datalogger

A datalogger is an electronic device that automatically records measurements over time. It is used to monitor environmental conditions, industrial processes, or energy usage, storing sensor readings for later analysis and archival.

A datalogger comprises sensors or metrology interfaces, a processing unit, and data storage. It includes an internal clock to timestamp each sample, an analog-to-digital converter for sensor signals, and a power source such as a battery or power adapter. Inputs may be single or multi-channel, and some loggers support external sensors via specialized interfaces.

Many loggers are stand-alone and operate autonomously, while others are portable or designed for field use. They may offer wired or wireless communication (USB, Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) to transfer data in real time or on request. Some support triggers or event logging.

Common applications include weather stations, environmental monitoring, agricultural irrigation control, industrial process monitoring, and energy management. Datasets are commonly exported as CSV, JSON, or XML for analysis in spreadsheets and statistical software. Important considerations include measurement resolution, sampling interval, memory capacity, clock accuracy, sensor compatibility, calibration, and environmental ruggedness.