Service: Animal Tracking Devices

Vectronic design and build customized GPS tracking collars and connected devices for wildlife monitoring and nature conservation research projects around the world. They design the collars to impact the animal as little as possible, combining the need for longevity with lightweight, minimal construction.

To closely monitor wildlife in extremely remote locations, in difficult terrains and over large ranges with limited mobile connectivity options, Vectronic have partnered with Ground Control to implement satellite communication capabilities into their tracking collars.

By utilizing Ground Control’s IoT platform, Cloudloop, coupled with Iridium 9603 modems, Vectronic can offer their customers rich location tracking data with minimal draw on the battery life of the GPS collars.

ATS delivers wildlife radio telemetry, with tracking options for birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and insects. They were founded over 35 years ago by a group of biologists and engineers, all of whom had worked on the first successful automated animal tracking system, so they have a rich pedigree in supplying telemetry to researchers and environmentalists.

For birds, mammals and reptiles moving beyond cellular coverage, ATS uses the Iridium satellite network to maintain global tracking. Compact Iridium transceivers such as the 9603N, and now the new 9604, help reduce the size and weight of tracking collars and tags without compromising coverage.

CATS – Customized Animal Tracking Solutions – supplies three key products to support conservationists, scientists, filmmakers and engineers monitor primarily marine animals. CATS Diary is their multi-sensor solution – a ‘fitbit’ for animals in effect. The CATS Cam is a high-resolution, multi-sensor recorder, controlled by a CATS Diary, and available as a 2K or 4K version. CATS Iridium is used either as a solar powered long-term tracking device with GPS, or as a recovery beacon to relocate CATS Diaries or Cams after they release from the animals.

CATS Iridium utilizes the Iridium 9603N modem to deliver global, real-time, reliable coverage. Users can remotely reprogram settings if needed; a valuable feature as these animals are often very far away from human settlements. Sensor data captured and transmitted via the Iridium satellite constellation include dive and activity data, and GPS locations.

CATS designs and builds its own hardware in-house, and has extensive customization options. Founded by avid animal conservationists, they have been a trusted animal tracking equipment provider since 2012.