FR3133518A1 - Animal monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an animal monitoring device intended to be worn by the animal. It comprises a photovoltaic module (6), a battery (12) arranged to be powered by the photovoltaic module, the battery being intended to power data acquisition means comprising: a geolocation module (13) of the device, a thermometer ( 8) intended to measure a temperature of the animal when the device is carried by the animal and means for periodically describing movement (14) of the animal. It also includes a radio wave data communication module (15) and timing means (31) for data communication between two periods of description of movement of the animal, these timing means comprising a microcontroller (31) . Figure for abstract: figure 8

Description

Animal monitoring device

The invention relates to monitoring and studying the behavior of animals. In particular, it concerns the field of precision cattle breeding.

Bovine behavior monitoring and study systems aim to assess the well-being of cattle and detect specific behaviors, such as rest, rumination, periods favorable to reproduction and insemination. They also aim to monitor the state of health of the animal. This applies to the detection of possible shocks in the animal while the study of its temperature and that of its behavior allows the prevention of diseases. This includes monitoring thermal stress, which for example has an impact on milk production by cattle.

We already know in the state of the art, in particular according to document FR3088168, a collar for cattle capable of determining thermal stress data of cattle in particular thanks to a thermometer and a humidity sensor, sunshine data thanks to a photosensitive sensor, and movement data from the bovine thanks to an accelerometer, these organs being controlled by a microcontroller. However, this collar does not allow the geographical location of the cattle, and therefore neither the detection of groupings nor the surveillance of the cattle over large portions. In addition, it is necessary to recharge the collar battery regularly, which is uncomfortable.

Other collars for cattle capable of determining the geographical location of the cattle using a geolocation module are also known in the state of the art, but they do not provide other data on the condition of the cattle, and do not allow therefore not identify all relevant behaviors or determine the state of health of the bovine.

A disadvantage of all of these state-of-the-art collars is therefore the absence of certain means of data acquisition necessary for the complete monitoring of the behavior and state of health of cattle.

Another disadvantage of all of these collars is their lack of autonomy. Indeed, the acquisition of data and their transmission is energy intensive. In particular, the more numerous and varied the data to be acquired, the more energy the collar consumes. To extend the autonomy of the collar, it is necessary to spread out measurements or data transmissions over time, which harms the precision of cattle monitoring since certain behaviors are no longer detected, or too late.

The invention aims in particular to provide a device allowing complete and continuous monitoring of an animal by means of a set of varied data, acquired and transmitted at reduced intervals, while benefiting, despite the variety and frequency of the measurements carried out, with increased autonomy.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for monitoring an animal, intended to be worn by the animal, comprising

- a photovoltaic module;

- a battery arranged to be powered by the photovoltaic module, the battery being intended to power:

• data acquisition means comprising:

⇒ a device geolocation module;

⇒ a thermometer intended to measure the temperature of the animal when the device is worn by the animal;

⇒ means of periodically describing the movement of the animal;

• a data communication module by radio waves;

• means for timing the communication of data between two periods of description of movement of the animal, these timing means comprising a microcontroller.

Thus, the device includes all the relevant data acquisition means for continuous, precise and complete monitoring of the animal. To optimize its energy management and therefore increase its autonomy despite all of these acquisition means to be supplied, it has a photovoltaic module allowing the battery to be recharged during the day and timing means including the microcontroller. These timing means make it possible to optimize the distribution of the energy supply within the device by periodically controlling the description of the movement of an animal in a first step before controlling the transmission of all the data in a second step. time. In this way, each of the means of the device is switched to a nominal operating state, via the timing means, only when their respective activations are necessary, while they are in a standby state the rest of the time.

Other optional features will follow below, taken alone or in combination.

Advantageously, the means for periodic description of movement of the animal comprise a position sensor, the microcontroller being intended to collect positions measured by the position sensor during each movement description period and being able to control the geolocation module, the thermometer, the position sensor and the communication module to time the communication of data between two periods of description of movement of the animal.

Thus, the position sensor is capable of allowing, through a plurality of measurements spread over a short period, the determination of a movement of the animal, which can lead to the identification of a particular behavior of the animal. This plurality of measurements is carried out while the other acquisition means are in a standby state.

Preferably, the geolocation module includes:

- a geolocation data and ephemeris data search unit, connected to the battery by a backup pin; And

- a control chip connected to the data search unit and connected to the battery, the control chip further comprising a control pin connected to the microcontroller;

this research unit and this control chip being arranged so that:

- upon activation, by the microcontroller, of the control pin of the control chip, the chip activates the search, by the data search unit, for geographical location data of the device and ephemeris, the module then being in nominal operating state;

- upon deactivation, by the microcontroller, of the control pin of the control chip, the chip stops the search by the search unit, the module then switching to a standby state;

- in the standby state of the geolocation module, the connection of the unit to the battery via the backup pin allows the backup, by the search unit, of the geographic location data and the ephemeris data obtained at previously by the research body.

