The tracking of the Scolopax rusticola with radio-telemetry via satellite: methodology Satellites (through Argos-CLS1) and Platform

Transmitter Terminals, PTTs (through Microwave Telemetry Inc2) are the main tools we have dealt with in our different experiments to track the Eurasian woodcock. Both leading organizations in the World have changed and improved their technology and methodology since we started our research in 2003. Argos has put more satellites in orbit and developed better techniques for the accuracy of the locations. MTI has produced new PTTs with much less weight and much better technology for their charge. MTI: In 2003, there were no available PTTs for the tracking of Eurasian woodcocks. The smallest PTT was a PTT-100 18 gram Solar PTT. (Nowadays the smallest is a 5 gram solar PTT.) In 2004 most of the information that was available in internet was analyzed. At the end of 2004 we knew that MTI was preparing new solar PTTs of 12 grams. So, our first experiment in 2006 was with three PTTs of 12 grams and duty cycles of 48/10 for one PTT and 72/10 for the other two. We had strong problems with interferences in Europe, something that MTI3 and Argos4 did know. Our next experiment, in 2007, was with PTTs of 9.5 grams, duty cycles 48/10 and TIs (transmission interval) of 45 and 60 seconds. This was our main finding at that time: the charge of the PTTs is the key point, not only against interferences but also to give better and more emissions. The next experiment was in 2008, with two prototypes, equipped with special solar cells, given as a present by MTI. The PTTs have a special duty cycle of 55/8. One of the main aims of this project was to see the performance of the new PTTs against the European interferences. Clear consequences of the use of this new technology during 2008: (a) the charge was greater than in our previous experiments; (b) the emissions data were much better in quality and quantity; (c) the frequency of the emissions was more regular than before.

1 2 3 4

See http://www.argos-system.org/?nocache=0.6891561980453068. See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/bird/solarPTT.cfm. See . http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/uploads/newsletters/winter_05page8.pdf. See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/uploads/newsletters/spring_06page8.pdf.

The final result was net: the European interferences were overcome with both PTTs, during all the time the tracking lasted and in all the different atmospheric circumstances. From 2008 on, in all our experiments we have used 9.5 gram solar PTTs, duty cycle 48/10, TI of 60 seconds, with MG (mortality ground5), and with the new technology developed by MTI in 2008. Solar Argos/GPS PTTs: Up to now, 2011, there is no possibility to track woodcocks with Argos/GPS PTTs, since the smallest solar Argos/GPS PTT weights 22 grams6. In any case, at the prototype level, MTI has produced one of 15 grams7. It is very possible the next one to be one of 11/12 grams8. Recovery of PTTs: Here a very useful technique for the recovery of PTTs we used in Karelia: Finding a lost PTTPart 2, explained by Paul Howey9. ARGOS: Location classes: In Argos manual10 one can see, among some other issues, the different satellites launched and the date of their launching (2.3), also the location classes (3.4)11. In 2011, CLS introduced a location processing algorithm that takes into account platform dynamics and the use of a bank of Kalman filters to calculate positions12. In Anne-Marie Bronces words (of Argos), with the new Argos location algorithm we hope you could get more and accurate data13. On the other hand, with flat ellipses, the estimated error is more accurate14. Even more, for the accuracy of class A and B locations, apart from the direction of the ellipse15, one
5 6

See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/bird/groundtrack.cfm. See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/bird/solarArgosGPS_22g.cfm. 7 See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/uploads/newsletters/spring09page7.pdf. 8 And maybe for the CCB: personal communication (Paul Howey, MTI). 9 See http://www.microwavetelemetry.com/uploads/newsletters/winter00_page4.pdf. 10 See http://www.argos-system.org/manual/. 11 The circle error is an approximation: In Argoss words (http://www.argossystem.org/html/system/faq_en.html and http://www.clsamerica.com/argos-system/faq.html), The location class is attributed based on the radius of error. The location class and associated error are sufficient for many applications. 12 See http://www.argos-system.org/manual/3-location/32_principle.htm. 13 Here the very good news: http://www.cls.fr/documents/argos/argos_flash_19.pdf. 14 See http://www.sevin.ru/seminary/argos/Argos%20location.pdf.

should take also into account the GDOP16. (In fact, about the Class B locations with Kalman filtering17, the Semi-major axis is a good index to judge the quality of a Class B one-message location.) More information: Here more information available about optimizing Argos system performance18, Kalman filtering19, location accuracy20 and the flat ellipse error21. Multi-pass location: When there is not enough data per satellite pass to produce any location, by using multisatellite processing, we could have an idea of the approximate location22. Addenda: WXtrack - Satellite tracking: This program is designed to predict the tracks of satellites both as paths above the earth, and as images produced by these satellites when scanning the ground23. Accuracy of A and B class locations:

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Go to Argos: https://argos-system.cls.fr/cwi/Logon.do ---> Help ---> Online help --> Messages --->Take a look at the ellipse. For the values corresponding to the ellipse of error, refer to this table: Column title Units Error radius Meters Semimajor axis Meters Semiminor axis Meters

Ellipse orientation Degrees (from North when heading East)

GDOP* m/Hz

Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) is a term used to characterize the geometric strength of satellite configuration on location accuracy. Argos location accuracy depends on the quality of the transmitter (frequency stability) as well as the GDOP. As a general rule, a smaller GDOP value indicates a more accurate position. See http://www.sevin.ru/seminary/argos/Argos%20location.pdf. 17 See http://www.argos-system.org/web/en/82-kalman-faq.php: How accurate are one-message Class B locations when processed with Kalman filtering? 18 See http://www.argos-system.org/files/Publication/public/r207_f33_argos_flash_12.pdf, p. 3. 19 See http://www.argos-system.org/files/Publication/public/r465_f34_argos_flash_21-2.pdf and http://www.argos-system.org/files/Publication/public/r465_f34_argos_flash_21-2.pdf. 20 See http://www.argos-system.org/files/Publication/public/r214_f34_argos_flash_19.pdf. 21 See http://www.argos-system.org/files/Publication/public/r209_f33_argos_flash_14.pdf. 22 See http://www.argos-system.org/files/Publication/public/r207_f33_argos_flash_12.pdf, p. 2. Also, http://www.sevin.ru/seminary/argos/Argos%20location.pdf, pp. 22-23. 23 See http://www.satsignal.eu/software/wxtrack.htm.

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According to Argos24, Class A & B location may be accurate. () Some users have experimentally tried to answer this question and provided interesting hints. We are confident that approaches of this type will help provide interesting guidelines to enhance practical use of this type of locations. Some time ago, some of us developed a method to know the accuracy of A and B class locations in special circumstances25. joseba felix tobar-arbulu (PhD in Engineering)

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See http://www.argos-system.org/html/system/faq_en.html and http://www.clsamerica.com/argossystem/faq.html. 25 See http://es.scribd.com/doc/58456473/Accuracy-of-A-and-B-class-locations. Since the circle error is an approximation, nowadays that kind of calculus should need to take into account the flat ellipse errors developed by Argos.