JSATS transmitters come in a variety of sizes, weights, and pulse rate intervals (PRIs) to accommodate a range of fish sizes, study durations, and study objectives. Each JSATS transmitter is encapsulated in an epoxy resin and outer Parylene coating and consists of a battery, a circuit board, and the transducer.
Once activated, the transmitter emits a uniquely coded 31 bit binary phase-shift keyed signal, which provides more than 65,000 individual tag codes. The signal is emitted at a frequency of 416.7 kHz and at a source level of approximately 156 dB (relative to 1 µPascal and 1 m). The length of time between signals is determined by the user-defined, pre-programmed PRI. Pulsing signals use less energy, which increases the life of the transmitter compared to continuous signals.
PNNL recently developed several new transmitters, including an extended-life small acoustic transmitter that can be injected instead of surgically implanted; a long-life sturgeon tag; a self-powered acoustic transmitter; an eel/lamprey transmitter; and Lab-on-a-Fish, which integrates physiological and environmental sensors into acoustic transmitters.
JSATS transmitters have been produced by several commercial vendors, including Advanced Telemetry Systems, LOTEK Wireless, and Sonic Concepts, Inc.
Injectable Acoustic Transmitter
JSATS transmitters come in a variety of sizes, weights, and pulse rate intervals (PRIs) to accommodate a range of fish sizes, study durations, and study objectives. Each JSATS transmitter is encapsulated in an epoxy resin and outer Parylene coating and consists of a battery, a circuit board, and the transducer.
Once activated, the transmitter emits a uniquely coded 31 bit binary phase-shift keyed signal, which provides more than 65,000 individual tag codes. The signal is emitted at a frequency of 416.7 kHz and at a source level of approximately 156 dB (relative to 1 µPascal and 1 m). The length of time between signals is determined by the user-defined, pre-programmed PRI. Pulsing signals use less energy, which increases the life of the transmitter compared to continuous signals.
The patented injectable acoustic transmitter is available through Advanced Telemetry Systems. It can be injected into fish instead of surgically implanted. The injections take about 20 seconds compared to 2 to 3 minutes for surgical impanation and reduce the probability of adverse effects from implantation. The transmitter weighs 217 mg, is 15.00 mm long, and is 3.38 mm in diameter. The features include delayed start, the addition of a temperature sensor, and the ability to transmit two alternating codes. The injectable tag has a mean lifetime of greater than 120 days at a 3 second ping rate, compared to the lifetime of 23 days of existing technology at the same ping rate. Its performance has been verified in field studies.
PNNL also developed a patent-pending, low-frequency design, which is more suitable for marine applications. With ~200 kHz, it has a source level of 150 dB and a tag life of 140 days at a 5 second ping rate. Compared to the smallest commercially available low-frequency acoustic tag, our design is 16 dB higher in source level, significantly lighter in weight, and lasts three times longer.
More information about injectable transmitters can be found at:
An injectable acoustic transmitter for juvenile salmon.
Comparing the survival rate of juvenile Chinook salmon migrating through hydropower systems using injectable and surgical acoustic transmitters.
More information about the implantation can be found at:
A comparison of implantation methods for large PIT tags or injectable acoustic transmitters in juvenile Chinook salmon
Effects of a Novel Acoustic Transmitter on Swimming Performance and Predator Avoidance of Juvenile Chinook Salmon: Determination of a Size Threshold
Sturgeon Transmitter
The sturgeon transmitter is a small long-life acoustic transmitter for studying the behavior of aquatic animals, such as sturgeon, adult lamprey, and adult eels. It has a length of 24.2 mm, diameter of 5.0 mm, and dry weight of 0.72 g. The transmitter generates a coded acoustic signal at 416.7 kHz with a selectable source level between 159 and 163 dB relative to 1 µPa at 1 m, allowing a detection range of up to 500 m in quiet environments. The expected operational lifetime is 1 year at a pulse rate interval of 15 seconds. Features include a configurable pulse rate interval and tag code, optional temperature measurement, alternating codes, and delayed start (hibernation mode). The new technology makes long-term acoustic telemetry studies of small fish possible.
Its applications include:
- Long-term tracking of small juvenile (< 1 year old) sturgeon
- Long-term monitoring of adult fish such as adult lamprey, salmon, and eel
- Noisy environment such as immediate tailrace due to higher source level
- Mobile tracking due to longer detection range
- Marine environment
More information about the transmitter can be found at:
A small long-life acoustic transmitter for studying the behavior of aquatic animals
Self-powered Transmitter
We developed a self-powered acoustic transmitter that used a flexible piezoelectric beam to harvest the mechanical energy from the swimming motion of fish as the transmitter's power source. Two options of the transmitter designs were developed. Option 1 contains no battery and transmits signals as soon as sufficient energy for multiple transmissions is harvested. Option 2 transmits continuously at a set ping rate and has a rechargeable battery that stores the harvested energy. The tag is 5 mm wide and 1 mm thick for the majority of the tag body. Dependent upon the size and anatomy of the fish of interest, piezoelectric beams of various lengths can be used in this transmitter. In 2015, prototype transmitters of Option 1 at two different lengths were successfully evaluated in live fish. The longer one (100 mm long, 1.05 grams in air) was implanted in a 53-cm-long rainbow trout and the shorter one (77 mm long, 0.80 grams in air) was implanted in a 38-cm-long white sturgeon. Both transmitters were implanted subdermally on the back of the fish near the dorsal fin. The implantation process took about 75 seconds. The successful development of this transmitter may significantly expands the capabilities in long-term fish tracking and studies of their migrational behavior.
More information about the transmitter can be found at:
An Energy Harvesting Underwater Acoustic Transmitter for Aquatic Animals
Eel/lamprey Transmitter
The smallest acoustic tag to date, this acoustic transmitter (Patent No. 15/393,617) was designed specifically for studying juvenile eel and lamprey. This tag has been used to study American eel for dam passage on the Potomac River in Maryland and the Roanoke River in North Carolina as well as pacific lamprey in the Columbia River Basin. A tagging study at PNNL showed 100% survival for Chinook salmon with fork lengths of > 65.
The transmitter weighs 0.08 g in air and 0.04 g in water, 12 mm long, and 2 mm in diameter. The transmitter prototype lasts approximately 40 days at a 5 second ping rate interval.
PNNL is interested in partnerships with operators or agencies interested in further demonstrating this technology, especially for exploring applications to other key sensitive species.
More information about the eel/lamprey transmitter can be found at:
Pilot Field Trial of the Juvenile Lamprey/Eel Tag and RME Plan to Guide Future Juvenile Pacific Lamprey Acoustic Telemetry Studies
Retention and Effects of Miniature Transmitters in Juvenile American Eels
How Small Can We Go? Evaluating Survival, Tag Retention, and Growth of Juvenile Chinook Salmon Implanted with a New Acoustic Microtag
Lab-on-a-Fish
The patent-pending Lab-on-a-Fish simultaneously measures the two dominant physiological parameters of the fish as well as its behavior. Lab-on-a-Fish also evaluates environmental parameters such as temperature, pressure, and magnetic sensor with a weight of only 2.4 g and dimensions of 5.5 mm by 6.5 mm by 33 mm. The technology is capable of transmitting raw data in real time and storing it using on-board Flash memory. This is particularly helpful for acoustic communications or for complex post-data processing. Lab-on-a-Fish can provide the 3-D locations of a tagged animal, acting as an autonomous mobile sensor package that can associate sensor readings with specific locations.