A GPS-based Automated Telemetry System for Ungulate
Research at the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range
A new telemetry system—based on Global Positioning System (GPS), cell phone, and ultra-high frequency (UHF)
technologies—was established at Starkey during 2005-2006 to meet ungulate research objectives. Developed by Lotek
Wireless, Inc., in collaboration with USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, the system remotely and
automatically obtains location and activity data from GPS-collared animals at pre-programmed, regular time intervals. The
system uses Model 4400 GPS collars that receive signals from GPS satellites to compute frequent, accurate animal
locations. Data acquired by and stored on each collar are remotely uploaded using the new system.
Location of Starkey
and Towers Used for
Telemetry System.
How The System Works:
(1) A desktop, master computer calls a cell phone modem at a specified tower in the study area;
(2) The cell phone modem directs the UHF modem at the tower to obtain data from GPS collars according to a specified
schedule (e.g., to obtain location data from collars every 8 hours);
(3) The UHF modem contacts radio-collared animals in the study area according to the schedule, and requests location
and other data stored on the collars;
(4) The GPS collar on an animal, when contacted by the UHF modem, transmits the requested data back to the modem;
(5) The UHF modem transmits the data to the cell phone modem in response to an automated phone call by the master
computer to the cell phone modem;
(6) The cell phone modem transmits the data back to the master computer, where it is stored in a data base and the
location data are differentially corrected with use of a local GPS reference station.
GPS satellites (signals from 3 or more
satellites used to estimate animal location)
Starkey Tower
For More Information:
4
3
Radio
Signals
GPS collar worn by
ungulates (elk shown here)
Visit the Starkey Project website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/starkey/
and Lotek Wireless website:
http://www.lotek.com/
Additional Contacts:
1
6
Master
Computer
Dr. Michael Wisdom, Pacific
Northwest Research Station,
mwisdom@fs.fed.us
2
Cell Phone
Modem
5
UHF Modem
Dr. Leszek Meczarski, Lotek
Wireless, Inc., lmeczarski@Lotek
Phone: 905-836-6680
Advantages of New System:
• Data are automatically stored on each collar and UHF modem and can be automatically uploaded remotely by simply making a phone call to the cell phone
modem at each tower.
• Phone calls to modems can be made from anywhere in the world, with automated dial-up and uploading of data to desired computers on any dial-up
schedule desired.
• Remote access to collars allows location or activity sampling schedules on each collar to be changed as needed to meet study objectives.
• Data are stored redundantly on the collar, on the UHF modems at towers, and at the research laboratory, thus minimizing loss of data.
• Location data are accurate and frequent: location errors are <10 meters under most environmental conditions, and locations can be generated as frequently
as every 5 minutes.
• Location and activity data are automatically stored in database format and can be efficiently analyzed, both spatially and non-spatially, or exported easily to
other analysis programs.
• Current research objectives are fully met and novel research is now possible to monitor “real time” interactions between humans and animals, or between
animals of different species.