A versatile and fast-sampling rate wearable analog data logger.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Wearable Technology
• Data Acquisition Systems

Background:

• Existing data loggers often have limitations in sampling rate, cost, or ease of replication.
• There is a need for accessible, high-performance data logging solutions in biomedical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a method for building and utilizing a low-cost, fast-sampling rate, and wearable analog data logger.
• To demonstrate the device's capability for high-resolution data collection and analysis.

Main Methods:

• Designed and described a wearable, open-source data logger using a low-cost microcontroller and microSD card storage.
• Implemented fast-sampling capabilities (up to 5 kHz for 3 channels, 40 kHz for 1 channel).
• Tested the device with a three-axial analog accelerometer to record body movements.

Main Results:

• Successfully recorded triple-axis acceleration data from body movements at high resolution.
• Utilized Fourier transform and principal component analysis to accurately discriminate between different participants and movement types (walking vs. running).
• Demonstrated the data logger's ability to collect analog signals from various sensors.

Conclusions:

• The developed data logger is a versatile, low-cost, and easily replicable solution for fast analog signal acquisition.
• It overcomes limitations of previous devices and can be customized for diverse biomedical applications.
• No engineering background is required to build and use this data logger.