Data Logging : Introduction

Computers are often used by companies and scientists to automatically measure and record changes in conditions such as :

• The temperature of a furnace.
• The speed at which an object is travelling.
• The amount of light in a room.
• The amount of oxygen in a river.
• The level of noise being made by aircraft flying over a town.

When a computer is used to automatically collect and record data as it is produced we say that the computer is being used for data logging.

A data logging system consists of sensors connected via an interface to a computer and some data logging software.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004