How Detection Resolution Is Calculated

TrackBats needs at least 6–8 pixels across the body of a bat to reliably distinguish it from background noise. The number of pixels a bat occupies depends on three variables: the camera's field of view, its resolution, and the distance between the camera and the bat at the point of crossing.

The diagram below illustrates the geometry. Adjust the values in the simulator to check whether your specific camera and deployment distance will produce sufficient image resolution.

Camera θ FOV Pixels resolution Scene Distance D (e.g., 10m) Bat Camera Field of View Geometry Camera position (left) • FOV cone (green area) • Scene distance (right)

Simulator

Enter your camera specifications and the expected distance from camera to bat. The result tells you whether the setup meets the minimum detection threshold.

Awaiting simulation Enter your settings to check whether the camera is suitable.

Next Steps

If your setup meets the detection threshold, you are ready to record. If not, the two most practical levers are reducing the camera-to-exit distance or switching to a narrower FOV lens — both increase pixels per bat without changing the sensor.

Contact us if you would like help evaluating a specific camera model or optimising your recording setup.

Guide Choosing a Thermal Camera for Bat Surveys
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