Thus, the search for geographic location and ephemeris data being particularly energy-intensive, it is only controlled by the microcontroller at the appropriate time, at regular intervals. In the standby state, the module is sufficiently powered to save the data obtained at the cost of very low energy consumption. The use of this module is therefore optimized to increase the autonomy of the device.

Advantageously, the data communication module is able to communicate in accordance with the LoRaWAN protocol.

Based on LoRa technology, this protocol allows communication by radio waves at low consumption and over long distances. It is therefore particularly suited to the objective of the device. In addition, this device and this protocol are particularly suitable for communicating on free ISM bands (for “industrial, scientific and medical”) while respecting the so-called “1% duty cycle” regulation (or “1% duty cycle” in French), which imposes a limitation of 1% maximum on the use of these bands over a specific period of time.

Preferably, the device further comprises a battery protection module, the protection module comprising:

- a battery protection chip connected to terminals of the battery, the protection chip further comprising a first and a second battery protection pin;

- a first transistor connected between a battery power supply and the first pin of the protection chip so that, when a voltage across the battery is greater than a predetermined value, the first transistor is disconnected from the first pin to prevent battery overcharging;

- a second transistor connected between the battery power supply and the second pin of the protection chip so that, when the voltage across the battery is lower than a predetermined value, the second transistor is disconnected from the second pin to prevent battery discharge.

Thus, the battery protection module makes it possible to optimize the energy management of the device at the battery level. Here again, this module makes it possible to increase the autonomy of the device by avoiding inappropriate discharge of the battery and avoiding the risk of overcharging.

Advantageously, the device further comprises an electrical transformation chip capable of:

- transform an electrical voltage produced by the photovoltaic module into a predetermined, lower voltage for charging the battery; And

- supply the battery with an electric charging current comprising a predetermined maximum charging intensity;

- reduce the intensity of the electric charging current once a battery charge level has reached a predetermined value.

Thus, the power supply of the battery by the photovoltaic module is also optimized, avoiding the loss of energy collected by the photovoltaic module to increase the autonomy of the device.

Preferably, the device further comprises a module for determining an electrical voltage of a member, the member being formed of the photovoltaic module or the battery, the module for determining the voltage of the member comprising:

- two resistors connected in series between terminals of the device, so as to transform an electrical voltage at the terminals of the device into a lower voltage readable by a measuring device at the terminals of one of the resistors;

- a capacitor connected in parallel to one of the two resistors so as to eliminate a voltage fluctuation during a measurement.

Thus, the determination module makes it possible in particular to determine a sunshine value, or luminosity, via the photovoltaic module, a value which can be taken into account to identify a particular behavior or state of the animal or quite simply be used to know the level of energy collected by the photovoltaic module.

The invention also relates to an animal monitoring collar, comprising:

- an animal monitoring device, as described above, the device preferably having a weight less than or equal to 250 grams and a maximum volume of 500 cubic centimeters;

- an unbalance recalling the device in a position such that, when the collar is worn around the neck of an animal, the monitoring device is positioned on the nape of the animal, the unbalance comprising a weight less than or equal to 500 grams .

Thus, the measurements are taken at the level of the animal's neck. The movement described using the position sensor is therefore that of the animal's head, and makes it possible to identify certain of its behaviors. In addition, the unbalance ensures optimal energy collection, by always exposing the photovoltaic module to the sun. The weight and volume are as low as possible in order to maximize the comfort of the animal.

The invention also relates to a method of controlling a monitoring device as described above, the monitoring device being carried by an animal, the method comprising the following steps:

- during a prior period, at regular predetermined intervals, the position sensor carries out a position measurement, preferably an angle measurement, so as to determine a description of the movement of the animal during the prior period; then, after this preliminary period;

- the microcontroller determines a battery charge level;

- the microcontroller determines a solar level of the photovoltaic module;

- the thermometer determines the temperature of the animal;

- the geolocation module determines a location of the device; Then

- the communication module transmits by radio waves, to a receiver located remotely, the description of movement, the charge level, the sunshine level, the temperature, and the determined location.

