Quality Electronics for Wildlife,
Environmental Research,
and Special Applications
Environmental Research,
and Special Applications
|
|
Quality Electronics for Wildlife, Environmental Research, and Special Applications |
|
|
|
www.telonics.com / products / argosAvian / TAV-2417.php |
Page last updated on Tuesday September 27, 2011 |
The information below is provided for individuals who are still deploying these older systems. Some of the system information or limitations, information on frequency allocation or usage, and/or comments made on "state of the art" may be time sensitive or even outdated. Please contact Telonics if you have any questions about the information provided on this page.
| Dimensions (in, cm) | Unit Weight (g) |
Low power (mW) |
Low power life (hours)1 |
Low power temp (°C) |
High power (mW) |
High power life (hours)1 |
High power temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.40 x 0.75 x 0.35 in 6.1 x 1.9 x 0.9 cm |
16.6 | 160 (Typ) | 527 | 0 to +60 | 250 (Typ) | 375 | 0 to +60 |
Telonics designed the model TAV-2417 specifically for avian species. The narrow low profile form factor is especially well suited to a backpack attachments. The battery system used in this configuration is considered nonhazardous and can be shipped by standard methods throughout the world.
Fig. 2. The graph provides a means to evaluate the total number of 4-byte Argos messages that can be transmitted (or "uplinked") by the TAV-2417 given a specified operational lifetime. Both low power and high power operational life predictions are shown for comparison. The transmissions can be scheduled as per user requirements using the TAV-2417 scheduler. The repetition rate, daily and seasonal duty cycles can be modified as required to meet study design. Modifications of these operational parameters can be made at the factory or by the researcher using the Telonics Product Programmer (TPP).
Fig. 3. This graph is related to Fig. 2. The graph provides a means to evaluate the total number of hours a 4-byte Argos message can be transmitted (or "uplinked") by the TAV-2417 given a specified operational lifetime. Both low power and high power options are shown for comparison. The hours of transmission can be scheduled as per user requirements. The Argos repetition period used to generate this graph is 60 seconds. Daily and seasonal duty cycles can be modified as required to meet study design. Modifications of these operational parameters can be made at the factory or by the researcher using the Telonics Product Programmer (TPP).
The TAV-2417 can be fully programmed at Telonics per the user's instructions so it arrives ready for deployment. Alternatively, researchers can choose to construct the data collection scheme and transmission parameters at their laboratory. Field programming the TAV-2417 can be done at any time prior to deployment.
TPP, the Telonics Product Programmer, is a software utility that allows the user to customize and program the unit's role and mission. TPP software is available by clicking here. The TPP demonstration software allows researchers to evaluate programming functions and data collection capabilities for all supported transmitter models for 30 days. The demonstration version of TPP is fully functional with the exception that it does not support actual programming of hardware. Users can purchase the "software key" to convert their demo version into a fully operational program.
Temperature Sensor: Measures temperature between -40 to +70°C, ±1°C (typical) accuracy.
Low Voltage Sensor: Determines the battery condition by measuring the battery voltage during transmission.
Activity Sensor: Determines animal activity level based on animal movement measured within a specified interval.
Mortality Sensor: Infers whether or not the animal is dead by comparing the animal activity level to a specified threshold.
Option 101: Olive drab Green (standard if not designated)
Option 102: Black
Option 103: White
Option 104: Yellow
Various attachment techniques have been used to deploy telemetry units on birds. The selection of the appropriate material and the specific designs of the attachment should be made by consulting with researchers who have successfully applied telemetry to the subject species in the past, with agencies responsible for permitting telemetry applications, and with appropriate individuals responsible for animal care and handling. Additionally, there is a large body of biological literature in journals and on websites addressing this topic. In some cases, extensive scientific papers on methodology exist and should be reviewed. In some papers, techniques are compared; problems and preferred techniques are identified. Even after extensive literature review, subtleties exist in the application of all these techniques that are difficult to describe in the literature. For example, it is difficult to describe exactly how tight to apply or cinch a harness. Actual "hands on" experience is often an important element to successful instrumentation. Directly below is a listing of attachment techniques used successfully in the past, some comments about each technique, and list of materials that Telonics has available for purchase.
Backpack harnesses are designed to position the Argos transmitter on the back of the bird between the wings. These harnesses generally work into the feather tracks and are secured on the breast. Various harness materials have been used including but not limited to soft leather strap, elastics or bungy cord, and 1/2- or 1/4-inch Teflon ribbon. The following backpack harness materials are available from Telonics.
MT-000555-001 Teflon ribbon harness material for small-bodied birds. Width: 0.25" (0.64 cm) Weight: 1.5g/foot. Priced per foot.
MT-000684-002 Teflon ribbon harness material for large-bodied birds. Width: 0.5" (1.3 cm). Weight: 3.0g/foot. Priced per foot.
MT-000684-001 Elastic ribbon harness material for small birds. Width: 0.125" (0.32 cm). Weight: 0.5 g/foot. Priced per foot.
