How it works
In radio and acoustic systems, signals travel from a transmitter to a nearby receiver. By contrast, animals equipped with GPS, Iridium, Globalstar or Argos collars or tags do most of their communicating with satellites in outer space. The collars take advantage of services afforded by two multiple-satellite systems, the “Global Positioning System” (GPS) and one of the mentioned communication satellite systems. Each system operates in a unique way: GPS satellites transmit their positional data to receivers on the ground and the receivers calculate their geographical coordinates. Communication satellites receive positional and other sensors data from transmitters on the ground and relay that information back to ground stations situated elsewhere. We manufacture collars that can utilize either system to full advantage.
For example, our GPS collars or tags can take positional snapshots at numerous pre-defined intervals all day long. The first of their kind, these collars also boast impressive data storage capabilities and long operating life, keeping a record of the animal’s migratory history. This data can be either transmitted to the end user via communication satellite systems, by a line of sight RF link, or retrieved when the collar or tag is recovered. Never before have biologists been able to obtain such a rich and accurate mapping of an animal’s movements, to within an error of less than a few meters.
Another exciting innovation has been the addition of remote-relea
Why it's used
GPS, Iridium, Globalstar and Argos systems are used to track animals such as coyotes, wolves, caribou, sheep, cattle, mountain lions, bears, moose, deer and cougars, as well as sea turtles, marine mammals and birds. Recently, Lotek has also added GPS locator capabilities to other products, such as our SRX receivers.