Adafruit Feather M0
Guide to using Adafruit Feather M0 boards for low-power 3D-PAWS deployments with WiFi, LoRa, or local SD logging.
Overview
The Adafruit Feather Data Logger is a compact microcontroller platform used in 3D-PAWS stations for flexible and low-power environmental monitoring deployments.
Feather systems integrate a microcontroller, local data storage, and sensor interfaces into a lightweight platform suitable for remote installations. The 3D-PAWS Feather configuration uses an onboard microSD card for local data storage and a real-time clock (RTC) to timestamp observations.
Sensors are typically connected through a Grove Multiport Hub, allowing multiple environmental sensors to be easily integrated into the system.
Three primary Feather configurations are supported:
WiFi Feather – for network-connected deployments
LoRa Feather – for long-range, low-power communication
Local Logging Feather – for stations that store data locally without network connectivity
Using the 3D-PAWS Feather firmware, the system collects environmental measurements, stores them locally on the SD card, and optionally transmits data through WiFi or LoRa communication.
Feather Configurations
WiFi Configuration
The WiFi Feather is used at sites with reliable wireless network access.
In this configuration:
sensor data is collected by the Feather
measurements are stored locally on the SD card
data is transmitted through WiFi to the data server
This option is suitable for network-connected stations located near infrastructure.
LoRa Configuration
The LoRa Feather enables long-range, low-power communication between distributed sensor stations.
The LoRa version can operate in two modes:
LoRa Remote Unit
In this configuration, the Feather functions as a remote sensing node that transmits sensor data to a central station equipped with a LoRa receiver.
Typically, a Particle Data Logger serves as the gateway:
Remote Feather → Particle Gateway → Particle Cloud → CHORDS
This architecture allows multiple remote sensor stations to communicate with a central gateway even when WiFi or cellular connectivity is unavailable at the sensor site.
LoRaWAN Node
Alternatively, the Feather can operate as a LoRaWAN device, transmitting data to a compatible LoRaWAN gateway connected to the network.
When deploying LoRa systems, it is important to use the correct regional frequency band.
Examples include:
915 MHz – United States
433 MHz or region-specific bands – Europe and other regions
Always verify that the selected radio frequency complies with local spectrum regulations.
Local Logging Configuration
In locations without network connectivity, the Feather can operate as a standalone data logger.
In this configuration:
sensor data is collected and stored locally on the SD card
the system does not transmit data over a network
data is retrieved manually during maintenance visits
This option is useful for remote monitoring sites where network infrastructure is unavailable.
Instruction Slides for Assembling the Data Logger
Sensors Supported
The Feather data logger supports the core instruments commonly used in 3D-PAWS stations.
Supported sensors include:
Light sensor
Rain gauge
Anemometer (wind speed)
Wind vane (wind direction)
Radiation shield sensors
temperature
relative humidity
pressure
Globe temperature
Air quality sensors (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10)
Distance gauges (stream level, storm surge, snow height)
Soil moisture and temperature
Leaf wetness sensors
Data Logger Architecture
Feather-based systems use a lightweight microcontroller to collect sensor data and store it locally before transmitting it through the available communication method.
Feather platforms are commonly used in:
low-power monitoring systems
LoRa-based distributed sensor networks
standalone environmental monitoring stations
Supported Feather Hardware
The Adafruit Feather M0 Adalogger platform is available in several hardware variants depending on communication requirements.
WiFi and LoRa Communication
Use the following boards for network-connected deployments:
Adafruit Feather M0 RFM95 LoRa Radio (900 MHz)
Adafruit Feather M0 WiFi with ATWINC1500
These boards support wireless data transmission and remote monitoring.
Local Logging Configuration
For stations that store data locally without network connectivity:
Adafruit Feather M0 Adalogger
This configuration requires an external real-time clock (RTC).
Recommended RTC module:
DS3231
The RTC ensures that all measurements are accurately timestamped.
Firmware
The Feather data logger uses the 3D-PAWS Feather firmware, available from the 3D-PAWS GitHub repository.
All Feather firmware projects follow the naming convention:
The repository contains the latest firmware versions and configuration updates.
Specialized Firmware Variants
Several specialized firmware configurations are available for specific environmental monitoring applications.
Storm Surge and Wind Monitoring
This firmware configuration supports coastal monitoring deployments and follows measurement procedures consistent with NOAA CO-OPS standards.
Key characteristics:
water level measurements recorded every six minutes
values calculated using averaged samples centered on the six-minute interval
compatible with national coastal monitoring data networks
Ultra-Low Power Stream and Snow Monitoring
This firmware is designed for remote deployments where power efficiency is critical.
Features include:
reduced power consumption
optimized measurement intervals
reliable long-term operation in remote locations
This configuration is ideal for battery or solar-powered stations deployed in difficult-to-access areas.
Feather LoRa Remote Units
Feather LoRa Remote units are designed for distributed sensing networks.
Each remote unit:
collects data from one or more sensors
transmits the data wirelessly via LoRa
sends the observations to a central station
The central station (often a Particle Boron data logger) acts as a gateway by:
receiving LoRa transmissions from multiple remote nodes
forwarding the data to the Particle Cloud
transmitting the observations to CHORDS
This architecture enables monitoring networks where individual sensor locations do not have WiFi or cellular connectivity.
LoRa Network Architecture
In LoRa deployments, Feather data loggers can operate as remote sensing nodes that transmit measurements to a central gateway. The gateway is typically a Particle Boron data logger equipped with a LoRa receiver.
Remote Feather stations collect sensor measurements and transmit them using low-power LoRa radio communication. The Particle gateway receives the data and forwards it through its cellular connection to the cloud data infrastructure.
This architecture allows multiple remote stations to transmit data to a single gateway, making it possible to monitor distributed sensors even in locations without WiFi or cellular connectivity at each sensor site.
Typical LoRa deployments may include several remote Feather nodes communicating with a single Particle gateway, extending the monitoring coverage of a station network.
Instruction Slides for Assembling the Particle LoRa Receiver Harness
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