ATS W500 Wildlink User manual

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W500 Wildlink GPS Small Collar Logger/
W510 Wildlink GPS Glue-on Logger
User’s Manual
IMPORTANT: Your W500 Wildlink Small Collar Loggers or W510 Wildlink Glue-on Loggers
HAVE NOT BEEN PROGRAMMED for operation. You must program each unit in order for
them to function.

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Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Section 2 Theory of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Section 3 Using ATSFixes for Loggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Section 4 Operating the GPS Logger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Section 5 Downloading Data from the GPS Logger . . . . . . . 9
Section 6 Power-On Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Section 7 Data Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Section 8 Warranty and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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Section 1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an ATS W500 Series Wildlink Small Collar Logger or Glue-on
Logger. The GPS model you have received has not had a fix schedule program downloaded to it.
You will need to load a fix schedule program into the Logger to control its operation. The
software you received with the GPS logger, ATSFixes for Loggers, guides you through this
process. Complete help documentation is available within the different software pages, indicated
by the icon. Click on the icon for help details.
The magnet you see attached to the Logger keeps it running at a lower current. When you are not
using your logger, leave the magnet attached.
The GPS logger is supplied with a Wildlink model W100 communication module, PN 17621
(Figure 1). The Wildlink module enables the GPS logger to communicate with a PC for
programming and data uploads via a wireless link.
Figure 1. ATS Wildlink model W100 communication module, PN 17621 (with USB cable)
IMPORTANT: Your W500 Wildlink Small Collar Logger/W510 Wildlink Glue-on Logger
HAS NOT BEEN PROGRAMMED for operation. You must program the logger for it to
function.

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Section 2 Theory of Operation
The ATS W500 Series Wildlink models consist of five different assemblies:
1) the collar belting, or attachment mechanism, 2) an electronics housing, which is attached
to the collar belting, 3) a VHF antenna, 4) a GPS antenna, and 5) a UHF antenna
The electronics housing consists of a battery pack, a VHF transmitter, like those found on
traditional VHF beacon collars, a GPS receiver chipset and a UHF communications IC. Each has
its own antenna, as noted above.
The logger is shipped with a magnet taped into place with yellow vinyl tape. While the magnet is
attached to the logger, it is running at the lowest current drain possible. Removing the magnet
from the logger starts a UHF communication attempt. The logger activates its wireless UHF
communication mode and waits to receive wireless commands from the W100 for a period of 40
seconds. After the 40 seconds, an automatic 5 minutes of VHF double beeps regardless of the
logger’s program.
The GPS Logger stores all location data in the flash memory of its electronics. Location data
may be retrieved wirelessly by PC via the Wildlink W100 module either downloaded nearby with
a magnet swipe on the logger activating the communication link, or a time scheduled remote
download (No magnet swipe used) if selected as an option when programming the logger.
The VHF transmitter is used to locate the animal in order to retrieve the logger. The logger may
be refurbished at ATS’s facility.
The W500 Wildlink Small Collar Logger does not come standard with a drop-off mechanism to
break the collar off of an animal. However, the optional Sure-Drop mechanism may be
purchased separately from ATS and attached to the collar to provide a drop off capability.

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Section 3 Using ATSFixes for Loggers Software
Installing ATSFixes for Loggers Software
To install ATSFixes for Loggers Software, double click on the setup.exe file found on the CD
supplied with your equipment. The software installs on your computer, and you can find it later
under the programs list on your computer.
The installation for the ATSFixes for Loggers software creates some folders on the C: (hard)
drive of your computer. Once you have created a program and uploaded it to a logger, two files
are created and added to the folders. The files contain all the information for the program that
was uploaded to a logger, including the serial number of the logger. If you ever have doubts
about how you programmed a logger or what VHF frequency the logger is transmitting on, you
can look up the information in these files. These files are stored in the C:/Advanced Telemetry
Systems, Inc./GPS/GPS_LOGGER_PROGRAMS folder.
Wildlink W100 Module Setup
The Wildlink module driver must be installed prior to using ATSFixes for Loggers to program
the W500 Wildlink Small Collar Logger/W510 Wildlink Glue-on Logger. To install the driver,
double click on the executable found in the supplied CD that pertains to your PC:
-CP210xVCPInstaller_x86 (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 32bit
systems)
-CP210xVCPInstaller_x64 (64 bit systems)
-CP210x_VCP_Win2K (Windows 2000)
Follow the instructions on the screen. Restart your computer if necessary.
Programming Your GPS Logger
The program you create for the GPS logger will control the GPS fix schedule, VHF transmitter
operation and wireless communication which is tied to the VHF schedule if selected as an option
in the programming. All settings are the same for each year i.e. different years cannot have
unique program schedules.
Saving GPS Programs
If you have several loggers that need to be programmed using an identical program, you may
compose and save a program, and load it into additional loggers. Once a program has been
saved, it is listed under the GPS Logger Programs. Simply choose the program that you wish to
load into the loggers.

