There are 17 additional portable units that can be deployed for intensive observations as needed. The network entered test operation in late 1994 and has produced high-quality data in sufficient quantity since early 1996. The BATS instrumentation is designed to cover a variety of research demands.
All stations are capable of telecommunication for immediate retrieval of specific events.
One of BATS's original goals is to routinely estimate source parameters of earthquakes occurring in the region, particular those offshore events east of Taiwan where coverage by the local network is poor. The solutions are routinely posted in BATS web site and sent out through e-mail.