BATmode S/S+ - System

BATmode S/S+

The bat monitoring system for wind turbines BATmode S or S+, respectivly, is even more powerful, cost-efficient and flexible as its predecessor, the "old" BATmode-System. What remains is the proven modular construction of a central detector unit, the BATmode S/S+, and the two discs, which on the one hand contain the acoustic components and secondly, the antennas for wireless communications. However, we have decided to no longer integrate the UltraSoundGate of our cooperation partner Avisoft Bioacoustics in the central detector unit. By this, the UltraSoundGate can also be used as USB dongle in other measuring systems or for data analysis on desktop computers. Due to the new DIN rail mounting system of the Batbox S, you can install the system in conformity to legal guidelines and without effort in the nacelle of wind power plants. Further new features of the BATmode S/S+ - System are a much larger storage capacity, LTE mobile technology and the possibility to order two different system versions, S and S+. Thus, you can choose the BATmode which best suits your requirements and save costs. A detailed comparison of the two systems can be found here. To control the system use the intuitive BATcontrol software. It provides various possibilities to either check the operation of the system or even access to it. Furthermore, by applying the data evaluation tools of BATcontrol you can assess at a glance the quality of recorded data.

The BATmode is the central unit of the bat detection system for wind turbines. Its Intel i3 CPU and the Windows® 10 operating system provide an enormous flexibility and intuitive operation.
For a calibrated bat call detection and a reliable separation of call sequences from noise the external UltraSoundGate from Avisoft Bioacoustics is utilized. With a resolution of 16 bit and a sampling frequency of at most 300 kHz high-quality real time recordings of bat calls are achievable. In combination with a 128 GB (S) or 256 GB (S+) SSD, respectively, the automated real time monitoring over a complete year is possible without changing memory devices even once. To guarantee for data integrity the system daily backups recorded data on external drives.
For an efficient bat monitoring in the nacelle of wind turbines a high availability and accessability of the BATmode S/S+ is substantial. Therefore, we implemented various ways to access the system. On the one hand you can use tethered interfaces of the BATmode S/S+ (USB, Minidisplayports, LAN) to connect it on-site or control it remotely via ethernet connection. On the other hand you can also apply wireless interfaces. A WIFI connection to the tower base, for instance, allows for remote desktop control and even broadband transmission of the recorded data (exclusively BATmode S+). Furthermore, if mobile network is available on-site, remote desktop control of the system is also possible via the integrated cellular modem (UMTS for S and LTE for S+). In case of low transfer rates of cellular network connection, you can also transmit major control commands via SMS.
The BATmode S/S+ needs a conventional power supply of 100-240V 50/60Hz AC. In case of power failure the bat monitoring will be interrupted. However, on returning power the system will restart automatically and continue a started bat monitoring.
In addition to acoustical data the S+ version of the BATmode-System is also capable to acquire environmental conditions like temperature and precipitation rate. A corresponding temperature sensor is integrated in the antenna disc and is part of the scope of delivery. To acquire precipitation rates an optical precipitation sensor can be purchased separately.

Hardware

  • Intel Core i3-5010U
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 128 GB SSD (S) / 256 GB SSD (S+)
  • WIFI (IEEE 802.11b/n/g) (exclusively S+)
  • Cellular communications UMTS (S) / LTE (S+)
  • 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, 2x Minidisplayport, LAN
  • Connector for heating unit (Cinch)
  • Connector for cellular antenna (RP-SMA)
  • Connector for WIFI antenna (RP-SMA) (exclusively S+)
  • Connectors for temperature and precipitation sensor (Mini-XLR) (exclusively S+)
  • Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz AC
  • Power consumption: ca. 20 W

    • Software

  • Windows® 10 Professional (OEM)
  • Avisoft-RECORDER Software
  • BATcontrol-Software

    • Externes UltraSoundGate

    The external UltraSoundGate 116Hnbm of our cooperation partner Avisoft Bioacoustics allows for a calibrated detection of bat call sequences. With a resolution of 16 bit and a sampling frequency of at most 300 kHz high-quality real time recordings of bat calls are achievable. To suppress noise recordings and detect bat calls reliably, the UltraSoundGate features a realtime filter. In comparance to competing detectors the filter is not only frequency based but on the contrary analyzes the temporal signal. By this, specific characteristics of bat calls could be recognized and calls are recorded reliably.

    Specifications

  • Delta-Sigma ADC with integrated anti-aliasing filter
  • Resolution: 16 bit
  • Sampling rate: up to 300 kHz
  • Frequency response: 1 - 135 kHz
  • Input sensitivity: -9 dBV = -7 dBu = 0,35 Vrms
  • Input impedance: 50 kOhm
  • Interface: USB 2.0

    • Mikrofonscheibe

    The aluminium made microphone disc is used for a well-defined installation of the ultrasound microphone as well as the test signal speaker in the bottom of the nacelle. The diameter of the required mounting hole is 100 mm and, therefore, complies with most available detection systems. To avoid weather caused condensate formation an electrical heating unit is integrated. It guarantees a constant microphone sensitivity over an whole monitoring period, which can be monitored by the test signal speaker and allows for an high quality of data. The integrated preamplifier reduces signal noise and enables distances of 50 m and more between BATmode S/S+ and microphone disc. To protect them from weather conditions all electrical components are incorporated splashproof.

