Measurement, Instrumentation, Control and Analysis (MICA): A Modular System of Wireless Sensors

A modular system of small digital sensors and generators that includes a user interface with a graphical display and auditory feedback is being developed to address the limitations associated with measuring various aspects of human performance using bulky and often incompatible wired sensors and associated instrumentation. The initiative is called MICA (Measurement, Instrumentation, Control and Analysis) has entailed developing a high data rate, low latency wireless protocol. Optimized for real-time measurement and control, the protocol has been developed to link a network of sensors and generators to a central data acquisition system. The goal in designing MICA was simplicity and modularity at minimum cost without sacrificing instrumentation quality. The performance of the MICA sensor system is described in the context of measuring electrophysiological variables from active humans and the motion of objects under human control.