BIOMAR - a complex microsystem for marine biology applications under severe environmental conditions

Within the scope of a joint research project financed by the German Government (microsystem technology program) a miniaturised data logger system for marine biology applications has been developed and a prototype system has been tested with sea animals such as seals and penguins. The data logger system

presents itself as a stand-alone electronic unit, based on a battery-powered intelligent circuit with different sensor systems.
The measurement readings (e.g. pressure, temperature, water quality etc.) are recorded over a long period of time. The microsystem consists of a CPU (8-Bit microcontroller with integrated flash memory), to which four high-resolution 3-channel-A/D converters, the data memory, the real time clock, the power supply and the data interface are connected. The system data exchange is performed via a serial control bus, thus reducing the necessary connections to a minimum. The measurement readings collected during a field application are transmitted to a processing unit via IR or RF, analysed and visualised. The overall layout is that of a compact microsystem, which combines all traditional components. A sophisticated arrangement of all parts, such as power supply, nine different sensor systems (for determination of temperature, pressure, light conditions, oxygen content, conductivity, pH-value, velocity, location and horizontal position), analog and digital circuits, watertight seals of exchangeable components such as battery (3,6 V lithium device), water electrodes and communication interface results in a compact measurement device. The project partners were Driesen & Kern, Heidenhain Mikroprint, Radeberger Hybridelektronik, SLV Duisburg, TU Dresden, Atotech, Fraunhofer IZM. Project agency was VDI/VDE-IT GmbH.

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