Abstract: Described herein is a retroreflective underwater backscatter node comprising a receiver that receives an incoming acoustic signal from a first direction; a reflector that reflects back an incoming acoustic signal in a second direction; and a modulator coupled to the reflector to modulate the reflected incoming acoustic signal as a back-scattered signal. In some embodiments, the first direction and second direction are substantially the same such that the retroreflective underwater backscatter node retro-directs an incoming acoustic signal as a back-scattered signal and incoming and back-scattered acoustic signals propagate in the same but substantially opposite directions.

Abstract: Described herein is a retroreflective underwater backscatter node comprising a receiver that receives an incoming acoustic signal from a first direction; a reflector that reflects back an incoming acoustic signal in a second direction; and a modulator coupled to the reflector to modulate the reflected incoming acoustic signal as a back-scattered signal. In some embodiments, the first direction and second direction are substantially the same such that the retroreflective underwater backscatter node retro-directs an incoming acoustic signal as a back-scattered signal and incoming and back-scattered acoustic signals propagate in the same but substantially opposite directions.