VECTRONIC Aerospace VERTEXPLUS Animal Location Collar User Manual VertexManual

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Document ID	3118157
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Document Description	VertexManual
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Document Type	User Manual
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Date Submitted	2016-08-31 00:00:00
Date Available	2017-02-27 00:00:00
Creation Date	2016-08-30 13:17:52
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Document Lastmod	0000-00-00 00:00:00
Document Title	VertexManual
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Document Author:	ankroben

VERTEX PLUS Survey Collar
Globalstar
User's Manual
Version: 1.6
Last Change: 30/08/2016
Name
Date
Edited by
Erik Lewerenz
25/09/15
Checked by
Robert Schulte
26/08/30
Signature
Prepared by
Approved by
Authorised by
DOCUMENT CHANGE RECORD
Issue Date
Item(s) Affected
Description
Initial Issue
27/05/15
- photos
Updated Survey photos (new housing)
22/02/16
Specifications
Updated specifications on page 7
29/03/16
Declaration of
Conformity
Added DoC
26/08/16
Declaration of
Conformity
Changed FCC and IC Label
30/08/16
Declaration of
Conformity
Updated Label
Table of Contents
1Product overview...................................................................................................................... 5
2Fast guide to deploy the collar.................................................................................................. 6
3The VERTEX Plus Vertex Survey collar system...................................................................... 7
3.1The collar....................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2Data interface................................................................................................................................. 8
3.3Data format.................................................................................................................................... 8
3.3.1List of files and extensions used............................................................................................. 9
3.4Software....................................................................................................................................... 10
4Handling of the collar..............................................................................................................11
5Configuration of the collar......................................................................................................12
5.1Installation of the GPS Plus Collar Manager Software GPS PLUS X.......................................... 12
5.2Calculate Collar Lifetime............................................................................................................. 12
5.3Collar Registration....................................................................................................................... 13
5.4Schedules..................................................................................................................................... 14
5.4.1GPS schedule........................................................................................................................ 14
6Getting the collar into action...................................................................................................16
6.1Testing the collar.......................................................................................................................... 16
6.2Attaching the collar...................................................................................................................... 16
7Collar specifications................................................................................................................18
7.1Globalstar Communication.......................................................................................................... 18
7.2Functionality of sensors............................................................................................................... 18
7.2.1GPS Receiver........................................................................................................................ 18
7.2.2Mortality Sensor................................................................................................................... 18
8Specification............................................................................................................................19
8.1Storage capacity........................................................................................................................... 19
8.2Environmental specification for the collar................................................................................... 19
8.3Battery......................................................................................................................................... 19
8.4Declaration of Conformity........................................................................................................... 20
1 Product overview
The VERTEX Plus Survey collar has been designed for long-term survival studies. The collar
offers the possibility to measure and store

Up to two GPS positions per day in WGS84 coordinates

Transmitting the location via Globalstar Satellite Network

Ambient temperature (stored with every GPS position)
All data is stored on board of the collar and transmitted via Globalstar Simplex service. The
user can choose the following settings which are preconfigured during production:

GPS schedule

Mortality period
Based on the activity of the animal, the collar can transmit a mortality event message to
immediately inform you that the collar has not been moved for a user-defined time. This
immediate message is sent to the researcher, first as email but optionally as immediate text
message to the mobile phone.
2 Fast guide to deploy the collar
To get your VERTEX PLUS Survey collar working properly, you need to follow some basic
steps:
In the lab/office/field station (the magnet needs to be attached to the electronic housing):
1.
Make yourself familiar with the collar and its parts
When deploying the collar
2.
Adjust the belt to the correct circumference for the animal
3.
Make sure that the magnet is removed from the electronic housing, otherwise the collar
stays deactivated and will not perform any GPS fixes or transmit data.
The steps of this list will be explained more detailed in the next chapter.
3 The VERTEX Plus Vertex Survey collar system
The VERTEX Plus Survey collar has been designed for long-term survival studies. It is
equipped with a mortality sensor and temperature sensor. The size of the collar can be set up
to your personal needs. Handling and software for all collars is identical. This enables you to
manage all collars with the same software and database, the handling of several collars
becomes easy.
3.1 The collar
The VERTEX PLUS Survey collar consists of the following components ( Figure 1):
Figure 1: VERTEX PLUS Survey collar with magnet attached

the electronic housing containing the GPS antenna, the mortality sensor, the temperature
sensor, all electronics and the Globalstar antenna

the magnet, which is attached to the electronic housing when the collar is turned off

the battery which is integrated into the electronic housing
The collar is designed to function at extreme temperatures (-40°C to +55°C).
3.2 Data interface
The Survey collar is designed for long-term survival studies and therefore includes all the
necessary components.

