Recent developments and recommendations for improving harmonic radar tracking systems

The paper presents some recent developments in harmonic radar tracking systems. These are widely used for monitoring and tracking of low flying insects like honey bees, butterflies, snail and carabid beetles, and come under the category of individual marking techniques and use harmonic range detection or range finding for tracking insects tagged with harmonic transponders. In most cases the transponder is, however, a vertical rod or trailing wire both of which hinder insect movement. This paper presents recommendations for improving the harmonic radar, detectable range and minimizing the weight and size of transponder. It presents externally biased microstrip antenna based prototype harmonic transponder.