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Life Estimation
The ATSFixes for Loggers Programming Software estimates the life that you can expect from
your GPS Logger. If you need more life from your GPS logger than what is estimated, you can
go back and adjust the program to give your GPS logger a longer life. If adjustments are made,
the life calculation is recalculated when the type of battery used is selected again. You might
decide to take fewer fixes each day, or you might program the VHF beacon to operate on a
limited basis, also called a transmitter duty cycle.
Note: Calculations for life estimates assume that the batteries are new.
Steps to Start GPS Logger Programming
Figure 2. ATSFixes for Loggers
To load a program into the GPS logger, the Wildlink W100 module needs to be connected (via
USB port) to the PC running the ATSFixes for Loggers software and the logger needs to be
within one meter of the Wildlink module. If you are only creating a program to be saved for later

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use, then having either/both device(s) is not necessary. Note: Remove magnet prior to
programming.
1. Open the ATSFixes for Loggers Software. It will look similar to Figure 2. The software
recognizes all serial ports available when starting. Note: The software will not proceed
without an available COM port.
2. For the Serial Port option select the COM port associated with the Wildlink module. A
guess and check may be used to determine the correct COM port to use (not preferred) or
Windows’Device Manager tool can be used to determine which COM port should be
selected. The Wildlink module will be associated with whichever port the ‘Silicon Labs
CP210x’COM port is listed under.
3. Click on the Program GPS Logger button to start creating a program. If you are copying a
previously stored program then you need to pick that program from the list of programs.
Otherwise the GPS Logger Program should be New Logger Program for new loggers.
4. Fill in the information in each step of the ATSFixes for Loggers software. Each screen
has a Help button, if needed. Note that no offset exists to distinguish between standard
time and daylight savings time. Even if your study area has daylight savings time during
all or part of your study, the resulting data results are without daylight savings time taken
into account.
5. After the fix schedule program has been configured with the ATSFixes for Loggers
Software, it needs to be loaded into the GPS Logger. To start this process, click on the
Program Logger button in the Step 3: Life, Activity Data window. Click OK on the
following dialog box and then touch the magnet to the logger at the location of the 2
white dots and remove. Touching the magnet to the logger tells the logger that the PC
will be sending information to it.
6. When the GPS Logger is done loading up the user's program, there is a beep and a
message to the PC's screen.
Reprogramming a GPS Logger
If you want to change the program, you need to first erase the current program (and any stored
data). Use the Erase Data/Program button to erase the program and data before reprogramming
it. Be sure that you have first downloaded any stored data you wish to keep.

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Section 4 Operating the GPS Logger
Interpreting the VHF Beacon Beep Patterns
The GPS logger includes a VHF transmitter that can be used to locate it and/or determine its
status. The VHF transmitter can be scheduled to run continuously or only during certain hours of
the day. It can be programmed to stay off for up to 23 hours each day in order to extend life. The
VHF transmitter also has some obligatory beep patterns which you hear regardless of whether
the transmitter was scheduled to be active or not.
The different beep patterns the VHF transmitter uses are based on either a 48 pulses per minute
(ppm) rate, or a 27 ppm rate. To your ear, 48 ppm sounds like one beep per second. The 27 ppm
rate sounds like one beep per every two seconds. Some beep patterns have double or triple
pulses, which are used to indicate various operating conditions to the listener.
If the VHF transmitter is scheduled to operate, the logger operating condition is indicated
by the beep patterns below:
Normal VHF = 48 ppm.
Mortality VHF = 27 ppm (double pulse and then single pulse, repeating).
Last GPS fix successful = Normal VHF (48 ppm) with a double pulse on the 6th pulse.
Last GPS fix failed = Normal VHF (48 ppm).
Obligatory beep patterns (do not follow the scheduled duty cycle) indicate the following
operating conditions:
Reset/Startup/Not programmed = Slow triple pulse and then single pulse at 48ppm.
After pulling off magnet = Initially a 40 second period of no VHF, as the logger activates its
UHF mode, and stays in that mode attempting for a UHF wireless communication link first, then
after the 40 second period double pulse VHF at 48 ppm for a period of 5 minutes only. After the
5 minutes have elapsed, the logger reverts to its regularly scheduled VHF beep pattern.
Low Battery condition = triple pulse at 27 ppm, continuously (much slower than normal VHF
beep pattern).
Note: The VHF transmitter does not operate while the logger is downloading a program,
obtaining GPS fixes, or uploading data to a PC.

