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# New Telemetry Sensor
Guide for adding a new I2C telemetry sensor driver to Meshtastic firmware.
## Overview
Telemetry sensors live in `src/modules/Telemetry/Sensor/`. There are 50+ existing drivers organized by measurement type. Each sensor integrates with one of the telemetry modules:
- **EnvironmentTelemetryModule** — Temperature, humidity, pressure, gas, light
- **AirQualityTelemetryModule** — Particulate matter, VOCs
- **PowerTelemetryModule** — Voltage, current, power monitoring
- **HealthTelemetryModule** — Heart rate, SpO2, body temperature
## Sensor Driver Pattern
Each sensor has a `.h` and `.cpp` file pair following this pattern:
```cpp
// src/modules/Telemetry/Sensor/MySensor.h
#pragma once
#include "TelemetrySensor.h"
#include <MySensorLibrary.h> // Arduino/PlatformIO library
class MySensor : virtual public TelemetrySensor
{
private:
MySensorLibrary sensor;
public:
MySensor() : TelemetrySensor(meshtastic_TelemetrySensorType_MY_SENSOR, "MySensor") {}
// Initialize sensor hardware. Return true on success.
virtual void setup() override;
// Read sensor data into the telemetry protobuf. Return true on success.
virtual bool getMetrics(meshtastic_Telemetry *measurement) override;
};
```
```cpp
// src/modules/Telemetry/Sensor/MySensor.cpp
#include "MySensor.h"
#include "TelemetrySensor.h"
void MySensor::setup()
{
sensor.begin();
// Configure sensor parameters...
}
bool MySensor::getMetrics(meshtastic_Telemetry *measurement)
{
// Read from hardware
float value = sensor.readValue();
// Populate the appropriate protobuf variant
measurement->variant.environment_metrics.temperature = value;
// ... other fields ...
return true;
}
```
## I2C Address Registration
Register the sensor's I2C address(es) in `src/detect/ScanI2C` so it's auto-detected at boot:
1. Add a `DeviceType` enum entry in `src/detect/ScanI2C.h`
2. Add the I2C address mapping in `src/detect/ScanI2CTwoWire.cpp`
The scan runs at boot and populates a device map that telemetry modules use to decide which sensors to initialize.
## Protobuf Fields
If the sensor provides data not covered by existing telemetry fields:
1. Add fields to the appropriate message in `protobufs/meshtastic/telemetry.proto`:
- `EnvironmentMetrics` — Environmental measurements
- `AirQualityMetrics` — Air quality data
- `PowerMetrics` — Power/energy data
- `HealthMetrics` — Health/biometric data
2. Add a `.options` constraint if needed (field sizes for nanopb)
3. Regenerate: `bin/regen-protos.sh`
## Sensor Type Enum
Add the sensor to `meshtastic_TelemetrySensorType` enum in `protobufs/meshtastic/telemetry.proto`:
```protobuf
enum TelemetrySensorType {
// ... existing entries ...
MY_SENSOR = XX;
}
```
## Integration with Telemetry Module
Wire the sensor into the appropriate telemetry module. For environment sensors, this is typically in `src/modules/Telemetry/EnvironmentTelemetry.cpp`:
1. Include the sensor header
2. Add initialization in `setupSensor()` guarded by detection results
3. Call `getMetrics()` in the measurement collection path
Example pattern from existing sensors:
```cpp
#include "Sensor/MySensor.h"
MySensor mySensor;
// In setup:
if (nodeTelemetrySensorsMap[meshtastic_TelemetrySensorType_MY_SENSOR].first > 0) {
mySensor.setup();
}
// In measurement collection:
if (nodeTelemetrySensorsMap[meshtastic_TelemetrySensorType_MY_SENSOR].first > 0) {
mySensor.getMetrics(&measurement);
}
```
## Library Dependencies
If the sensor needs an external library, add it to the `lib_deps` in the relevant base platformio.ini configs:
```ini
lib_deps =
${env.lib_deps}
mysensorlibrary@^1.0.0
```
Or use a conditional dependency if it's platform-specific.
## Unit Conversions
If the sensor reports values in non-standard units, use `src/modules/Telemetry/UnitConversions.h` for conversion helpers (e.g., Celsius ↔ Fahrenheit, hPa ↔ inHg).
## Checklist
- [ ] Create `src/modules/Telemetry/Sensor/MySensor.h` and `.cpp`
- [ ] Inherit from `TelemetrySensor` base class
- [ ] Implement `setup()` and `getMetrics()` methods
- [ ] Add `meshtastic_TelemetrySensorType` enum entry in `telemetry.proto`
- [ ] Add I2C address to `src/detect/ScanI2C` for auto-detection
- [ ] Add protobuf fields in `telemetry.proto` if new data types needed
- [ ] Regenerate protos: `bin/regen-protos.sh`
- [ ] Wire into the appropriate telemetry module (Environment/AirQuality/Power/Health)
- [ ] Add library dependency if external library required
- [ ] Test on hardware or native build