Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 44, Issue 4 607-610, Copyright © 1978 by American Physiological Society
A microampere radiotelemetry transmitter for measurement of temperature from unrestrained subjects
D. L. Jones and L. C. Wang
A miniature radiotelemetry transmitter is described suitable for chronic or
acute monitoring of temperatures from animal or human subjects. The
transmitters can be easily constructed with little or no electronics
background from discrete components readily available from any electronics
supplier. Transmitters weighed from 2.5-20 g, had volumes of 0.8-3.5 ml,
had normal currents of 50-120 muA with potential transmitter lives of 35 h
to greater than 1 yr, and transmission ranges of 10-30 m. Transmitters
could be implanted, swallowed, or connected to chronically or acutely
attached temperature probes. The design of the telemetry system allows for
reception on any commercial FM receiver. Depending on mode of decoding the
temperature data transmitter signal can be accurate to measure changes of
from 0.15 to 0.015 degrees C. Thus with a minimum of expense and little
electronics background a temperature-dependent transmitter system can be
constructed for monitoring temperatures from unrestrained subjects.
