Specifications

Low cost hardware It would be advantageous to install additional devices
on the island to better track the animals’ movements. This will not be
possible if the device is expensive to construct.
User-friendly The end-users will not be electrical engineers and so the
operation of the device should not require in-depth understanding of
the technologies employed. The device should have a familiar feel with
collected data presented logically.
User-reconfigurable For example, it should be possible to alter the destination
for data delivery and set the time and date easily. It would be advantageous
to be able to perform these functions remotely.
Flexible Flexibility is necessary to prevent the device from becoming obsolete
prematurely. For example, it should b e possible to power the system
from multiple energy sources.
Modular design The design approach should be modular: it should be
possible to extend the device’s functionality by adding additional modules
(for example, a temperature sensor or wind speed monitor).
Infrastructure-less The device should not depend on an existing wired
infrastructure as none exists. The island does, however, have GSM
coverage.
Robust It is essential that the enclosure is watertight, constructed from
rust proof material (to prevent corrosion at the coast) and the software
reliable (to ensure that captured data is not lost). Battery backup
should also be provided.
Power-efficient In an effort to maximise battery-backup operation time,
the device should consume as little power as possible.
Self-diagnosing Should a fault occur, the device should be able to identify
the problem and either notify the operator or, if possible, attempt to
correct the fault automatically.
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