    Antenna disc (exclusively BATmode S+)

    Remote accessability to bat monitoring system BATmode S+ highly depends on the reception of WIFI and cellular network signals. The detached antenna disc, which is mounted in the bottom of the nacelle next to the microphone disc, and its included cellular LTE antenna provides the best possible reception of mobile network. Furthermore, by applying a directional antenna a broadband WIFI connection to the tower base can be established and allows for remote access to the system even if mobile network reception at the site is poor. The splashproof disc additionally contains a temperature sensor and can be installed easily due to the required mounting hole diameter of 100 mm, which is the same like for the micophone disc. Consequently, tool requirements for the installation are minimized.

    Since the BATmode S - System not supports WIFI remote access or the acquisition of temperature date, the system is delivered in the S version without antenna disc. Nevertheless, in order to allow for remote acces via cellular networks, the BATmode S - System is delivered with a UMTS cellular antenna with magnetic base.

  • Directional WIFI antenna
  • Cellular LTE antenna
  • Temperature sensor
  • Made of polyvinylchloride
  • Diameter of mounting hole: 100 mm

    • BATcontrol

    The software BATcontrol is used to control and parametrize the BATmode S/S+ - System as well as the recording software RECORDER of Avisoft Bioacoustics. Consequently, we are able to combine the proven advantages of RECORDER (outstanding bat call recognition filter, calibrated filter trigger, full spectrum recordings in real time) with various features for remote control and data evaluation specifically adapted to the needs of bat monitoring at the nacelle of wind power plants. By applying a predefined set of parameters, which complies to legal guidelines, the operation of the system could be simplified and you only have to adjust site-individual settings.
    To minimize costs for on-site maintenance and keep an eye on the status of the system BATcontrol is able to send you the most important parameters either via SMS , mail or our cloud service myBAT on your phone or desktop pc. Furthermore, myBAT also gives you the opportunity to evaluate information about the recorded data in real time and export them to external tools. If you want to change some major settings, you can control BATcontrol via myBAT or even SMS commands if mobile network reception is poor. But you cannot only change major settings. If a sufficient mobile network connection is available at the site, you can establish a full remote desktop connection to the system. And if reception is insufficient, you can simply use the WIFI hotspot provided by BATcontrol to access the system from the tower base (available only with BATmode S+).
    Since it is difficult to assess the quality of recorded data and exclude noise recordings BATcontrol provides graphic evaluation tools and supports you to evaluate recorded data on the fly. So you are able to intervene and avoid unusable data in advance. Furthermore, data compliance to legal guidelines can be guaranteed by monitoring the microphone sensitivity with the integrated test signal speaker and the appendant graphic assessment tool.
    In addition to acoustical data BATcontrol also enables the acquisition and evaluation of weather conditions like temperature and precipitation rate (available only with BATmode S+).

  • Controls RECORDER software
  • Status information, remote control and data evaluation via myBAT
  • Status messages via SMS or mail
  • Remote control via SMS
  • Acquisition of temperature and precipitation rate (exclusively BATmode S+)
  • Data evaluation tools
  • Calibration of filter trigger
  • Daily backup
  • Provides WIFI hotspot (exclusively BATmode S+)

    • Transportkoffer

    The BATmode S/S+ -System comes in a stable transport case for outdoor use. The adapted foam inlay guarantees a safe tranport of the detection system to the installation site and protects it from strikes or accidental dropping. The case features a quick-release fastener and can be locked with lock loops.

    Head-to-head comparison of BATmode S and BATmode S+

     
    BATmode S BATmode S+
    Operating system Windows® 10 Windows® 10
    Processor Intel Core i3-5010U Intel Core i3-5010U
    Hard disc drive 128 GB SSD 256 GB SSD
    RAM 8 GB 8 GB
    Interfaces 4x USB, LAN, 1x Minidisplayport 4x USB, LAN, 1x Minidisplayport
    Bat detector UltraSoundGate 116Hnbm (Avisoft) UltraSoundGate 116Hnbm (Avisoft)
    Resolution 16 bit 16 bit
    Sampling frequency 300 kHz 300 kHz
    Microphone Knowles FG Knowles FG
    Microphone preamplifier
    Microphone heating unit
    Testsignal speaker
    Control software BATcontrol BATcontrol
    Recording software Recorder (Avisoft) Recorder (Avisoft)
    WIFI remote access
    LAN remote access
    Cellular remote access
    Cellular network HSPA (UMTS) LTE
    Antennas Cellular antenna with magnetic base Antenna disc with temperature sensor
    Status Mail / SMS
    SMS remote control
    mybat Cloudservice
    Daily backup
    Temperature sensor
    Precipitation sensor optional
    Transport case