• 3-Axis Magnetometer (average 35nm position error)
  
• Light Intensity
  
• Temperature Compensated Clock

• Stored Solar Power (or Battery)
• Wrapped in a Solar Cell
• Sunlight charges aerogel capacitor

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The SeaTag-GEO™ is a miniature archival tag that has very many unique features and sensors which sets itself apart from other geo-locating tags. SeaTag-GEO™ is one of several tags within our line of micro-observation stations developed under the SBIR program.

 
The SeaTag-GEO™ is completely different then any other tag on the market based on the sensors it uses, the cost, and the precision accuracy. It uses stored solar power where other tags use batteries; this means the tag can be used indefinitely. It uses Earth’s magnetic field for positioning where other tags use light sensing alone; this means it can be more accurate with latitude readings. It uses the solar cell for communication for downloading configurations and retrieving logs which reduces the cost and makes it more reliable. Finally, it is open sourced and we offer a developer’s kit! We publish the algorithms publicly for anyone to view (in its manual). In doing so, we anticipate that other scientists will improve the current algorithms used and in return share their discoveries with the tagging community so that as a community we can move forward and expand.

Location

One of the most unique features of the SeaTag-GEO™ archival tag is that it uses Earth’s magnetic field to determine its latitude; whereas other tags use the length of the day. For determining longitude, we use the standard noon time calculation; however, because we are not looking for precise sunrise/sunset moments our longitude estimations are quite accurate as well. Using Earth's magnetic field for latitude and light sensing for longitude gives us a very reliable tag with accuracy so far averaging 35nm in both latitude and longitude (without any filters).

Power

Another unique feature about SeaTag-GEO™ is that it does not use a battery. The tag is wrapped in a solar cell. When the solar panel acquires light from a light source it charges the aerogel capacitor. Thirty minutes of direct sunlight allows the tag to operate for two weeks of total darkness.

Alternatively, we developed a battery-assist version of the GEO. This allows the solar cell and capacitor to run the tag; however, if the voltage drops below a specified threshold the battery kicks in until the voltage in the capacitor charges enough.

Connectors

SeaTag-GEO™ has no external connectors. To communicate with the docking station (device used to configure and retrieve data from the tag), the tag uses its solar cell as an ‘antenna’. The docking station uses LEDs (light) to communicate with the tag and data is exchanged reliably without the need of any physical connectors. This reduces the overall cost and reliability of the tag because there are less mechanical parts.

Developer’s Kit

A developer’s kit is an engineering environment where a scientist or biologist can write their own firmware and download it to the tag for testing and implementation of new or improved algorithms. The initial software that is on the tag is open source, so it can be changed by the developer. Once the developer has developed new software for the tag, the software can then be downloaded to any additional tags through the docking station. We anticipate that the open source approach will lead to improved algorithms and sensing capabilities that will be available to other researchers. Educational discount may apply, inquire within.

Please click on the 'DETAILED INFORMATION' button on the top right corner for operator's manual, field data, scientific data, pricing, etc. Desert Star's YouTube channel with SeaTag specific information can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/DesertStarSystems