An inter-individual communication biotelemetry system using Pseudo-random noise (Gold code)

Abstract

Recently, bio-logging techniques involving electronic data-storage tags (data-logger) and acoustic transmitters have been increasingly used to understand migratory fish movements and behaviors. The monitoring of migratory fish can provide important insights into the marine ecosystem dynamics. The number of tags data-loggers used, however, is normally limited due to cost and the data-logger recovery rate is usually low. Therefore, we developed a new system that combines the acoustic communication and data logger. In other words, a data-logger that can share data with each other. One of the challenges is to develop an inter-individual communication biotelemetry system based on hydro-acoustic methods. In this system, we used the phase modulation of pseudo-random noise (Gold code). At the final stage of development, we will be doing conduct a field test of this inter-individual communication biotelemetry system on wild herrings and bonitos in the open sea. We expect this new technology to help overcome the bottleneck of the conventional bio-logging and bio-telemetry, and lead to a breakthrough in marine ecosystem studies.