Real-Time System Design for Sensing, Recording and Analyzing Elephant Seismic Waves Through Ground Vibration Algorithm

Abstract

In this paper, a real-time low-cost geophone-based Elephant Footstep Vibration Detection and Identification (EFVDI) system is proposed. The system design started with a real-time low-cost generalized Footstep Vibration Recording and Analyzing (FVRA) system. A series of field experiments to record elephant footstep vibration (target) signals and other possible interfering ground vibration (noise) sources are conducted using the FVRA system. System’s actual field performance was evaluated in terms of maximum detection range, signal amplitude, detection ratio, signal frequency, signal time span, etc. Variations of system’s performance with several input parameters are also investigated. The recorded signals from target as well as noise sources are analyzed to extract different Signal Parameters (SPs). All SPs are saved in a Ground Vibration Signal Pattern Library (GVSPL) which is then used to frame accurate indigenous Elephant Identification Algorithm (EIA). The EIA is embedded in FVRA system to reshape it as specific Elephant Footstep Vibration Detection and Identification (EFVDI) system. The EFVDI system has successfully segregated elephant footsteps from other noise vibrations with high accuracy under simulated field experiment. The results from the proposed system will provide important data to the ongoing research of developing the much needed highly accurate Elephant Early Warning System (EEWS) in future.