Direct Memory Access-Based Data Storage for Long-Term Acquisition Using Wearables in an Energy-Efficient Manner

Sensors (Basel). 2024 Aug 1;24(15):4982. doi: 10.3390/s24154982.

Abstract

This study introduces a lightweight storage system for wearable devices, aiming to optimize energy efficiency in long-term and continuous monitoring applications. Utilizing Direct Memory Access and the Serial Peripheral Interface protocol, the system ensures efficient data transfer, significantly reduces energy consumption, and enhances the device autonomy. Data organization into Time Block Data (TBD) units, rather than files, significantly diminishes control overhead, facilitating the streamlined management of periodic data recordings in wearable devices. A comparative analysis revealed marked improvements in energy efficiency and write speed over existing file systems, validating the proposed system as an effective solution for boosting wearable device performance in health monitoring and various long-term data acquisition scenarios.

Keywords: DMA controller; continuous monitoring; embedded storage management; long-term monitoring; ultra-low power data storage; wearable devices.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by two projects: Grant PDC2022-133457-I00 (sSITH: Self-recharging Sensorized Insoles for Continuous Long-Term Human Gait Monitoring), funded by MCIN/AEI and supported by funds from the European Union’s NextGeneration EU/PRTR. The project ran from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2024. Grant PID2022-142388OA-I00 (“Just move!”: Early detection of MCI through human-movement analysis in everyday life JUST-MOVE), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR”. The project ran from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2026. In addition, thank you for the funding for the research stay call in Universities and Research centres abroad for full-time teaching staff (2023). BDNS (Identifier): 660787. [2022/10970] by the “Plan Propio de Investigación” of the University of Castilla-La Mancha.