While data loggers, sensors, and cloud datacenters make up the backbone of environmental measurement systems for continuous monitoring, various other displays are commonly used both during fieldwork and normal operation.
Field computers, handheld display units, and mobile devices like smartphones are used both for real-time data collection and configuration of permanent installations. On-site displays are sometimes a part of remote measurement systems, while mobile apps allow for an alternative to both field computers for system configuration and cloud datacenters for remote data access.
Together, these components help to fill out the functionality and add flexibility to environmental monitoring programs.
Field Computers
Since most sensors and data collection platforms require configuration using computer-based software programs or mobile apps, a field computer is useful to have available during a monitoring campaign. A basic laptop is sufficient for some applications, but true field computers are equipped with features like durable housing to protect against drops and the elements, long battery life, and a sunlight-readable display.
Field computers facilitate interfacing with measurement systems via a cabled connection like USB—or wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth. They are ideal for tasks like data acquisition from standalone logger units and on-site calibration of sensors. With extended battery life and data storage capacity, they are also useful for survey applications that often require the operation of sensors and data acquisition systems for an extended period of time.
Digital Display Units
Display units for environmental monitoring applications can be in the form of handheld units for direct data acquisition or permanently installed displays for showing measurement data on site.
Handheld units are similarly rugged to field computers but are generally designed for a specific sensor platform. They can communicate with devices using a cabled or wireless connection and are ideal for manual spot sampling surveys, verification of field-deployed sensor readings, and instrument calibration.
Permanent displays are used in cases where it is desirable to display measurement results directly at the monitoring site. This can be useful in settings such as public recreation areas or industrial facilities.
Certain water quality instruments offer digital data displays that can viewed in the field during sampling.
Mobile Apps for Environmental Data Collection
Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used to supplement or replace more traditional computers and displays. These devices run mobile applications, commonly called apps, to facilitate device setup, field sampling, and data management. Apps are created for use on a mobile operating system, with iOS and Android being the most common, and are downloaded from an app store accessible on the mobile device.
Apps can facilitate setup and maintenance by providing an alternative to field computers and handheld display units for interfacing with sensors and data loggers via Bluetooth or other short-range communication methods. This allows the user to configure communications settings, perform calibrations, and run instrument diagnostics from any compatible mobile device.
Once connected to a sensor, the app may also allow for manual sampling and data logging to the mobile device, eliminating the need for a dedicated handheld unit. Since most smartphones and tablets are equipped with GPS, apps can also leverage this to simultaneously record the geographic location of data samples without the need to connect an external GPS receiver.
For data management, apps function as a condensed version of a cloud datacenter. They present data in a streamlined manner for on-the-go data tracking and can provide push notifications to alert for critical events. The feature set may be more limited than the full cloud datacenter program but may still include functions like remote data logger controls.
Data collected by real-time systems in the field can be accessed and displayed on a mobile app.
Conclusion
Field computers, displays, and mobile apps are integral components to supplement sensor, data logging and telemetry hardware. They can easily be transported to field locations, where they are an essential aid to perform tasks such as instrument configuration, calibration, spot sampling, and troubleshooting while on site.
Mobile apps in particular offer an efficient option for performing these tasks because they leverage devices like smartphones that most users already have available. This reduces equipment needs and costs while still providing a high degree of flexibility and the ability to remotely access data stored on a cloud datacenter.