The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host including a sensor; a mounting unit for placement on the skin of a host; a sensor introducer coupled to the sensor and to the mounting unit, the sensor introducer configured to transcutaneously introduce a portion of the sensor through a skin of the host to a first position relative to the mounting unit, and a data processing unit configured to couple to the mounting unit, the data processing unit displacing the sensor to a second position relative to the mounting unit upon coupling to the mounting unit.