Thus, concentrating the position measurements in a prior period makes it possible to optimize the energy management of the device. Indeed, the intervals between each data acquisition are appropriate to the interest of these measurements. However, to determine a movement, it is necessary for the successive position measurements to be carried out close in time to each other, while the geographical position or the temperature, for example, vary over longer periods of time. Staggering these measurements optimizes the consumption of each of the device’s modules. Thus, it is first the positions which are measured during the preliminary period to obtain the description of a movement, before the other measurements and the transmission of all the data are then carried out.

Preferably, once the emission step has been completed, the steps are repeated, starting again with the prior period.

Thus, this process is a loop, which continues as long as the device is turned on and powered.

Advantageously, all of the steps are carried out for a duration of less than 5 minutes, the prior period being less than 4 minutes.

Thus, every five minutes or less, the description of the movement, the temperature data, the location data, the battery charge data and the sunshine data are acquired, and all the data is sent remotely for be processed. This duration is particularly short and allows continuous monitoring of the condition and activity of the animals. Concerning the prior period during which the movement is the subject of position measurements, the movement of the animal is monitored over a prior period of four minutes, which makes it possible to identify changes in position and therefore specific behaviors.

Preferably, during or after the prior period, the position sensor further determines a speed or acceleration so as to detect a sudden movement or shock of the animal.

Thus, in parallel with the measurements already mentioned, the position sensor can identify a sudden acceleration or instantaneous speed, signs of a possible shock or specific behavior that are difficult to detect without this monitoring. This monitoring is possible even during the standby state of the position sensor, which is put into nominal operating state if a speed or acceleration appears to be greater than a predetermined threshold. Additionally, these accelerations or shocks can be counted by the position sensor.

Preferably, during the preliminary period:

- the position sensor being in standby state, it is put into nominal operating state for each angle measurement and returns to standby state between each angle measurement;

- the microcontroller, the thermometer, the geolocation module, the communication module, are in standby state; Then

after the preliminary period:

- the microcontroller, the thermometer, the geolocation module, the communication module go into nominal operating state.

Thus, each of the means of the device is only put into nominal operating state when its activation is necessary, and in a staggered manner over time, in order to optimize the energy management of the device.

Advantageously, during the step of determining the location of the device by the geolocation module, the microcontroller is placed in standby state until the location is obtained by the geolocation module.

Thus, while the microcontroller is in nominal operating state when it controls the start of the location search by the geolocation module, this microcontroller goes into standby state, in order to save energy, during this search for location. location and ephemeris data, which can last several seconds, for example ten seconds. The microcontroller returns to nominal operating state if necessary once the search is complete.

Preferably, in the standby state, the microcontroller is put into nominal operating state at regular predetermined intervals, these intervals corresponding to a wake-up step, this step preferably being less than 5 seconds.

Thus, these awakenings correspond to the transition to a nominal operating state starting from a standby state. This wake-up step acts as the internal clock of the microcontroller and allows the microcontroller to remain ready to control one of the data acquisition means. In particular, during the prior duration, it is during certain of these predetermined awakenings that the microcontroller controls the position sensor to produce the description of the animal's movement.

Advantageously, during a first attempt to connect to a network:

- prior to the transmission step, the data communication module sends, by radio waves, a first receiver search signal, comprising a first propagation factor;

- in the absence of a response from a receiver, after a first predetermined duration, the communication module sends a second receiver search signal, comprising a second propagation factor higher than the first.

Thus, the first search signal is sent at the cost of lower energy consumption and higher speed. In the event of no response, the propagation factor is increased so as to have a greater chance of identifying a receiver, at the cost of higher energy consumption and lower speed. The propagation factor can be increased in this way several times, up to a predetermined value. This protocol therefore makes it possible to optimize the electrical management of the device when a network is sought. In the event of no response after a last attempt, the communication module can be put into standby state for a predetermined duration, for example five minutes, before new attempts starting from the response factor. lowest spread.

On the other hand, once communication has been established with a receiver, the transmission signals preferably have a propagation signal greater than that of the first search signal.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead it to implement the steps of the method as described above.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead it to implement the steps of the method as described above.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a perspective view of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view of a part of a collar comprising the device of the ;

is a perspective view of a bovine including the collar of the ;

is a sectional view of one side of the device of the ;

is a sectional view from above of the device of the ;

is a sectional view from below of the device of the ;

is a sectional view of one side of a device of the ;

is a diagram of the electronic organization of the device of the ;

is an electrical diagram of a module of the device of the ;

is an electrical diagram of a module of the device of the ;

is a diagram of a method of controlling the device of the .