Satellite communication: The Survey Collar is equipped with the Globalstar satellite
modem to transmit data from the collar.
The Globalstar SIMPLEX service is a one-way only communication option and it uses a
satellite network of 48 satellites with 24 hour coverage. The GPS data are repeatedly sent
to the satellites, but no confirmation is sent by them. The Globalstar antenna is integrated
into the electronic housing. There are areas which are not covered by Globalstar yet (see
map of coverage below), so please check if your study area has Globalstar coverage.
3.3 Data format
All data is stored in binary format and can be exported as ASCII, Spreadsheet, DBase, and
BioTelemetry eXchange format. GPS data can also be exported as GPS Exchange and Google
Earth files.

GPS position information: No, Collar ID, UTC date and time, LMT date and time,
origin, SCTS date and time, ECEF X,Y and Z, latitude/longitude/height, DOP, 3D Error,
number of the used satellites, Satallite ID (Sat No), Carrier to Noise (C/No [dBHz]),
battery voltage, mortality status, temperature and last activity. Data is saved as .GDF file
and can be accessed with GPS PLUS X. For more explanation of the transmitted data,
please refer to the GPS PLUS X manual.

Temperature: Temperature data are stored and transmitted with the GPS position data.

Mortality information: Date and time of a mortality event based on the activity of the
animal. The GPS Plus X software stores the received mortality message in the data base.
In the Survey collar, the mortality events are not stored.
3.3.1
List of files and extensions used
Table 1: Download files
.GDF GPS Data File
Binary coded GPS fix data from the collar including main
battery voltage, VHF beacon battery voltage, and
temperature. The file name consists of the collar number
and the time stamp of the file creation coded as
“yyyymmddhhmmss”.
Table 2: Export files
.GDF GPS Data File
.TXT
.CSV
.DBF
.GPX
.KML
.KMZ
.BTX
.GDX
Binary coded GPS fix data from the collar including main
battery voltage, VHF beacon battery voltage, and
temperature. The file name consists of the collar number
and the time stamp of the file creation coded as
“yyyymmddhhmmss”.
ASCII
Visually readable equidistant table, compatible to
conventional text editors and spreadsheets
Spreadsheet
Computer readable table, compatible to conventional text
editors and spreadsheets
DBase Table
Database format, compatible to conventional spreadsheets
and most text editors
GPS Exchange Format File for data exchange with GPS devices
KML
Google Earth file to display tracks, points of interest, etc.
KMZ
Zipped Google Earth file
BioTelemetry eXchange VECTRONIC-defined XML-format
GPS Data eXchange
Is an XML format defined by VECTRONIC Aerospace,
which will make it easier to exchange acquired data over
system boundaries. It is an internal format of GPS PLUS X
and can also be used as import format.
Table 3: Upload files
.vbsf
.vgsf
Beacon Schedule File
GPS Schedule File
VHF beacon schedule of the Survey collar
GPS schedule of the Survey collar
Table 4: Hardware information files
.CCF Collar Configuration File contains the configuration (schedules, communication
configuration, activity mode) for the collar
.bin Collar Firmware File
contains firmware for Survey collars
.KEY Collar Key File
contains a key for one collar, needed to register the collar in
the GPS PLUS X and to manage its data
3.4 Software
The VERTEX PLUS Survey collar comes with a software package including the GPS Plus X
software. The software is used to configure and manage the Survey collar as well as all the
GPS Plus/Pro Light collars. GPS Plus X allows you to generate schedules for GPS fixes for
the Survey collar. It manages all data on GPS positions, mortality and temperature.
10
4 Handling of the collar
The collar is turned on or off with the magnet on the electronic housing (Figure 2). If the
magnet is attached correctly, the collar is deactivated, thus no GPS fixes, transmissions,
temperature and mortality measurements are performed.
The collar can be configured using the wireless USB Remote Stick. The range of the USB
Remote Stick is between 0.5 and 2 metres.
No parts of the VERTEX Plus Survey collar can be changed by the user. After the battery
lifetime is over, you have the possibility to send the collar back to VECTRONIC Aerospace to
retrieve the data.
Globalstar
antenna
GPS antenna
Magnet
Figure 2: Magnet to switch off main processor
11
5 Configuration of the collar
Prior to deploying the collar to an animal, it has to be configured. This is done according to
your requirements by VECTRONIC Aerospace before delivery.
5.1 Installation of the GPS Plus Collar Manager Software GPS PLUS X
Installation is simple and straightforward. There are three ways to start the installation:
•
If you use the AutoRun CD which has been delivered with the collars, follow the
instructions for “Set-up your system”.
•
You can start the installation manually from the VECTRONIC CD by starting the
GPS Plus X setup file, then
◦ follow the instructions in the automatically started GPS Plus X set-up program
◦ or manually start the file Ressources\VECTRONIC Software\GPS Plus X
Vxx.x.x setup.
•
You can download the latest release version of the software on the VECTRONIC
homepage (Wildlife Monitoring → Downloads) and start the set-up manually.
The installation procedure will ask you for a destination directory and suggest a default
directory. You can now decide whether you want to install one of the following software
packages (list might vary with program versions):






