ATS

Table of Contents

• Section 1: Introduction
• Section 2: Theory of Operation
• Section 3: Using the Web Interface
• Section 4: Interacting with the Tracker
• Section 5: Tracker Functionality
• Section 6: Attaching the Tracker
• Section 7: Warranty and Service

Section 1: Introduction

The L20 Solar-Cell Tracker is a lightweight, solar rechargeable, 4G LTE Cellular enabled GPS device. With indefinite battery life due to rechargeability, the L20 is well-suited for use in multiple longer studies.

Tracker configuration and data download is done via web browser at ATSloggers.io. Login information will be sent by ATS sales.

IMPORTANT: Your tracker IS NOT ACTIVE until it is woken up with a magnet ? swipe. More details in Section 4.

Data service HAS BEEN activated for all shipped L20 models.

Section 2: Theory of Operation

The L20 housing consists of a solar panel, rechargeable battery, GPS antenna, and GPS/4G LTE modem.

The tracker has a magnetic switch that is used for entering/leaving an ultra-low-power sleep mode where all schedules are paused. LED blink patterns give feedback on what mode the tracker is in.

The tracker stores all location and sensor data in flash memory within the tracker's electronics. The data is periodically uploaded via the 4G LTE Cellular modem, and is stored in a cloud database. During the data upload, the tracker also checks the database for any user configuration changes that were made, such as scheduling and type of data to be collected, and updates settings accordingly. Data access and device configuration are both done within a web browser by the user.

Section 3: Using the Web Interface

All configuration and data downloads for L20 trackers are done via a simple browser web interface at atsloggers.io. This interface changes values within a cloud that the trackers connect to on each scheduled LTE session.

Logging in

From any web browser, enter 'atsloggers.io' into the web address bar. This will bring up a login page, where users will enter their username/password that is delivered via email when first purchasing any L20 model.

Selecting a Tracker

The top of the webpage has a dropdown menu that gives access to all collars that are available to the user. Clicking on one of the choices in the menu populates current settings into the interface. The user is then able to select one of the three views for the tracker:

[Views: Configure Tracker, Tracker Data, Recent Transmissions]

Configuring a Tracker

By default, after logging in, the user is brought to the tracker configuration page. This view is for changing schedule settings for the L20. The first slider changes how frequently the tracker tries to get a GPS fix. The second slider changes the interval between LTE data sessions, where the tracker sends its data and looks in the cloud for new schedule configurations.

IMPORTANT: The user MUST click the "Save New Configuration" button for schedule changes to take effect.

Downloading Data

By clicking "Tracker data", the user is brought to a page which gives data download options. A date range can be chosen to only retrieve data within a specific time period, or all data from the tracker can be fetched. If hhmmss format is required on latitude and longitude, that can also be selected before downloading data.

Viewing Recent Transmissions

The final view that may be selected shows the recent LTE sessions and some statistics about the tracker at each event. The data shown is as follows:

• Date/time
• Number of GPS fixes sent by tracker
• Firmware version
• Battery voltage

Section 4: Interacting with the Tracker

The L20 has an onboard magnetic switch to offer some user interaction, and an LED to give feedback on operation.

Checking for Sleep mode

By quickly swiping a magnet ? near the L20's internal switch, information can be found on what mode the tracker is in. When a magnet first comes in range of the switch, the blue LED will turn on for two seconds, and then turn off. If there is a short blink after the LED turns off, then the tracker is asleep. If not, it is active, and will take fixes/make transmits on the schedule.

Changing sleep mode

A magnet ? can also be used to change the sleep mode, prompting the tracker to enter deep sleep, or start its data collection schedule.

To toggle modes, hold a magnet ? by the tracker's switch. The LED will turn on for two seconds, and then turn off. When the LED turns off, quickly remove the magnet ? from the tracker. If successful, several LED blinks will indicate that the tracker has changed modes. Depending on the state that was entered, the blink pattern will vary, and this is shown in Table 1.

LED Blink Pattern Table

There are a number of events on the L20 that are indicated by LED blinks patterns, and the guide to each pattern is shown below in Table 1.

Section 5: Tracker Functionality

GPS Operation

A GPS attempt may last as long 180 seconds but may also be shorter depending on the collar's view of the sky. In the case where a fix was not successfully found, no data will be recorded, and the tracker will continue on the schedule.

The GPS receiver specifications are shown in table 2:

4G LTE Transmission Operation

The L20 has an embedded Global IoT SIM card which allows it to communicate with LTE networks in most parts of the world. To check coverage in your country, visit hologram.io/pricing/coverage#coverage-table. If there is a dot that indicates 4G LTE coverage in the country of choice, most cell carriers will be able to connect to the L20 there.

During an LTE transmission, the data stored in flash is sent over cell networks, and once the data is confirmed as received, it is deleted from the tracker's internal memory. On connection to the LTE network, the tracker also reads the current configuration from the cloud that is populated by the atsloggers.io website. Internal timers are updated in the case of a schedule change since the last connection.

Solar charging Operation

The L20 has an onboard solar charging circuit that is able to charge the battery in both high and low-light scenarios. There are separate battery thresholds for different events within the L20, as when battery drops too low, activity is kept at a minimum in order to charge. In the case of an LTE transmission attempt, if battery is too low to transmit, the L20 enters a mode where no GPS fixes are taken, and an LTE connection is attempted every 24 hours. This saves on power, and will allow the battery to be brought out of a low charge condition.

Rechargeable battery management is difficult in cold climates, where lithium-ion batteries can have issues when under load. Below freezing temperatures, the tracker is set to not attempt an LTE connection unless it is near a full charge. This is done in order to improve reliability and keep the battery from being damaged in cold temperatures.

Section 6: Attaching the Tracker

The method of attaching the L20 to an animal varies on the exact model that was ordered.

Backpack Attachment

The backpack configuration has through-holes for feeding wire through, creating loops to go around an animal's limbs.

Collar Attachment

Your Collar(s) has been optimized according to the collar dimensions specified during ordering. The size of the collar is determined by the collar adjustment bracket and the main collar holes. To adjust the collar and/or attach the collar to an animal, the procedure is as follows (some differences may exist between models):

1. First remove the collar adjustment bracket nuts and plate from the collar adjustment bracket and remove the collar adjustment bracket from the main collar.
2. Wrap the collar around the animal's neck so that the extra length (if any) of the main collar is tucked inside the main collar end with the solar panels. The extra length can also be cut if desired.
3. Observe where the set of holes on the solar panel end of the main collar line up with the holes on the other end of the main collar such as to maintain a desired tension level on the animal's neck.
4. Place the collar attachment bracket through both sets of holes and through the brass bracket and tighten the collar adjustment bracket nuts using the provided nut driver. Do not over-tighten as this may damage the collar adjustment bracket.
5. Finally ensure that the case nuts have been tightened before releasing the animal.

Section 7: Warranty and Service

The model Collar(s) series collars are warranted for one year from the time of shipment.

NOTE: Collars ARE NOT refurbishable. Do not return collars for refurbishment or disposal.

Should you encounter any difficulty during configuration or operation of your trackers, please contact ATS Sales and Service at 763.444.9267 during normal business hours. This and other ATS User Manuals, as well as software, are available for download from the ATS website, at www.atstrack.com.