Abstract : The wristwatch-size automatic physiological and environmental monitor (WAPEM) is a miniature instrument worn on the wrist that is capable of measuring relative humidity (RH), ambient temperature (Ta), solar radiation (SR), and human work activity in a small, water-resistant, durable enclosure. The WAPEM is fitted with a 4-digit display that can be used to view each of these parameters via selection buttons on the front face. When not in data mode, the WAPEM serves as the wearer's primary timepiece. Time is set in the usual digital manner with the front buttons. The lower side, near the buttons, houses the computer interface pins. The WAPEM can be programmed through these 7 pins. Programming ranges from a simple initialization of existing firmware to a complete rewrite of embedded firmware. The WAPEM is always in circuit re-programmable mode. It is therefore possible to make changes to the WAPEM operational code and embed various environmental stress/physiological strain algorithms. These can be used afterwards to make predictions from measured environmental variables and on-line human work activities. The work activity channel is designed for sleep scoring (zero crossing mode), as well as for monitoring daytime activity with the proportional channel mode. The WAPEM is also designed to quantify extent of sleep loss and metabolic expenditures for individual activity levels, and to enable personalized estimates of the effects of several key stressors on physical or mental performance in operational settings. This report discusses initial proof-of-concept hardware and the environmental testing of software prototypes. Three WAPEM prototypes were tested for 12 days to verify accuracy and repeatability of the environmental sensor operation (Ta and RH) in climatic chambers at USARIEM and in Israel. The SR sensor was tested outdoors at 6 different distances below and above sea level in Israel.
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