Abstract
The general requirements of an activity monitor are listed. The principle of operation of microwave doppler radar is described. The circuitry is given for a sensitive radar activity monitor that works by detecting the doppler shift in microwaves reflected from a moving animal. The apparatus is automatic and nonintrusive, and it gives an output suitable for direct computer analysis. A high level of concordance is found with manual observation. A simple means of calibrating the device is described.
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This work was supported in part by a Medical Research Council studentship awarded to P. H. Martin. We are very grateful to Christine Proby and Paul Heavens for their assistance and to Michael Simpson. Patrick Bateson, and Robert Hinde for their comments on the draft manuscript. Correspondence should be addressed to D. M. Unwin.
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Martin, P.H., Unwin, D.M. A microwave doppler radar activity monitor. Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation 12, 517–520 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03201826
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03201826