal is provided to the optical communication modules (3) so that the optical transmitter of each module (3) transmits the same data, in the form of an optical signal, at the same time.

Abstract: A receiver (70), suitable for use in a communication assembly configured to operate underwater, the receiver comprising, at least first one or more photodetectors (62a) and second one or more photodetectors (62b), wherein the first one or more photodetectors (62a) define a first detection area which can receive light, and the second one or more photodetectors (62b) define a second detection area which can receive light; at least a first multiplexer (74) which is configurable to selectively electrically connect any of the first one or more photodetectors (62a) or second one or more photodetectors (62b) to a signal detector module (66); a controller (75) which is connected to said least a first multiplexer (74) so that the controller (4) can selectively configure the first multiplexer (74) to electrically connect any of the first one or more photodetectors (62a) or second one or more photodetectors (62b) to the signal detector module (66); wherein, the controller (75) is configured to, configure the first multi