Sending data to ThingSpeak

This shows the use of a "ThingSpeak logger" object. Data is sent to ThingSpeak using MQTT.

Unique Features of the ThingSpeak Example

A single logger publishes data to ThingSpeak.
Uses an Espressif ESP8266 to publish data.

To Use this Example

Get ThingSpeak Credentials

Log in or create an account on ThingSpeak
- NOTE: There is no free tier on ThingSpeak for organizational or commercial use and the personal free tier is very limited!
Create a channel on ThingSpeak with fields to receive your data.
- Note the channel number, this is needed in the code!
Add a new MQTT device to publish to.
- Copy or save the MQTT client id, user name, and password!

Prepare and set up PlatformIO

Create a new PlatformIO project
Replace the contents of the platformio.ini for your new project with the platformio.ini file in the examples/logging_to_ThingSpeak folder on GitHub.
- It is important that your PlatformIO configuration has the lib_ldf_mode and build flags set as they are in the example.
- Without this, the program won't compile.
Open logging_to_ThingSpeak.ino and save it to your computer.
- After opening the link, you should be able to right click anywhere on the page and select "Save Page As".
- Move it into the src directory of your project.
- Delete main.cpp in that folder.

Modify the Example

Modify logging_to_ThingSpeak.ino to have the modem, sensor, and variable objects that you are interested in.
- This example is written for an ESP8266 (wifi) modem. Change this to whatever modem you are using. Paste-able chunks of code for each modem are available in the individual sensor documentation or in the menu a la carte example.
- Don't forget to put in your wifi username/password or cellular APN!
- This example is written for a Campbell OBS3+ and a Meter Hydros 21. Remove those sensors if you are not using them and add code for all of your sensors. See the pages for the individual sensors in the documentation for code snippets/examples.
  - Remember, no more than 8 variables/fields can be sent to a single ThingSpeak channel. If you want to send data to multiple channels, you must create individual logger objects with unique publishers attached for each channel you want to send to.
Make sure the pin numbers and serial ports selected in your code match with how things are physically attached to your board!
Order the variables in your variable array in the same order as your fields are on ThingSpeak.
- This order is crucial. The results from the variables in the VariableArray will be sent to ThingSpeak in the order they are in the array; that is, the first variable in the array will be sent as Field1, the second as Field2, etc.
- Any UUID's or custom variable codes are ignored for ThingSpeak. They will only appear in the header of your file on the SD card.
Find this information for your ThingSpeak account and channel and put it into logging_to_ThingSpeak.ino:

const char* thingSpeakClientName = "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // Your MQTT API Key from Account > MyProfile.
const char* thingSpeakMQTTUser = "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // The Write API Key for your channel
const char* thingSpeakMQTTPassword = "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // The numeric channel id for your channel
const char* thingSpeakChannelID = "######";  // The numeric channel id for your channel

Upload!

Test everything at home before deploying out in the wild!

PlatformIO Configuration

; PlatformIO Project Configuration File
;
;   Build options: build flags, source filter
;   Upload options: custom upload port, speed and extra flags
;   Library options: dependencies, extra library storages
;   Advanced options: extra scripting
;
; Please visit documentation for the other options and examples
; http://docs.platformio.org/page/projectconf.html
[platformio]
description = ModularSensors example sending data to ThingSpeak
[env:mayfly]
monitor_speed = 115200
board = mayfly
platform = atmelavr
framework = arduino
lib_ldf_mode = deep+
lib_ignore =
    RTCZero
    Adafruit NeoPixel
    Adafruit GFX Library
    Adafruit SSD1306
    Adafruit ADXL343
    Adafruit STMPE610
    Adafruit TouchScreen
    Adafruit ILI9341
build_flags =
    -DSDI12_EXTERNAL_PCINT
    -DNEOSWSERIAL_EXTERNAL_PCINT
    -DMQTT_MAX_PACKET_SIZE=240
    -DTINY_GSM_RX_BUFFER=64
    -DTINY_GSM_YIELD_MS=2
lib_deps =
    envirodiy/EnviroDIY_ModularSensors
;  ^^ Use this when working from an official release of the library
;    https://github.com/EnviroDIY/ModularSensors.git#develop
;  ^^ Use this when if you want to pull from the develop branch