User Interface: GPS Plus X User Interface to services and collar control
Data Storage Service: Service that manages collected and stored collar data
Data Collector Service: Service that receives collar data via email
Colour Selector: Tool to select a colour for the belt of your collar
TeamViewerQS VAS: Tool for remote support by VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
GPS Plus X Manual: Manual for the GPS Plus X system
By default, GPS Plus X will be configured to run on a single computer without any network
or data collectors. The next chapter will give you an overview of the configurations that might
be necessary and in which chapters you will find information on these.
5.2 Calculate Collar Lifetime
This command estimates the lifetime of your VERTEX PLUS Survey collar and can be found
in the Tools menu of GPS Plus X. You need to select the Collar Type “Vertex Survey” and
choose an Activation Date of the collar (e.g. 01.01.2000). Now you need to set the Vertex GPS
schedule. Please make sure that the starting points of the schedules are the same as the
Activation Date you selected.
12
After you have you have selected all the options for the Survey collar, press
or
to start the calculation. When pressing
or
while the calculation process is running, you will cancel the actual calculation.
5.3 Collar Registration
To be able to configure the collars and to process data and messages with the GPS Plus X
software, you need to register the collars. The keys for each collar will be provided on the CD
which is sent with the collars.
13
For registering the collar, please go to the Configuration tree in GPS Plus X and select
Configuration → Collars. In the appearing window “Collar List”, press to add a new collar
to the list. After clicking on the button, the Collar Properties Editor appears. To register a
collar, click
. An open file dialog will open and you can select the collar registration
key for the collar. This key is provided on the CD (in the folder Ressources\Collar and Drop
Off Keys).
If you add the details before registering the collar, the registration status of the collar will be
invalid. After registration, the entry of the corresponding collar will change from invalid to
valid. For more information on collar registration, refer to the GPS Plus X Manual.
5.4 Schedules
5.4.1
GPS schedule
In the GPS schedule frame (Figure 3) you can edit the rules for the collar in the left part of the
frame. A graphic of the defined rules is displayed in the right part of the frame. The schedule
which appears when opening the GPS schedule frame is the default schedule for the selected
collar. You will be able to overwrite the default schedule with your own schedule. To do that,
you can set the following parameters:
Start Date
the date when the rule should start
End Date
the date when the rule should end
Period Length
the length of the period in which the Sequence for GPS recording is
repeated.
14
Sequence
The sequence is a time span within the period length between you
like to take GPS positions. Here you can define: Offset – it defines
the time span between the start of the period and the recording of
the first GPS position; Duration – period in which the GPS
positions will be recorded with the Fix Rate repetition; Fix Rate –
GPS position recording repetition rate. Please note that you can
only take GPS fixes within the time span of the period. This way,
the sum of offset and duration must be smaller than the value of the
defined period length. If you like to take only 1 GPS fix per
sequence, the fix rate can equal the duration value. If you have
already two position recordings in one sequence, you can delete the
other sequence in the rule editor.
Figure 3: Survey Collar GPS Schedule frame
As the Survey collar can only take up to two positions per day, GPS PLUS X will check if
there are not more than two fixes per day configured. If the rules are set up in a way that more
than two positions are recorded every day, you will receive an error message. You can define
max. 292 GPS schedule rules.
Note: For safety reasons you should define at least one schedule starting on 01.01.2000. If the
collar's time is reset for any reason, the timer will start at this date and will attempt to take one
fix per week until another schedule starts or until the clock is set to the correct UTC time by a
successful GPS fix.
Note: The collar will take on GPS fix per week when all schedules rules are in the future or
already outdated.
Note: With each successful GPS fix, the collar time is automatically adjusted to the correct
UTC time, corrected by your UTC correction (if enabled). It is thus not possible to
synchronise the collar with another time, than the GPS satellite system’s time. Also, UTC
correction cannot be enabled by sending the local mean time to the collar.
15
6 Getting the collar into action
6.1 Testing the collar
Before the collar has been shipped to you, it has been configured according to your
requirements and tested thoroughly at VECTRONIC Aerospace. Nevertheless, we strongly
