Animal Tracking System Using the Doppler Effect for Single LEO Satellite

Abstract

Position determination accuracy is strongly depending on how much precisely and frequently satellite receiver measures transmitted signals from terminals on target animals when Doppler effect is applied for position determination. ARGOS satellite system has shown relatively high position determination accuracy by operating multiple satellites, which enable operator to get more Doppler shift data from terminals. In case of animal tracking mission with single satellite, however, it is difficult for the satellite receiver to receive transmitted signals from terminals frequently during short period that satellite passes over ground terminals. This is one of the main sources to decrease position accuracy on target animals. In this paper, the Doppler rate estimation is implemented to increase the number of Doppler shift data received by single satellite. It is proved that the relatively high position determination accuracy with increased number of estimated data can be obtained. We also suggest that the Doppler rate estimation is applicable for position determination system with single satellite.