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Data Logger [Student]

Introduction

A data logger is an electronic device that records measurements at set intervals over a period of time. Data loggers are typically compact, battery-powered devices equipped with an internal microprocessor, data storage, and one or more sensors. They can be deployed indoors, outdoors, and underwater, and can record data for up to months at a time, unattended.

Figure 1: Sample of a data logger in the field.[1]
Types of Data Loggers

All data loggers share the same basic parts they diverge on how data can be downloaded. To this end, there are 3 main types of data loggers:[2]

Stand-alone USB data loggers: they are compact, reusable and portable and offer low cost and easy setup and deployment

Web-based data logging systems: enable remote, around-the-clock internet based access to data via GSM cellular, Wi-Fi or Ethernet communications

Bluetooth low energy data loggers: measure and transmit temperature and relative humidity data wirelessly to mobile devices over 100-foot range

Data Logger applications in Agriculture

  • Temperature and Humidity Monitoring
  • Soil Temperature Monitoring
  • Barn and Greenhouse Monitoring
  • Livestock Transportation
  • Animal Feed Storage[3]

Medium-sized data loggers typically range from 213€ to 436€ per channel. Four to forty channels is typical for the majority of portable equipment.[4]

Also data loggers can vary according to their sensors:

  1. Temperature data logger: they monitor temperature throughout a time period and can provide alerts in the event of extreme temperature conditions.
  2. Wireless data logger: they are ideal for real-time, continuous monitoring, wireless data loggers operate from any location to the web-based device.
  3. Humidity data loggers: they feature built-in sensors to measure environmental humidity levels and provide real-time alerts in the event of abnormalities.
  4. Pressure data logger: they can be used in a variety of settings to measure the pressure of gases or liquids. Depending on the environment, pressure data loggers are generally designed to withstand harsh and underwater conditions.
  5. Vibration/shock data logger: is a device that can measure and record shocks and vibrations over a period of time. Data is provided digitally, usually in the form of acceleration and time. The recordings are then able to be retrieved or transmitted for examination and evaluation.
  6. RTD data logger: the resistance temperature detector (RTD) is a sensor that provides an indication of temperature.[5]

Data loggers combine analog and digital measurements with programming methodology to sense temperature, relative humidity and other sensors. This data is then passed to the database and analysis software for storing and analysing the monitored data.[6]

Figure 2: Data logger with ultrasonic sensor.[7]
Benefits of the data loggers:

  • They work 24 hours a day and 365 days of year while some logs data only during its predefined period.
  • Once it is setup, it performs data logging automatically and does not require presence of human and can transmit all the data automatically to the computer.
  • It is accurate as likelihood of human errors is not there.
  • It is easier to understand scientific experiments and scientific concept with the help of better graphs/plots.[8]

Because of the multiple uses that a data logger can have, the last decade they became really popular in the agriculture field.

Due to an experiment from the University of Florida (UF), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), data loggers were used for an evapotranspiration and water quality study. The study involves quantifying the crop coefficient for vegetable crops, for the development of irrigation best management practices. Several measurements were taken with the lysimeter, such as irrigation, drainage and runoff. Also the study involved 5 soil moisture probes. Both lysimeter and probes were wired to the data logger making the gathering of the data faster, easier and accurate.

According to the results of the survey, daily irrigation can be better managed by using the real time data rather than analyzing the data after irrigation to fine-tune the next day’s irrigation. In addition the wireless system offered intangible benefits such as convenient data collection, timely troubleshooting, improved decision making for irrigation and drainage and less data loss than the manual system.[9]

Another research on the application of data loggers in water management, in sage crops, showed that water savings of up to 90% compared with traditional irrigation practices of the agricultural zone were achieved.[10]

More information about data loggers:

Reference

[1] testo.com/en-AE/products/datalogger-humidity

[2] onsetcomp.com/files/data-logger-basics.pdf

[3] international.madgetech.com/data-loggers/applications

[4] fluke.com/library

[5] spotsee.io/blog/types-of-data-loggers

[6] Sagarkumar S. et al., (2011), Data Logger System: A survey, International Journal of Computer Technology and Electronics pages 24-26 published on the National Conference on Emerging Trends in Computer Science and Information Technology

[7] Brinkhoff, James & Hornbuckle, John & Dowling, Thomas. (2017). Multisensor Capacitance Probes for Simultaneously Monitoring Rice Field Soil-Water- Crop-Ambient Conditions. Sensors. 18. 53. 10.3390/s18010053

[8] rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Data-Loggers.html

[9] Shuka S., Yu Y. C., Hardin J. D. and Jaber F.H., (2006), Wireless Data Acquisition and Control Systems for Agricultural Water Management Projects, HorlTechnology 16(4) pages 595-604

[10] Gutierrez J., et al., (2014), Automated Irrigation System using a wireless sensor network and GPRS module, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement page 166-176 , VOL. 63, NO. 1

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