Battery Powered Argos/GPS LC4™ PTT-100s

In some instances, solar powered PTTs are not suitable for a project, for example, when tracking species that preen feathers over the solar arrays or those migrating to high latitudes where limited sunlight is available. For this reason, we have an exciting range of GPS enhanced PTTs that are powered by our Lix2 battery technology: our LC4™ (Location Class 4) line of transmitters. These PTTs operate on a protocol using the latest and lowest power GPS receivers and incorporate many power saving features. They are designed to take a single GPS fix each day. Every tenth day the ten GPS quality locations are transmitted to Argos in just two, constantly repeated, messages, one containing the even days of the month, the other the odd days. Reception of just these two messages recovers a complete data set that contains the GPS positions (typically accurate to +/- 15m) of the bird each day, hence LC4™. We have two models in this line weighing 40g and 105g, incorporating our SiV™ technology. GT™ is available as an option.

The LC4™ Advantage

Cost: We have priced these GPS enhanced PTTs the same as our equivalent conventional battery powered PTTs.

Argos Charges: These units transmit to Argos every ten days within two six hour windows, as designated by the new JTA price structure. Hence, in a month under the JTA plan, the cost would be for only 1.5 days worth of Argos service.

Accuracy: The locations are of GPS accuracy, so are typically accurate to within ±10m. (The best Class 3 Argos locations are within ±150m).

Reliability: Under adverse conditions, such as are now being experienced in parts of Europe, a single message from a LC4™ PTT will give 5 alternate days of GPS accurate locations for your bird. Only two messages are needed to receive 100% of the data, i.e. one location for each day. With a conventional PTT two messages would give a grade B location at best and only if these were received in the same satellite pass.

© 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