Figures 1 to 3 show the device 1 for monitoring a bovine 5. Taking the general shape of a straight block, this housing 1 is mainly made of an ABS type material (for “ acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ” ) shock-resistant, a custom-made sealing wire and a transparent cover 7, two edges of which are concave, like the corresponding edges of the upper face of the housing 1, visible through the cover 7. Under this cover 7 a photovoltaic module 6 described below is placed. The lower face of this box 1 has, at two of its ends, two indentations in the form of arches opposite each other on either side of the box 1, in order to allow better positioning of the box on the nape of the bovine 5. In the middle of this lower face is a thermometer 8 capable of measuring the temperature at the nape of the bovine 5, and which will be discussed below.

This housing 1 is attached to a collar 2 via two strands of an annular core 3 forming a flexible band of the collar, the two strands being connected by an attachment loop 4. So that the device 1 remains positioned on the neck of the bovine 5 when the collar is attached around the neck of the bovine, the collar 2 also comprises a mass 11 forming an unbalance, located substantially opposite the device 1 on the annular core 3 so as to maintain, by gravity, the collar in the position shown in . In this way, when the collar 2 is attached to the neck of the bovine 5, the photovoltaic module 6 of the housing 1 is exposed to daylight and can therefore collect energy. Box 1 weighs approximately 225 grams while unbalance 11 weighs approximately 500 grams.

As shown in Figures 4 to 7, box 1 measures approximately 98.5 centimeters long, 49 centimeters high and 82 centimeters wide. It has a through opening, oblong in shape, approximately 30 centimeters long and 4.6 centimeters wide to slide in the annular core 3 of the collar 2.

Among the electronic organs of the device 1, from the outside, only the photovoltaic module 6 on its upper face, and the thermometer 8 on its lower face are visible, as indicated. The other modules are located in box 1. We will now describe them with reference to the , which schematically illustrates the electronic organization of box 1.

The microcontroller 31 is reference Atmega328P, it controls all the other elements of the and is powered by the battery 12. This microcontroller includes or is connected to a recording medium, not illustrated, readable by the microcontroller and comprising instructions which, when executed by the microcontroller, cause it to implement implements the steps of process 100 described below. More concretely, a computer program has been recorded in this medium comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the microcontroller 31, lead it to implement the steps of the method 100 described below.

Battery 12 is a Li-ion polymer battery, capable of delivering an energy of 2400mAh for a voltage of 4.2V. It supplies all means of device 1 through a battery charging and protection module 16, which includes a chip 17, not shown, for managing the TP4056 reference power supply. This charging and protection module 16 is itself powered by the photovoltaic module 6. Thus, when the photovoltaic module 6 is exposed to the sun, it produces a voltage of 5.5 V, a voltage that the management chip 17, included in the module 16, converted into a voltage of 4.2V, the chip 17 charging the battery 12 with a current whose maximum intensity is 100mA. When the battery 12 is fully charged, the chip 17 reduces the intensity of the charging current gradually to zero intensity, in order to protect the battery 12.

This module 16 for charging and protecting the battery 12 supplies the microcontroller 31 and the communications module 15 through a power supply chip 19, reference XC6206P332MR.

Photovoltaic module 6 is a monocrystalline panel, with a power of 0.55W and a voltage of 5.5V. It should be noted that a Schottky reference diode SS14 is connected between module 6 and chip 17 so as to avoid any loss of energy from the module at night.

The satellite geolocation module 13, or GPS module, integrates a research unit 22 of the GPS/QZSS and GLONASS type, reference Ublox MAX-7Q, capable of acquiring satellite location data and ephemeris data. The location information it can determine is geographic coordinates, their accuracy, instantaneous speed and instantaneous direction. It is an organ known for its precision and in return for its high electricity consumption. The invention aims in particular to optimize the energy management of this organ 22. We will describe below a part of the invention, the chip 21, integrated into this organ for this purpose.

The thermometer 8 is an infrared thermometer reference MLX90614BAA which provides the skin temperature of the cattle 5, as well as the temperature of the environment near the skin of the cattle.

The device 1 also includes a module 14 for periodic description of movement of the animal, reference MPU6050, which includes an accelerometer and a gyrometer. It is able to record accelerations on three orthogonal axes and angular velocities, called “ Roll ”, “ Pitch ” and “ Yaw ”, around these axes. In the waking state, it is capable of detecting accelerations greater than a predetermined threshold, which may correspond to shocks, and it is capable of counting them. We can consider this module to be a “position sensor”. It is able to provide, thanks to its angle measurements repeated over time, the description of a movement.

