Cooking Embedded Systems for Biological Field Research

Jeff Muday, Wake Forest University Department of Biology

contact: m u d a y j a @ w f u . e d u

Biological data collection provides the information for detailed analysis of animals, plants, and their surrounding environment. Since the advent of this research, data was collected in tradional notebooks. While these functioned well, it still leaves a great deal to be desired when logging cannot occur at a high enough sampling rate, or human error may lead to false data. Since the computer has become the ubiquitos analysis tool for science. It would convienient to collect such data in an electronic form. Collection of data in this manner leads to great savings in the amount of time to do interpretation and data entry. The labor saved can be better put to use studying and analyzing the results. The elimination of interpretive or sampling rate errors also helps prevent false artifacts or other data errors.

The Department of Biology has seriously utilized computing in the field only since 1995. In some respects we are relative newcomers, but have recently made some significant headway toward establishing some unique custom programs for field use. We are currently in search of a "generalized" data collection/logging program for use in the field. It is a frustrating task to conceive that such a program could exist, and whether a program designed for such a general audience would be useful in satisfying the many domain specific requirements in actual field research.

The eventual goal of this project is to create a wireless client/server computing model for use in the rugged wilds also known as biological field stations. Presently, WFU Department of Biology has field work taking place most notably in the Ecuador (Galapagos Islands), Peru (Andean Rain Forests), Florida (Archbold Research Station), Appalachain Mountains, and the Wyoming/Colorado Rockies. Each of these environments presents unique challenges to somewhat delicate computing equipment.

Use in the Galapagos

We have been provided with ruggedized PDA devices. Most recently, we began using Symbol Systems model 2700. The 2700 is not the most state-of-the-art model available, nor does it have a flashy color screen, but it makes up for this with long battery life compared to other WindowsCE/PocketPC platforms. Another major advantage is that the device is ruggedized and weatherproofed. Other special features of which we have taken advantage is the integrated bar code scanner.

The types of data collection done by the research crew are animal census, blood sampling, examination of morphological features, as well as behavior logging.

Future directions

GPS integration
Client/Server database operations

Embedded Server project