# 411: Batteries Get Upset

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2022-05-05
- Length: 1h 07m
- Episode: 411
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/411

## Summary

Ethan Slattery, an embedded software engineer at Wildlife Computers, discusses the design and deployment of wildlife telemetry tags for marine animals like elephant seals and tuna. He explains how these devices use the Argos satellite network for one-way data transmission, relying on light-based localization and Fastloc GPS to track animal movement while managing extreme power constraints. Slattery details the engineering challenges of battery performance in cold, high-pressure environments, the durability of epoxy-encased hardware, and the rigorous testing required for long-term archival devices.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=6) Introduction and Wildlife Computers Overview
- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=90) Animal Encounters and Crested Auklets
- [13:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=781) Tracker Durability and Release Mechanisms
- [16:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=972) Argos Satellite Data Transmission
- [21:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=1279) Localization: Light Algorithms and Fastloc GPS
- [23:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=1430) Embedded Processing and Power Management
- [25:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=1503) Testing Strategies and Battery Challenges
- [30:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=1803) Miniaturization and Field Work Stories
- [49:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset#t=2982) Vaquita Project and Career Advice

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Wildlife Computers (company)
- Argos (other)
- MBARI (company)
- Nautilus Live (other)
- Ze Frank (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Pet Tracking with IoT-Enabled Smart Collars | Halo Collar's Ken Ehrman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-06-14-pet-tracking-with-iot-enabled-smart-collars-halo-collars-ken-ehrman) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [#025: Powered by Sunlight, Fenced by Software: Inside Monil's Cattle Collar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-10-05-025-powered-by-sunlight-fenced-by-software-inside-monils-cattle-collar) (Coredump Sessions)
- [Electronics at the Top of the World | The Artful Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-03-19-electronics-at-the-top-of-the-world-the-artful-engineer) (EE Times Current)
- [Clap on, clap off, lights flicker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-12-clap-on-clap-off-lights-flicker) (The Amp Hour)
- [E056 Tile's Steve Klinkner | What are the Challenges of Asset Tracking in the Consumer Space?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2020-03-10-e056-tiles-steve-klinkner-what-are-the-challenges-of-asset-tracking-in-the-consu) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-05-411-batteries-get-upset. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.