This version introduces dynamic screen loading based on a user-modifiable configuration file in JSON format, stored on an SDCard. This file includes Indicator screens (e.g., sensor displays, switches) and Home Assistant connection details, eliminating the need for firmware recompilation when adding new items.

Initial example look and feel used:

• Real-time and historical data display for CO2, tVOC, temperature, and humidity.
• Wi-Fi, display, and time settings configuration.
• Home Assistant data integration and control functionality.

In addition to the core features, the project now supports:

• Loading different screen types (e.g., 1x1, 1x2, 2x3) and UI elements (e.g., sensor displays, switch buttons) from the configuration file.
• Easy modification of UI templates using squareline projects (located in the /squareline/ folder).

The UI templates are based on squareline (see /squareline/ sub folder with projects) with different UI elements. You can find few projects for large, medium and small screens. You can modify the UI elements, generate the code and modify the ./main/ui/screens/ui_sreen_ha_templates files.

Please first read the User Guide of the SenseCAP Indicator Board to learn about its software and hardware information.

The heart of this project's customization lies in the configuration file, which is stored on an SDCard and loaded by the RP2040(the ESP32 MCU will request the configuration file from the RP2040 and generate screens, sensors and swtiches.):

Structure of the config file :

{
    "url": "mqtt:https://<url>",
    "username": "<username>",
    "password": "<password>",
    "pages": [
        {
            "name": "<PAGE_NAME>",
            "label": "<PAGE_LABEL>",
            "type": "<PAGE_TYPE>",
            "sensors": [
                {
                    "name": "<SENSOR_NAME>",
                    "label": "<SENSOR_LABEL>",
                    "unit": "<SENSOR_UNIT>",
                    "key": "<SENSOR_HA_KEY>",
                    "x": "<SENSOR_X>",
                    "y": "<SENSOR_Y>",
                    "icon": "<SENSOR_ICON>",
                    "size": "<SENSOR_SIZE>"
                },
            ],
            "switches": [
                {
                    "name": "<SWITCH_NAME>",
                    "label": "<SWITCH_LABEL>",
                    "key": "<SWITCH_HA_KEY>",
                    "x": "<SWITCH_X>",
                    "y": "<SWITCH_Y>",
                    "type": "<SWITCH_TYPE>",
                    "size": "<SWITCH_SIZE>",                 
                    "unit": "<SWITCH_UNIT>"   
                },
            ]
        }
    ]
}

You can see the example of the configuration file: ha_config.json.template file.

You need to configure Home assistant to receive and send data from/to the Indicator device. The following is an example of the mqtt.yaml file.

sensor:
  # SenseCAP Sensors
  - unique_id: SC_temperature
    name: "SC Temperature"
    state_topic: "indicator/sensor"
    #suggested_display_precision: 1
    unit_of_measurement: "°C"
    value_template: "{{ value_json.temp }}"
  - unique_id: SC_humidity
    name: "SC Humidity"
    state_topic: "indicator/sensor"
    unit_of_measurement: "%"
    value_template: "{{ value_json.humidity }}"
  - unique_id: SC_co2
    name: "SC CO2"
    state_topic: "indicator/sensor"
    unit_of_measurement: "ppm"
    value_template: "{{ value_json.co2 }}"
  - unique_id: SC_tvoc
    name: "SC tVOC"
    state_topic: "indicator/sensor"
    unit_of_measurement: ""
    value_template: "{{ value_json.tvoc }}"
  # Additonal Sensors
  - unique_id: <SENSOR_ID>
    name: "<SENSOR_NAME>"
    state_topic: "indicator/sensor"
    unit_of_measurement: "<SENSOR_UNIT>"
    value_template: "{{ value_json.<SENSOR_HA_KEY> }}"
switch:
  - unique_id: <SWITCH_ID>
    name: "<SWITCH_NAME>"
    state_topic: "indicator/switch/state"
    command_topic: "indicator/switch/set"
    value_template: "{{ value_json.<SWITCH_HA_KEY> }}"
    payload_on: '{"<SWITCH_HA_KEY>":1}'
    payload_off: '{"<SWITCH_HA_KEY>":0}'
    state_on: 1
    state_off: 0
number:
  - unique_id: <SWITCH_ID>
    name: "<SWITCH_NAME>"
    state_topic: "indicator/switch/state"
    command_topic: "indicator/switch/set"
    command_template: '{"<SWITCH_HA_KEY>": {{ value }} }'
    value_template: "{{ value_json.<SWITCH_HA_KEY> }}"

If you want to display any information from HA on SenseCap Indicator screens (like temp, humidity of other sensors, rooms), you need to create an automation to publish the data to the Indicator device.

Example of the automation Publish a temperature and humidity sensor data on MQTT every minute (time_pattern)

alias: MQTT - <Automation Name>
description: ""
trigger:
  - platform: time_pattern
    minutes: "*"
    hours: "*"
condition: []
action:
  - service: mqtt.publish
    data:
      qos: "0"
      retain: false
      topic: indicator/sensor
      payload: >-
        {"<SENSOR_HA_KEY>" : "{{states('sensor.<HA_SENSOR_NAME>')
        }}"}
  - service: mqtt.publish
    data:
      qos: "0"
      retain: false
      topic: indicator/sensor
      payload: "{\"<SENSOR_HA_KEY>\" : \"{{states('sensor.<HA_SENSOR_NAME>') }}\"}"
mode: single

To build and flash the RP2040 for this project, follow these steps using the Arduino IDE:

1. Install Arduino IDE
2. Add Raspberry Pi Pico Board
3. Install Required Libraries: Add the following libraries to your Arduino IDE to ensure compatibility with the project's sensors and functionalities:
   • Sensirion Core: For core functionality of Sensirion sensors.
   • PacketSerial: Enables serial communication.
   • Sensirion I2C SGP40: Library for the SGP40 TVOC sensor.
   • Sensirion I2C SCD4x: For the SCD41 CO2 sensor.
   • Sensirion Gas Index Algorithm: Used for gas index calculations.
   • Seeed_Arduino_AHT20: For the AHT20 temperature and humidity sensor.
4. Select Board and Port: In the Arduino IDE, search for and select the "Seeed INDICATOR RP2040" board. Then, choose the appropriate serial port (usually labeled as usbmodem).
5. Build and Flash

For more detailed instructions, including setting up the Arduino IDE and troubleshooting common issues, refer to the Seeed Studio guide or repo:SenseCAP Indicator RP2040.

To set up your ESP32 for this project, follow these steps:

1. Install ESP-IDF: Begin by installing the ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) from the official ESP-IDF Getting Started Guide. This framework provides the necessary tools and libraries for ESP32 development.

2. Build, Flash, and Monitor: Use the command idf.py -p PORT flash monitor in your terminal to build the project, flash it to the ESP32, and open the serial monitor. This command allows you to observe real-time logs from the ESP32. To exit the serial monitor, press Ctrl-].

For a comprehensive walkthrough, refer to the detailed Getting Started Guide with ESP-IDF. This guide covers everything from setting up the development environment to running your first project.

For additional information and specific instructions for the SenseCAP Indicator project, consult the Seeed Studio guide or repo:SenseCAP Indicator ESP32.