What is Telemetry?

Telemetry is a technology that enables the automatic measurement and transmission of data from remote or inaccessible sources to an IT system. The term originates from the Greek words "tele," meaning remote, and "metron," meaning measure. In the context of software engineering and computing, telemetry are solutions that collect, process, and deliver all types of data from various applications, systems, and sensors, enabling functions such as IoT remote monitoring & control, predictive maintenance, and complex event processing.

How does Telemetry work?

Telemetry works by installing sensors or meters on the target system that need monitoring or tracking. Sensors capture and measure data ranging from system performance statistics, usage patterns, operational anomalies, or any other significant parameters. Once the data is collected, it's converted into readable formats before being transmitted over networks and forged into data/contol dashboards and analytics reports.

Telemetry data can be a useful source for troubleshooting, tuning systems for optimal performance, understanding how users interact with a system, and predicting future trends or malfunctions. The value it delivers ties directly to the richness of the collected data, the data analytics process's effectiveness, and the data delivery's timeliness.

Telemetry data example

Telemetry data is the automatic collection and transmission of data from remote or inaccessible sources to receiving software for monitoring and analysis. Here are examples of telemetry data from various domains:

1. Spacecraft Telemetry Data

Parameters:

• Timestamp: 2024-06-17T12:34:56Z

• Spacecraft ID: Hubble Space Telescope

• Subsystem: Power

• Voltage: 28.5 V

• Current: 1.2 A

• Temperature: 15°C

• Battery Status: 98% charged

• Solar Panel Status: Operational

2. Vehicle Telemetry Data

Parameters:

• Timestamp: 2024-06-17T12:35:00Z

• Vehicle ID: AB123CD

• Speed: 65 mph

• Engine RPM: 3000

• Fuel Level: 45%

• Oil Pressure: 55 psi

• Coolant Temperature: 85°C

• GPS Coordinates: 37.7749° N, 122.4194° W

3. Network Telemetry Data

Parameters:

• Timestamp: 2024-06-17T12:35:10Z

• Device ID: Router_01

• Interface: eth0

• Incoming Traffic: 500 Mbps

• Outgoing Traffic: 450 Mbps

• CPU Usage: 30%

• Memory Usage: 45%

• Packet Loss: 0.1%

4. Environmental Telemetry Data

Parameters:

• Timestamp: 2024-06-17T12:35:20Z

• Station ID: WeatherStation_02

• Temperature: 25°C

• Humidity: 60%

• Wind Speed: 15 km/h

• Wind Direction: NW

• Precipitation: 2 mm

• Air Pressure: 1013 hPa

5. Industrial Telemetry Data

Parameters:

• Timestamp: 2024-06-17T12:35:30Z

• Machine ID: CNC_Machine_07

• Operational Status: Running

• Spindle Speed: 1500 RPM

• Feed Rate: 100 mm/min

• Temperature: 70°C

• Vibration Level: 2.5 mm/s²

• Cycle Time: 45 s

Cardiac Telemetry Data

Parameters:

• Timestamp:

  2024-06-17T12:35:45Z

• Patient ID:

  123456

• Heart Rate:

  72 bpm (beats per minute)

• Blood Pressure:

  120/80 mmHg

• Respiratory Rate:

  16 breaths per minute

• Oxygen Saturation (SpO2):

  98%

• ECG Lead I:

  • P Wave Amplitude:

    0.2 mV

  • QRS Duration:

    90 ms

  • T Wave Amplitude:

    0.3 mV

• ST Segment Elevation:

  0.1 mV

• Arrhythmia Detection:

  None

• Pacemaker Status:

  No pacemaker detected

• Temperature:

  37.0°C

Detailed Breakdown:

1. Heart Rate

• Value:

  72 bpm

• Normal Range:

  60-100 bpm

• Notes:

  Within normal range

2. Blood Pressure

• Value:

  120/80 mmHg

• Normal Range:

  Systolic 90-120 mmHg, Diastolic 60-80 mmHg

• Notes:

  Within normal range

3. Respiratory Rate

• Value:

  16 breaths per minute

• Normal Range:

  12-20 breaths per minute

• Notes:

  Within normal range

4. Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)

• Value:

  98%

• Normal Range:

  95-100%

• Notes:

  Within normal range

5. ECG Data

• P Wave Amplitude:

  0.2 mV (normal)

• QRS Duration:

  90 ms (normal range: 80-100 ms)

• T Wave Amplitude:

  0.3 mV (normal)

• ST Segment Elevation:

  0.1 mV (within normal limits)

• Arrhythmia Detection:

  No arrhythmias detected

Telemetry data varies widely depending on the application and the parameters being monitored. It is crucial for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and analysis in medical, asaerospace, automotive, telecommunications, environmental science, and industrial automation.

Related Content

Remote Telemetry Unit: A Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) is a microprocessor-based electronic device used in industrial process control and monitoring systems.

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