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A project log for RGBmatrix-zphs01b

Circuit Python implementation of 64x128 RGBmatrix display for Winsen zphs01b multisensor module

carboncycleCarbonCycle 07/09/2023 at 22:170 Comments

Look in —

To the eye of the storm

Look out —

For the force without form

Look around —

At the sight and the sound

Look in look out look around —

   I've been building various sensor platforms for awhile with individual components, usually on breakout boards.  This leads to multiple issues with sensor placement, just to start.  When Winsen started selling this board - it was obvious it was solving a bunch of problems ( placement, connectivity, code complexity ) and I started looking for display options for a data-collection point with WiFi to allow collecting data for graphing and trend analysis.   I wanted to use python to keep the code environment simple, with that fancy Mu editor for rapid prototyping.

   The Adafruit MatrixPortal M4 provides everything, including +5v power for off-board use through a USB-C port.   I can power the entire project from my MAC while adjusting display attributes in the Mu editor.   The board also has a hardware serial port ( for the sensor module ), and I2C for other devices, my design will include a EMC2101 fan controller to provide programmable air flow across the sensor array.

   This ZPHS01B module greatly increases the simplicity of building an environmental monitor for air quality.  Combined with the MatrixPortal - the data can be displayed, collected, saved and analyzed on a MQTT broker like Adafruit IO.   The only missing thing is OTA updates for the display code, not certain that can be done with CircuitPython. 

   The code is pretty basic - not fancy at all, intended to be easy to understand.  I just connect the module to the board's serial TX/RX and obtain power from the same terminals powering the RGB matrix panels.   I use 2 64x64 2mm dot panels, connected together.   The MatrixPortal seems to have no trouble powering everything.

   The next versions of code will have data upload to Adafruit IO for use in dashboard graphs.  Turns out a free account will accommodate exactly 10 feeds.  Hmm.  I have 10 sensors to monitor!

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