The thermometer 8 and the module 14 for describing the movement of the animal are powered by the same bus, called “I2C”, connected to the battery 12. To put them on standby, the microcontroller 31 places the appropriate “ SCL ” pin of the bus in the high position (corresponding to a voltage of 3.3V) and the appropriate “ SDA ” pin of the bus in the low position (corresponding to a voltage less than 1.6 V) for 40 milliseconds. The intensity of the current flowing through module 8 then increases from 1 milliampere to 6 microamperes. That of module 14, when it is put in the standby state in the same way, goes from 3.9 milliamps to 20 microamps.

All modules 8, 13, 14 described above are considered as “data acquisition” means, as is module 18 described below.

The box 1 finally includes a module 15 for communications of the data collected by all of the data acquisition means described above. This module 15 is an 868 MHz radio module, reference RFM95W, capable of communicating in accordance with the LoRaWAN protocol. In the context of precision cattle breeding, it can be configured to implement its largest possible range and communicate very regularly, which generates significant consumption. Here again, the invention aims to optimize this management, and part of a process will be described below for this purpose.

We will now detail the arrangements made on the hardware level to optimize the electrical consumption of box 1.

We will first describe in more detail the battery charging and protection module 16 with reference to the .

This module 16, connected to the negative and positive terminals of the power management chip 17, includes in particular a DW01 chip, connected by two pins 5-VDD and 6-VSS to the terminals of the battery 12, and two pins 1- OD and 3-OC connected to two respective transistors of a dual channel MOSFET SC8205S component. The battery is charged by a current flowing from the positive terminal to the negative terminal, and discharges in the other direction. When the voltage across the battery 12 is between 2.5 V and 4.2 V, pins 1-OD and 3-OC of the DW01 chip emit high levels of voltage, so that the gates connecting the transistors M1 and M2 at pins 1-OD and 3-OC are pulled up. From then on, the power supply coming from the negative terminal of chip 17 is directly connected to the battery. However, when the voltage across battery 12 is less than 2.5 V, pin 1-OD outputs a low voltage so that the gate linking transistor M1 to pin 1-OD is pulled low. Battery 12 then stops discharging, but it can continue to be charged through the “by pass” diode of M1. Conversely, when the voltage across the battery 12 is greater than 4.2V, it is pin 3-OC which emits a low voltage, and it is transistor M2 which is disconnected, so that the battery stops charging, but it can be discharged through the “bypass” diode of M2.

In other words, this module 16 comprising the DW01 battery protection chip 12 and the two transistors makes it possible to avoid any excessive discharge or overload of the battery, automatically.

We will now describe, with reference to the , a module 18 for determining an electrical voltage of a member, the member being here formed of the photovoltaic module 6.

As described above, the maximum voltage of 5.5 V across the photovoltaic panel 6 is reduced to 4.2 V by the chip 17. It is therefore this output voltage which is considered. As illustrated on the , two resistors R1 and R2, of 1 megaOhm each, are connected in series between the positive and negative terminals of module 6 so as to halve the voltage across the latter. The voltage measured across one of the two resistors is therefore located between 0 and 2.1 V, a range readable by the microcontroller 31. The node is connected to the “ ADC ” pin of the microcontroller 31. A 100nF ceramic capacitor is connected in parallel to resistor R2 to suppress voltage fluctuation during measurement sampling.

Finally, the voltage U, across organ 6, is found by the following formula:

Where ADC is a measured voltage value, analog, with a precision of 10 bits, or 1024 possible values, which results in a value between 0 and 1023, corresponding to 0 volts and 3.3 volts respectively. 3.3 volts is in fact the maximum voltage value of the microcontroller 31. Multiplying by 2 makes it possible to find the value of the voltage across the terminals of the panel 6. Thus, the value U determined is between 0, for the absence of sun, and 4.2, for maximum sun.

As illustrated on the , another module 18 is applied to the battery 12, in an identical manner, the details not being illustrated.

This monitoring of module 6 and battery 12 makes it possible to monitor the performance of the charge and discharge cycles and to anticipate possible operating faults.

We will now describe, with reference to the , the operation of the satellite geolocation module 13. The research unit 22 that it includes, of the GLONASS type and reference Ublox MAX-7Q, has a positioning precision of 2.5 meters, a cold start duration of 35 seconds and a hot start duration located between 2 and 10 seconds. These performances make it an energy-consuming organ, which must therefore be activated sparingly. It is connected to battery 12 via a so-called “backup” pin, through which a current with a maximum intensity of 7 microamps passes. This backup pin is connected to the output of power chip 19 in a manner not shown.

As illustrated on the , the module 13 also includes a chip 21, called a "control chip", with reference LDO MIC5504, between the microcontroller 31 and the research unit 22. It is connected to the microcontroller 31 via a pin which will be called "control pin". control ". This chip 21 is also connected to the battery 12. It is this which powers the research unit 22 when necessary. It alternatively makes it possible to put the research unit 22 into a standby state so as to optimize its consumption.

