Wildlife computers sPAT User manual

v.202301
sPAT User Guide
This user guide will give you all the essential information needed
for interacting with and deploying a Wildlife Computers sPAT.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Table of Contents
Almost Everything You Need to Know About the sPAT ........................................................................................................3
Before you Begin..................................................................................................................................................................................4
Types of Data Received from sPAT................................................................................................................................................5
Tag Release Sequence .......................................................................................................................................................................5
Pinger.......................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Interacting with a Tag ........................................................................................................................................................................7
Configuring Deployment Duration...............................................................................................................................................9
Tag Details & Argos Settings............................................................................................................................................................9
Gathering Tag Information ........................................................................................................................................................... 13
Offline Mode....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
sPAT Recovery Instructions........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Download your Data ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Tag Storage and Battery Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Special Considerations for Longer-term Storage........................................................................................................ 19
Sending Test Transmissions.......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Battery Exercise Routine................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Technical Specifications................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Additional Information................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Contacting Wildlife Computers................................................................................................................................................... 30

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Almost Everything You Need to Know About the sPAT
The sPAT is ready to deploy when you take it out of the shipping box. Wildlife Computers preprograms
your sPAT with the desired deployment duration (30, 45, or 60 days) and ships the tag in Auto-Start mode
so it begins its deployment as soon as the sensor hits sea water.
The rest of this user guide is helpful if you are curious about everything sPAT, if you need to change the
deployment duration or release conditions, or if you recover your tag and want to download the archive. If
none of these situations apply to you, you can stop reading here.
In the guide, you will see the yellow icon highlighting information where special attention should be
paid.
The sPAT (also known as a PAT tag or PSAT) is a pop-up archival transmitting tag specifically optimized for
short-term survivorship studies. The sPAT uses a suite of sensors and algorithms to monitor the status of
the tagged animal for up to 60 days. Users can deploy the sPAT on by-catch, fish, shark, rays, skates, eels,
and turtles. The sPAT is designed to be attached to an animal by a
tether. The corrodible burn pin releases the tag from the tether on a
pre-programmed interval (30, 45, or 60 days) or when the sPAT
determines it is no longer attached to an animal. Data transmission
occurs when the tag floats on the ocean surface after it releases from
the tether.
Tags are shipped pre-programmed with default settings and in Auto-
Start mode—the sPAT automatically starts the deployment when
submerged in saltwater. At any time, a single pass of a magnet near
the communication’s port will cause the LED to gradually transition
from bright to dim as confirmation that the tag is in Auto-Start
mode.
Transmitted data will allow you to infer the status of the animal at the time of release. Data generated
during a deployment includes:
•Daily Data for the entire deployment.
oMinimum and maximum temperature and depth readings
oDelta (difference between min and max) light-level for each UTC Day
o10-minute time series depth data for the end of the deployment to help determine the
animal’s fate
•The Argos generated pop-up location.
The sPAT will transmit for approximately three days and the data will show up in your Wildlife Computers
Portal account as it is received.
Figure 1—sPAT tag rigged with a stainless- steel
tether and a
Titanium anchor.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Before you Begin
The list below shows what is required to communicate with the sPAT:
•A Wildlife Computers online portal account.
•A Windows computer with Tag Agent Software and USB driver installed.
•A Wildlife Computers USB communications cable.
•A magnet.
Visit wildlifecomputers.com to download the required software (Tag Agent and the USB Driver) and setup
an account. At the end of this document, there is a list of key terms and concepts for reference. We
recommend inexperienced users review this list.
Anatomy of a Tag
Figures 2 & 3—sPAT tag showing: (a) Argos antenna, (b) temperature sensor, (c) communications port with plug, (d) light sensor (1 of 2),
(e) float, (f) release pin, (g) LED light, (h) wet/dry sensor, (i) ground plate, (j) light sensor (2 of 2), and (k) pressure sensor.
The communications port is where the USB communications cable plugs into the tag. Prior to deployment,
this port should be sealed with the plug provided. Smear a small amount of the silicone grease supplied onto
the sides and bottom of the plug, align the plug and pins, and carefully push the plug into the port. If it
does not align easily with the pins, rotate it 180° and try again. The plug prevents corrosion of the pins
during the deployment; however, the plug is not required for the tag to function normally.
