Patent attributes
An underwater connector includes a first component and a second component, wherein the components are operable to be coupled together in operation in a first coupled state, and operable to be mutually spatially separated in a second uncoupled state. The first and second components each include communication arrangements which are operable to provide wireless communication between the first and second components when in their first coupled state. The first and second components include a power transfer arrangement for transmitting power between the first and second components. The power transfer arrangement includes inductive coupling devices and/or capacitive coupling devices, wherein the power transfer arrangement is implemented substantially as an annulus, for example circular, elliptical, or polygonal, on the first and second components together with the communication arrangements being disposed within the annulus and/or around a periphery of the annulus. The wireless communication is operable to occur using a wireless signal whose carrier frequency is within a frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz, wherein the wireless communication is implemented using microwave and millimeter wave technologies.