Configuration
Configuration & Settings
Click Settings (gear icon) to configure the device. Settings are organized into tabs: Network, Measurement, Device, and Email.
Main Controls
- Start: Begins a measurement session. The device runs an initialization phase (20–30 seconds) to prime the pump and stabilize the optical chamber. Data points appear after the "Sample Time" has elapsed.
- Stop: Ends the session and saves the file.
- Log Files: Opens the file manager to download or delete session logs.
Network Tab
Manages wireless connectivity. This is the default view when opening Settings.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| WiFi | Scan for available networks, select a network, and enter a password. Use "Forget Network" to clear stored credentials and switch back to hotspot mode. |
| Hotspot Mode | Forces the device to create its own WiFi network, even if a known network is available. |
| Protect hotspot with WPA2 key | When enabled, secures the bcMeter hotspot with a custom password (minimum 8 characters) instead of the default. |
Measurement Tab
Controls how the device takes measurements. When Auto Flow Control (AFC) is active, an informational banner summarizes the current AFC configuration.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Time between samples | Default: 300s (5 min). Adjustable from 30s to 1 hour. Ambient monitoring: 180–600s. Emission monitoring: 10–30s. Increasing frequency may increase noise. |
| Airflow per minute | Default: 100 mL. Adjustable 50–750 mL. Higher flow improves signal but loads filter faster. Disabled when Auto Flow Control is active. |
| Auto-adjust airflow | Automatically adjusts airflow based on measured BC concentration. When BC is high, flow is reduced to extend filter life; when BC is low, flow is increased for better signal. |
| Auto-start logging | Automatically begins measurement after device boot. Requires prior calibration. Power-loss recovery: If the device loses power during a measurement, it will automatically resume on next boot — regardless of this setting. |
| Location | Controls geographic coordinates: Automatic (GPS/cell tower/IP lookup), Manual (enter lat/lon), or Off (no location stored). |
An Airflow Reference table is shown below the settings, giving estimated filter lifetime (in days) at different BC concentrations and airflow rates.
Device Tab
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Timezone | Select the device timezone for accurate log file timestamps. |
| Warm-up time | Default: 10 min. Duration for the optical chamber to stabilize before data recording begins. Set to 0 to disable. |
| Disable blinking LED | Deactivates the status LED on the device. |
| Device Name | Network hostname (e.g., bcmeter201). Sets the mDNS name — the device becomes reachable as name.local after renaming and rebooting.
|
Email Tab (Notifications)
The bcMeter can send automated email notifications including periodic log delivery and filter status alerts. This requires an email service password (API key) — contact jd@bcmeter.org to request one.
The API key must be entered and validated before notification options become available. Enter it during the Welcome Screen or later in the Email tab.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Email Service Password | API key for the mail sending service. Must be validated before other options appear. |
| Periodic log sending | Master switch for automatic, timed email delivery of CSV logs. |
| Send logs every | Adjustable from 3 hours to 7 days. Default: 24 hours. |
| Recipient addresses | Destination email addresses (comma-separated). |
| Filter status mail | Sends alert when filter loading exceeds 70%. Alerts repeat every 12 hours and include device name and location. |
| Share data with bcMeter team | Optionally share measurement data with the bcMeter project for research. |