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AirBeam Mini User's Guide

AirBeam Mini Features and Dimensions

Hardware Specifications

Weight: 4 ounces
Particle Sensor: Plantower PMS7003
BLE, WiFi & Microcontroller: Espressif, ESP32-C3-WROOM-02-N4
Battery: PKCell, LP505060 1800mAh 3.7V

About AirBeam Mini

AirBeam Mini is a portable air quality instrument weighing four ounces that measures PM1 and PM2.5. Its rain-proof, weather resistant rubber sleeve makes it suitable for indoor or outdoor use. It can communicate via Bluetooth and WiFi and can be used as a stationary or mobile monitor. Users can map and graph the measurements from AirBeam Mini in real-time using an Android or iOS device or the AirCasting website. AirBeam Mini ships with a sleeve, carabiner, belt clip and 6ft USB-A to USB-C cable. AirBeam Mini is open-source as is the AirCasting platform software.

Calibration & Accuracy

For 18 weeks we collocated AirBeam Minis at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s “Queens College” air quality monitoring site next to their BAM-1020, a highly accurate Federal Equivalent Method monitor that measures PM2.5. Dr. Chris Lim – a professor of Environmental Health Sciences at University of Arizona with expertise in the application of low-cost sensor technologies for personal exposure assessment – developed custom calibration equations for AirBeam Mini based on the intercomparison. Dr. Lim’s report, which discusses his approach to calibrating AirBeam Mini using the intercomparison data, is available for download here. Based on the data collected and the methods used to develop the calibration equations, AirBeam Mini is the most accurate AirBeam model to date and best in class when it comes to accuracy among low-cost air quality instruments measuring particulate matter.

AirBeam Mini Sleeve

Outfitted with its sleeve, AirBeam Mini becomes drop-proof and rain-proof. The sleeve includes a carbiner attachment point to simplify outdoor installation. Remove the sleeve for a more streamlined profile or to attach the belt clip. The below video shows how to remove AirBeam Mini from its sleeve.

AirBeam3 Instructional Videos

Operation of AirBeam Mini is nearly identical to operation of AirBeam3, so the below videos can be used with AirBeam Mini. However, please note that AirBeam Mini does not have a cellular or GPS module, so instructions related to fixed-cellular mode and standalone location tracking should be disregarded.


Weather Resistant

AirBeam Mini is rain-proof and weather resistant when used with its sleeve and hung from its carabiner attachement point. When temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, AirBeam3 should be shaded to prevent damage to the battery and AirBeam Mini should never be charged in an environment where the temperature exceeds 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Power

AirBeam Mini has a 1800 mAh 3.7V rechargeable lithium polymer battery that when fully charged can power the instrument for 20-33 hours depending on the sampling interval selected. The battery charges via the USB-C Port, which can also be used to power AirBeam Mini directly. The Battery Charging Indicator turns solid green when AirBeam Mini is charging and turns off when AirBeam Mini is either fully charged or unplugged. CAUTION: AirBeam Mini should never be charged in an environment where the temperature exceeds 110 degrees Fahrenheit. AirBeam3 should only be charged with direct current power at a voltage of 5 volts (DC5V).

Battery Warning

AirBeam Mini contains a lithium polymer battery. Exposing AirBeam Mini to extreme heat will degrade the batteries performance and could lead to overheating and fire. If the battery gives off an odor, generates heat, becomes discolored or deformed, or in any way appears abnormal immediately unplug and power off AirBeam Mini and place it in a contained vessel, such as a metal box.

Sampling Interval

Users can set the sampling interval for mobile AirBeam Mini sessions to 1-second, 5-seconds, 1-minute, 5-minutes, or 10-minutes. When the sampling interval is set to 1-minute or less, AirBeam Mini samples every second, outputs an integrated average for the entire sampling period, and can run for 20 hours on a fully charged battery. When the sampling interval is set to 5-minutes, AirBeam Mini partially powers down for the first minutes, powers up to sample every second of the final minute, outputs an integrated average for the final minute of the sampling interval, and can run for 30 hours on a fully charged battery. The sampling logic is the same when the sampling interval is set to 10-minutes and the AirBeam can run for 33 hours on a fully charged battery. The sampling interval for fixed sessions is always 1-minute. When recording fixed sessions AirBeam Mini can run for 20 hrs on a fully charged battery.

Power On/Off

To power on AirBeam Mini, press down on the Power Button. AirBeam Mini is on when the Connection Indicator lights up. Push the Power Button a second time to power off AirBeam Mini.

Intake & Exhaust

While operating AirBeam Mini, keep the Intake and Exhaust free from obstructions.

Record Measurements – Mobile (Bluetooth) Session

  1. Download the AirCasting app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store.
  2. Launch the app and sign in or create a profile.
  3. Tap the “+” button at the bottom of the screen then tap “Mobile session” and follow the on screen instructions.

When recording a mobile session with AirBeam Mini, measurements are communicated once a second to the AirCasting app via Bluetooth. The device running the AirCasting app must stay within 10-20 feet of AirBeam Mini to maintain the Bluetooth connection and receive data from AirBeam Mini. After recording a mobile session for more than 2 hours, your measurements will be integrated into 5-second averages. After recording a mobile session for more than 9 hours, your measurements will be integrated into 1-minute averages.

Record Measurements – Fixed (WiFi) Session

  1. Download the AirCasting app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store.
  2. Launch the app and sign in or create a profile.
  3. Tap the “+” button at the bottom of the screen then tap “Fixed session” and follow the on screen instructions.

When recording a fixed WiFi session with AirBeam Mini, the measurements are communicated once a minute to the AirCasting website via WiFi. The Android or iOS device no longer needs to be in proximity to AirBeam Mini as it’s retrieving the data from the web via the Android or iOS device’s WiFi or cellular connection. AirBeam Mini must be connected to the 2.4 GHz band of your WiFi network; it cannot connect via the 5 GHz band.

Connection Indicator Color Key

When powered on, AirBeam Mini will enter and remain in configuration mode for three minutes. During the configuration window, if you don’t connect to AirBeam Mini via Bluetooth, AirBeam Mini will load it’s last known configuration. To enter configuration mode again, simply turn your AirBeam Mini off and then back on.

Bluetooth Disconnections

Some phone and operating system combinations are aggressive about terminating the Bluetooth connection between the AirBeam and the AirCasting app when recording long mobile sessions, particularly when the AirCasting app is recording in the background. To address this issue the AirCasting app has an auto-reconnect and data sync feature. If the Bluetooth connection between the AirBeam and AirCasting app is terminated while recording a mobile session, the connection is restored automatically and all the data stored to the AirBeam Mini while it was disconnected is synced to the AirCasting app upon reconnection.

Internal Storage

Whenever your AirBeam Mini is recording a mobile or fixed session and the Bluetooth or WiFi connection is interrupted, AirBeam Mini will log data to its internal storage. Once the Bluetooth or WiFi connection is restored the data saved to internal storage will automatically sync so no data is lost. AirBeam Mini can store 1,675 days of 10-minute interval data, 837 days of 5-minute interval data, 167 days of 1-minute interval data, 14 days of 5-second interval data, or 67 hours of 1-second interval data.

FCC Compliance Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operating is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Caution: Modifying or tampering with internal components can cause a malfunction and will void FCC authorization to use these products.

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AirBeam Mini air quality monitor

AirBeam Mini

$99USD