New Marking and Monitoring Techniques
Statement of Work and Budget FY2006
Final Sept 30, 2006

1983-319-00
New Marking and Monitoring Techniques
2760-9
B2CC PIT Tag System
5.30.04 through 9.30.06

Zeke Mejia
Chief Technology Officer
Digital Angel Corporation
490 Villaume Avenue
South St. Paul, MN  55075
651.552.6323
zmejia@digitalangelcorp.com

Project Continuation of Contract 2760, Release 00014

Bonneville Second Powerhouse Corner Collector
PIT Tag System
Statement of Work

Project 1983-319-00 is the Mainstem/Systemwide project for developing new PIT tag detection systems, including the development of a PIT tag detector for the new Bonneville Corner Collector.  The juvenile bypass systems at Bonneville currently have PIT detection, which is critical to reach survival estimates and Biological Opinion performance measurements.  However, when the Bonneville corner collector becomes operational, most of the fish that would have been detected in the bypass system will pass via the corner collector.  Therefore, having detection in the new Bonneville Corner Collector is critical to reach survival estimates, which are critical to measuring progress toward performance standards in the 2005 NMFS Biological Opinion check-in.  Additionally, showing progress toward the development of this technology is part of the 3-year check-in.

This Contract Release provides for Digital Angel Corporation (DA) to continue supporting the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in developing, manufacturing, and installing passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag technology in the federal Columbia and Snake River hydroelectric projects.  More specifically, this release includes the development of a PIT-tag detection system for the Bonneville Corner Collector, commonly referred to as Hi-Q PIT.

I.  Scope of Work

This contract calls for DA to provide technical services, including all labor, travel, and associated expenses necessary to develop the Bonneville Corner Collector PIT detection system electronics.  This contract release in combination with Release No. 7 for the transceiver development and with the Corps of Engineers structural design and construction efforts will result in the fully functional prototype system.

A.  Phase 1 - Feasibility Evaluation of Options.  In this phase Digital Angel will be investigating a wide range of PIT tag, antenna, analog electronics, digital electronics, and digital signal processor (DSP) techniques to maximize the performance of the PIT Tag system for the Hi-Q program.  Initial electronics investigations will be performed with breadboard prototypes of the antenna driver and analog front-end portions of the Hi-Q system.  The DSP algorithms will be coded and tested on a DSP Starter Kit for the candidate DSP part fitted with a custom analog-to-digital converter board connected to the DSP Starter Kit via an expansion bus.  After initial investigations of a wide variety of approaches to the antenna drivers, analog front-end, detector/decoder, and PIT tag decoding, the most promising approaches will be selected for printed circuit board prototyping with a laboratory antenna.  This final evaluation stage in Phase I will provide the foundation for the selection of the overall technical approach to a large-scale system integration and test in Phase II.  Phase I consists of the following tasks.

B.  Phase 2 - Field Test Prototype and Evaluation.  Based on the results from the Phase 2 prototype analysis, the best electronic solutions will be evaluated at a test site provided by the Corps of Engineers.  The test site may be something already in existence or may need to be fabricated.   Ideally, the test site will need to allow for the flexibility of easily modifying antennas, introducing water, and accommodating shielding options.  This site is critical as it will be the first opportunity to integrate a system with all the major components.  It will allow the design team to identify any issues with the entire system to make the installation phase as simple as possible.  Other benefits include:

1.  Testing of Antenna structure/housing prior to the installation to reduce risk.
2.  Expedite the development of the system by working in a controlled environment.
3.  Allow for the ease of modifications.
4.  Provide a platform for further development or refinement of the system during the water-up or construction period.
5.  Provides a jump-off point prior to construction if there is inadequate performance or if technical issues arise.
6.  The site can be used for additional proof of principle concepts that are beyond the current schedule such as: tag improvements, algorithm enhancements and the possibility of adding anti-collision circuitry to the tag and reader to improve the performance of the Hi-Q system.

Digital Angel will support the Corps in the design of the test site and provide the electrical specifications necessary.  Digital Angel and the Corps will team to develop the electrical and mechanical antenna specifications.  Testing will be done on all system components based on the Corps, BPA and Digital Angel recommendations from Phase 1.  Also testing will be done for E and H field noise immunity.  Hatfield and Dawson will be subcontracted by Digital Angel to verify the system is in compliance with human exposure guidelines.  Pit Tag models from Phase 1 will be placed in glass (not form-fit) if approved by the BPA.  Electronic options recommended by the Corps and BPA from Phase 1 will be optimally laid out on printed circuit boards.  Lab power supplies will be replaced with appropriate off-the-shelf power supplies.  DSP algorithm development will continue based on Phase 1 recommendations.  A report of the test results will be presented to the BPA for a "Go - No Go" decision on whether to proceed with the installation phase.

C.  Phase 3.  Installation at Bonneville Dam.  The installation phase of this development may involve one or more options.  This budget assumes that electronics assemblies for two sites will be built.  The BPA may decide to use more or less sites based on the evaluation of the Phase 2 options, at which time contract modifications would be necessary.  Digital Angel will support the Corps and/or its subcontractors in the design/assembly of the antenna systems for installation.  Digital Angel will also provide on-site support during the construction and evaluation activities as needed.  PIT tags with the enhancements selected in Phase 2 will be produced in adequate quantities for fish testing.  In the case of the tag construction enhancement, the tags may be in 18mm glass.  The electronic option(s) selected during the performance of this contract release will be documented and mechanically packaged.  System refinements and improvements may occur throughout the Testing and Evaluation effort.