Arduino Nicla Sense Env: Real-Time Environmental Monitoring with Renesas RA2E1, HS4001, ZMOD4410, and ZMOD4510 Sensors

The Arduino Nicla Sense Env is a compact environmental monitoring board designed for real-time data collection. It integrates several sensors, including the HS4001 for temperature and humidity, the ZMOD4410 for detecting volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and estimating CO₂ levels, and the ZMOD4510 for monitoring nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃).

Powered by the low-power Renesas RA2E1 microcontroller, featuring a 48 MHz Arm Cortex-M23 core, the Nicla Sense Env is optimized for battery-powered IoT and environmental monitoring applications. Its compatibility with Arduino platforms like Portenta and MKR, through the onboard ESLOV connector, enables easy expansion and I²C communication. With a compact 22.86 x 22.86 mm design and castellated pins, it is well-suited for surface-mount designs and space-constrained installations.

Previously, we covered other Nicla Sense modules such as the Arduino Nicla Sense ME featuring Bosch sensors, the Arduino Nicla Voice, and the Arduino Nicla Vision. Feel free to check them out if you’re interested in these products.

Block Diagram

Arduino Nicla Sense specifications:

• MCU: Renesas RA2E1 ARM Cortex M23 (not accessible or programmable by the user)
  • CPU: Arm Cortex-M23 core up to 48 MHz
  • Memory: 16KB onboard SRAM
  • Storage: 128KB onboard Flash
• Renesas Sensors
  • HS4001: Ultra-low power, fully calibrated relative humidity and temperature sensor
  • ZMOD4410AI1V: The gas sensor for TVOC and Indoor Air Quality with embedded AI
  • ZMOD4510AI1V: Gas sensor for NO2, O3 and Outdoor Air Quality with embedded AI
• Expansion
  • 5-pin ESLOV connector with I2C, GPIO, +5V and GND
  • 17-pin through hole and castellated pins with 1x I2C, 1x serial port, 1x SPI, 2x 12-bit ADC, up to 10x GPIO, +5V, +3.3V, reset, and GND
  • 12-pin/2-Row 2.54 mm pitch PMOD connector pads compatible with angle TSM header
• Others
  • I2C-controlled orange LED
  • I2C-controlled RGB LED
  • Reset button
• Power supply: +3.3V input from Arduino Portenta or MKR board
• Dimension and weight: 22.86 mm x 22.86 mm | 2g
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to + 85°C

The Arduino Nicla Sense Env is designed for applications such as climate control systems, where it monitors air quality, humidity, and temperature, making it ideal for integration into HVAC systems. It enhances automated air purifiers with real-time air quality data and can be used for early detection of fumes and fire smoke in safety systems. Industrial automation provides precise monitoring of air quality and toxic substance detection in processes like heat pumps. Additionally, it serves as a ready-to-use solution for prototyping environmental monitoring systems with Arduino Portenta and MKR boards.

Users can install the Arduino_NiclaSenseEnv library to control the module and retrieve sensor data, with the option to connect to the Arduino Cloud or third-party IoT cloud services. While the company mentions MicroPython support, specific documentation for it is currently unavailable. All necessary resources for getting started with Arduino programming can be found on the official documentation website.

Video

The Arduino Nicla Sense is available for purchase on the official Arduino website for $39. More details can be found in the official announcement and the product page.

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