The Use of a Wireless Token Ring Protocol to Monitor Vital Data in Mute Swans

In this study, we obtained a license for a packet radio communication device (2.4GHz transceiver) equipped with a token ring protocol and attached it to mute swans (Cygnus olor) around Lake Teganuma, Abiko city, Japan, on a trial basis to collect vital data for potential screening purposes. As avian influenza is known to be transmitted from birds to humans, so further knowledge about the health of wild birds could prove useful for disease prevention. The heart and respiration rates of the swans could be monitored through a terminal attached to the back of the thoracic wall with 3-axis angular velocity sensors. Although many communication protocols have been reported for packet radio communication, in this study, we selected and implemented wireless token rings that were considered suitable for a flock of swans, and then confirmed the results of the field operation. In this experiment, although the number of terminals that participated was small, it was confirmed that the communication protocol smoothly shared files without congestion because the transmission right of the token ring could be turned by the accurate time of GPS. In the future, we would like to develop equipment that is smaller and lighter and adjust the communication protocol to monitor more wild birds.