Configuration
Configuration & Settings
Click Settings in the navigation bar to configure the device. Settings are organized into tabs: Network, Measurement, Device, and Email. An additional ⚠ Dev tab is available in Developer Mode.
Main Controls
- Start: Opens a startup dialog for a new measurement session. The dialog shows each initialization step while the pump primes and the optical chamber stabilizes. If auto-start logging is enabled, a countdown timer lets you cancel before the measurement starts. When GPS is available, a Mobile measurement checkbox turns on per-sample GPS coordinate logging.
- Stop: Ends the session and saves the file.
- Log Files: Opens the file manager showing all stored sessions (see Data Management).
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. |
The WiFi key field includes a show/hide toggle. During connection, the log shows SSID association, IP assignment, and errors.
Measurement Tab
These settings define the sampling interval, airflow, location handling, and related measurement behavior. When Auto Flow Control (AFC) is active, a banner shows the current AFC limits.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Time between samples | Default: 300s (5 min). Adjustable from 30s to 1 hour. Ambient monitoring: 180–600s. Emission monitoring: 10–30s. Shorter intervals can increase noise. |
| Airflow per minute | Default: 300 mL/min. Adjustable 50–750 mL/min. Higher flow improves signal but loads the filter faster. Disabled when Auto Flow Control is active. |
| Auto-adjust airflow | Adjusts airflow from the measured BC concentration. High BC lowers the flow to protect the filter; low BC raises the flow for a stronger signal. |
| Target filter lifetime | Default: 7 days. Target lifetime used by Auto Flow Control when calculating the airflow setpoint. |
| Auto-start logging | Starts measurement after boot. Requires prior calibration. Power-loss recovery: If the device loses power during a measurement, it resumes on next boot, regardless of this setting. |
| Mobile measurement mode | Logs location information per sample when GPS or another location source is available. Intended for moving measurements. |
| Outdoor measurement | Marks the session as outdoor ambient monitoring. Disable for indoor or direct emission measurements. |
| Pressure correction | Corrects BC values for ambient pressure when a BME280 pressure sensor is installed. |
| Location | Controls geographic coordinates: Automatic (GPS/cell tower/IP lookup), Manual (enter lat/lon), or Off (no location stored). |
The Airflow Reference table below the settings shows 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 status LED | Deactivates the blinking status LED on the device. |
| Device Name | Network hostname (e.g., bcmeter-0340). Sets the mDNS name, so the device becomes reachable as name.local after renaming and rebooting.
|
Email Tab (Notifications)
Use this tab for email delivery of log files, filter status alerts, and optional data sharing with the bcMeter project. Provisioned devices already include the required mail service setup. DIY and development mail-service details are documented in Developer Mode.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Detailed diagnostic emails | Adds extra device context to automatic emails. Enable only when support asks for it. |
| Share data with bcMeter team | Share measurement data with the bcMeter project for maps and analysis. |