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  • Avian Transmitters
    • Solar PTTs
      • 2g Solar
      • 5g Solar
      • 9.5g Solar
      • 12g Solar
      • 18g Solar
      • 35g Solar
      • 50g Solar
    • Solar Argos/GPS PTTs
      • 17g Solar Argos/GPS
      • 22g Solar Argos/GPS
      • 30g Solar Argos/GPS
      • 45g Solar Argos/GPS
      • 50g Solar Argos/GPS Patagial
      • 70g Solar Argos/GPS
    • Battery Powered PTTs
      • 45g PTT
      • 95g PTT
      • 105g Argos/GPS LC4™
    • Implantable PTTs
      • 26g Implantable
      • 38g Implantable
    • GPS/GSM 20-70 Transmitters
      • 25g Transmitter
      • 30g Transmitter
      • 45g Transmitter
      • 50g Patagial Transmitter
      • 70g Transmitter
    • Pricing
  • Marine Transmitters
    • PSAT PTT-100
    • X-Tag
    • Pricing
GPS/GSM 20-70 TRANSMITTERS

Our GPS/GSM 20-70 Transmitters use the mobile data network to transfer extensive high-quality location data. The frequent data collection and transmission of these devices makes them ideal for studies focusing on fine-scale movements and habitat use.

GSM stands for Groupe Spécial Mobile (or Global System for Mobile Communications). It is a digital mobile system designed for advanced compression and transfer of data over a wireless network that has been adopted by countries across the globe. When utilized by a mobile transmitter, the GSM system operates as a higher-capacity, more direct means of data transfer compared to a satellite system. Please see our Argos v. GSM page for more information on how the two systems compare.


GPS/GSM 20-70 Transmitter models



Minimum
Bird Weight*
Relative
Battery Capacity**
Relative Solar
Array Potential***

833 grams

1000 grams

1500 grams

1667 grams

2333 grams



Solar-powered Rechargeable Battery

Solar power frees our PTTs from the lifetime limitations of primary lithium batteries. Since these PTTs can be continually recharged with solar energy, they have the potential to run for years, making them well suited for long-term studies.

The solar-recharging and energy consumption processes are carefully controlled by an internal microprocessor to optimize power distribution and permit nighttime transmissions (as opposed to less sophisticated devices where transmissions occur only when the solar cells are exposed to light).

High-quality GPS Locations

Latitude and longitude coordinates within ±18 m.

Altitude positions within ±22 m.

Data resolution for GPS/GSM units is detailed to 0.00001 degrees, equivalent to about 1 meter at the Earth's widest point (the equator). GPS fixes also include course, speed, HDOP, and VDOP data, as well as the number of GPS satellites.

Dynamically Adjusting GPS Fix Intervals

GSM transmitters take GPS fixes at dynamically adjusting intervals that correlate to the voltage of the battery. The higher the voltage, the more frequently the transmitter will take a fix. When the battery is fully charged, a transmitter can take GPS fixes as often as once a minute. At night, transmitters will collect data at a more conservative rate, with fix intervals ranging from 0.5–4 hours. These data collection interval ranges can be modified if necessary.

Transmission Through the Cellular Network

GSM transmitters collect GPS positions and sensory data, even in remote areas, regardless of whether or not they are within range of the GSM mobile network. The collected dataset is then transmitted once a day via the GPRS data protocol.

If a transmitter is out of range of the GSM network, the data will remain archived until a future connection can be made. GSM transmitters can archive up to 258,000 GPS fixes for later download. (That equates to 1 GPS fix every 2 minutes for an entire year!)

Sometimes, when a transmitter is unable to make a GPRS connection through the local system, it can still make an SMS connection. When this occurs, the transmitter will send a brief SMS message containing the most recent GPS location. Once the transmitter is able to make a GPRS connection again, it will download any archived data starting with the most recent.

Fast and Easy Data Retrieval

Data from a GPS/GSM 20-70 transmitter travels directly through the GSM system to our secure MTI server. Our server will automatically parse the data and email four output files directly to the user, typically within 10 minutes of receiving the data. These four files will be familiar to our Argos/GPS users:


  • "G" File: contains the GPS coordinates of each fix, with other parameters such as speed, course, altitude, HDOP, and VDOP
    Example data
  • "E" File: contains engineering data, including battery voltage, temperature, and activity
    Example data
  • KML File: enables GPS positions and tracks to be viewed in Google Earth™
    Example data
  • Mobile KML File: enables the most recent 400 GPS positions to be viewed in Google Earth™ on a mobile device
    Example data

Users can also sign up with Movebank at www.movebank.org and have data automatically transferred to their accounts.

Regardless of the data retrieval option, the entire transmitted dataset, will be archived safely and always made available to the user.

PTCRB Certified

Our GPS/GSM 20-70 Transmitters have undergone and passed testing by an independent test laboratory to obtain PTCRB and worldwide certification (see www.ptcrb.com under "Certified Devices"). We believe we are the first and only biotelemetry company to achieve this certification for any GSM-based telemetry transmitter. Certification ensures compliance and interoperability on the worldwide GSM system.


Note: Though suitable for most applications, we do not recommend solar-powered transmitters for use on species that are likely to preen feathers over a backpack attachment or inhabit locations/latitudes where sunlight is limited, as these conditions may inhibit proper battery charging.



* While conventional thinking suggests choosing a transmitter weighing <3% of a bird's weight, we are aware that birds routinely carry weights greater, and sometimes less, than 3% of their body weight. Because each species is different, it is crucial that you review the literature on your study species and use proper discretion to determine the appropriate transmitter model for your project.

** Relative battery capacity based on battery size and operating current of GPS/GSM 20-70 Transmitters.

*** Relative solar array capability based on solar array size and housing optimization of GPS/GSM 20-70 Transmitters.

† Available only for patagial attachment.

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