SLiDAP: The Satellite-Linked Data Acquisition and Photogrammetry System.

The SLiDAP Project is a multi-stage project including the technical development of a new remote imaging network, and the installation and application of the system for biological research. The various stages are sponsored by different organizations.

Development of a satellite-linked remote data collection and photogrammetric imaging system.
This project is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs (Award 0085211).
The SLiDAP development is a collaborative project with Dr. Tom Loughlin's Alaska Ecosystem Program of the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle (NMFS), with the additional participation by EOS Systems Inc. and Wildlife Computers. EOS Systems Inc. is currently developing of a custom software module for their existing Photomodeler software package. The custom module will permit us to perform semi-automated sea lion counts and morphometric measurements (see EOS press release).

Installation of a Remote Census and Photogrammetry Network: Validation and Assessment of Seasonal and Individual Steller Sea Lion Body Condition and Population Trends.
The development of further applications of the SLiDAP concept, as well as the implementation of the RAT-Link are being sponsored by the Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) (Award NA17FX1430).
Dr. Jo-Ann Mellish is co-Principal Investigator on the development of further SLiDAP applications, Don Calkins is co-Investigator on the RAT-Link development.

All stages of the SLiDAP project are also supported through cost-sharing for equipment purchases by the Texas Institute of Oceanography.

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The SLiDAP system - illustrated in the above scematic - consists of initially four independent sub-stations, linked via wireless LAN to a fifth core-station. All stations contain ultra-high-resolution digital still cameras and PCs, and are independently powered by solar panels and batteries. The core station is remotely accessible via an VSAT high speed data link. Key system design criteria center around extreme ruggedness, highest reliability with minimal service requirements, low temperature capability, complete independence from any local power and communications infrastructure, rapid system deployment capability, as well as very low environmental impact.

To further enhance the applicability of the SLiDAP system, we are developing the RAT-Link, an open standard for a bi-directional radio data link between remotely accessible systems, and mobile data recording units (Roving Archival Tags), to ensure compatibility once such devices become available and widely used. The RAT-Link development is a joint effort between the Laboratory for Applied Biotelemetry & Biotechnology and Wildlife Computers. A standardized RAT-Link will turn many different types of remote data collection stations into a much larger data collection network.

A new paper describing technical aspects of the SLiDAP remote imaging network has now been accepted for publication:

• Plankis BJ, Horning M, Ponto N, Brown LK (in press)
  Designing a dependable and fault tolerant semi-autonomous distributed control data collection network with opportunistic hierarchy.
  IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering.

The SLiDAP project is funded through grants from a variety of sponsors, including:
National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs
The Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)
The Texas Institute of Oceanography (cost share participation)

The SLiDAP project is carried out in cooperation with the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMFS), the Alaska Sea Life Center.
Field testing of the first SLiDAP system is conducted with the kind support of the Seward Marine Facility of the Institute of Marine Science, SFOS, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

SLiDAP project principal investigator: Markus Horning.
Co-principal investigator of the biological applications of SLiDAP: Jo-Ann Mellish (ASLC)
Co-investigators: Tom Loughlin, Tom Gelatt (NMML / NMFS)

Project contractors and consultants:
Ashford Technical Software
EOS Systems Inc.
Wildlife Computers

© M. Horning 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.

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