General Description
The AirBeam3 by HabitatMap is an open-source sensor device that measures particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10), as well as internal sensor housing temperature and relative humidity. It has an onboard GPS that allows it to be used for stationary or mobile data collection. The data is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular 4G to the open-source AirCasting platform.
Principle of Operation
The AirBeam3 uses a light scattering method to measure PM. Air is drawn through a sensing chamber wherein light from a laser scatters off particles in the airstream. This light scatter is registered by a detector and converted into a measurement that estimates the number of particles in the air.
Via Bluetooth, these measurements are communicated approximately once a second to the AirCasting Android app, which maps and graphs the data in real time on a smartphone. Via Wi-Fi, these measurements are communicated approximately once a minute to the AirCasting website. At the end of each AirCasting session, the collected data is sent to the AirCasting website.
Features
- Dimensions: 4.26 (H) x 3.74 (W) x 1.04 (D) inches
- Weight: 6 oz. (0.17 kg)
- Power supply: 5 VDC USB C
- Battery: 3350 mAh 3.7V rechargeable battery
- Battery life: 17 hours
- Sensor lifetime: N/A
- Clock function: No
- Sampling mechanism: Fan
- Environmental operating conditions: Not specified
- Internal data logging: Yes
- Data communications: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular 4G
- Data logging and retrieval: AirCasting app and web platform, or serial datalogging through USB C port
- Weatherproof: No, weather resistant
Applications
- Ambient air quality monitoring
- Personal exposure monitoring
- Mobile monitoring
- Air quality networks
- Smart cities and urban air quality monitoring
Manufacturer’s product webpage