E4 for Developers > E4 streaming server > Data Streaming Packets

Data Streaming Packets

Data Format Specification

Updated January, 2019

After a successful connection and stream subscription to an Empatica Device the client starts receiving sensor data from the server.

Stream Data Format

<STREAM_TYPE> <TIMESTAMP> <DATA>

Example:
E4_Gsr 123345627891.123 3.129

Data Streams

The available data streams are:

  • E4_Acc - 3-axis acceleration
  • E4_Bvp - Blood Volume Pulse
  • E4_Gsr - Galvanic Skin Response
  • E4_Temp - Skin Temperature
  • E4_Ibi - Interbeat Interval
  • E4_Hr - Heartbeat
  • E4_Battery - Device Battery
  • E4_Tag - Tag taken from the device (by pressing the button)

Timestamp

The timestamp for the sample in seconds defined as time interval between the sample received and the reference date, 1 January 1970, GMT. The value contains a fractional part to represent microseconds.

The sample timestamps are calculated with reference to the first packet received by the E4 streaming server. Upon reception of the first packet, the system timestamp is recorded and the sample timestamps of the first and any further packets are calculated from the reference timestamp and the sample frequency of the respective stream.
Since the E4 starts streaming once the BTLE connection is established, the E4 streaming server starts receiving packets even without any TCP clients subscribed to streams.

Data

Each stream type has a different data format as described below:

Acceleration Data

  • The acceleration value for x axis. The x axis is defined by the vector whose starting point is set to the center of the device and whose direction points towards the USB slot.
  • The acceleration value for y axis. The y axis is defined by the vector whose starting point is set to the center of the device and whose direction points towards the shorter strap.
  • The acceleration value for z axis. The z axis is defined by the vector whose starting point is set to the center of the device and whose direction points towards the bottom of the device.
Example:
E4_Acc 123345627891.123 51 -2 -10

Blood Volume Pulse Data

The value of the BVP sample. The value is derived from the light absorbance of the arterial blood. The raw signal is filtered to remove movement artifacts.

Example:
E4_Bvp 123345627891.123 31.128

Galvanic Skin Response Data

The value of the GSR sample. The value is expressed in microsiemens.

Example:
E4_Gsr 123345627891.123 3.129

Temperature Data

The value of the temperature sample in Celsius degrees. The value is derived from the optical temperature sensor placed on the wrist.

Example:
E4_Temperature 123345627891.123 35.82

Interbeat Interval Data

The value of the IBI sample. The value is the distance from the previous detected heartbeat in seconds.

Example:
E4_Ibi 123345627891.123 0.822

Heartbeat Data

The value of the detected heartbeat, returned together with the interbeat interval data.

Example:
E4_Hr 123345627891.123 142.2156

Battery Level Data

The battery level of the device. Values: [0.0 - 1.0]

Example:
E4_Battery 123345627891.123 0.2

Tag Data

The tags taken from the device.

Example:
E4_Tag 123345627891.123