data recorder
Device storing measurements
A data recorder is a device that captures and stores information for later analysis.
Flight data recorders—black boxes—preserve aircraft instrument readings to help investigators reconstruct accidents.
Similar devices in vehicles log speed, braking, and other metrics.
The term extends to any equipment or software that systematically logs data: The experiment used a data recorder to track temperature changes overnight.
Opaque system or device
Input-detecting device
- transducerEnergy form converter
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- sampling rateCaptures per second
- signal processingMathematical manipulation of waveforms
firmware · memory storage · bandwidth · encryption · analog-to-digital · buffer · timestamp · synchronization
Maintaining something's condition
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- retrievalAct of getting back
- catalogingSystematic organization into records
- repositoryPlace for storing things
retention · indexing · long-term storage · file management · metadata · audit trail · compliance · chain of custody
Accuracy of measurement
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- signal-to-noise ratioWanted versus background level
- linearityStraight-path property
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
verification · validation · reliability · consistency · drift · repeatability · traceability · reference standards
Written instructions for use
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
- user guideProduct instruction document
- datasheetTechnical product summary document
- installation guideDocument explaining proper setup
black box
Opaque system or device
sensor
Input-detecting device
- transducerEnergy form converter
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- sampling rateCaptures per second
signal processing · firmware · memory storage · bandwidth · encryption · analog-to-digital · buffer · timestamp · synchronization · calibration
preservation
Maintaining something's condition
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- retrievalAct of getting back
- catalogingSystematic organization into records
repository · retention · indexing · long-term storage · file management · metadata · audit trail · compliance · chain of custody · version control
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- signal-to-noise ratioWanted versus background level
- linearityStraight-path property
resolution · verification · validation · reliability · consistency · drift · repeatability · traceability · reference standards · quality control
manual
Written instructions for use
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
- user guideProduct instruction document
- datasheetTechnical product summary document
installation guide · operating instructions · annotation · event log
- recordersdictation machine, dictaphone, microcassette, reel-to-reel, camcorder
- Crash InvestigationsNTSB, crash investigation, crash site, crash scene, black box
- Black BoxesFDR, closed system, abstraction, encapsulation, opacity
- crash forensicscrash scene, collision, skid marks, point of impact, debris field
- flight recordersblack box, FDR
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, liftoff, orbit