data logging

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Data logging is the collection of data over a period of time, and is something often used in scientific experiments. Data logging systems typically monitor a process using sensors linked to a computer. Most data logging can be done automatically under computer control.

The data logging process

Sensors have an important role in the data logging process. All physical properties can be measured with sensors such as light, heat, sound, pressure, acidity and humidity.

The sensors send signals to an interface box, which is linked to a computer. The interface box converts analogue signals to digital signals that the computer can understand.

The computer controlling the process will take readings at regular intervals. The time interval for data logging is the time between readings. The logging period is the total length of time over which readings are taken.

The readings are stored in tables and can be displayed in graphs or passed to an application, such as aspreadsheetspreadsheetA spreadsheet is made up of cells, rows and columns. Each cell holds a piece of numeric (numbers) or alphanumeric (text) data. Cells can also contain formulae to calculate their contents., for later analysis.

Sometimes it is necessary to record data [datainformation without context, eg a list of students with numbers beside their names is data, when it's made clear that those numbers represent their placing in a 100 metre race, the data becomes information ] 'out in the field'. This is called remote data logging. Readings are stored and brought back to a computer where they are downloadeddownloadthe transfer of a file or files from one computer connected to the Internet to anotherand analysed. The equipment in these situations needs to be very robust - equipment used to monitor water levels would have to be waterproof; similarly equipment working in a satellite would have to be able to withstand vibration during launch and recovery.

An example of data logging

The following describes an experiment to determine the rate at which…

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