recommend to test the collar before it is deployed to the animal. This is especially
important after you have stored the collar for several months, even if it has been tested before.
Also make sure that data is received correctly and is accessible to you.
6.2 Attaching the collar
Please be careful when attaching the Survey collar to the animal. The electronic housing
includes the Globalstar antenna as well as the GPS antenna. Both antennas must have direct
contact to the satellites for recording and transferring data. Therefore, the collar needs to be
attached correctly.
The adjustable side of the collar must be on the right side of the animal. You should
shorten the belt if necessary to avoid irritation and abrasions.
To achieve the best possible GPS and Globalstar signal, the collar must be attached to the
animal’s neck so that the electronic housing faces downwards and the adjustable side of the
belt is on the right side of the animal. The magnet which is attached to the electronic housing
must face to the animal directly.
16
Before you release the animal, please make sure that the magnet is removed from the
electronic housing so that the collar is activated. The collar is attached to the animal with
the electronic housing facing downwards.
17
7 Collar specifications
7.1 Globalstar Communication
The Globalstar system provides remote data download. Each position data (maximum
2 positions per day) is sent by the collar. If a satellite is in range, data is directly transmitted to
the researcher. If no satellite is in range, data is not transmitted and can only be received from
the collar's non-volatile on-board-memory after the retrieval of the collar.
7.2 Functionality of sensors
7.2.1
GPS Receiver
All positionings are performed with the GPS receiver. Locations are stored with UTC date and
time, LMT date and time, three coordinates (Latitude, Longitude and Height), Dilution of
Precision (DOP) and Navigation status as quality information and number of satellites used
for positioning.
GPS data can be exported to ASCII, Spreadsheet, DBase, GPS Exchange, Google Earth and
BioTelemetry eXchange format (see Table 2 for details). You can easily import the data into
Google Earth to check the area your animal is using.
7.2.2
Mortality Sensor
The mortality sensor measures true acceleration of the animal. If no acceleration is detected
for a user-defined period (e.g. 24 hours), a mortality event is triggered. The mortality period is
user-definable and can set up to 140 hours. When a mortality event is detected an immediate
mortality message is sent. First, this message is sent as email but optionally also as immediate
text message to your mobile phone. In case of mortality, the collar records a GPS position
every 30 minutes for six hours. This way, you will be able to get the information that your
animal has died, even if the mortality message should have been lost.
18
8 Specification
8.1 Storage capacity
The collar is able to store 25800 GPS positions in solved mode.
8.2 Environmental specification for the collar
Operational temperature range: -40°C  ̶ +55°C
Operating humidity range:
<= 100% RH
Storage temperature range:
Storage humidity range:
-45°C  ̶ +55°C
<= 100% RH
8.3 Battery
Do not short-circuit, recharge, puncture, incinerate, crush, immerse or expose battery to
temperatures above the declared operating temperature range of the product. Risk of fire or
explosion!
Storage:
Store in a cool (preferably below 30°C) and ventilated area, away from moisture, sources of
heat, open flames, food and drink. Keep adequate clearance between walls and batteries.
Temperature above 100°C may result in battery leakage and rupture.
Other:
Lithium batteries are not rechargeable and should not be tentatively charged.
Disposal Considerations:
Do not incinerate, or subject cells to temperatures in excess of 100°C.
Such abuse can result in loss of seal, leakage, and/or cell explosion.
Do not dispose of the battery with the regular garbage, but in
accordance with appropriate local regulations.
19
8.4 Declaration of Conformity
The VERTEX PLUS Survey collar is only designed for long term survival studies on wild
animals. A label on the collar will be unreadable after a very short time, therefore all labels
will be sown in the manual
VERTEX PLUS Survey
Model: 13604
FCC ID: X5ZVERTEXPLUS
IC: 8020A-13604SURVEY
Canada 310
Contains: FCC ID: L2V-STX3 IC: 3989A-STX3
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Declaration of Conformity for USA
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Usually this is followed by the following FCC caution:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
Declaration of Conformity for CANADA
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1)
this device may not cause interference, and
(2)
this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Usually this is followed by the following RSS caution:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
20
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