A Personalized Radio Telemetry System for Monitoring Central Nervous System Arousal in Aerospace Flight

Simultaneous analysis of four measures, Electroencephalogram (EEG), Base Skin Resistance and Galvanic Skin Response (BSR/GSR), Electrocardiograph (ECG), and respiration, were employed to detect changes in the level of Central Nervous System (CNS) arousal. In the original configuration, a 6-channel personalized telemetry unit transmitted all measures except EEG. A separate transmitter was used for EEG. Subsequently an outboard subcarrier oscillator unit was developed to incorporate the EEG on the common RF carrier. Problems of electronic interaction through body contact electrodes, insulation leakage of sensors, a single-ended system, and excessive subcarrier drift were encountered. Solutions to these problems were found. Analyses included the conversion of EEG to units of activation, beat-by-beat rate analysis of ECG, breath-by-breath rate analysis of respiration, and a slow writeout of base skin resistance. Sample results of data obtained from the personalized telemetry are presented, and the appearance of analyzed records included. Major changes in levels of CNS arousal were generally identifiable in any one measure. Subtle changes are frequently clearly demonstrable employing this system for simultaneous presentation of analyzed multiple physiological measures.