The Estimation of Wild-animal Moving Path Based on Elevation History

Katsuhiro Morishita and Nagahisa Mita

Abstract:	Extension of the available data-gathering period has been a subject in wild animal tracking. If the weight of the fitted equipment is less than 200 g, in particular, then reduced power consumption by the GPS receiver is important because a large-capacity battery cannot be carried. The purpose of this study was to extend the period of tracking by estimating an animal moving-pathway based on the measured altitude history between GPS-positioned points. The route is estimated by comparing the pressure-altitude history with a digital elevation model (DEM). As a result, the route over 2 h could be reproduced, based on the barometric pressure history, which was collected on a mountain. In conclusion, this method is expected to triple the available period, compared with the high-frequency GPS positioning method. This should lead to more effective protection of small mammals.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2012) September 17 - 21, 2012 Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, TN
Pages:	1537 - 1544
Cite this article:	Morishita, Katsuhiro, Mita, Nagahisa, "The Estimation of Wild-animal Moving Path Based on Elevation History," Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2012), Nashville, TN, September 2012, pp. 1537-1544.
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