Introduction
The reading station is an intelligent autonomous system which records wildlife using radio frequency identification technology (hereinafter RFID).
RFID technology allows identification of previously remote tagged objects without direct vision and accurately. It also allows the reading of multiple objects simultaneously. This technology has been used during years to manage traceability in logistic environments. The smart station adapts this technology to allow the use of the monitoring and control of wildlife.
Components
The smar station consists of the following modules:
- Infrared detection system.
- RFID reading system
- Storage System
- Feeding system
- Enclosure to protect the component against weather
Description and Operation
Now it’s described the various modules as well as the most relevant characteristics of each of them.
The RFID reading system developed consists in one way of a reading device, which provides connections where they connect radio frequency aerials, and moreover, has a communications port that allows connection to the storage system.
Antennas radiate energy which is captured by the wing tags. This captured energy can power the internal chip that activates the communications system. When activating the communications system it radiates the information stored in the chip. These antennas receive radiated information and this is registered by the tags in the reader. Later the reader team facilitates the information to the store system for further processing.
The connections to the antennas have been made with low-loss coaxial cable with TNC connectors that ensure minimal losses in the wiring, such to the reader as to the antennas.
Photo: Reading System
We have selected the most suitable antennas to maximize the reading area allowing an opening of radiation of the main lobe of 60 °. The scope of coverage is 7 m. perpendicularly from the position of the antenna, getting a coverage area of 140 m2.
The station includes a computer which stores the records generated by the station. These records are continuously stored in a database. In these ID the records are stored from the tag, in the moment it has entered the coverage area and the time of departure. The application which manages these registers is able to configure certain parameters such as the frequency of the readings and the maximum stay in the coverage area, in order to give flexibility to the station and can be adapted to different species.
The stored information is extracted by introducing a USB stick into the computer. Detecting the computer’s memory that exports the new records to the memory and the tag internally and does not exports them to avoid exporting them the next time.
The station also allows remote access to the database from another terminal via cable network and it can get real-time information about the records.
Photo: Application Functions
The autonomous electric power system consists of a system solar energy collection, consisting of a solar panel connected to a box of control or regulator, which allows you to convert the energy signal coming from the solar panel to a system of soul.
Obtained results
In this experimental station we have tested different types of RFID tags or transponders, assessing the reading distances and durability against harsh weather conditions. Thanks to the incorporation of a presence detection system using infrared sensors it has optimized consumption to a low power consumption. With the activation and deactivation of the reading station according to the presence or absence of birds, the feeder will have uptime with low power consumption. These conditions are essential in monitoring work in areas without power. In short time it is envisaged a 3G technology to enable the dump data via the Internet through the monitoring program.
Photo: Monitoring during a carronade
