AudioMoth: A low-cost acoustic device for monitoring biodiversity and the environment. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hill, Andrew P.; Prince, Peter; Snaddon, Jake L.; Doncaster, C. Patrick; Rogers, Alex
• Is Part Of: HardwareX. Volume 6(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Acoustic monitoring -- Audible and ultrasonic capability -- Conservation technology -- Soundscape monitoring -- Wildlife monitoring; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2019.e00073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-0672

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: Environmental sound is a powerful data source for investigating ecosystem health. To capture it, scientists commonly use ruggedized, but expensive acoustic monitoring equipment. In this paper we fully describe the hardware build of a low-cost, small, full-spectrum alternative, called AudioMoth. The credit-card sized device consists of a printed circuit board, micro-controller and a micro-electro-mechanical systems microphone. This simple to construct device facilitates: (1) deployments in remote locations, with a small size and a simple mechanism that allows it to be retrofitted into numerous low-cost ruggedized enclosures; (2) long-term monitoring, with low-power operation; (3) modular expansion, with easy to access general purpose input and output pins; and (4) acoustic detection, with onboard processing power.