MT-000684-002 Elastic ribbon harness material for small birds. Width: 0.25" (0.64 cm). Weight: 1.0 g/foot. Priced per foot
Aprons, bibs, and ponchos are designed to mount the transmitting subsystem on flat durable material such as "herculite". A hole is cut into the material to allow the bird's head to fit through; the material and the system is then draped over the neck. This kind of mount is often used successfully with Gallinaceous birds that be adversely impacted by a backpack harness. The antenna is dressed along the material and exits past the neck and then drapes over the back of the bird.
Necklaces are designed to be similar to apron mounts; however, the material used may make the final assembly more closely resemble a collar. In general, the necklace holds the transmitter closer to the neck as compared to an apron mount.
Patagial mounts are designed such that the transmitting unit is on the wing of the bird. This technique is typically used on large, strong birds that soar such as vultures. The transmitter is glued or tied with suture to a soft durable strip of material such as "herculite". The material is wrapped around the patagium and riveted or glued. The transmitter is thereby positioned on the dorsal surface of the wing. The antenna is in the same orientation as the primary feathers. Neckbands are designed to mount the Argos transmitter on a standard-colored plastic neck band. These bands are used routinely by the federal and state agencies to color mark and number waterfowl. They are coiled and expand to fit around the neck. No fastener is used. Typically the antenna is glued to the plastic band in a manner that allows the antenna to be exited on the dorsal surface of the neck. A section of exposed antenna is often necessary to maintain the link with the satellite and this section of antenna is always more subject to damage/breakage than the portion of the antenna glued directly to the plastic band. If the external portion of the antenna is broken the link to the satellite can be lost. These bands are not available from Telonics and must be procured and provided by the researcher at time of order. There is a charge for mounting the unit on the band.
Legbands are similar to the neckbands described above, but they tend to be smaller in diameter. Legbands are often used to mark long legged wading birds. They are typically mounted high on the leg and actually rest on the "knee". Weight is important because units that are too large can cause the band to wear against the skin of the knee joint. The exposed antenna is easily accessible by the bird and is therefore subject to preening and possible damage. As a final note, the antenna is positioned in a place where it may be submerged in the water and the link to the satellite is lost during this time period. These bands are not available from Telonics and must be procured by the researcher. There is a charge for mounting the unit on the band.
Tail mounts are used to directly attach the transmitting unit to one or two deck feathers of the bird's tail. This technique has the great advantage of using the natural molt of the bird's tail feathers as a breakaway mechanism. The units must be placed on hard pinned feathers and the antenna is often tied with surgical suture to the feather shaft. Clearly, timing of the attachment relative to the molt is an important consideration. Although the double feather mount is more stable and distributes the weight of the configuration over two feathers, there is always a concern that one feather will likely molt before the other, leaving the transmitting unit dangling from the remaining feather until it breaks at the shaft or pulls out.
Gluing the unit directly to the skin of the bird involves the use of cyanoacrylic glues (super glue). This technique minimizes the weight of the final configuration. There are no additional materials like harness material to contribute to the total weight of the final system. It should be noted that some bird species will remove a glued unit within a short time period.
Implantation is a technique used to place the transmitting unit in the body cavity of the bird. The unit is coated in a physiological wax to minimize immunological reactions. This technique has the advantage that the unit is near the center of gravity: like a glued unit, there is no additional weight contributed by attachment devices. In species that do not wear external devices well, this may be the only practical means to instrument the animal. Unlike VHF telemetry implants, the technique is complicated by the need to exit the Argos antenna out of the body cavity in order to achieve a successful link to the satellite. The technique usually involves having the surgical implantation process done by a veterinarian that specializes in birds. This technique has been used successfully in the instrumentation of several species of sea ducks.
| Size | 2.40 x 0.75 x 0.35 in 6.1 x 1.9 x 0.9 cm |
| Weight | 16.6 grams |
| Antenna Length | 8.0 in 203 mm |
| Electronics | ST-24 |
| Power Source | Lithium Cell |
| Low Power Level | 160 (Typ) mW 22 ±2 dbm |
| Low Power Life | 527 hours |
| Low Power Operating Temperature | 0 to +60 °C |
| High Power Level | 250 (Typ) mW 24 ±2 dbm |
| High Power Life | 375 hours |
| High Power Operating Temperature | 0 to +60 °C |
| Argos Transmission Frequency | 401.618 to 401.680 MHz |
| Modulation (BPSK) | -1.1 to +1.1 ±0.1 radians |
| Quiescent current (typical) | 3 µA |
| Spurious emissions | -45 dB |
1. Operational life expectancy is based on a continuous series of transmissions of a 4-byte Argos message at a 60-second repetition rate at 25°C.
Argos System Manual
Getting started with Argos
Argos Publications
Argos Animal Tracking pages
ST-24 Argos Certification
FCC Form 422 Sample
Since 1970, Telonics has built a reputation based on product quality, product support, service, and customer satisfaction. Telonics strives to produce the highest quality products, and to support those products accordingly.
Because of extreme conditions and the unpredictable nature associated with most telemetry applications, problems occasionally arise. Most problems can be resolved quickly. In all cases, we hope to be able to work in partnership with users to resolve problems to the user's satisfaction and to uphold our demonstrated commitment to excellence. If problems should arise, all products must be returned to our factory for failure analysis.