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GPS Operation
During a GPS fix attempt, the VHF transmitter is silent. A GPS attempt may last as long as the
setting that was selected during programming but may also be shorter depending on the logger’s
view of the sky. Whether the fix attempt was successful or not is indicated by the VHF beep
pattern that follows the attempt. You will only hear these beep patterns if the VHF transmitter
was scheduled to beep during this time.
Mortality
If you choose to use mortality when you program the logger with the ATSFixes for Loggers
software, the VHF will change to the Mortality VHF and, if a duty cycle was created during
programming, follows the duty cycle until activity is detected or a higher priority event occurs
(low battery).
In order for the GPS logger to exit mortality mode, the logger must undergo thirty seconds of
activity. (The thirty seconds of activity does not have to be consecutive but should be within the
mortality period chosen.)
Light Sensor
This is an optional sensor added to the logger. With this option selected and the optional light
sensor installed on the logger, a low light condition prevents the logger from taking a scheduled
GPS fix. This is for cases where it is known that the animal will be at times sheltered from a
clear view of the sky (i.e. in a burrow). By not allowing a scheduled GPS fix in this condition,
the battery life is extended from excluding unnecessary GPS fix attempts.
Section 5 Downloading Data from the GPS Logger
Once GPS position data have been stored in the GPS logger memory, they can be downloaded to
your computer. Note that during data download, the VHF transmitter is silent even if it was
scheduled to beep. There are two download buttons. “Download Data”is for downloading with
the logger nearby and communication from the logger is activated with a magnet swipe. The
“Remote Download”button is to download data in the field while the logger is still attached to
the animal. This option needs to be selected in the programming to be activated. If remote
downloading is not needed, deselect this option button, and more battery life will be available.

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Steps for Downloading Data
A) Download Data Button
1. Connect the ATS Wildlink module to a USB port on the PC.
2. Open the ATSFixes for Loggers Programming Software.
3. Click the Download Data button.
4. Choose between Degrees, Decimal Minutes and Decimal Degrees for the data format of
the GPS data.
5. Click the Continue button.
6. Touch the magnet to the GPS Logger to initiate communication.
B) Remote Download Button (note: the logger needs to have the remote download
option selected when the logger was programmed)
1. Connect the ATS Wildlink module to a USB port on the PC.
2. Open the ATSFixes for Loggers Programming Software.
3. Click the Remote Download button.
4. Choose between Degrees, Decimal Minutes and Decimal Degrees for the data format
of the GPS data.
5. Click the Continue button.
6. Wait for a download. The W100 continuously transmits a signal and waits for a reply
from a logger. The logger attempts a wireless communication every 11 minutes after
the hour.
If the Remote Download option was selected in the programming of the logger, the logger will
activate the UHF mode every multiple of 11 minutes after the hour (i.e.:11,:22,:33,:44,:55) for a
2 second period. Every multiple of 11 minutes was chosen to prevent a wireless link interruption
during a scheduled GPS fix. The UHF remote communication link is tied to the VHF schedule,
and is not active if the VHF is not active. If the logger is in hand, and the VHF was scheduled to
be off at the time, a magnet swipe still activates a wireless download via the Download Data
button. After a download, the logger continues its programed schedule and prevents a UHF
wake up for 20 minutes. This is to prevent re- downloading of the data if multiple loggers are in
the same area. If there are other loggers in the same area, they all know a download attempt has
been made. The loggers which did not get a download command will then go into a faster 1
minute interval to wake up for a UHF download for a 10 minute period. After the 10 minute