1. University of North Texas
Quaility Assurance
University of North Texas
Abstract
Materials & Methods
Conclusions
Our project is designed around the 3D Robotics Iris + Quadcopter. We connected a temperature sensor, a gimbal, and the camera directly to the quadcopter’s processor, the Pixhawk microcontroller (not pictured), to record the temperature and picture data. We used a software defined radio (SDR) receiver connected to a Raspberry Pi to receive the signal, do the signal processing, and tell the quadcopter when to record GPS, picture, and temperature information. The transmitter that triggers the system is the one researchers currently use to track bobwhite.
GPS location information is precious to researchers, but current GPS transmitters are too heavy and cost prohibitive to be attached to a large number of small animals for the foreseeable future. This system bridges the gap between current transmitters being used in the field and GPS technology. Although this system is designed to track bobwhite, it could easily be used for any animal or location tagged with an RF transmitter. With further development, this system could replace the current method of data acquisition for field researchers among a wide spectrum of animal and nature conservation efforts.
Wild bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have decreased dramatically across their range over the last 30 years. This quail is an important indicator species that has both conservation and economic value, so a large amount of research is being funded and carried out in order to explain and reverse this decline. To accomplish this task, researchers often track the movement of radio collared birds. Current methods require researchers to travel into the areas their animal subjects use a habitat. This poses multiple problems; it is time consuming, potentially dangerous, and risks contaminating data by causing subjects to react to the researchers’ presence.
The drone we are developing will accelerate tracking and data collection while also reducing data contamination. It tracks the signal of a readily available transmitter that is currently used to locate birds. When a bird with a transmitter is close enough, the quadcopter records GPS, picture, and temperature information of the bird and its environment. The quail tracking drone project will be an improvement in collecting data related to the movement of radio collared bobwhite.
Temperature sensor
3D Robotics Iris+ Quadcopter
Raspberry Pi
3D Robotics Iris+ Gimbal
Future Goals
Redesign transmitter to reduce power usage by reducing the duty cycle of the signal transmission.
Design the system to recognize whether or not a transmitter is sending a dying signal.
Develop a method for tracking a specific transmitter as opposed to a general sweep of a range of transmitters.
Experiment with SDR filters to improve sensitivity and range of signal reception.
Create a better method and GUI for getting data to and from the user.
Expand the quantity and type of animals being tracked for research using this method to further enhance tracking techniques.
NooElec SDR Nano Receiver
Canon ELPH camera
Software
Transmitted Signal
Mission Planner
Ubuntu Linux
GNU Radio
GNU Radio Companion
Canon SDK
Raspbian
Bobwhite with transmitter
Results
Team Members
Early testing of the system is showing promise, but further integration and functionality need to be completed, implemented, and tested before field trials.
Mitchell Curran
Jarryd Shirley
Kiana Casebeer
Tyseanah Spell
Successful transmitter reception by SDR receiver
Special Thanks
UNT Computer Engineering Department
UNT Quail
James Buchanan
Shannon Cain
Nick Tompkins
Dr. David Keathly
Successful addition of custom temperature information to Mission Planner software