| The term Telemetry, originates from the Greek words, | | | | for recording the readings of an instrument and |
| tele meaning remote, and metron meaning measure. | | | | transmitting them by radio. After each telemetry |
| The modern dictionary states that it is the science and | | | | record is read into core, selected data items are |
| technology of automatic measurement and relaying of | | | | extracted and placed into arrays for subsequent |
| data by wire, radio, or other means from remote | | | | processing. Sometimes this process requires extracting |
| sources, as from space vehicles, to receiving stations | | | | and examining the values of one or more data items |
| or system designers or operators for recording and | | | | before the extraction of other items. For instance, a |
| analysis. The primary purpose of any telemetry | | | | flag in the data indicates which of several formats the |
| system is to gather data at a place that is remote or | | | | data appears in, and the location of other data items |
| inconvenient, and to report the data back to a "point of | | | | within the record depends on this format. |
| contact" where the information is evaluated. Telemetry | | | | Biomedical telemetry or biotelemetry is the monitoring |
| refers to wireless communications, and is used | | | | of biological information from animals and man. The |
| generally in testing of moving vehicles such as cars, | | | | importance of this to basic biological, environmental and |
| aircrafts, missiles and satellites. National Aeronautics | | | | medical research cannot be overstated. Since the |
| and Space Administration (NASA), European Space | | | | early 70s, the technology to provide real time |
| Agency (ESA) and other space agencies employ | | | | physiological monitoring in the medical care units |
| telecommand systems to gather data from orbiting | | | | became widely recognized. This technology is used for |
| spacecraft and satellites. Telemetry is also used in | | | | long-term monitoring of the electrophysiological state of |
| applications such as electric and water meter reading. | | | | patients who are at risk of abnormal heart activity. In a |
| This has proven to be more cost effective than having | | | | CCU (coronary care unit) such patients are typically |
| a "meter reader" come by to read your utility meter. | | | | equipped with automatic recording, measuring, and |
| This term also relates to data transfer over other | | | | transmitting devices. An alerting function immediately |
| mediums, such as telephones or computer networks. | | | | summons nurses if the patient is suffering from a |
| When this system is used for both control and data | | | | critical condition. I myself have used this type of device |
| collection, the term supervisory control and data | | | | when in the hospital for what appeared to be a heart |
| acquisition is applied. Telemeter is the apparatus used | | | | attack (lucky it wasn't). |