Activity monitoring and motion classification of the lizard Chamaeleo jacksonii using multiple Doppler radars

Abstract

A simple, non contract and efficient tool for monitoring the natural activity of a small lizard (Chamaeleo jacksonii) to yield valuable information about their energy expenditure is presented. The tool allows monitoring in a non-confined laboratory environment and uses multiple Doppler. A classification algorithm is described, which can differentiate between fidgeting and locomotion through processing the quadrature baseband signals from the radars. The results have been verified by experiments using 10 GHz and 24 GHz radars, and indicate that the tool could also be used for automated monitoring of the activities of reptiles and other small animals.