What is Data Logging ??

Data Logging . . .

Data logging is the process whereby physical data for example temperature, humidity, motion, pressure or light is collected using electronic sensor, which are usually built in to a device known as a data logger. The data is then downloaded from the data logger and stored to a computer or other hardware such as laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), or graphics calculator. Specialized software programs enable this data to be displayed on a computer or other hardware in the fort of charts, graphs, and tables. It is also possible to open these collected data files in a spreadsheets program as tab delimited text or the more common CSV (comma separated values) figures.

Sensor

A sensor is a device that senses surrounding data which is then recorded by a datalogger. 

Generally, four or more sensors are capable of being connected to a datalogger, depending 

on the model. There are over 40 different sensors available, including light, temperature, 

pressure, conductivity, motion, humidity, oxygen, Carbon dioxide, pH and voltage, altitude, 

dew point, wind speed, and wind chill.

Data Logger

A datalogger is a basic box capable of picking up and storing signals from sensors. For ease
of use they generally have a minimum number of displays and controls and their portability
enables remote datalogging, i.e., logging data  away from the computer. Dataloggers are
either fitted with an internal battery that is rechargeable or use regular alkaline batteries.
Some may also have external power supplies. Most data loggers store data in non-volatile
memory, which means the data will not be lost if the power supply fails. It is important to note
that low battery charge may cause some dataloggers to behave erratically. A cable or docking
station is normally provided to facilitate a  connection to a computer (or other hardware).
Dataloggers can also make use of Bluetooth or Infra red communication to transfer data.

Software

Typically, datalogging units include software, which allow data to be transferred from the
datalogger to a computer (or other hardware) in order to be analysed, presented graphically
or manipulated. Software also allows the datalogger to be programmed for remote use.
Issues such as ease of use and installation, quality of graph production and analysis, data
transferral and manual input of data depend on the quality of the software.


*Source : Here