Recipient Organization
GHOSTWAVE INC.
4200 DUBLIN RD LOT 14
COLUMBUS,OH 432215005
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Honey bees flap their wing at 210 flaps per second. With a radar, we were able to capture that information. This proposal is to compare helathy and unhelathy hives to show there is a correlation between wing speed and hive health. At the end of the project we wil have a non-invasive method of remotely monitoring honey bee hive health.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Goals / Objectives
The overall technical objectives of this proposal are to 1) Use radar sensors to monitor honey bee arrivals, departures, and wing Doppler over time; and 2) Show there is a change in Doppler that is reflective of hive health. As this project progresses into Phase 2, we can also show the same sensor technology will be used to identify predators such as Asian Hornets that are not in the U.S. yet. The related questions addressed by the proposed work are; 1) What radar frequency will best capture wing speed of honey bees? 2) Is there a relationship between colony health and wing speed? and 3) How can we best communicate hive health with the data?According to Michael H. Dickinson of Caltech, "When bees want to generate more power--for example, when they are carting around a load of nectar or pollen--they increase the arc of their wing strokes, but keep flapping at the same rate." This proposal is to monitor the wing speed of honey bees entering and leaving a hive using a non-invasive radar. If there is a change in the wing strokes, this can be an indication of a change in the Varroa level impacting hive health. The Phase 1 goal is to find the best frequency and position of radar(s) on a hive. We want a continuous measurement of honey bee wing beats per second and the number of bees entering and exiting the hive. The overall objective of this research is to develop a low-cost, low-power, light weight (SWaP) radar system for surveillance and detection of honey bee's activity at the colony entrance. The specific objective of Phase I is to determine the technical feasibility and operation of such a system. The result will be a report showing options for range, resolution, coverage (90?), power requirements and a design package with block diagram and schematics. Our efforts will focus on identifying, evaluating, analyzing, and developing potential solutions to maximize the scanning distance according to the following considerations and requirements: Low-cost (use off-the-shelf sensors and detectors) or vehicle radars for Phase 1 Weatherproof Capable of being integrated into a wireless, cloud computing system6.1 Optimize FrequencyWith radar technology, there is a balance between range, resolution, and power. This project will target using the high frequency radars. The use of high frequency radars will reduce the antenna size, therefore reducing the size and weight of the radar system. Also, we will focus on low power radars for Phase I, to assure the hardware is compatible with Phase II.6.2 CoverageSystem coverage must be evaluated. If this is forward looking radar only, one radar is sufficient. Range will be maximized starting with a target of 0.5m. If a wider range is required, options such as beam forming will be considered during the data collection period.
Project Methods
Develop a lab testing plan and template to identify the best frequency for honey bee wing speed capture. Plan will include different frequencies and locations of the radar. Owner: PD/PI and RF ConsultantMeasure the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of honey bee activity at different frequencies to find the ideal frequency. GhostWave will use the Ohio State University Electro-Science Lab Network Analyzer in the Terahertz Lab for this step. A ½" ball bearing will be used for calibration of the equipment. After calibration, frequencies between 10 Ghz and 100 Ghz will be used to detect RCS for frozen honeybees, bumble bees and predator insects. Owner: RF Engineer at Ohio State Electro Science labPlot the results Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officePurchase various commercial radars at the frequencies determined in 7.2.1. Owner: PD/PINote: 5.8 GHZ, 24 GHz, 61 GHz and 77GHz are in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band and are not used for communications. There are regulatory benefits if these frequencies are selected for our data recording.Note: a 24 GHz radar has a wavelength at approximately the size of a bee. 77 GHz is approximately half the size of a bee. Also, automotive frequency of 24 GHz and 77 GHz are readily available. Our previous trial showed radar resonates because some bee structures are at ½ wavelength.Acquire equipment to capture the data, including: Owner: RF Engineer and PImini-PC Brix - to collect data on site.Notebook PC to run MatLab and for USB Oscilloscope SoftwareUSB Oscilloscope SoftwareMatLab - to read output dataMatLab Radar Module - pre-programmed radar modulesTerabyte Drive for Data StorageTwo Broodminer (www.broodminder.com) commercial hive monitoring devicesUsing MatLab, develop modules for importing data and analyzing the wing Doppler and bee direction of flight. Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officeWeather-proof the radars with silicon sealant and weatherproof connectors. Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officeIdentify a container for mini-PC.By RF Engineer at GhostWave officeDevelop detailed testing plan to capture and record data from multiple hives. Owner: PD/PI and Dr. Reed JohnsonTime, temperature, humidity, radar location, frequencyPrepare to collect data over time (days)Software development to capture Doppler and count of incoming and outgoing Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officeConnect and verify radar data collection equipment. This will be a significant task to assure we are collecting and storing data for analysis. Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officeConnect and Verify hive (non-radar) monitoring equipment Owner: Ohio State Graduate Student at the Ohio State Bee LaboratoryData Collection. Range of ~0.5m from hive entrance. Owner: Ohio State Graduate Student at the Ohio State Bee Laboratory (Per Dr. Johnson, August and September are when the hives are the sickest)Monitor colonies with low and high Varroa mite and DWV levels simultaneously.Monitor colonies exposed to pesticides and nutrition stressCollect other data simultaneously - Temperature, Humidity, Wind Speed, Wind DirectionIdentify location, and direction of radar on hive entrance. X and Y coordinates and angleContinuously send radar data to mini-PC BrixNote: This project will require a large dynamic range to get wing speed and direction. The I and Q (in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q)) components can be sent to the data collection PC in stereo through the audio input.Plot the data using MatLab radar module Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officeData Analysis. Owner: Ohio State Graduate Student at the Ohio State Bee LaboratoryReport Finding to Department of Agriculture Owner: PD/PITechnicalFinancialInvestigate Power requirements for Phase 2 Owner: RF Engineer at GhostWave officePublication of White Paper Owner: PD/PI