The Complete Code

/** =========================================================================
 * @example{lineno} logging_to_ThingSpeak.ino
 * @copyright Stroud Water Research Center
 * @license This example is published under the BSD-3 license.
 * @author Sara Geleskie Damiano <sdamiano@stroudcenter.org>
 *
 * @brief Example logging data and publishing to ThingSpeak.
 *
 * See [the walkthrough page](@ref example_thingspeak) for detailed
 * instructions.
 *
 * @m_examplenavigation{example_thingspeak,}
 * ======================================================================= */
// ==========================================================================
//  Defines for TinyGSM
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [defines] */
#ifndef TINY_GSM_RX_BUFFER
#define TINY_GSM_RX_BUFFER 64
#endif
#ifndef TINY_GSM_YIELD_MS
#define TINY_GSM_YIELD_MS 2
#endif
/** End [defines] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Include the libraries required for any data logger
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [includes] */
// The Arduino library is needed for every Arduino program.
#include <Arduino.h>
// Include the main header for ModularSensors
#include <ModularSensors.h>
/** End [includes] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Data Logging Options
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [logging_options] */
// The name of this program file
const char* sketchName = "logging_to_ThingSpeak.ino";
// Logger ID, also becomes the prefix for the name of the data file on SD card
const char* LoggerID = "XXXXX";
// How frequently (in minutes) to log data
const int8_t loggingInterval = 15;
// Your logger's timezone.
const int8_t timeZone = -5;  // Eastern Standard Time
// NOTE:  Daylight savings time will not be applied!  Please use standard time!
// Set the input and output pins for the logger
// NOTE:  Use -1 for pins that do not apply
const int32_t serialBaud = 115200;  // Baud rate for debugging
const int8_t  greenLED   = 8;       // Pin for the green LED
const int8_t  redLED     = 9;       // Pin for the red LED
const int8_t  buttonPin  = 21;      // Pin for debugging mode (ie, button pin)
const int8_t  wakePin    = 31;  // MCU interrupt/alarm pin to wake from sleep
// Mayfly 0.x D31 = A7
// Set the wake pin to -1 if you do not want the main processor to sleep.
// In a SAMD system where you are using the built-in rtc, set wakePin to 1
const int8_t sdCardPwrPin   = -1;  // MCU SD card power pin
const int8_t sdCardSSPin    = 12;  // SD card chip select/slave select pin
const int8_t sensorPowerPin = 22;  // MCU pin controlling main sensor power
/** End [logging_options] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Wifi/Cellular Modem Options
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [espressif_esp8266] */
// For almost anything based on the Espressif ESP8266 using the AT command
// firmware
#include <modems/EspressifESP8266.h>
// Create a reference to the serial port for the modem
HardwareSerial& modemSerial = Serial1;  // Use hardware serial if possible
const int32_t   modemBaud   = 115200;   // Communication speed of the modem
// NOTE:  This baud rate too fast for an 8MHz board, like the Mayfly!  The
// module should be programmed to a slower baud rate or set to auto-baud using
// the AT+UART_CUR or AT+UART_DEF command.
// Modem Pins - Describe the physical pin connection of your modem to your board
// NOTE:  Use -1 for pins that do not apply
const int8_t modemVccPin   = -2;  // MCU pin controlling modem power
const int8_t modemResetPin = 20;  // MCU pin connected to modem reset pin
const int8_t modemLEDPin =
    redLED;  // MCU pin connected an LED to show modem status
// Network connection information
const char* wifiId  = "xxxxx";  // The WiFi access point
const char* wifiPwd = "xxxxx";  // The password for connecting to WiFi
// Create the loggerModem object
EspressifESP8266 modemESP(&modemSerial, modemVccPin, modemResetPin, wifiId,
                          wifiPwd);
// Create an extra reference to the modem by a generic name
EspressifESP8266 modem = modemESP;
/** End [espressif_esp8266] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Using the Processor as a Sensor
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [processor_sensor] */
#include <sensors/ProcessorStats.h>
// Create the main processor chip "sensor" - for general metadata
const char*    mcuBoardVersion = "v1.1";
ProcessorStats mcuBoard(mcuBoardVersion);
/** End [processor_sensor] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Maxim DS3231 RTC (Real Time Clock)
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [ds3231] */
#include <sensors/MaximDS3231.h>
// Create a DS3231 sensor object
MaximDS3231 ds3231(1);
/** End [ds3231] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Campbell OBS 3 / OBS 3+ Analog Turbidity Sensor