The wet/dry sensor, ground plate, pressure sensor, thermistor, and electronic release pin should
never be covered.
Covering these sensors interferes with the tag’s functionality. This includes antifouling coatings,
brightly colored paints for recovery purposes, and attachment adhesives (e.g., epoxy).

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Types of Data Received from sPAT
Daily Data
Daily data messages contain the minimum and maximum temperature and depth readings from the fast-
sampled archive data set, as well as the change in light-level for each UTC Day.
Time Series
The sPAT tag sends ten-minute time series depth data for the end of the deployment. If the tag releases on
the scheduled day, it will send four days of time series depth data. If it is a conditional release (see Tag
Release Sequence section) the tag will send time series depth data for the four days of data prior to the
beginning of the conditional release period plus the entire conditional release period. Each time series
message contains:
•Time series depth data at a ten-minute interval.
•The minimum/maximum values encountered during the time period covered by the
time- series message period.
The absolute Min/Max values and point sample values may not match as the absolute values are
determined from all archived data collected during the message period. This can give insight to the
amount of aliasing that has occurred when generating the time series message.
Time Series Sensor Resolution
Time series sensor resolution will vary for each measurement. All the time series sensor readings have an
associated resolution which is reported in the decoded data. The resolution is dynamically adjusted to
compress the data for transmission.
Tag Release Sequence
The sPAT will be pre-programmed for your desired deployment duration (30, 45, or 60 days). The tag will
begin the release sequence when that specified interval is reached unless a conditional release occurs prior
to reaching the intended duration.
Conditional Release
The sPAT uses sensor measurements to make reasonable assumptions about the state of the deployment.
Depending on your study design and the behavior of your study animal, you can program the tag to
release and begin transmitting if certain conditions are met.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Auto-Detect Tag Detachment
The parameter automatically initiates release if the tag detects itself floating at the surface.
•Select a depth threshold that the tag must exceed before monitoring for detachment. This helps
prevent triggering a conditional release before the tag is attached to its host animal. For example, if
you program a sPAT tag and put it in Start mode using Tag Agent (while tag is attached to your PC)
it will detect constant depth while it is sitting on your desk.
•Select how long the tag must be at the surface before a release will occur. The pin burn will occur
after the specified time has elapsed.
Auto-Detect Mortality
This parameter monitors for three mortality conditions:
•Floater—the tag is floating at the surface (more than 50% of the wet/dry readings for every hour of
the interval is dry, OR if the maximum depth during the premature release interval was <= one
meter).
•Sitter—the tag is sitting at a constant depth.
•Sinker—the tag remains below a certain depth.
Upon satisfying any one of these conditions, the tag automatically initiates release. To monitor for
mortality, configure the following:
•Select a depth threshold that the
tag must exceed before
monitoring for detachment.
•Optionally, select the depth that
the tag must remain below to be
considered a sinker.
•Select the duration—this sets
how long each of the depth
criteria must be maintained
before a release will occur. The
pin burn will occur after the
specified time has elapsed.
•Select the variance—variance is
used here in a statistical sense
(see Figure 3). Be mindful of the tidal activity in your study area.
A tag stuck on the bottom will detect some minor depth changes as the tides change the water
depth. If you choose a range that is too small for local tidal conditions, the tag will not initiate a
conditional release when it is stuck or sitting on the bottom.
Figure 4—Tag release settings.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
The release settings shown in Figure 4 will result in the following:
•The tag will release 30 days after deployment.
•The tag will release if it exceeds ten meters in depth and then meets any of the following criteria:
oStays within four meters (+/- two meters) of a constant depth for more than one day.
oStays deeper than 400 meters for more than one day.
•The tag will release if it reaches a depth of 1700 meters. This ensures that if the tag is sinking it will
not reach its crush depth and become inoperable (this setting is not adjustable).
Release reasons as reported in the tag’s status messages:
•Interval—the tag ran to the configured end of the deployment and the animal survived.
•Pin Broke—the tag sensed the release pin was broken, and the tag found itself floating on the
surface for an extended period. Some external force pulled on the tether and broke the pin.
•Floater—the tag stayed within four meters of a constant depth for more than one day and was dry
for most of the time. For some reason (mortality or attachment failure) the tag has come off the
animal and is floating at the surface.
•Premature—the tag stayed within 4m of a constant depth for more than one day. The tag could be
sitting on the bottom, attached to a dead animal. This could also be a floater, but the tag wasn’t dry
for most of the time. Examine the Depth Time Series data to make final determination.
•Too Deep—the tag detected that it was getting dangerously close to its maximum structural
depth. The animal was dead and sinking or diving to a depth that is too deep for tag. Examine the
Depth Time Series data to analyze sink rate.
Pinger
The pinger is used for tag recovery. The sPAT sends out low power “pings” after release while at the surface.
The tag can be located with an appropriate receiver and directional antenna. The sPAT will ping at a one
second interval for the duration of the Argos transmission period (approximately three days after release).
Interacting with a Tag
The sPAT will be shipped pre-programmed by Wildlife Computers. In the case where you need to change
the deployment duration, release parameters, or if the sPAT is recovered after a deployment, follow the
instructions below to communicate with the tag.
Tag Agent Software is used to communicate with the sPAT. Tag Agent and the USB Driver can be
downloaded from our website: wildlifecomputers.com .
Plug the USB communications cable into the computer and connect to a tag carefully observing the
orientation of the connector pins. The home page will display the Tag Status as Interactive in the lower left
with tag information and sensor readings visible. If tag status remains Disconnected, swipe the magnet
supplied near the communication port on the tag to view the tag in interactive mode.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
If the tag is new or has previously been
programmed by another user, a pop-up box
will appear asking if you wish to take
ownership of the tag. Becoming a tag
administrator gives you the authority to select
and save new settings.
If tag settings have been updated through the
portal using My Tags, a pop-up box will
appear on opening Tag Agent advising that
changes have been made and the tag’s
settings need to be updated.
The Administer Tag button allows you to
modify the settings of the connected tag.
Click the Send Changes button on the left of
the screen to activate these changes.
The Download WCH tab shows a summary of
data on the tag and gives you the option of
downloading the archive and set-up info onto
your local machine.
Figure 5—Tag Agent screen prior to tag connection.
Figure 6—Tag Agent home screen.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Configuring Deployment Duration
To change tag Deployment Duration within Tag Agent, select the Administer Tag button in the upper
menu.
Figure 7—Tag Agent menu bar. Select Administer Tag to edit tag release settings.
A new window will open revealing three sections—Tag Information, Tag Release Sequence, and
Transmission Settings.
Tag Details & Argos Settings
Figure 8—Expanded view of Tag Details tab.
Tag administrators, tagware version, and tag type are displayed on the Tag Details tab. Tag Name is an
optional field which makes a tag or tags easy to find in the Tag Portal using the filter. The Argos Settings tab
displays the tag PTT ID details.
For more information on these terms, reference the Glossary of Terms section at the end of this document.
In the Tag Release Sequence section, you can choose to release the tag 30, 45, or 60 days after the
deployment starts. You can also adjust the Conditional Release settings.

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The information contained in these documents is confidential, privileged and only for the information of the intended recipient and may
not be used, published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers.
Figure 9—Tag Release Sequence.
Once settings have been chosen, use the blue Send Changes button (or Propose Changes button if working
in Tag Portal) to load settings into tag. Tag Agent will confirm receipt of settings via dialog box. The Check
for Updates tab on the top left navigation bar of Tag Agent home screen can be used at any time to see if
settings updates are available.
Tag States: Start, Auto-Start, and Stop
The sPAT has three states: Auto-Start, Start, and Stop.
1. A tag in Auto-Start mode can be activated by sea water submersion. Wildlife Computers ship
sPATs in Auto-Start.
2. Start mode activates the tag. In Start, data collection is running, and the tag begins
monitoring for its set release condition.
3. Stop mode puts the tag into deep shutdown for storage. The tag will remain unresponsive
unless connected to Tag Agent.