Development of a Miniature Video and Data Recorder for Monitoring the Behavior and Multi-dimensional Movements of Marine Animals at Sea

PI的要求资金建立在以前的视频和数据记录器，通过开发微型视频和数据记录器（mini-VDR），将监测行为，三维运动，游泳性能和环境的海洋动物小到12公斤。迷你VDR比目前的视频和数据记录仪小70%，最初将用于研究自由放养的南极毛皮海豹的狩猎行为和觅食策略。新的mini-VDR将由一个单一的树脂包装的仪器组成，该仪器将包含具有近红外LED作为光源的摄像机，快速采集全球定位系统（GPS），微控制器，压力传感器，游泳速度，罗盘方位，环境温度，光照水平，声音，倾斜，俯仰和滚动，以及可更换的锂电池。使用动态MPEG 4视频压缩和4千兆字节闪存卡存储数字视频和音频将允许从以前的设计相当大的尺寸减少，同时保留完整的可编程性。这些动物很有趣，研究是创新和冒险的，能够在野外跟随动物，因为它们旅行到很深的地方，追逐鱼类和其他生物，这必然是令人着迷的。该小组在接触教师和学生方面有着令人印象深刻的记录。这个项目是一个自然的扩展到公众和潜力，包括学生和非专业研究人员。PI有一个良好的记录，使他的研究提供给其他研究人员，以及生产一个优秀的网站，为外行。该提案将提供新的科学，也将有助于促进教学，培训和学习。通过适当的推广，该项目可能会成为一个令人兴奋的例子，为不同群体的个人，不仅为研究人员，而且为教师，传播者和公众。

The PI's request funding to build on a previous video and data recorder by developing miniature video and data recorders (mini-VDRs) that will monitor the behavior, three-dimensional movements, swimming performance, and environment of marine animals as small as 12 kg. The mini-VDR, which is 70% smaller than the current video and data recorders, will be used initially in a study of the hunting behavior and foraging strategies of free-ranging Antarctic fur seals. The new mini-VDR will consist of a single, resin encased instrument that will contain the video camera with near-infrared LEDs as a light source, fast-acquisition Global Positioning System (GPS), micro-controllers, sensors for pressure, swim speed, compass bearing, ambient temperature, light level, sound, tilt, pitch and roll, and replaceable lithium batteries. The use of on-the-fly MPEG4 video compression and a 4 gigabyte Flash memory card for storing digital video and audio will allow a considerable size reduction from previous designs while retaining full programmability.Broader ImpactsThe work that is planned will be of unusually great public interest. The animals are interesting, the research is innovative and adventurous, and the ability to follow animals in the wild as they travel to great depths and chase fish and other living creatures is bound to be fascinating. The team has an impressive record of reaching out to teachers and students. This project is a natural for extension to the public and for the potential to include students and non-professional researchers. The PI has a proven track record of making his research available to other researchers as well as producing an excellent website for layman. The proposal will deliver novel science that will also help promote teaching, training, and learning. Through proper outreach, this project will likely form an exciting example for a diverse group of individuals, not just for researchers, but also for teachers, communicators and for the general public.