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [obs3] */
#include <sensors/CampbellOBS3.h>
const int8_t  OBS3Power = sensorPowerPin;  // Power pin (-1 if unconnected)
const uint8_t OBS3NumberReadings = 10;
const uint8_t ADSi2c_addr        = 0x48;  // The I2C address of the ADS1115 ADC
// Campbell OBS 3+ *Low* Range Calibration in Volts
const int8_t OBSLowADSChannel = 0;  // ADS channel for *low* range output
const float  OBSLow_A         = 0.000E+00;  // "A" value (X^2) [*low* range]
const float  OBSLow_B         = 1.000E+00;  // "B" value (X) [*low* range]
const float  OBSLow_C         = 0.000E+00;  // "C" value [*low* range]
// Create a Campbell OBS3+ *low* range sensor object
CampbellOBS3 osb3low(OBS3Power, OBSLowADSChannel, OBSLow_A, OBSLow_B, OBSLow_C,
                     ADSi2c_addr, OBS3NumberReadings);
// Campbell OBS 3+ *High* Range Calibration in Volts
const int8_t OBSHighADSChannel = 1;  // ADS channel for *high* range output
const float  OBSHigh_A         = 0.000E+00;  // "A" value (X^2) [*high* range]
const float  OBSHigh_B         = 1.000E+00;  // "B" value (X) [*high* range]
const float  OBSHigh_C         = 0.000E+00;  // "C" value [*high* range]
// Create a Campbell OBS3+ *high* range sensor object
CampbellOBS3 osb3high(OBS3Power, OBSHighADSChannel, OBSHigh_A, OBSHigh_B,
                      OBSHigh_C, ADSi2c_addr, OBS3NumberReadings);
/** End [obs3] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Meter Hydros 21 Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [hydros21] */
#include <sensors/MeterHydros21.h>
const char*   hydrosSDI12address = "1";  // The SDI-12 Address of the Hydros 21
const uint8_t hydrosNumberReadings = 6;  // The number of readings to average
const int8_t  SDI12Power = sensorPowerPin;  // Power pin (-1 if unconnected)
const int8_t  SDI12Data  = 7;               // The SDI12 data pin
// Create a Meter Hydros 21 sensor object
MeterHydros21 hydros21(*hydrosSDI12address, SDI12Power, SDI12Data,
                       hydrosNumberReadings);
/** End [hydros21] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Creating the Variable Array[s] and Filling with Variable Objects
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [variable_arrays] */
Variable* variableList[] = {
    new MeterHydros21_Cond(&hydros21, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab"),
    new MeterHydros21_Temp(&hydros21, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab"),
    new MeterHydros21_Depth(&hydros21, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab"),
    new CampbellOBS3_Turbidity(&osb3low, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab",
                               "TurbLow"),
    new CampbellOBS3_Turbidity(
        &osb3high, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab", "TurbHigh"),
    new ProcessorStats_Battery(&mcuBoard,
                               "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab"),
    new MaximDS3231_Temp(&ds3231, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab"),
    new Modem_RSSI(&modem, "12345678-abcd-1234-ef00-1234567890ab")};
// Count up the number of pointers in the array
int variableCount = sizeof(variableList) / sizeof(variableList[0]);
// Create the VariableArray object
VariableArray varArray;
/** End [variable_arrays] */
// ==========================================================================
//  The Logger Object[s]
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [loggers] */
// Create a logger instance
Logger dataLogger;
/** End [loggers] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Creating Data Publisher[s]
// ==========================================================================
// Create a channel with fields on ThingSpeak in advance
// The fields will be sent in exactly the order they are in the variable array.
// Any custom name or identifier given to the field on ThingSpeak is irrelevant.
// No more than 8 fields of data can go to any one channel.  Any fields beyond
// the eighth in the array will be ignored.
const char* thingSpeakClientName =
    "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // The client name for your MQTT device
const char* thingSpeakMQTTUser =
    "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // The user name for your MQTT device.
const char* thingSpeakMQTTPassword =
    "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // The password for your MQTT device
const char* thingSpeakChannelID =
    "######";  // The numeric channel id for your channel
const char* thingSpeakAPIKey =
    "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";  // The ThingSpeak user REST API key
// Create a data publisher for ThingSpeak
#include <publishers/ThingSpeakPublisher.h>
ThingSpeakPublisher TsMqtt;
/** End [loggers] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Working Functions
