Self-described “interest programmer” Wesley Elfring is engaged on a homebrew air high quality sensor constructed round an Espressif ESP32-S3 microcontroller and modular sensors — having discovered off-the-shelf equivalents wanting in worth or performance.
“The AirQuality V3 is an air high quality sensor constituted of scratch,” Elfring explains of his undertaking. “I needed a less expensive sensor than the commercially obtainable choices, however extra capabilities than the open supply choices like AirGradient. It additionally gave me a great undertaking to proceed on my journey to study extra on creating electronics and embedded software program.”
If you would like a wealth of information about your air high quality, the AirQuality V3 undertaking can ship — for beneath $60 in elements. (📷: Wesley Elfring)
The AirQuality V3 board itself is designed as a service for an Espressif ESP32-S3 module, which gives each the driving logic and its Wi-Fi connectivity. To this, a lot of sensors could be added: a Sensirion SGP41 fuel sensor for nitric oxide (NOx) and unstable natural compound (VOC) measurements; a SenseAir S8 for carbon dioxide (CO₂) measurement; a Plantower PMS5003 for particulate matter measurement, with readings for PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10; a Bosch Sensortec BME280 mixed temperature, humidity, and barometric stress sensor; and a Vishay VEML7700 to measure ambient mild ranges.
“The sensor periodically polls the sensors (as per the datasheets) and publishes the brand new values to a MQTT matter,” Elfring explains of the machine’s operation. “Residence Assistant is then capable of choose up the values mechanically trough auto-discovery. OTA updates and configuration is supported by way of an online interface.
The sensor studies readings for quite a lot of pollution and environmental metrics, and calculates an total air high quality stage. (📷: Wesley Elfring)
“[The] value for all elements for a single board is about $53. [The] costliest elements are the PMS5003 ($17), SenseAir S8 ($18), the SGP41 fuel sensor ($7) and the ESP32-S3 ($4.7). The four-layer PCB itself strongly is determined by what number of you order, however is round $4 per PCB, bringing the whole value per Air High quality sensor to $57.”
Elfring has launched design information and supply code for the undertaking, beneath an unspecified open supply license, on GitHub.
