Vectronic Aerospace VERTEX Lite Collar User manual

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

All rights reserved. No parts of this work maybe reproduced in any form or byanymeans - graphic, electronic, or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without the
written permission of the publisher.
Products that are referred to in this document maybe either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the
respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these trademarks.
While everyprecaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this
document or from the use of programs and source code that mayaccompanyit. In no event shall the publisher and
the author be liable for any loss of profit or anyother commercial damage caused or alleged to have been caused
directlyor indirectlyby this document.
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:

The Vertex Lite collar system 11
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
- UTC (universal time coordinated) date and time
- GPS coordinates (Latitude, Longitude and Height)
- Dilution of Precision (DOP) and navigation status as quality information as well as
number of satellites used for positioning.
GPS data can be exported via the user software GPS Plus X to ASCII, Spreadsheet,
DBase, GPS Exchange, Google Earth and BioTelemetry eXchange format. You can
easily import the data into Google Earth via kml.file to visualise GPS positions.
3.3 VHF Beacon
The collar is equipped with a powerful VHF beacon. The VHF Beacon transmits a signal
on Very High Frequency. It allows you to track the collar even if satellite or GSM
communication is down. The VHF Beacon is set for a certain range of frequencies and
you are able to change it within this range using GPS Plus X. You can program when the
VHF Beacon is on and also its signal pattern. The VERTEX Lite has three distinct signal
modes, the Standard Pattern the Mortality Pattern and the Emergency Pattern. There is
a backup battery for the beacon to ensure you do not loose your collar due to low battery
issues. The Mortality Pattern is active when a mortality event has been recorded
(Mortality Sensor). The default setting can be seen below but you are able to change the
Pulse Length and also Loop Length meaning the cycle in which the signal is repeated.
Figure 2: Beacon patterns (default setting): Standard Pattern, Mortality Pattern, Emergency
Pattern
The changes can be made in the GPS Plus X software:
Devices Remote Stick VERTEX Lite Configuration User
Configuration
Devices USB Bluetooth VERTEX Lite Configuration

The Vertex Lite collar system 12
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
User Configuration
3.4 Mortality Sensor
The mortality sensor measures the activity of the animal. If no movement (activity) is
detected for a user-defined period (e.g. 24 hours), a mortality event is triggered. The
mortality period is user-definable and can be set up to 140 hours. When a mortality
event is detected, the collar:
-Switches the VHF Beacon pattern to the Mortality Mode
-Sends out a mortality event message via Globalstar / Iridium / GSM
communication
-Conducts unscheduled GPS fixes each 30 minutes for six hours before it returns
to the programmed schedule
-Sends messages according to set communication patterns
The collar will end the mortality mode if the sensor registers repetitive activity for roughly
20 minutes.
NOTE: The mortality period should be adapted to the behavior of the collared animal so
you get no false events (e.g. lions with a very long passive phase should get a longer
mortality period as for example roe deer with a distinct but short activity pattern). The
default setting is 24h which has been used successfully in a variety of studies.
3.5 Activity Sensor (Acceleration)
The VERTEX Lite Collar is equipped with a Basic Activity sensor. The data are stored
in the on board flash memory. The sensor records average data every 300 seconds.
You can analyze relative activity based on right-left, up-down and forward- backward
movement.

The Vertex Lite collar system 13
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Figure 3: Directions of the three activity axes
3.6 Drop Off
Drop Offs allow retrieving the collar without having to recapture the animal.
There are two optional Drop Offs available:
- Timer-controlled Drop Off: The collar is released after a pre-defined period of time
(relative mode, e.g. 100 weeks) or at a pre-defined date and time (absolute mode, e.g.
01 April 2017). The lifetime of the Drop Off is up to five years after production. The
countdown in relative mode starts after removing the Drop Off magnet.
- Radio-and-timer-controlled Drop Off: The collar is released on demand by UHF
radio signal. For the release an UHF Handheld Terminal Version 5 or higher or a Drop
Off Release Transmitter is needed. The maximum distance is about 500 m (For more
information please refer to the Drop Off Release Transmitter manual). Additional timer
control (relative or absolute mode) functions as backup. The lifetime of this Drop Off is
up to 4 years after production.
Figure 4: Drop Off magnet for standby mode

