Technical Testing of the Wristwatch Size Automatic Physiological and Environmental Monitor (WAPEM): Laboratory and Outdoor Evaluations of Environmental Sensors Performance

摘要

The wristwatch size automatic physiological and environmental monitor (WAPEM) is a miniature instrument worn on the wrist, capable of measuring relative humidity (RH), ambient temperature (Ta), solar radiation (SR), and human activity in a small, water- resistant, durable enclosure. It is fitted with a 4-digit display that can be used to view each of these parameters by using selection buttons on the front face. When not in data mode, WAPEM serves as the wearer's primary timepiece. WAPEM can be programmed through a personal computer from a simple initialization of existing firmware to a complete rewrite of this firmware, because WAPEM is circuit reprogrammable. It is therefore possible to make changes to the WAPEM operational code and, in particular, the formulation of stress/strain algorithms used to make predictions based upon on- line measurements, or a history of humidity, temperature, SR, and human activity. The activity channel is designed to function for sleep scoring (ZGM), as well as monitoring daytime activity with the proportional channel (PIM). The proposed WAPEM is designed to provide the capability to quantify sleep loss and metabolic expenditures for the individual warfighter, and to enable personalized estimates of the effects of several key stressors on physical or mental performance in operational settings.