Animal Tag Positioning via Expandable Base Station Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal tracking systems require significant effort to set up and maintain sensor positions accurately, making them cumbersome to install and expand.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a central control unit and base stations that receive global time references and radio signals from animal tags, allowing for straightforward installation and expansion by using triangulation to determine animal and base station positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS tracking devices are used to monitor livestock, then location tracking capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides tracking functionality into two segments: GPS tags for high-value animals requiring precise location data, and RFID ear tags for general herd management. This segmentation allows the overall system to achieve comprehensive tracking capability while reducing the average cost and complexity per device by using simpler RFID tags for most animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID ear tags serve multiple functions: they provide animal identification, store health and production data, and enable herd management operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining effective tracking and management capabilities.
2Device complexity
If RFID ear tags are used for animal identification, then device simplicity and cost are improved, but tracking precision and data collection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking population by value and data requirements. RFID ear tags handle general identification and basic data for the majority of animals, while GPS collars provide enhanced location precision and detailed data collection for high-value animals. This segmentation allows simple RFID tags to be used widely without compromising overall tracking precision, as GPS supplements the system where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway infrastructure acts as an intermediary that enables RFID ear tags to provide more sophisticated tracking capabilities. The gateway collects data from RFID tags and can integrate it with GPS data, providing enhanced tracking precision and data collection capability without requiring the RFID tags themselves to be complex devices.
3Area of stationary object
If GPS tracking devices are deployed in harsh environments, then tracking coverage is improved, but device durability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses RFID ear tags as a robust copy or alternative identification method that is highly durable in harsh environments. While GPS collars provide location data, the RFID ear tags serve as a reliable backup identification system that can withstand extreme conditions, ensuring continuous tracking coverage and reliability even when GPS devices face environmental challenges.
4Productivity
If real-time monitoring is implemented across the entire herd, then management responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments monitoring intensity by animal value and risk level. High-value animals receive continuous real-time GPS monitoring with high management responsiveness, while other animals are monitored through periodic RFID scanning and less intensive tracking. This segmentation maintains high productivity for critical animals while reducing overall energy consumption and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous monitoring for all animals, the system uses periodic RFID scanning and intermittent GPS updates for lower-priority animals. This periodic action maintains adequate management responsiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring of the entire herd.
Data Source
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AI summary
A set of base stations (121, 122, 123, 124) and a central control unit (110) are arranged to determine the positions of animal tags (T) based on triangulation and using a global time reference (CLK) and respective radio tag signals (ST) transmitted from each animal tag (T). Moreover, each of the base stations (121, 122, 123, 124) is configured to transmit a respective radio base signal (SB1) comprising an identifier that uniquely identifies the base station (121), receive radio base signals from the other base stations, and forward base station messages (ΜΒ1(t2), ΜΒ1(t3), MBI(U)) received from any other base stations to the central control unit (110). The central control unit (110) is further configured to determine a position (P[B1 ]) for any added base station (121) using triangulation and the known positions for the base stations (122, 123, 124) already included in the system. Thereby, the base station system can be gradually expanded in a very convenient manner.