Vectronic Aerospace VERTEX Lite Collar User manual

VERTEX Lite Collar
Version: 1.2
Last Change: 19.03.2019
User Manual

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VERTEX Lite Collar
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
User Manual
24.06.2016
Marcel Butz
Marcel Butz
Robert Schulte
Robert Schulte
08.07.2016
15.07.2016
15.07.2016

Document Change Record

4Contents
Table of Contents
...............................................................................................................7
1 Product overview
...............................................................................................................8
2 Fast guide to deploy the collar
...............................................................................................................9
3 The Vertex Lite collar system
...................................................................................................................... 93.1 The Collar
...................................................................................................................... 103.2 GPS Receiver
...................................................................................................................... 113.3 VHF Beacon
...................................................................................................................... 123.4 Mortality Sensor
...................................................................................................................... 123.5 Activity Sensor (Acceleration)
...................................................................................................................... 133.6 Drop Off
...................................................................................................................... 143.7 Communication options
...................................................................................................... 14Globalstar Communication3.7.1
...................................................................................................... 15Iridium Communication3.7.2
...................................................................................................... 16GSM Communication3.7.3
...................................................................................................................... 183.8 Software
...................................................................................................................... 183.9 Data Format
...................................................................................................... 19List of files and extensions used3.9.1
...............................................................................................................20
4 System Set-up
...................................................................................................................... 214.1 Installation of the user-software GPS Plus X
...................................................................................................................... 214.2 Collar Registration
...................................................................................................................... 224.3 Registration of Communication Devices
...............................................................................................................26
5 Direct Collar Communication

5Contents
...................................................................................................................... 265.1 USB Bluetooth Stick
...................................................................................................................... 275.2 USB Remote Stick
...................................................................................................... 28Remote Stick Collar Contact5.2.1
...................................................................................................... 29Testing several collars5.2.2
...................................................................................................................... 295.3 Collar Main Tree
...................................................................................................... 30Information5.3.1
........................................................................................................... 31
Telemetry5.3.1.1
........................................................................................................... 34
GPS Monitor5.3.1.2
........................................................................................................... 35
Info File5.3.1.3
...................................................................................................... 38Configuration5.3.2
........................................................................................................... 38
User Configuration5.3.2.1
........................................................................................................... 42
Setting the time5.3.2.2
........................................................................................................... 43
Firmware Upload5.3.2.3
...................................................................................................... 44Schedules5.3.3
........................................................................................................... 45
GPS schedule5.3.3.1
........................................................................................................... 48
VHF Beacon Schedule5.3.3.2
........................................................................................................... 49
VHF Beacon & GPS Beacon Schedule Files
Upload
5.3.3.3
...................................................................................................... 49Collected Data5.3.4
........................................................................................................... 52
Position5.3.4.1
........................................................................................................... 56
Activity5.3.4.2
........................................................................................................... 58
Mortality5.3.4.3
...............................................................................................................59
6 Remote Collar (Communication)
...................................................................................................................... 606.1 Remote User Configuration

6Contents
...................................................................................................................... 636.2 Remote GPS Schedule
...................................................................................................................... 636.3 Remote Beacon Schedule
...............................................................................................................64
7 Calculate Collar Lifetime
...............................................................................................................66
8 Test the collar
...............................................................................................................66
9 Attach the collar to the animal
...............................................................................................................67
10 Battery options
...............................................................................................................69
11 Changing of battery pack
...................................................................................................................... 6911.1 Oval Collar
...................................................................................................................... 7011.2 Round Collar, standard battery pack
...................................................................................................................... 7111.3 Round Collar, curved battery pack
...............................................................................................................73
12 The Vertex Lite collar with integrated UHF
ID-Tag
...............................................................................................................74
13 Specification
...................................................................................................................... 7413.1 Environmental specification for the collar
...................................................................................................................... 7513.2 Declarations of Conformity
...................................................................................................................... 7713.3 Certificates

