Solar Argos/GPS PTT-100s

Over the last fifteen years satellite tracking of birds with our PTTs has gone from being considered experimental to being an accepted technique. Development in this field was made possible by ongoing feedback from our customers requesting new features and capabilities. For instance, better location accuracy is a must for some projects and a bonus to others. Home range studies are not usually possible using standard PTTs as the real world accuracy achieved with the Argos system is not precise enough. It became obvious to us that accuracy could be enhanced by the addition of a tiny GPS receiver to our PTTs, hence bringing a new level of accuracy to satellite tracking of birds.

After three years of research and development, we introduced our 70g Argos/GPS PTT in 2001. It combined the technology of our proven solar powered PTTs with a tiny parallel twelve channel GPS receiver and a micro powered data logger/system control microprocessor. Dependent on the state of the battery charge, the system control microprocessor collects data from the GPS receiver at hourly intervals—storing in the data logger position, altitude, heading and speed readings together with data from the conventional temperature and activity sensors. At predetermined intervals the Argos PTT transmits these hourly positions and sensor data through the system to the user.

Since 2001, our 70g Argos/GPS PTTs have been used to successfully track many larger species of birds including bald eagles, vultures and white pelicans.

In 2003 we introduced our second generation GPS unit weighing 45g; this model has also been successfully deployed to track many species including Houbara bustards, wood storks and various birds of prey. Simultaneously, we introduced our 50g patagial mount version, which was specially developed for condors.

In December 2004, we introduced a smaller, lighter PTT in our line of GPS enhanced units: a 30g solar Argos/GPS PTT. This model takes advantage of advances in the power management of the GPS receiver, together with the latest battery technology. Like our other GPS enhanced PTTs this unit is also available with our unique Ground Track (GT™) option.

We are now pleased to introduce our lightest and smallest solar Argos/GPS PTT: a 22-gram version. This unit advances the technology even further and takes advantage of our new 2D power-saving software.

© Copyright 2001-2006 Microwave Telemetry, Inc. All rights reserved.

Microwave Telemetry, Inc.
8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K&L
Columbia, MD 21045
410.715.5292