BlackIoT Polverine: ESP32-S3, BMV080, and BME690-Based Environmental Sensing Board for Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring

BlackIoT Polverine is a mikroBUS-compatible environmental sensing board designed for real-time air quality monitoring. It features the ESP32-S3-MINI-1 MCU, Bosch Sensortec’s BMV080 PM2.5 sensor, and BME690 gas sensor. The board supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 connectivity and is available through the Crowd Supply crowdfunding platform.

The ESP32-S3-MINI-1, powered by an Xtensa 32-bit LX7 dual-core processor, enables reliable wireless communication. The BMV080, a compact 4.2 x 3.5 x 3 mm³ PM2.5 sensor, allows integration into ultra-compact devices. It features a fanless design for noiseless operation, reduced power consumption, and increased reliability.

The BME690 is a 4-in-1 environmental sensor that measures temperature, humidity, pressure, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With a 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.93 mm³ package and AI-based power optimization, it enhances Polverine’s sensing capabilities. By combining these sensors, Polverine provides precise environmental data in a compact and efficient design.

BlackIoT Polverine specifications:

• Microcontroller:
  • Espressif ESP32-S3-MINI-1 with dual-core Xtensa 32-bit LX7 processor (240 MHz)
  • Memory: 0.5MB PSRAM
  • Storage: 8 MB Flash
  • Wireless: Integrated 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE)
• Environmental Sensors:
  • Bosch Sensortec BMV080: PM2.5 particulate matter sensor
    • Ultra-compact 4.2 x 3.5 x 3 mm³ form factor
    • Fanless design for silent operation and lower power consumption
    • Measurement range: 0-1000 µg/m³, ±10% accuracy, 1 µg/m³ resolution
  • Bosch Sensortec BME690: 4-in-1 environmental sensor
    • Measures temperature, humidity, pressure, and VOCs
    • AI-enhanced gas sensing with customizable scanning
    • Compact 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.93 mm³ package
    • 50% more power-efficient than previous models
• USB: USB-C connector for power and programming
• Expansion:
  • USB, SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO/PWM, Analog IN
  • Qwiic Connect system for easy expansion
  • mikroBUS connector
• Debug: JTAG debugging support
• Misc: RGB LED, User/Bootloader button, Reset button
• Security Features: Secure Boot and Flash Encryption
• Power:
  • 5V USB-in
  • mikroBUS 5V pin
  • mikroBUS 3.3V pin
  • 5V supplied to LDO that outputs 3.3V
• Dimensions: 25.4 mm x 28.6 mm (mikroBUS S size)

The BME690 sensor is designed for high-condensation environments and supports AI-based data processing for improved accuracy. It features customizable gas scanning and provides key environmental outputs such as the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) index and bVOC/CO2-equivalent measurements. These capabilities make it suitable for IoT devices, wearables, and smart home systems that require real-time air quality analysis.

Polverine integrates the BME690 along with the BMV080 PM2.5 sensor and ESP32-S3-MINI-1 MCU to enable precise environmental monitoring. It is designed for applications such as indoor air quality monitoring, HVAC system optimization, industrial gas leak detection, pollution monitoring, and personal air quality tracking in wearables. Additional use cases include health and wellness monitoring, VOC detection, and anomaly detection in emergency scenarios like gas leaks or fire hazards.

Polverine is a mikroBUS-compatible environmental sensing board featuring the ESP32-S3-MINI-1 microcontroller, Bosch Sensortec BMV080 PM2.5 sensor, and BME690 gas sensor. It enables real-time air quality monitoring with Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE) connectivity. The board supports programming through Arduino, Eclipse, PlatformIO, and Visual Studio IDEs, making it suitable for IoT applications, industrial monitoring, and smart home systems.

Developers can access source code and sample applications for Visual Studio Code + PlatformIO on GitHub, along with a user guide and tutorials on the BlackIoT website. Polverine is available through a Crowd Supply campaign with a $10,000 funding target. The board is priced at $59, with $8 shipping to the U.S. and $18 for international shipping. Each unit includes one Polverine board and two 2.54 mm pitch header strips, with shipments expected to begin by June 11, 2025. Full documentation and project details are available on the Polverine BlackIoT page.

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