Surveillance		Harptrap		Hair Funnel		Telemetry		General Products		Audio Products

Outline of Operation

Recording can be initiated: (a) manually, either in real time or in time lapse mode, (b) via an internal clock, or (c) by external sensors.

The use of an external sensor is the most appropriate and practical method of initiating recording for most studies. The most popular and reliable of these is the specially designed active IR sensor beam pair. A range of optional sensors are available, including passive infra-red (PIR), through-the-lens video motion detection (VMD), seismic sensors, pressure mats, or manual remote controllers.

In many study situations, non-target species or other environmental stimuli can cause false triggering, leading to wasteful redundant recording. To counter this, the Faunatech surveillance systems incorporate a number of sophisticated yet easily adjustable sensor filtering parameters, for example sensor sensitivity and sensor logic. The prudent setting of these parameters force the recorder to respond only to a certain class of animal size and speed. This selectivity not only increases available record time per tape, but greatly reduces the time required for subsequent review and analysis of recorded data.

Sensor sensitivity refers to the minimum or threshold time period that the beam must be broken until the system accepts it as being a successful trigger. This feature would be useful for example during the study of a slow moving mammal. Any fast moving mammal or flying bird that breaks the beam could be effectively filtered out.

Multiple sensors can be switched from an OR mode to an AND mode. This changes the logic relationship between sensor input 1 and sensor input 2. When set to OR, input 1 and input 2 are ORed together. In this case, a detected target by either sensor 1 or sensor 2 will cause the system to record. When set to AND, for a successful trigger to occur (ie. for the video to record), the sensor connected to input 1 AND the sensor connected to input 2 must BOTH be detecting a target. This function adds flexibility; for example, by setting the two pairs of sensors a little distance apart (vertically or horizontally) corresponding to the body size extremes of a study species, the system is able to screen out small non-target animals. The Inhibit setting can be used to filter out large targets, while the Direction setting can determine and record only animal movements that occur in one direction, for example, from left to right.

A common limiting factor for any remotely deployed electronic apparatus is that of power supply. The minimisation of power consumption has therefore been a primary design consideration during development of the surveillance recorders. Broadly, power consumption is inversely proportional to the record response time (ie. the time to actually record after a successful trigger). Some studies require fast response times, while in others power efficiency maybe the primary consideration. To maximise the effectiveness of each deployment, multiple operating modes are provided as standard. Depending on the requirements of the study in question, the operator is able to select the most appropriate and power efficient operating mode, to balance power use verses record delay.

To further address the problem of limited power, an integral solar regulator and power management circuitry are installed to allow the incorporation of optional solar panels and external batteries.

Throughout the surveillance systems, special attention has been given to field reliability and robustness. Tough and weather-proof housings utilising quality plugs and sockets (sealed to IP67 rating) are used throughout. Once setup and tested, a recording system with solar charger, can be set to operate remotely at a study site for extended periods in all weather conditions.