The Vertex Lite collar system 14
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Figure 5: Drop Off release sites, magnet removed
3.7 Communication options
The VERTEX Lite Collar is available as Iridium, Globalstar or GSM version. Follow the
link to your chosen configuration for information about the respective communication
system.
Iridium
Globalstar
GSM
3.7.1 Globalstar Communication
Globalstar offers a one-way communication means you receive GPS and mortality data,
transmitted by the collar. The system provides a broad but space and time restricted
coverage network.
Figure 6: Globalstar Coverage 2015

The Vertex Lite collar system 15
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Each position data is sent by the collar (1-2 Fix per message with minimum pause of
30min between each message). Data is send out several times to increase
transmission probability but data reception is not confirmed by the satellites. The
satellite sends its data to a base station on ground which forwards it via web to our
system. It is possible that transmissions are blocked (e.g. thick canopy, bad angle
towards ski etc.) and do not reach the satellites and thereby you. Most often the data will
get through and to our system from which your GPS Plus X software will automatically
download the data. You can also get the data as email forwarding when the Http
download is unsuitable for whatever reason. You can get the full dataset by downloading
it after collar retrieving with the USB Remote stick.
NOTE: You can set a skip count to exclude some fixes from the data satellite
transmission pool to receive fewer messages and thereby extend the collar lifetime (e.g.
skip count 2 means sending only every second fix, all data remains stored on the collar
too). Please keep in mind that you cannot alter the settings once the collar is deployed.
A skip count could potentially drastically reduce the collar messages you receive up to
getting no data (e.g. high GPS skip count in a very unsuitable habitat such as dense
forest). For further information please contact our customer service.
3.7.2 Iridium Communication
Iridium offers a two-way communication means you receive GPS data from the collar
and can send new commands and schedules remotely to the collar. The Iridium system
contains of 66 satellites with global coverage for 24 hours per day.
Figure 7: Iridium 24h worldwide satellite coverage
You can download and upload schedules and configurations remotely. Due to the two-
way communication, the collar knows which data have been received by the satellite and
which data need to be resent again. That means you will get all data even so it can
happen that some data packages come in later.
For transmitting the data the collar needs clear view to the sky. The number of fixes
defines the message size and thereby transmission time.

The Vertex Lite collar system 16
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
How it works:
The system uses 3 message blocks whereas the first block can contain 1-4 GPS fixes,
the second block additional 8 at most and the third and last block additional 6. In total,
18 fixes (in one big message) can be transmitted in one transmission window. The
remaining space within a block will be filled with placeholder data, so the message won't
get smaller if you choose less than 4 (1-3), 12 (5-11), 18 (13-17).
Please note that the collar “listens” for incoming commands whenever it has send out
data only, meaning you have distinct communication windows based on the schedule
used and transmission made (e.g. hourly fixes with 4 fixes a message result in one
message every4 hours). Data are sent to our GPS Plus X main server and provided to
your GPS Plus X software for HTTP download or email forwarding / reception.
NOTE: It highly depends on species and terrain how many fixes the collar should
transmit in one message. In most cases we recommend to start with 4 fixes per
message (default settings) and to increase the number after deployment when you see
data is incoming regularly. An unsuitable setting (e.g. 18 fixes / message in dense
forest) could result in high rate of failed transmissions or in worst case in loosing contact
to the collar.
NOTE: You can set a skip count to exclude some fixes from the data satellite
transmission pool to receive fewer messages and thereby extend the battery lifetime
(e.g. skip count 2 means sending only every third fix, all data will be stored in the collar
too). A skip count reduces the collar messages you receive (High GPS skip count in a
very unsuitable habitat such as dense forest may result in loosing contact with the collar).
3.7.3 GSM Communication
GSM is using the SMS service of mobile phone providers. The GSM communication is
a two-way communication, means you receive GPS data from the collar and can send
new commands and schedules remotely to the collar. GPS and mortality data will be
sent automatically via SMS to the defined phone number. If you wish sending new
commands or schedules remotely, please contact our customer service. It is only
possible to communicate with the collar within GSM provider coverage.

