Introduction and Overview
Last updated
Last updated
In this document you will find how to:
assemble Sensorgnome hardware
install the Sensorgnome V2 software
connect to a running Sensorgnome and perform maintenance tasks
troubleshoot when things don't work
Avoid getting frustrated: if it doesn't work, double-check, try again, perhaps try an alternative, but then ask for help! Don't waste hours of time.
If you can, connect your Sensorgnome to the internet and leave it running & connected: most of time the best troubleshooting happens using the log files it uploads.
To get help:
Search or post on the
Post in the Motus slack (sensorgnome channel)
Email tve at voneicken point com
Things that really help us help you:
Screen shots
Info about your hardware
Having your SG connected to the internet
Sensorgnome ID (or the hostname used during configuration)
Motus project number and station ID and/or deployment ID (if applicable)
Log files using the web UI or /var/log/syslog
and /var/log/sg-control.log
grabbed via SSH
A Sensorgnome is an automated radio receiver, designed to detect and record radio signals transmitted by wildlife tracking tags, without the need for any person to be present.
At its core, a Sensorgnome is powered by a Raspberry Pi (RPi). The RPi runs the software that listens for and records the radio data picked up by the antennas. In addition to the RPi, a Sensorgnome will have one or more USB dongles -- "software-defined radios" -- that take the raw radio signals from the antennas and convert it into a digital form that can be recognized and recorded by the RPi. Finally, the Sensorgnome will include a GPS and power supply, all of which is typically housed in a heavy-duty plastic case.
This guide is divided into four sections:
Hardware components and configuration, i.e. misc information about radios, USB, HATs, etc.
Initial software installation and configuration, i.e., how to get started
Data download and station maintenance, i.e., checking things when on-site
Appendix with additional information
Install the software, configure Sensorgnome password, verify access via hot-spot or internet.
Verify detection of GPS and optional hardware button/LED.
Configure radios and their ports, verify operation using test tags.
Verify network configuration and file upload, alternatively verify downloading files to phone/laptop.
Create/verify connection of Sensorgnome to Motus receiver deployment.
Perform an end-to-end check from test tags to uploaded data.