Handout: build your own hackAIR mobile sensor

This handout contains a number of missions for you to complete today to build your own sensor. If you need to wait to make progress on the core missions, continue with the bonus missions until you can proceed.
 Mission 1: Gather your materials
Collect the following materials:
Air quality sensor (with cable)
PSOC microcontroller
Micro-USB breakout board
Jumper wires (3x M/F, 2x M/M)
 Mission 2: Assemble the microcontroller
Take the following materials to the soldering station:
  • PSOC microcontroller
  • Micro-USB breakout board
  • 2 M/M jumper wires
Carefully solder the jumper wires to VCC and the GND pin on the USB board.
Solder the jumper wires to the microcontroller as follows:
Breakout board / Microcontroller
VCC / VCC
GND / GND
 Mission 3: Install software
Go to a computer and find the USB programming tool.
Connect it to your microcontroller to the location marked PROG (short row of pins).
Attach it to the USB port on the computer.
In the PSOC Programmer software, open the SerialLaserSensor_SDS011.hex file and click ‘Program’.
Disconnect your device from the computer and the programmer.
 Mission 4: Connect your sensor
Connect the sensor with three M/F jumper wires as follows.
Sensor / Microcontroller
5V / VDD
GND / GND
TXD / 1.4
Now power up the sensor using the power bank.
Download the hackAIR app from hackAIR.eu/download and create a user account.
Go to Profile > Sensors > Add a new sensor and add the required details.
Go to the sensor you just created, and click on ‘sensor measurements’.
You should now be able to see your measurements appear below.
 Bonus mission: Explore air quality data
Using the hackAIR app, check the map of your city: What is the current air quality? Does that correspond with your own observations? Where is the air particularly bad or particularly good? Can you guess why?
Take a look at the air quality history: how is air quality changing over time?
Look at a different city: is the air quality better or worse there?
 Bonus mission: Build a case for your sensor
You will need: an empty PET bottle, a knife and a cable binder.
Examples and photographs for hackAIR cases can be found on hackAIR.eu
You can also paint your case. Tweet us a picture of your creation @hack_air
 Bonus mission: Help others
Have a look around the room: at what stage are other participants? Does anybody look confused?
See whether you can help them advance with their sensor.