Product overview 7
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
1 Product overview
The VERTEX Lite Collar generates GPS, mortality and activity data. It sends regular
GPS and mortalityupdates via GSM / Globalstar / Iridium communication.
Most important features:
Unlimited GPS localizations per day
3-axis accelerometer to measure activity
User definable Beacon and GPS settings
On board flash memory
Drop Off (on demand)
24/7 mortality observation and notification
Ambient temperature data
Any Battery 1C- 7D
Field replaceable Batteries
Communication options:
Globalstar (One-way communication: enables data download)
Iridium (Two-way communication: enables data download and upload of new
commands and schedules)
GSM (Two-way communication: enables data download and upload of new
commands and schedules)
Bluetooth Communication for on-site Data and Configuration management
The VERTEX Lite Collars can also host an UHF ID Tag to be used in interaction studies
in combination with a VERTEX Plus collar.
All data is stored on the flash memory onboard the collar. GPS locations, temperature
and event data are send using either Globalstar / Iridium / GSM communication. After
retrieval of the collar data can be downloaded using the USB Remote Stick (wireless
data communication with a few meters range).

Product overview 8
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Globalstar collars can be reconfigured with the USB Remote Stick, whereas Iridium and
GSM collars can also be reconfigured remotely using the two-way communication:
GPS schedule and settings
Beacon schedule and settings
Mortality period
Iridium / GSM settings
2 Fast guide to deploy the collar
The collars come thoroughly tested and fully programmed according to your instructions.
Nevertheless we recommend to setup your GPS Plus X (software) system beforehand,
check the programmed settings and test the collars:
1. Make yourself familiar with the collar [(de)activation magnet should be attached]
2. Setup your GPS Plus X software system (for further information please refer to the
GPS Plus X software manual)
3. Register the collars
4. Check / change the settings (using the USB Remote Stick / USB Bluetooth Stick)
5. Check Drop Off configuration and lifetime (please refer to GPS Plus Drop Off
Manager or Info Files provided with the collar)
6. Make a lifetime calculation (optional)
7. Test the collars
7.1 Remove the (de)activation magnet (not the Drop Off magnet!)
7.2 Place them preferably outdoors with clear view to the sky (Do not place the
collars too tightly as their signals might interfere and effect the testing)
7.3 Listen for the VHF beacon signal (Check settings for frequency and pattern
types beforehand)
7.4 Wait for incoming messages (Check for expected time frames first, plan your
testing to include several data transmission windows)
7.5 Process incoming data and check signal qualityetc.

Fast guide to deploy the collar 9
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
7.6 (GSM / Iridium: send reconfiguration commands remotely)
7.7 Deactivate them by reattaching the magnet
Do not trigger the Drop Off!It can only be used once!
8. Check and optionally alter the settings to field configuration
9. Deploy the collar (NOTE: remove all magnets and cut the overhanging belting to
minimize the risk to injure or handicap the animal)
The steps of this list will be explained more detailed in the following chapters.
3 The Vertex Lite collar system
The VERTEX Lite Collar uses a two housing design, one electronic and one battery unit.
The VHF beacon antenna is integrated into the belt. There are different collar designs,
housings and battery sizes to fit it to each species.
follow the links to the subtopics explaining the collar and its system:
The collar
GPS Receiver
VHF Beacon
Mortality Sensor
Communication options
Software
Data Format
3.1 The Collar
The VERTEX Lite Collar consists of the following components:

The Vertex Lite collar system 10
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Figure 1: VERTEX Lite Collar
3.2 GPS Receiver
The collar contains a standard GPS receiver with an accuracy within 8 - 15 meters as
mean. The actual accuracy depends on many factors such as terrain, satellite reception
and time to conduct a fix (GPS position). Most fixes will be far more accurate.
A GPS schedule defines when GPS positions will be recorded. Programming of the
GPS schedule is very flexible and easy.
Once activated the receiver listens for satellite data and collects ephemerides data to
conduct a GPS location. The maximum listening period is 180s but it will stop listening
before that if
a) it receives a validated fix of highest quality
b) it gets several decent quality signals
c) it gets no satellite connection at all
Each GPS position is stored with following data: