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v.201901 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MiniPAT User Guide 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This user guide will give you all the essential information needed 

for interacting with and deploying a Wildlife Computers MiniPAT. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Содержание MiniPAT

Страница 1: ...v 201901 MiniPAT User Guide This user guide will give you all the essential information needed for interacting with and deploying a Wildlife Computers MiniPAT ...

Страница 2: ... of a Tag 4 Interacting with a Tag 5 Configuring Tag Settings 7 Tag Information 7 Tag Release Sequence 8 Data Product Settings 11 Transmission Settings 17 Technical Specifications 22 Additional Information 23 Tag Storage and Battery Maintenance 23 MiniPAT Recovery Instructions 24 Preparation for Post deployment Communication 24 Download your Data 25 Biofouling Overview 26 Process Overview 26 Perso...

Страница 3: ...ight level data are collected and summarized for transmission through Argos Transmission occurs after the release of the tag from the tether while the tag is floating on the ocean surface This guide describes how to set up and deploy the MiniPAT Transmitted data products are also explained Figure 1 MiniPAT tag rigged with a stainless steel heat shrink covered tether and a Wilton anchor Before you ...

Страница 4: ...sor 2 of 2 k pressure sensor The communications port is where the USB plugs into the tag Prior to a deployment this port should be sealed with the plug provided by Wildlife Computers Prior to deployment the USB port should be sealed with the provided plug Apply a very small amount of silicone grease supplied in shipment to the black rubber plug and press the plug into position A lost or missing pl...

Страница 5: ...mmunicate with the MiniPAT Tag Agent and the USB Communication Cable driver can be downloaded from our website wildlifecomputers com Once installed Tag Agent can be used to Change tag states Configure the tag settings Upload remotely selected settings into a tag Check sensor readings and conduct test transmissions To communicate with a tag open Tag Agent Software Figure 3 Figure 3 Tag Agent screen...

Страница 6: ...on in seawater for use in brackish or freshwater contact Wildlife Computers In Stop mode the tag will remain unresponsive unless connected to Tag Agent Stop mode is used for storage of tags for periods longer than a month Changing Tag States with a Magnet Within Tag Agent the Disconnect Tag tab on the top right navigation bar can be used to put a tag in any state Once disconnected a single pass of...

Страница 7: ...s a tag to be redeployed without having to be plugged into Tag Agent After five days the magnet toggle will put the MiniPAT in Shut down mode This is to avoid unintentional data erasure If a new deployment is started the MiniPAT will write over data previously collected In addition to revealing the tag state the LED also indicates the following conditions Erasing the archive many rapid blinks with...

Страница 8: ... archival sample interval based on the deployment length specified Conditional Release The MiniPAT 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 Auto detect Tag Detachment This parameter automaticall...

Страница 9: ...pth 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 not at 20 00 UTC like the scheduled release Select the variance variance is used here in a statistical sense see example below Be mindful of the tidal activity in yo...

Страница 10: ...initially enabled the MiniPAT will create 600 second Time Series messages for the two days leading up to release Ignore Wet Dry After 45 Days You can optionally choose to have the tag ignore its wet dry condition 45 days after release The tag will then attempt transmissions at its scheduled repetition interval until the battery expires This setting can be useful if a tag is fouled or hung up on de...

Страница 11: ...d The combined effect of the chosen settings is shown at the bottom of the Data Products Settings section The number of messages generated per day and the total number of messages generated during the entire mission are displayed In the case of duty cycling two values are shown to account for the different number of messages generated during on and off duty cycle days A warning is displayed when t...

Страница 12: ...d SST Geolocation Light level and sea surface temperature messages are always generated daily The dawn and dusk transitions are used to calculate geolocation Two light level curves are created for each day of the deployment containing the following information Whether or not the curve contains a dawn or dusk transition Nine light level and depth samples taken during each transition A sea surface t...

Страница 13: ...on Select the threshold that qualifies a change in acceleration as a knockdown event 2 To determine the amount of time a tag spends upright versus tilted a threshold definition of upright is needed Daily Data cannot be duty cycled Figure 10 Daily Message data products Screen capture shows Light level messages generated daily Light Attenuation calculations turned on Daily Data messages turned off a...

Страница 14: ...l will improve the odds that there will be no gaps however the temporal resolution of each datum will be reduced Different study objectives will warrant different trade offs between coverage and temporal resolution Each time series message contains The time series data sampled at the specified interval The minimum and maximum values encountered during the period of time covered by the time series ...

Страница 15: ...on throughput the MiniPAT condenses sensor observations into summarized messages Mixed Layer Temperature Mixed layer temperature messages describe the amount of time the animal spends in the mixed layer the depth of the thermocline and temperature of the mixed layer When enabled one message is created for each summary period and includes Time in the mixed layer percent Depth of mixed layer max Tem...

Страница 16: ...arting at 00 00 UTC Histogram Bin Limits There are twelve bin limits for each of the two histograms These numbers are the upper inclusive limit for each bin The limits in first eleven boxes can be edited The twelfth bin limit shows the highest valid sensor measurement and cannot be adjusted Summary Period The summary period is the collection duration of the summary messages The summary period can ...

Страница 17: ... temperature messages 2 Histogram messages Transmission Settings This category displays the Argos interval how often the tag will test for dry conditions and try to transmit after pop off The transmission interval for pop up tags is 60 seconds This parameter is set by Wildlife Computers Loading Settings into a Tag Once settings have been chosen use the blue Send Changes button or Propose Changes b...

Страница 18: ...ocal template file of the current settings selected Local templates are used when no internet connection is available To create a temple select and give the template a name Viewing Configuration History A tag s configuration history can be viewed using the arrowhead icon on the left sidebar menu Clicking the arrowhead will expose the tag history and once viewed clicking on the arrowhead again will...

Страница 19: ... this will change slowly as the entire tag changes temperature Leaving a tag in a refrigerator for a while will change the value Wet Dry connecting a wire from the large rectangular ground plate strap above the communication port to the metal ring around the base of the antenna letters i and h respectively in Figure 2 should change the value from over 200 to less than 20 Light level under typical ...

Страница 20: ... satellite passes in your area prior to beginning the test Seconds Apart The time between each transmission The usual repetition rate for a MiniPAT is 60 seconds When all of the tags are setup and deployed take them outside where they have a full view of the sky For best results float the MiniPATs in a bucket of saltwater The test will run until complete or until the tag is reset with a magnet or ...

Страница 21: ...g The record is instantly updated so long as an internet connection is available If tags are programed offline using Tag Agent the next time an internet connection is established and Tag Agent software is open the record automatically updates Offline Mode Before programming can be done offline Tag Agent must be downloaded and opened with valid credentials entered while connected to the internet So...

Страница 22: ...cifications Dimensions 124 mm length X 38 mm diameter Weight in Air 60 g Pressure Rating 2000 m Memory 64 MB Operating Frequency 401 678 MHz Operating Life Up to two years Sensors Light Pressure Temperature Wet Dry Light 5 x 10 12W cm 2 to 5 x 10 2W cm 2 Temperature Range 20 C to 50 C Resolution 0 05 C Conductivity Operational Limits 0 1 to 5 S m Storage Temperature 5 C Optimal Communication Via U...

Страница 23: ...ife Computers tags Deployment the period when a tag is attached to an animal and started Location Uplink a transmission intended to generate an Argos location These uplinks can also carry a data message payload Multiple uplinks are required to generate an Argos location Pinger a UHF radio tracking beacon Repetition Interval repetition rate how often a tag will test for dry conditions and try to tr...

Страница 24: ...n for Post deployment Communication When you recover your MiniPAT full of valuable deployment data there are several steps to perform before attempting to connect it to the USB communication cable As a precaution it is advised to have the following on hand Compressed air in a can Electronic contact cleaner if available 1 Thoroughly dry the MiniPAT with a paper towel 2 Remove the rubber communicati...

Страница 25: ...nt of Wildlife Computers Download your Data Use the Download WCH tab on the Tag Agent top navigation bar to download MiniPAT archival data Figure 16 You ll be prompted to save the wch file to your computer The file can then be uploaded into the Data Portal for decoding analysis and storage Put tag into Stop mode after downloading the data Figure 16 Tag Agent menu bar Select Download WCH to downloa...

Страница 26: ...ouling paints with good results in different applications PropSpeed and Micron66 We also offer an optional service to sand mask and paint tags with PropSpeed antifouling and coat the wet dry sensors with conductive polymer This comprehensive antifouling service is offered at a charge of 100 per tag prior to shipping We do not apply Micron66 anti fouling paint due to the hazardous nature of the pro...

Страница 27: ...ing sticks for the primer Two disposable 100 ml measuring cups for the primer components Four small disposable paint brushes One sheet of 80 100 grit sandpaper 500 ml of isopropyl alcohol or acetone Three clean rags 10 pairs of disposable gloves One roll of masking tape Appropriate respirator fume cabinet or well ventilated area in which to work Optional 3 8 10 mm and 1 4 6 mm hollow punches hamme...

Страница 28: ...the information of the intended recipient and may not be used published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers Make sure you tape off the nose leaving a 2 cm buffer This will ensure you don t accidentally glue the nose to the tag preventing it from popping off ...

Страница 29: ...d mix thoroughly Allow to rest for 10 minutes to pre cure Apply to tag with a brush painting all surfaces evenly except the critical sensors that have been taped off avoid drips and wet areas that will dry at a different rate Primer Drying Time It is critically important that the first coat of Micron66 be applied when the primer is still tacky This is determined using a thumb print test After the ...

Страница 30: ...intended recipient and may not be used published or redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers Minimum drying time between coats is four hours at 35 Celsius 95 Fahrenheit six hours at 23 Celsius 73 Fahrenheit and eight hours at 10 Celsius 50 Fahrenheit It is ideal to leave the tag overnight ...

Страница 31: ... redistributed without the prior written consent of Wildlife Computers Apply a second coat of Micron66 and allow to dry as above Apply a third coat of Micron66 and allow to dry as above Masking Tape Removal After the final coat is dry put on a pair of disposable gloves and remove the masking tape from the wet dry sensors pressure sensor opening light sensors and LED ...

Страница 32: ...icron66 Antifouling Paint Micron66 is only available in 5 liter one gallon cans http www yachtpaint com LiteratureCentre micron 66 info usa eng pdf USA Store Locator http www yachtpaint com usa diy store locator search aspx Micron66 is available in the USA and Asia Pacific regions from International Paints dealers and ship chandlers Micron66 is not available in all countries Similar Micron product...

Страница 33: ... parts of the world Below is an image of submerged polyurethane and epoxy test plates after two months on a wharf pile in New Zealand PropSpeed is at the top and has done a reasonable job but has started to fail Next is a placebo blank area with no protection that has fouled badly The next strip down had Micron66 and no primer and the Micron66 has nearly worn away completely The Micron66 at the bo...

Страница 34: ...rs com Technical Support support wildlifecomputers com Phone Website 1 425 881 3048 WildlifeComputers com For Asian Clients While we welcome your direct correspondence we recommend that you contact our colleague Yong Huang for assistance Mr Huang understands the special purchase processes for your countries and will provide you with the best service for the best price He also is fluent in Japanese...

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