Tellus GPS

Tellus GPS collars

The Tellus line of GPS collars incorporates the most recent technological advances resulting in reduced collar weight, operational flexibility, increased performance and improved reliability. These collars have an exceptional track record of providing accurate GPS positions and battery performance in harsh environments in over 20 years of production.

A highly flexible design allows for upgrades or additional options resulting in collars that are suitable for a number of different species, applications and budgets. The most basic collar available is the Tellus Basic GPS collar which includes on-board data storage and UHF (radio) download capability.

Collar options include a built-in VHF transmitter which can be used for tracking/locating. This VHF beacon also has the functionality of switching to recovery mode when the battery power is low or if the collar has entered mortality mode. Additional information including temperature, mortality alerts and activity data are stored on-board with the position data and can be downloaded upon retrieval. A computer software package, Tellus Project Manager (TPM), is used by the customer to program collar functions as well as for downloading data from store-onboard collars.

The Tellus collar design

Tellus GPS products still have the best features of earlier designs but have also evolved to accommodate advances in technology, customer requests and suggestions for improvements. Design highlights include:

• An option for stronger collar material for predators or large herbivores
• Variable belting width from as narrow as 28 mm up to 60 mm
• Strong yet light electronic and battery cases benefiting from aluminum / fiberglass construction
• Battery units with drop-off (built-in release mechanism) that are interchangeable on the same electronic housing and easily replaced by the customer resulting in time and money savings (Tellus Small and Tellus Medium collars only)
• Efficient design including protected USB port, numeric LED display and a magnetically operated On/Off switch

The Tellus Basic key features

• Remote download in the field via UHF download
• Upgrade of most Tellus Basic store-on-board collars with remote data download options
• User designated GPS and radio beacon (VHF) schedules provides flexibility
• High number of positions in relation to battery capacity
• Unique small and remote controlled drop-off
• Temperature, movement and mortality sensors
• Stable digital VHF frequency transmitter in a wide temperature range

Upgrades and download options

The GSM (SMS/GPRS) download option can be used in areas where sufficient GSM cellular network coverage exists. If the collar is outside GSM coverage area the positions will be stored in the unit until the collar returns to GSM coverage. Positioning data is sent by email and is available through an internet based positioning portal, Followit Geo™. The GSM option is bi-directional allowing the user to reset the GPS positioning program, activate the drop-off or change configuration schedule while the collar is on the animal. This option increases Tellus Basic collar weight by only 3 grams. The GSM option requires a monthly subscription fee.

The satellite download option utilizes the Iridium satellite system. This system uses a two-way e-mail communication procedure between the GPS collar and the user via a secure computer server. Key features include worldwide data download coverage, data upload reliability and fast transfer rates. The GPS positions are forwarded to the user via e-mail and GPS positions can be taken anywhere and be delivered in just a few minutes without the use of specialized equipment. GPS collars can be reprogrammed or drop-off activated to adapt to changes in the project. This download option is a cost effective solution that should be considered for projects in remote areas. The satellite option requires a monthly subscription fee.

Information received from the collars

Although the collars have remote download functions, every position will also be stored on board. The memory capacity is sufficient enough for each collar and all data is recoverable even if the collar batteries have been completely depleted. The stored data includes date, time, altitude, latitude, longitude, activity data, mortality, ambient temperature, number of satellites used, position accuracy (2D/3D), HDOP value and time to fix (TTF).

Getting started and technical support

When you receive your collar(s), it will need to be programmed ahead of deployment. The Tellus Project Manager (TPM) software is used to set parameters such as:

• Number of positions per day
• Drop-off
• VHF schedule
• Data upload schedule
• Mortality

A battery calculator can be requested and used to estimate expected collar life span based on user settings (e.g. number of positions and data uploads). The battery / drop-off unit can be replaced by the customer on all collars except the Tellus Ultra Light / Light. The batteries for Tellus Small, Medium and Plus are interchangeable.

Our support and service center is available to answer questions, provide support, and to receive feedback or suggestions.