Thus, upon activation, by the microcontroller 31, of the control pin of the control chip 21, the chip 21 activates the search, by the data search member 22, of geographical location data of the device 1 and of ephemeris. We then consider that module 13 is in the nominal operating state. Then, upon deactivation, by the microcontroller 31, of the control pin of the control chip 21, the chip 21 stops the search by the search unit 22. We then consider that the module 13 passes to a standby state. In the standby state of the geolocation module 13, the connection of the unit 22 to the battery 12, via the backup pin connected to the chip 19, allows the backup, by the search unit, geographic location data and ephemeris data.

We will now describe, with reference to the , a method 100 for controlling the monitoring device 1 described above. We consider that the device 1 is carried by the bovine 5. The process is a loop, of approximately 251 seconds, which repeats.

In step 10 a period begins which will be called the “preliminary period” in the following. During this period, the microcontroller 31, the thermometer 8, the geolocation module 13, the communication module 15, are in standby state. However, even in the standby state, the microcontroller 31 is put into nominal operating state by peak, at predetermined intervals of four seconds. This interval corresponds to one awakening step, it acts as the internal clock of the microcontroller 31. Every 28 seconds, that is to say every 7 awakenings of the microcontroller, the module 14 is awakened by the microcontroller 31 and performs an angle measurement, so as to determine an angular position of the head of the bovine 5. These measurements are “ Roll and Pitch ” measurements. They are repeated eight times. Thus, a description of the animal's movement is obtained by the microcontroller 31 at the end of this preliminary period. By “ description of the movement ”, we designate either the raw angular data, or data deduced, by the module 14 or the microcontroller 31, from the angular positions of the movement to describe a movement of the animal. In particular, it is a question of being able to conclude a possible specific behavior of the animal, such as rumination, rest, or other. Between each angle measurement, module 14 is returned to standby state. Once these eight measurements have been completed, we move on to the next step. The preperiod then lasted approximately 224 seconds.

At step 20, the preperiod is completed. The microcontroller 31 is returned to nominal operating condition. It determines a charge level of the battery 12 and a sunshine level of the photovoltaic module 6 using the modules 18 described above. This step takes approximately 5 milliseconds.

In step 30, the thermometer 8 is put into nominal operating state and determines, on command from the microcontroller 31, a temperature of the animal 5. This step takes approximately 170 milliseconds. The thermometer is then returned to standby status.

In step 40, the geolocation module 13 is put into nominal operating state by the microcontroller 31. It determines a location of the device. As mentioned above, the chip 21 triggers the search by the organ 22 for a geographical position and ephemeris information. During this search step, the microcontroller is returned to standby state. In fact, this search step can last a long time, around ten seconds on average. Putting the microcontroller 31 on standby during this step saves energy. When the information is obtained by the search unit 13, the microcontroller 31 is returned to nominal operating condition.

If communication with a receiver has already been established previously, the communication module 15 is put into nominal operating state by the microcontroller 31 and goes directly from step 40 to step 60.

In step 50, the communication module 15 is put into nominal operating state by the microcontroller 31 and attempts to detect a remote receiver. To this end, it sends, by radio waves, a first receiver search signal, presenting a spreading factor , called “SF7”, of type BW125kHz, for 20 seconds. If a network is then joined, it proceeds to step 60. Otherwise, the propagation factor is increased to "SF9" for 40 seconds. Again, if there is no reception, a paging signal is sent for 60 seconds, this time with a propagation factor SF12. Finally, in the event of no reception, the module 14 is returned to standby state until the end of the next loop. In this way, the connection attempt is first faster and less energy consuming, before increasing in energy consumption and decreasing in speed in the event of no response.

Step 60 takes place in the event of a signal received from a receiver, confirming the presence of a network, or if a communication had already been confirmed during a previous signal search. The communication module 15 then communicates all of the data received to the receiver by means of an SF12 type signal. It should be noted that the LoRaWAN protocol provides, by default, for an increase in power of the propagation factor, in the same way as for searching for a receiver, but the collar is here configured to set the emission of the signal at SF12. Such communication is particularly suited to mobile devices, while ramping up is more suited to fixed devices. These transmitted data are therefore the description of movement, the charge level, the sunshine level, the temperature, and the location determined. This communication lasts between two and three seconds.

Communication steps 50 and 60 took place according to LoRa technology, in particular in accordance with the LoraWAN protocol. It should be noted that this protocol allows communication on free ISM (for “industrial, scientific and medical”) bands. However, to comply with the so-called "1% duty cycle" regulation (or "1% cyclical ratio" in French), which imposes a limitation of 1% maximum on the use of these bands over a specific period of time, it is necessary to limit communications. The operating periods described, and in particular the sending of data only approximately every 251 seconds, make it possible to comply with these regulations.

