Because “Unisens” (and its variant spelling “Unisense”) applies to a few different technologies, the exact definition depends on your area of interest. Most commonly, Unisens refers to a universal, open-source data format used to store and archive data from multiple sensors simultaneously.
However, if you are looking at remote-controlled hobbies or scientific research, it refers to specialized hardware. Here is the complete beginner’s guide breaking down each version. 1. Unisens: The Universal Data Format
Developed by German research institutes (FZI and KIT), the Unisens Data Format solves the problem of recording information from different sensors at the same time without cluttering files. It is widely used in biomedical and mobile health tracking (like ECG and movement monitoring). How the File Structure Works
Instead of saving everything into one messy file, a Unisens dataset saves as a standard folder containing:
unisens.xml: A human-readable text file (the “header”) that contains the metadata, detailing what kind of sensors were used and how the data is structured.
Data Files: Separate, raw binary files (e.g., ecg.bin or acc.bin) for each individual sensor signal. Entry Types
Inside a Unisens folder, information is split into three category types:
Signal: Continuous data streams like a continuous heart rate wave.
Values: Discontinuous data, such as a blood pressure reading taken once an hour.
Event: Specific timestamped markers, like a button press or an error alert. Software Ecosystem
You can view and modify these files using the UnisensViewer GitHub Project, a free Windows application that lets you visualize raw sensor data and map markers. 2. UniSens-E: The RC Telemetry Sensor
If your interest is in remote-controlled (RC) planes, helicopters, or drones, UniSens-E (by SM-Modellbau) is a highly popular all-in-one telemetry sensor. UnisensViewer – movisens Docs
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