A Miniature Acoustic Device for Tracking Small Marine Animals or Submerged Drifters

G. Fischer Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

Search for other papers by G. Fischer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
T. Rossby Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

Search for other papers by T. Rossby in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
D. Moonan Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

Search for other papers by D. Moonan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Abstract

This paper presents an acoustic archival tag capable of tracking small marine animals. It is also a technology that can be ported to other platforms, such as the next-generation acoustic and Argo floats as well as gliders. Tracking is achieved by standard RAFOS triangulation using the arrival times of unique sound signals emitted by moored sources. At the core of the tag is a custom microchip that controls all system operations. It incorporates the critical acoustic arrival time detector, a thermal sensor, and a pressure sensor interface. All the electronic components are housed inside a cylindrical hydrophone of 25.4-mm length and 10.7-mm diameter. The collected data are archived in nonvolatile memory chips with a total capacity of 4 Mb, sufficient storage to record position, temperature, and pressure on an hourly basis for 2 years. The tag consumes 4–5 μW in standby mode and between 60 and 90 μW while the sound arrival time detector is in operation. The power is provided by two button cell silver-oxide batteries, which enable an active tag lifetime of approximately 2 years.

© 2017 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Godi Fischer, fischer@uri.edu

Abstract

This paper presents an acoustic archival tag capable of tracking small marine animals. It is also a technology that can be ported to other platforms, such as the next-generation acoustic and Argo floats as well as gliders. Tracking is achieved by standard RAFOS triangulation using the arrival times of unique sound signals emitted by moored sources. At the core of the tag is a custom microchip that controls all system operations. It incorporates the critical acoustic arrival time detector, a thermal sensor, and a pressure sensor interface. All the electronic components are housed inside a cylindrical hydrophone of 25.4-mm length and 10.7-mm diameter. The collected data are archived in nonvolatile memory chips with a total capacity of 4 Mb, sufficient storage to record position, temperature, and pressure on an hourly basis for 2 years. The tag consumes 4–5 μW in standby mode and between 60 and 90 μW while the sound arrival time detector is in operation. The power is provided by two button cell silver-oxide batteries, which enable an active tag lifetime of approximately 2 years.

© 2017 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Godi Fischer, fischer@uri.edu
Save
  • Blanchard, W. F., 1991: Air navigation systems Chapter 4. Hyperbolic airborne radio navigation aids—A navigator’s view of their history and development. J. Navig., 44, 285315, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0373463300010092.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Block, B. A., and Coauthors, 2001: Migratory movements, depth preferences, and thermal biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Science, 293, 13101314, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1061197.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bower, A. S., L. Armi, and I. Ambar, 1995: Direct evidence of meddy formation off the southwestern coast of Portugal. Deep-Sea Res. I, 42, 16211630, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(95)00045-8.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Crols, J., and M. Steyaert, 1994: Switched-opamp: An approach to realize full CMOS switched-capacitor circuits at very low power supply voltages. IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, 29, 936942, https://doi.org/10.1109/4.297698.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dushaw, B. D., P. R. Worcester, B. D. Cornuelle, and B. M. Howe, 1993: On equations for the speed of sound in seawater. J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 93, 255275, https://doi.org/10.1121/1.405660.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Eriksson, H., P. O. Börjesson, P. Oding, and N.-G. Holmer, 1994: A robust correlation receiver for distance estimation. IEEE Trans. Ultrason. Ferroelectr. Freq. Control, 41, 596603, https://doi.org/10.1109/58.308494.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Fischer, G., and F. Luo, 2012: Jitter in ultra-low power audio-range PLLs. Proc. IEEE 55th Int. Midwest Symp. on Circuits and Sysems (MWSCAS), Boise, ID, IEEE, 550–553, https://doi.org/10.1109/mwscas.2012.6292079

    • Crossref
    • Export Citation
  • Fischer, G., S. Lee, M. Obara, P. Kasturi, H. T. Rossby, and C. W. Recksiek, 2006: Tracking fishes with a microwatt acoustic receiver—An archival tag development. IEEE J. Oceanic Eng., 31, 975985, https://doi.org/10.1109/JOE.2006.880376.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gazit, T., R. Apostle, and R. Branton, 2013: Deployment, tracking, and data management: Technology and science for a global ocean tracking network. J. Int. Wildl. Law Policy, 16, 112127, https://doi.org/10.1080/13880292.2013.805058.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gunn, J., and J. Hartog, 1999: Archival tag project report. CRIMP Southern Bluefin Tuna Recruitment Monitoring and Tagging Program Workshop Rep. 11, 5 pp.

  • Harrison, C. H., 1996: Formulas for ambient noise level and coherence. J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 99, 20552066, https://doi.org/10.1121/1.415392.

  • Metcalfe, J. D., G. P. Arnold, and B. H. Holford, 1994: The migratory behavior of plaice in the North Sea as revealed by data storage tags. Proc. ICES Council Meeting 1994/Mini 11, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Plymouth, United Kingdom, 13 pp.

  • Parvin, S. J., J. R. Nedwell, and E. Harland, 2007: Lethal and physical injury of marine mammals, and requirements for Passive Acoustic Monitoring. Subacoustech Ltd. Rep. 565R0212, 38 pp.

  • Rossby, H. T., 1996: The North Atlantic current and surrounding waters: At the crossroads. Rev. Geophys., 34, 463481, https://doi.org/10.1029/96RG02214.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rossby, H. T., 2007: Evolution of Lagrangian methods in oceanography. Lagrangian Analysis and Prediction of Coastal and Ocean Dynamics, A. Griffa et al., Eds., Cambridge University Press, 1–38, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535901.002.

    • Crossref
    • Export Citation
  • Rossby, H. T., A. Voorhis, and D. Webb, 1975: A quasi-Lagrangian study of mid-ocean variability using long-range SOFAR floats. J. Mar. Res., 33, 355382.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rossby, H. T., D. Dorson, and J. Fontaine, 1986: The RAFOS system. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 3, 672679, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1986)003<0672:TRS>2.0.CO;2.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rossby, H. T., J. Ellis, and D. C. Webb, 1993: An efficient sound source for wide-area RAFOS navigation. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 10, 397403, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1993)010<0397:AESSFW>2.0.CO;2.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schneider, M. C., and C. Galup-Montoro, 2010: Fundamentals of sampled-data circuits. CMOS Analog Design Using All-Region MOSFET Modeling, Cambridge University Press, 404–451, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511803840.011.

    • Crossref
    • Export Citation
  • Urick, R. J., 1983: Principles of Underwater Sound. Peninsula Publishing, 423 pp.

  • Urick, R. J., 1984: Ambient noise in the sea. Department of the Navy Naval Systems Command Undersea Warfare Technology Office Rep. OEC 20070117128, 194 pp.

    • Crossref
    • Export Citation
  • Vittoz, E. A., and O. Neyroud, 1979: A low-voltage CMOS bandgap reference. IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, 14, 573577, https://doi.org/10.1109/JSSC.1979.1051218.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Weber, D., 2009: VEMCO acoustic telemetry—New user guide. AMIRIX Systems Inc. Publ. DOC-004934-01, 22 pp.

  • Wenz, G. M., 1962: Acoustic ambient noise in the ocean. J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 34, 1936, https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1909155.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 545 120 16
PDF Downloads 497 82 3