Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Technologies in biodiversity
monitoring
High Tech Applications In Tracking
GIS - Interpret data, symbolize trends, model ecological dynamics
Remote Sensing/ Satellite Imagery - Land types, ecological changes
Radio Telemetry- Monitor movements, range, some behavior
Camera traps - Population data, anti-poaching
Audio Traps - Monitor wildlife sounds, reduce poaching conflicts
Drones/ Remote Control – Understand land use, Images of cover
DNA and Genetics - Species Identification, Disease Combat
Smart Phones - Social media, Public information, Elephant Texting
What is TELEMETRY ?
• Telemetry is an automated communications process by which
measurements and other data are collected at remote or inaccessible
points and transmitted to receiving equipment for monitoring.
• The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron =
measure.
• TELECOMMAND -- Systems that need external instructions and data to
operate require the counterpart of telemetry. A telecommand is a
command sent to control a remote system or systems not directly
connected (e.g. via wires) to the place from which the telecommand is
sent.
Example-Control of a TV from the sofa, Remote guidance of weapons or
missiles, Control of a satellite from a ground station, Flying a radio controlled
airplain.
• Transmission of commands
1.Infrared- Infrared light makes up the invisible section of
the electromagnetic spectrum.To transfer the information
from the remote to the receiver, the LED turns the electrical
signals into an invisible beam of infrared light that
corresponds with the binary code and sends this light to the
receiver.
2.Ultrasonic- Ultrasonic is a technology used more frequently
in the past for telecommand.There are four aluminum rods
inside the transmitter that produce high frequency sounds
when they are hit at one end. Each rod is a different length,
which enables them to produce varying sound pitches, which
control the receiving unit.
• TELEMETER- A telemeter is a device used to remotely
measure any quantity. It consists of a sensor, a transmission
path, and a display, recording, or control device. Telemeters are
the physical devices used in telemetry.
• Electronic devices are widely used in telemetry and can be
wireless or hard-wired, analog or digital. Other technologies are
also possible, such as mechanical, hydraulic and optical .
TELEMETRY In Biodiversity Monitoring aka
WILDLIFE RADIO TELEMETRY
RADIO
COLLAR
AQUATIC TRANSMITTER
SUBCUTANEOUS
TRANSMITTERS
• Receivers
• The operator uses an antenna that is attached to a receiver, which
is programmed to the transmitter's frequency, to pick up the
electromagnetic signals given off by the transmitter affixed to the
target animal.
• Receiver antennas may be hand-held or mounted on an object, and
they are available in a variety of forms and functions.
• These antennas are also tuned to the proper frequency for the
transmitter.
• The receiver produces a tone that increases in loudness or has a
visual signal strength indicator that pulses as the operator
approaches the transmitter.
Antenna Type Purpose
Have no additional elements and are used to
1. Omnidirectional Antennas determine the presence or absence of a signal, not its
exact location.
Consist of two elements and are used to locate the
2. Adcock Antennas
direction of the signal.
Small and useful for locating low frequency
3. Loop Antennas
transmitters.
Contains 3 or 4 elements and is a strong, directional
4. Yagi Antennas antenna commonly used to determine the location of
a transmitter.
Affixed to towers, positioned higher and avoid
5. Tower Antennas
interference from buildings and trees.
Can be mounted to boat, aircraft, and other vehicles,
6. Vehicle-mounted Antennas allow the operator to exploit a larger area while
tracking.
• Tracking
• Direct tracking and triangulation methods allow the operator to locate a tagged animal.
• The three main technologies in use today for tracking wild animals are examined VHF, Satellite
and GPS tracking.
An Illustration Of A Good
Triangulation
Roger Trying To Locate As Signal
With A “Rubber Ducky” Style
Antenna
Figure: Locations of a wild-free-ranging otter accessed on the Internet in real time.