Arduino MKR

Guide to using Arduino MKR boards as low-power 3D-PAWS data loggers with local SD storage and optional cellular transmission.

Overview

The Arduino MKR Data Logger is a microcontroller-based platform that can be used to operate a 3D-PAWS weather station. It provides low-power sensor polling, local data storage, and optional cellular data transmission.

The MKR platform runs the 3D-PAWS MKR Full Station firmware, which reads environmental sensors, timestamps observations, and stores measurements locally on a microSD card. When connectivity is available, data can be transmitted to remote services such as CHORDS for visualization and analysis.

The MKR system is designed for compact, low-power weather stations, making it suitable for solar-powered deployments and experimental monitoring systems.

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Supported Hardware

The MKR implementation typically uses one of the following boards:

• Arduino MKR NB 1500 – LTE cellular connectivity

• Arduino MKR GSM 1400 – GSM cellular connectivity

Supporting components typically include:

• MicroSD card for local data storage

• Real-Time Clock (RTC) module

• Cellular SIM card

• Cellular antenna

• EEPROM memory

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Sensors Supported

• Light sensor

• Rain Gauge

• Anemometer

• Wind Vane

• Radiation Shield (Temperature, Pressure, & Relative Humidity)

• Globe Temperature

• Air Quality (PM 1.0, 2.5, 10)

• Distance Gauge (Stream, Storm Surge, and Snow Height)

• Soil Moisture and Temperature

• Leaf Wetness

Additional sensors may be integrated depending on the station configuration.

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Data Flow

In a typical MKR-based station, data flows through the system as follows:

Sensors
   ↓
Arduino MKR Data Logger
   ↓
Local Storage (microSD card)
   ↓
Cellular Network
   ↓
CHORDS Data Portal
   ↓
Grafana Visualization

Local storage ensures measurements are preserved even if connectivity is temporarily unavailable.

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Firmware

The firmware used for MKR-based stations is available from the 3D-PAWS GitHub repository:

3D-PAWS MKR Full Station

GitHub - 3d-paws/3D-PAWS-MKR-FullStationGitHub

The repository contains:

• station firmware

• configuration parameters

• sensor interface libraries

• hardware pin mappings

Users should download the latest version when configuring a station.

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Notes

• Stations using MKR should be fully tested before deployment to verify sensor readings and connectivity.

• A properly configured SIM card and cellular signal are required for remote data transmission.

• Local SD storage provides a backup if cellular connectivity is interrupted.