Abstract: Underwater acoustic networks have attracted great
attention in the last few years because of its numerous applications.
High data rate can be achieved by efficiently modeling the physical
layer in the network protocol stack. In Acoustic medium,
propagation speed of the acoustic waves is dependent on many
parameters such as temperature, salinity, density, and depth.
Acoustic propagation speed cannot be modeled using standard
empirical formulas such as Urick and Thorp descriptions. In this
paper, we have modeled the acoustic channel using real time data of
temperature, salinity, and speed of Bay of Bengal (Indian Coastal
Region). We have modeled the acoustic channel by using Mackenzie
speed equation and real time data obtained from National Institute of
Oceanography and Technology. It is found that acoustic propagation
speed varies between 1503 m/s to 1544 m/s as temperature and
depth differs. The simulation results show that temperature, salinity,
depth plays major role in acoustic propagation and data rate
increases with appropriate data sets substituted in the simulated
model.