Build a LoRa Particle Pollution Detector

We will build a Particulate Matter detector using PM2.5 Air Quality Sensor, ESP32, UNO and LoRa Module.  

Particle Pollution, also known as Particulate Matter is a mixture of wide-ranging size of solids and liquids found in the air. Some of these particles (especially the small ones) can be harmful to our health because it is tiny enough to enter our lungs when we breathe.

To measure this we need a particle pollution detector that can measure the air quality of the air that we breathe.

Difficulty Level: 

Zio Youngling

Helpful Resources:

We have a separate post on our development board guides. Check them out below:

• Zuino M Uno Qwiic Start Guide
• Zuino XS PsyFi32 Qwiic Start Guide

You can also check other Zio Qwiic Start guides related to this project below:

• Zio 1.5” OLED Display Qwiic Start Guide
• Zio PM2.5 Sensor And Adapter Qwiic Start Guide

Installing Libraries

You need to install the following libraries to your Arduino IDE. Download the following libraries and save it on your local Arduino IDE libraries folder:

• Sparkfun QwiicRF Library
• U8glib Library

To install the libraries open your Arduino IDE, go to Sketch tab, select Include Library -> Add .Zip Library. Select the above libraries to be included on your IDE. You can also check out this complete guide here. 

Hardware

• Zio Qwiic PM2.5 Air Quality Sensor with Adapter Board x1
• Zio Qwiic Lora Module (443MHz) x 2
• Antennae x 2
• Zio Zuino XS PsyFi32 (ESP32) x1
• Zio Zuino M Uno x1
• Zio Qwiic 1.5” OLED Display x1
• Qwiic Cables x4
• Micro USB Cable x 2

Connection Setup

We need two Lora modules in order to send and receive data from our PM2.5 Sensor.  We will call this as LoRa Receiver and LoRa Sender respectively. A Lora receiver will receive data collected by the PM2.5 Sensor and will output this on the OLED Display. A LoRa sender is where the PM2.5 will be connected. 

Setting up LoRa Sender

Below are the modules needed for the Lora sender. You need to attach the PM2.5 Sensor with adapter on the sender side inorder to detect Particle matter and measure the air quality.

Step 1 Attach the Pm2.5 Sensor and adapter together

Below is what it looks liek after attaching the sensor and adapter together

Step 2 Attach the Antennae to the LoRa module

Step 3 Daisy chain all the components using qwiic cables

Step 4 Download code and upload to PsyFi32

You can download the code from our Github page here

Step 5 Connect to a power source

Setting Up LoRa Receiver

After setting up your Lora Sender, we need to set up the Lora Receiver.  The data we have collected from the Lora Sender for the Particle Matter will be sent over to our receiver and displayed on the OLED.

Below are the modules needed for the Lora receiver. 

Step 1 Attach Antennae to LoRa module

Step 2 Daisy Chain all the components together using qwiic cables

Step 3 Download the code below and upload to Uno

You can download the code from our Github page here

Step 4 Connect to a power source

After connecting to a power source (we use a powerbank for this example), your Lora Receiver will receive data sent from your Lora Sender.

There you have it. Your very own Particle Pollution detector all set up!  You can record your data by connecting to an IOT platform dashboard and have it monitored in real time! 

Do check out our other Projects and Tutorial blogs to give you that qwiic inspiration!

Got questions or suggestions? Or just want to greet us? Drop us a comment below!