Field data collection

There are thousands of applications which require field data collection.

Geological surveys, mapping, oil exploration and the military are some of the field which requires field data. Modern day applications like mobile infrastructure, fiber optic networks and telephony all require field data. Field data collection is therefore an important activity. It is also highly complex and requires several technologies and instruments. The advent of handheld PC's has revolutionized field data collection methods. Real time data can now be made available instantaneously. These handheld instruments usually operate with Windows CE system software or in some mobile instances with Symbian OS. The hardware aspects of handheld computers have undergone more extensive changes.

The major reason being size limitations. Since storage consumes a vast amount of space (in comparison to the total size), hard disks or CD-Rom drives cannot be accommodated on a handheld device. This has necessitated the use of SD memory, which used to be prohibitively expensive. But with use, its price has now gone down. Customized microprocessors have been developed for the handheld devices. These have low power consumption, resulting in smaller power packs which reduce overall size. To some extent some features which are found in normal PC's are curtailed in handheld devices. It is argued that in any case, applications pertaining to handheld computers do not call for extensive capabilities.

Handheld devices provide real time data which can be directly transmitted to a central location for further processing. In addition to text, field data collection would also include digital mapping and photography, video capture and transmission. Geographical positioning is also quite popular in Oil exploration and geological surveys. All this has made field data collection more robust and complete. Modern field data collection techniques have resulted in real time, online information which has in turn resulted in better performance of systems and processes.