The Sharp GP2Y1010AU0F optical dust sensor is a small (46.0 × 30.0 × 17.6 mm) lightweight (~15g) air quality sensor containing an infra-red LED and a phototransistor capable of detecting air-borne dust and smoke. The sensor is available from SparkFun and their distributors (Product ID: COM-09689) and has a sensitivity of 0.5V/0.1mg/m^3.

Sharp have produced a detailed datasheet for the sensor, together with a rather useful application note.

You will need:

• Arduino Uno or equivalent (e.g. the SparkFun RedBoard – product ID: DEV-12757)
• Sharp GP2Y1010AU0F optical dust sensor (SparkFun ID: COM-09689)
• 6-Way JST ZHR-6 connector housing (SparkFun ID: PRT-09690)
• 6x JST SZH-002T-P0.5 crimp pins (SparkFun ID: PRT-09728)
• 150R Resistor
• 220µF Electrolytic Capacitor
• (Hobby Components offer the sensor, pre-crimped connector, resistor and capacitor as a complete kit)
• Small Breadboard or Veroboard
• Hook-up wires

Start by reading the hook-up instructions

Then download the Dust_Sensor sketch

Don't forget to install the Timer1 library

Make sure you are using a 5V Arduino board. If you try to use a 3V3 board like the Zero, you may damage it.

This project is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution + Share-alike (BY-SA) licence. Please refer to section 5 of the licence for the “Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability”.

Enjoy!