The Vertex Lite collar system 17
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Figure 8: GSM Communication
For collar usage within Europe we provide GSM collars with VECTRONIC SIM chips
so you do not have to take care about provider administration. VECTRONIC SIM chips
are soldered in the electronic housing and highly reliable in all kinds of environmental
conditions (heat, cold, humidity, vibrations, shock).
How it works:
One message transmitted via GSM/GPRS contains 8 GPS positions per default.
Messages will be send to VECTRONIC ground-station and from there downloaded via
HTTP to GPS Plus X software. All GPS Data, irrespective of transmitting, will be stored
in the non-volatile on-board-memory. Data not transmitted via GSM can be downloaded
via UHF radio link (if available) or via USB Remote Stick after the collar has been
retrieved.
For collar usage in Africa, Asia or Nord- and South America you may choose your own
mobile phone provider and provide Micro SIM cards on your own. Here, message
transmitted via GSM contains 7 GPS positions per default. It is recommended having
your own GSM Ground station if you using your GSM collars with your own SIM cards.

The Vertex Lite collar system 18
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
Figure 9: GSM Ground Station
NOTE: If no communication can be established between the GSM network and the
collar or the GSM ground station, the GSM provider will retry to send the data. Data in
the provider's memory are subject to a validity period. If no contact has been
established within this period (usually 2-3 days, but depending on the provider's
conditions), the data stored by the provider will be deleted without delivery. For this
reason make sure that your ground station is switched on at all times to allow the data to
reach you within the validity period. If a newly send GPS schedule is not delivered within
the validity period, resend the schedule to make sure that the collar has received the
new schedule from the GSM network. If you have questions please do not hesitate to
ask our customer service.
3.8 Software
All VECTRONIC collars are managed with our free software GPS Plus X which can be
downloaded from our homepage (www.vectronic-aerospace.com). It is also on the user-
CD which accompanied the collars in the first place.
The auto-installer includes an Installation Wizard which will guide you through the
installation and setup.
For more information refer to System Set-up.
3.9 Data Format
All data is stored internally 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, Satellite ID (Sat No), Carrier to
Noise (C/No [dBHz]), battery voltage, mortalitystatus, temperature and activity
- Temperature: Temperature data are stored and transmitted with the GPS
position data.

The Vertex Lite collar system 19
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
- 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.
- Activity: records averaged data every 300 seconds on 3-axis (X, Y, Z). So,
you can analyze relative activity based on right- left, up- down and forward-
backward movement. Activity data can be downloaded after collar retrieving.
(Format: adf. or adf3.)
3.9.1 List of files and extensions used
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”.
Export 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”.
.TXT
ASCII
Visually readable equidistant table, compatible to con-
ventional text editors and spreadsheets
.CSV
Spreadsheet
Computer readable table, compatible to conventional
text editors and spreadsheets
.DBF
DBase Table
Database format, compatible to conventional spread-
sheets and most text editors
.GPX
GPS Exchange
Format
File for data exchange with GPS devices
.KML
KML
Google Earth file to display tracks, points of interest…
.KMZ
KMZ
Zipped Google Earth file

The Vertex Lite collar system 20
© 2017 VECTRONIC Aerospace GmbH
.BTX
BioTelemetry
eXchange
VECTRONIC-defined XML-format
.GDX
.ADF
.ADF3
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.
2-axis Activity Data File
3-axis Activity Data File
Upload files
.vbsf
Beacon Schedule File
VHF beacon schedule of the Survey collar
.vgsf
GPS Schedule File
GPS schedule of the Survey collar
Hardware information files
.CCF
Collar Configuration
File
contains the configuration (schedules, communication
configuration, activity mode) of 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
.txt
Collar Info File
contains all information on the collar configuration
4 System Set-up
All VECTRONIC collars come completely programmed according to your specifications.
You can change the configuration yourself with the GPS Plus X user software and the
Communication Device (USB remote Stick, USB Bluetooth Stick).
This section will guide you through all steps for getting started whereas you will
find a more detailed description for all features in the GPS Plus X software Manual.