Sophisticated Sensing Tech that's Easy to Maintain
If you've ever installed a bike rack on your car, and you check your car's oil around once a month, you have the technical skills needed to own and host a pollen sensor. After the initial setup (the bike rack analogy) there's a need to swap in a new roll of tape. Here are a few more details and some resources you may find useful.
One: Reliable Internet is Desirable
Our pollen sensors relay the pollen, mold and dust information through an internet connection. We've used cellular hardware (on a limited basis), wifi connections with a wireless access point, and ethernet cables. If the network connection is disrupted, the sensor will continue to sample and will cache the data to an on-board memory card. Once that connection is restored, the cached information is uploaded. There are several variables like particulate load and sampling rate that affect how long a sensor will run without an internet connection, but they're usually fine for several days at least.
That's not to say that choppy internet isn't a problem. When a sensor can't upload its data on a predictable basis, there are holes in our understanding of what was going on in that minute or hour. What's more, we're always improving our software and need access to a sensor to update its magic sauce.
Keep in mind that there will be data being uploaded and downloaded. If your internet service provider (ISP) caps the amount of data you use, another option should be explored.
Two: Consider Accessibility
Around every thirty days the sensor will run out of tape. Sometimes the power needs to be cycled or a cable has come loose. On occasion we may reach out to you for help making an examination or
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Three.Point.Five: A Few Other Things
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