Abstract: In order to improve the cluster cooperation ability of autonomous underwater vehicle, reduce the energy consumption of group network and further improve the network reliability, we proposed a bionic fish swarm ad-hoc network algorithm based on underwater electric field communication and considering the influence of actual water area electrical conductivity. The roles and functions of the nodes were determined by calculating the priority of the nodes based on the communication time between the nodes of the proposed algorithm, and generated the underwater cluster cooperation network model to realize the rapid networking of small-scale bionic fish swarm. The independent cruising function of sub node and scattered node guided by objective coordinates and the setting of backup function of the main control node could not only realize group scattered nodes retrieved, but also indirectly optimize network coordination model, reduce the routing maintenance information between network nodes, effectively save the network energy consumption and enhance the system security. Simulation results show that the algorithm is effective and practical.

Key words: underwater networking, robotic fish, electric field communication, electrical conductivity