Collecting Data at a Fixed Indoor or Outdoor Location Using AirBeam3 via Wi-Fi Network & Bluetooth

Important Note

LAPL AirBeam3 air quality sensor is not equipped for data recording at a Fixed location via cellular connection.



Step 1

Make sure your smart device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network and that Bluetooth and GPS/location finder are enabled.

Step 2

Download and install the AirCasting app (iOS | Android) via Wi-Fi or cellular connection.Open the app when installation is complete.

Step 3

Follow the prompts on screen to create an AirCasting account and sign in. If you already have an AirCasting profile, sign in. If you prefer to start with an anonymous account, sign in using LAPL’s generic user login credentials found in the instructions packet in the kit.

Step 4

Tap Record new session or the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the Dashboard screen.

Step 5

On the Let’s begin screen, tap Mobile session.

Step 6

For Android device: If the message “Use your location” appears on the screen, tap Ok then tap “Allow” to Turn on location services to allow the AirCasting app to access your smart device’s location.

For Apple device: If the message “AirCasting Would Like to Use Bluetooth” appears on screen, tap Ok then tap Continue to Turn on Bluetooth to enable your smart device to pair to the AirBeam3.

Step 7

Power on the AirBeam3. See the figure below to locate the power button.

diagram of AirBeam3

Important Notes

  • After turning on the AirBeam3, you will hear a fan humming on the inside and the Connection Indicator light will first turn white then green.
  • If you are unsure if the AirBeam3 unit is on or off, you can listen to hear if the fan is running (humming sound). When the AirBeam3 is off, the fan will not run.
  • If the AirBeam3 does not turn on, it may need to be charged. To charge the AirBeam3, use the USB-C charging cord and charger included in the kit.
  • The Battery Charging light will turn green when the AirBeam3 is charging and turns off when it is either fully charged or unplugged.

Step 8

When the AirBeam3 sensor’s connection indicator light turns to solid Green, tap Continue on screen.

Step 9

On the “Choose the device you’d like to record with” screen, tap the AirBeam3 with a serial number that matches the label on the back of your device and then tap Connect. When the screen reads AirBeam connected tap Continue.

Important Note

  • Once the smart device and AirBeam3 are paired via Bluetooth, the Connection Indicator light on the bottom of the AirBeam3 will turn solid blue. Note that the blue light on the bottom of the AirBeam3 will eventually turn off. This is normal and does not mean your AirBeam3 is off.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Don’t see the device with your serial number? Tap the “Don’t see the device? Refresh scanning” to refresh the list.

  • If the smart device registers an error with the AirCasting app, or if the phone and AirBeam3 do not successfully connect, turn off the AirBeam3 and force close your app, then repeat Steps 4-10.

Step 10

For Apple device: If the message “Allow AirCasting to use your location” appears on screen, tap “Allow While Using the App”.

For Android device: Proceed to Step 11.

Important Note

  • Data recording sessions without geolocations (i.e. when GPS is off) cannot be synced to the AirCasting website.

Step 11

On the New session details screen, enter a descriptive and appropriate session name and tags. Note: Session name will be publicly viewable on the AirCasting website. Tags can help you find your AirCasting session on the website.

Next, tap Indoor or Outdoor for where you will place the AirBeam3 sensor and tap Wi-Fi for the type of connectivity you will be using to transmit air quality data to the AirCasting website.

Enter or select the name and enter the password of the Wi-Fi network your smart device is connected to (if any) to record the session, then tap Continue.

Reminder: LAPL’s AirBeam3 air sensor is not equipped for fixed location recording via cellular mode.



Step 12

If the sensor is placed at a fixed location indoors, proceed to Step 13.

If the sensor is placed at a fixed location outdoors, search the address or adjust the marker on the map to indicate the exact placement, then tap Continue and proceed to Step 13.

Important Note

  • AirCasting app and website only map air quality sensors placed at a fixed location outdoors.

Step 13

When ready, tap the Start recording button on screen. When connected, the connection indicator light will turn from blue to solid white. Your fixed session(s) will appear in your profile’s Following and Fixed tab on Dashboard.

Important Note

  • The solid white connection indicator light on the bottom of the AirBeam3 will eventually turn off to conserve power. This is normal and does not mean your AirBeam3 is off.

Troubleshooting

  • Not seeing a live data stream on your app? Check and make sure your Wi-Fi connection is 2.4 GHz. Also try refreshing the app by dragging down the Dashboard (home) screen until you see the refresh icon. If neither of these solutions work, force close your app, turn off the air quality sensor, and repeat steps 4-13.

Step 14

Swipe left to locate and tap the Fixed tab on the Dashboard to see the list of your fixed location recording sessions.

Step 15

Tap on the three horizontal ellipses (···) of an active fixed session if you want to:

  • Edit your data recording session’s name and tags, or
  • Share your data session, or
  • Delete session (i.e., delete all the data streaming to AirCasting)

Step 16

To stop recording data of a fixed location, simply power off the sensor.

Step 17

To continue a previously stopped recording session with the same sensor at the same fixed location, just power the sensor back on.

Step 18

To start a new data recording session, tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the Dashboard screen and repeat Steps 4-18.



Step 19

When ready to return the Monitoring Air Quality with AirBeam3 kit to the library, please complete the survey (if included).

Step 20

Before returning the kit, make sure that the AirBeam3 air quality sensor and the WiFi digital microscope are turned off, and all accessories (e.g., the charging cable, carabiner clip, observation journal, magnifier, etc.) are in the clear messenger bag they came in.

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