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [working_functions] */
// Flashes the LED's on the primary board
void greenRedFlash(uint8_t numFlash = 4, uint8_t rate = 75) {
    for (uint8_t i = 0; i < numFlash; i++) {
        digitalWrite(greenLED, HIGH);
        digitalWrite(redLED, LOW);
        delay(rate);
        digitalWrite(greenLED, LOW);
        digitalWrite(redLED, HIGH);
        delay(rate);
    }
    digitalWrite(redLED, LOW);
}
// Reads the battery voltage
// NOTE: This will actually return the battery level from the previous update!
float getBatteryVoltage() {
    if (mcuBoard.sensorValues[0] == -9999) mcuBoard.update();
    return mcuBoard.sensorValues[0];
}
/** End [working_functions] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Arduino Setup Function
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [setup] */
void setup() {
    // Start the primary serial connection
    Serial.begin(serialBaud);
    // Print a start-up note to the first serial port
    Serial.print(F("Now running "));
    Serial.print(sketchName);
    Serial.print(F(" on Logger "));
    Serial.println(LoggerID);
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print(F("Using ModularSensors Library version "));
    Serial.println(MODULAR_SENSORS_VERSION);
    Serial.print(F("TinyGSM Library version "));
    Serial.println(TINYGSM_VERSION);
    Serial.println();
    // Start the serial connection with the modem
    modemSerial.begin(modemBaud);
    // Set up pins for the LED's
    pinMode(greenLED, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(greenLED, LOW);
    pinMode(redLED, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(redLED, LOW);
    // Blink the LEDs to show the board is on and starting up
    greenRedFlash();
    // Set the timezones for the logger/data and the RTC
    // Logging in the given time zone
    Logger::setLoggerTimeZone(timeZone);
    // It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you set the RTC to be in UTC (UTC+0)
    loggerClock::setRTCOffset(0);
    // Attach the modem and information pins to the logger
    dataLogger.attachModem(modem);
    modem.setModemLED(modemLEDPin);
    dataLogger.setLoggerPins(wakePin, sdCardSSPin, sdCardPwrPin, buttonPin,
                             greenLED);
    // Begin the variable array[s], logger[s], and publisher[s]
    varArray.begin(variableCount, variableList);
    dataLogger.begin(LoggerID, loggingInterval, &varArray);
    TsMqtt.begin(dataLogger, thingSpeakClientName, thingSpeakMQTTUser,
                 thingSpeakMQTTPassword, thingSpeakChannelID);
    TsMqtt.setRESTAPIKey(thingSpeakAPIKey);
    // Note:  Please change these battery voltages to match your battery
    // Set up the sensors, except at lowest battery level
    if (getBatteryVoltage() > 3.4) {
        Serial.println(F("Setting up sensors..."));
        varArray.setupSensors();
    }
    // Sync the clock if it isn't valid or we have battery to spare
    if (getBatteryVoltage() > 3.55 || !loggerClock::isRTCSane()) {
        // Set up the modem, synchronize the RTC with NIST, and publish
        // configuration information to rename the channel and fields.
        dataLogger.makeInitialConnections();
    }
    // Create the log file, adding the default header to it
    // Do this last so we have the best chance of getting the time correct and
    // all sensor names correct.
    // Writing to the SD card can be power intensive, so if we're skipping the
    // sensor setup we'll skip this too.
    if (getBatteryVoltage() > 3.4) {
        Serial.println(F("Setting up file on SD card"));
        dataLogger.turnOnSDcard(true);
        // true = wait for card to settle after power up
        dataLogger.createLogFile(true);  // true = write a new header
        dataLogger.turnOffSDcard(true);
        // true = wait for internal housekeeping after write
    }
    // Call the processor sleep
    Serial.println(F("Putting processor to sleep"));
    dataLogger.systemSleep();
}
/** End [setup] */
// ==========================================================================
//  Arduino Loop Function
// ==========================================================================
/** Start [loop] */
// Use this short loop for simple data logging and sending
void loop() {
    // Note:  Please change these battery voltages to match your battery
    // At very low battery, just go back to sleep
    if (getBatteryVoltage() < 3.4) {
        dataLogger.systemSleep();
    }
    // At moderate voltage, log data but don't send it over the modem
    else if (getBatteryVoltage() < 3.55) {
        dataLogger.logData();
    }
    // If the battery is good, send the data to the world
    else {
        dataLogger.logDataAndPublish();
    }
}
/** End [loop] */

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