In step 70, data can also be transmitted to the communication module 15 by a transmitter located remotely, for example to modify a configuration of the device 1. This reception can last approximately 2 seconds.

Step 80 is optional and can be implemented at any time during the loop. This involves the detection, by module 14, of a sudden acceleration of the device. Indeed, even in the standby state, this module is able to detect an acceleration or a speed which, if it is greater than a predetermined threshold, activates the putting into nominal operating state of the module 14. This data is then added to the data to be transmitted by the communication module 15 at the end of the loop. Processed either by the microcontroller 31 before transmission, or remotely after transmission, it can mean that the animal has experienced a shock. This data can also include a counter, counting the number of sudden accelerations experienced by the collar.

The loop thus lasted nearly 251 seconds. The process then continues directly with the “ preliminary period ” of the next loop, and so on. Generally speaking, it is advantageous for the loop to last five minutes or less, as this means sending regular and therefore up-to-date information. Monitoring of the animal is therefore particularly detailed. Moreover, during this loop, most of the modules are in sleep state during the prior period, so that the energy of the device is saved.

When the entire device 1 is in standby state, the current intensity is 40 microamps. The maximum intensity reached, when data communication is carried out with a propagation factor of type “SF12”, 128 milliamperes.

The consumption of the different modules is summarized in the following table:

Components Fluent Tension Time limit Module 31
ATmega328P Nominal 4mA 3.3V 11.53s Day before 4.3μA 224s Unit 8
MLX90614ABB Nominal 1mA 3.3V 170ms Day before 6μA - Unit 14
MPU6050 Nominal 500μA 3.3V 120ms Day before 20μA - Unit 13
MAX-7q+MIC5504 Nominal 22mA 3.7V 10s Day before 7μA - Unit 15
RFM95W Transmission 92mA 3.3V 2465.792ms Reception 17mA 2s Day before 1.5μA - Unit 18
division resistors
on battery - 2.75μA 5.5V - Unit 18
division resistors on photovoltaic panel - 1.85μA 3.7V - Unit 16
TP4056X - 1μA 3.7V -

Total consumption in the different states is summarized in the following table:

State Fluent Tension Time limit Voltage measurement from the battery or photovoltaic module 4mA 3.7V 5ms Temperature measurement 5mA 3.7V 170ms “Roll and pitch” acceleration measurement 4.5mA 3.7V 120x8=960ms Search for geographic data
and ephemeris 28.5mA 3.7V 10s Data transmission 126.7mA 3.7V 2.47s Receiving data 16.2mA 3.7V 2s Data processing 4.0mA 3.7V 11.53s “Preliminary period” 40μA 3.7V 224s

We can then obtain the list of the following information.

A loop corresponds to:

We consider a “SF12” type transmission. The energy consumed during a period (251 seconds) is:

The energy consumed during 24 hours is:

The autonomy without sun with full battery is:

One day of solar charging provides device 1 with autonomy (without sunlight) of:

with :

- photovoltaic panel power (W);
- discharge efficiency of the lithium polymer battery;
- : charging efficiency of the lithium polymer battery;
- sun intensity output;
- : solar irradiation time (hours);
- average voltage of the lithium polymer battery (V);
- : energy consumed for 24 hours (mAh).

The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will be clear to those skilled in the art. In particular, all of the computing resources and modules of the device can be configured to operate differently. It is for example possible to vary the wake-up step of the microcontroller and thus increase its operating frequency, or to modify the operating cycles presented above in order to adapt the collar to the needs of its user. In particular, it is possible to modify the configuration of the device so that it is adapted to the needs of an animal behavior researcher.

Claims (17)

