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Technology &
Development Center

AXTracker: An Inexpensive Satellite Transmitter
for Sensing Changes at Remote Locations

Highlights...

  • Devices that transmit alarms or environmental information using satellites can be helpful in remote locations.

  • At least one such device (the AXTracker) is relatively easy to operate and reasonably inexpensive.

  • One potential use might be to monitor snow depth and soil temperature when preparing to plant trees at remote locations.

Introduction

Remote real-time monitoring of environmental conditions or events is important to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. For example, silviculturists need to monitor soil or air temperature at remote planting sites. Law enforcement officers may need to monitor remote facilities or other sites for intrusions. Many different types of sensors have been developed to monitor these types of events, but receiving the data or notifications from the sensors in real time sometimes proves difficult or costly. In areas where remote radio transmission and cellular phone coverage are unavailable or impractical, satellite telemetry is the only viable option for transmitting information.

Several satellite service providers offer hardware and services for gathering information remotely. The cost of the equipment and monthly fees may render these systems unaffordable for many tasks.

During a market search for low-cost, real-time remote telemetry systems, the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) found a low-cost satellite telemetry system called the AXTracker. This device may meet the needs of many Forest Service personnel for relatively low-cost, remote monitoring of a variety of sensors.

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