Like SPECT’R,
the SPECTR Mobile software package performs spectral analysis,
ultrasonic translation, and hard-disk recording. However, the Mobile
version is optimized for running on the latest ultra-mobile (UMPC)
class of handheld computers. SPECT’R Mobile is primarily intended to be
used as a mobile field recorder, but it can also be used as standalone
playback processor to playback and analyze recordings.
SPECT’R Mobile retains many of the important features of SPECT’R including:
the digital compensation filter; SonoSCOPE, the
real-time sonogram; and the playback feature with time-stretching
capability. It also includes a versatile hard-disk recorder that
supports two different recording modes: full-bandwidth, and snapshot.
In full-bandwidth mode,
the entire bandwidth of the ultrasonic receiver is recorded continuously
to disk. This preserves all the nuances of the original ultrasonic
environment. Full-bandwidth recordings can be reprocessed
after-the-fact to search for bat vocalizations, create snapshot files
and/or perform acoustic species identification. Full-bandwidth mode is
most useful for recording emergences or other events where large groups
of bats will be recorded. Finally, when in snapshot
mode SPECT’R Mobile operates as an automated (full-bandwidth)
snapshot recorder, generating snapshots only when bat vocalizations are
detected. All recordings are stored using industry standard 16-bit .wav
file format. Both the full-bandwidth and snapshot files are compatible
with SonoBat (www.sonobat.com).
One of the driving factors in the design is to offer nearly hands-free
operation. To accomplish this the digital tuner was replaced with a
state-of-the-art
frequency compressor. The frequency compressor simultaneously
translates the entire ultrasonic environment down into the audio range.
It supports hands free operation, because no tuning is required. In
addition, the SonoSCOPE real-time sonogram was moved to the main window,
replacing the interactive spectral displays. This makes SPECT’R Mobile
easier to use and it improves the users ability to make quick bat
identification.