Device (1) for monitoring an animal (5), intended to be worn by the animal, comprising:
- a photovoltaic module (6);
- a battery (12) arranged to be powered by the photovoltaic module, the battery being intended to power:
• data acquisition means comprising:
⇒ a geolocation module (13) of the device;
⇒ a thermometer (8) intended to measure the temperature of the animal when the device is worn by the animal;
⇒ means for periodic description of movement (14) of the animal;
• a data communication module (15) by radio waves;
• timing means (31) for data communication between two periods of description of movement of the animal, these timing means comprising a microcontroller (31). Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the means for periodically describing movement (14) of the animal comprise a position sensor, the microcontroller (31) being intended to collect positions measured by the position sensor during each movement description period and being able to control the geolocation module (13), the thermometer (8), the position sensor (14) and the communication module (15) to time the communication of data between two description periods movement of the animal Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the geolocation module (13) comprises:
- a body (22) for searching for geolocation data and ephemeris data, connected to the battery (12) by a backup pin; And
- a control chip (21) connected to the data search unit (22) and connected to the battery (12), the control chip (21) further comprising a control pin connected to the microcontroller (31);
this research unit and this control chip being arranged so that:
- upon activation, by the microcontroller (31), of the control pin of the control chip, the chip (21) activates the search, by the data search unit, for geographical location data of the device (1) and ephemeris, the module then being in the nominal operating state;
- upon deactivation, by the microcontroller (31), of the control pin of the control chip, the chip (21) stops the search by the search unit (22), the module then switching to a standby state;
- in the standby state of the geolocation module (13), the connection of the unit to the battery (12) via the backup pin allows the backup, by the search unit, of the geographic location data and ephemeris data obtained beforehand by the research body (22). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the data communication module (15) is capable of communicating in accordance with the LoRaWAN protocol. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a module (16) for protecting the battery (12), the protection module comprising:
- a protection chip (17) of the battery (12) connected to terminals of the battery, the protection chip further comprising a first and a second battery protection pin;
- a first transistor connected between a power supply of the battery (12) and the first pin of the protection chip (17) so that, when a voltage across the battery (12) is greater than a predetermined value , the first transistor is disconnected from the first pin to avoid overcharging the battery;
- a second transistor connected between the battery power supply (12) and the second pin of the protection chip so that, when the voltage across the battery is lower than a predetermined value, the second transistor is disconnected of the second pin to avoid battery discharge. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electrical transformation chip (17) capable of:
- transform an electrical voltage produced by the photovoltaic module (6) into a predetermined, lower voltage for charging the battery; And
- supply the battery (12) with an electric charging current comprising a predetermined maximum charging intensity;
- reduce the intensity of the electric charging current once a charge level of the battery (12) has reached a predetermined value. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a module for determining (18) an electrical voltage of a member, the member being formed of the photovoltaic module (6) or of the battery (12 ), the module for determining the tension of the organ comprising:
- two resistors connected in series between the terminals of the member, so as to transform an electrical voltage at the terminals of the member into a lower voltage readable by a measuring member at the terminals of one of the resistors;
- a capacitor connected in parallel to one of the two resistors so as to eliminate a voltage fluctuation during a measurement. Animal surveillance collar (2), comprising:
- a device (1) for monitoring an animal according to any one of the preceding claims, the device preferably having a weight less than or equal to 250 grams and a maximum volume of 500 cubic centimeters;
- an unbalance (11) returning the device to a position such that, when the collar is worn around the neck of an animal, the monitoring device is positioned on the nape of the animal, the unbalance comprising a weight less than or equal to at 500 grams. Method of controlling (100) a monitoring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the monitoring device being carried by an animal (5), the method comprising the following steps:
- during a prior period (10), at regular predetermined intervals, the position sensor carries out a position measurement, preferably an angle measurement, so as to determine a description of movement of the animal during the prior period; then, after this preliminary period;
- the microcontroller determines (20) a battery charge level;
- the microcontroller determines (20) a sunlight level of the photovoltaic module;
- the thermometer determines (30) a temperature of the animal;
- the geolocation module determines (40) a location of the device; Then
- the communication module transmits (60) by radio waves, to a receiver located remotely, the description of movement, the charge level, the sunshine level, the temperature, and the determined location. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, in which, once the transmission step has been carried out, the steps are repeated, starting again with the prior period. Method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, in which all of the steps are carried out for a duration of less than 5 minutes, the prior period being less than 4 minutes. A method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, during or after the prior period, the position sensor (14) further determines a speed or acceleration so as to detect a sudden movement or shock of the animal (5). Method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in which, during the prior period:
- the position sensor (14) being in standby state, it is put in nominal operating state at each angle measurement and returns to standby state between each angle measurement;
- the microcontroller (31), the thermometer (8), the geolocation module (13), the communication module (15), are in standby state; Then
after the preliminary period:
- the microcontroller (31), the thermometer (8), the geolocation module (13), the communication module (15), go into nominal operating state. Method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in which, during the step (40) of determining the location of the device by the geolocation module (13), the microcontroller (31) is put into state standby until the location is obtained by the geolocation module. Method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, in which, in the standby state, the microcontroller (31) is put into nominal operating state at regular predetermined intervals, these intervals corresponding to a wake-up step, this step being preferably less than 5 seconds. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to implement the steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 15. A computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to implement the steps of the method (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 15.