Multifunctional Environmental Sensor with Beetle ESP32 C6

✨Introduction:

In this project, we’ll create a sophisticated environmental monitoring system using the Beetle ESP32 C6. This system will utilize the Fermion sensor breakout to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, ambient light, and UV levels.

🤖Components Needed:

• Beetle ESP32 C6 microcontroller
• Multifunctional Environmental Sensor from DFRobot.
• Breadboard and jumper wires
• Power supply or battery

Step 1️⃣: Setting Up the Hardware:

Start by carefully connecting each sensor to your Beetle ESP32 C6 microcontroller board to set up your environmental monitoring system using the I2C communication protocol. This protocol allows multiple sensors to connect to just two pins on the microcontroller – the SDA (Serial Data Line) and SCL (Serial Clock Line). Ensure that the connections are secure and that each sensor’s SDA and SCL pins are correctly connected to the corresponding pins on the Beetle ESP32 C6. Once all sensors are connected, you can power your system. You have two options for this: either use a battery if you need a portable setup or simply plug in the microcontroller’s USB port to a power source if mobility isn’t required. This step is crucial as it provides the necessary power for both the microcontroller and the attached sensors to function and start transmitting data.

Step 2️⃣: Programming the Beetle ESP32 C6:

Using the Arduino IDE or your preferred development environment, write a program that initializes each sensor and reads data regularly. Libraries for the sensor are available online and can simplify this process.

Once your hardware is set up, the next step is to write the software that will communicate with the sensors. Using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or another development environment of your choice, begin coding a program that will initialize each sensor connected to your Beetle ESP32 C6. This involves setting up the I2C communication and ensuring each sensor is ready to transmit data. You’ll need to write functions that regularly read data from each sensor, capturing the environmental measurements you’re interested in. To streamline this process, take advantage of existing libraries available online.

These libraries often provide pre-written code for initializing and reading from common sensors, which you can include in your program. By using these libraries, you can avoid writing complex sensor communication routines from scratch and focus on customizing your program for your specific project needs.

GIT Link for the library - GitHub - DFRobot/DFRobot_EnvironmentalSensor

Download and install the library in the Arduino IDE. This library contains an example code that can read the back sensor data via I2C or UART communication.

Step 3️⃣: Data Collection and Output:

Upload the read data sketch to the Beetle ESP32 C6 and select the correct port and the Board type.

#include "DFRobot_EnvironmentalSensor.h"
DFRobot_EnvironmentalSensor environment(/*addr = */ SEN050X_DEFAULT_DEVICE_ADDRESS, /*pWire = */ &Wire);
int led = 15;

void setup() {
   
    Serial.begin(115200);
    pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
    while (environment.begin() != 0) {
        Serial.println(" Sensor initialize failed!!");
        delay(1000);
    }
    Serial.println(" Sensor  initialize success!!");
}

void loop() {

    //Print the data obtained from sensor
    Serial.println("-------------------------------");
    Serial.print("Temp: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getTemperature(TEMP_C));
    Serial.println("C");
    Serial.print("Temp: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getTemperature(TEMP_F));
    Serial.println("F");
    Serial.print("Humidity: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getHumidity());
    Serial.println(" %");
    Serial.print("Ultraviolet intensity: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getUltravioletIntensity());
    Serial.println(" mw/cm2");
    Serial.print("LuminousIntensity: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getLuminousIntensity());
    Serial.println(" lx");
    Serial.print("Atmospheric pressure: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getAtmospherePressure(HPA));
    Serial.println(" hpa");
    Serial.print("Altitude: ");
    Serial.print(environment.getElevation());
    Serial.println(" m");
    Serial.println("-------------------------------");
    digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(led, LOW);
    delay(1000);
}

Once programmed, look into the serial monitor. The microcontroller will begin collecting data from each sensor. It can output this data to a serial monitor.

🎉Conclusion:

With the Beetle ESP32 C6 and Fermion sensors, you’ve now built a versatile environmental monitoring system capable of tracking multiple parameters. This setup can be further expanded with additional sensors or integrated into smart home systems for automated climate control.