A low-cost IoT multi-spectral acquisition device

Color and lighting quality assessment allow users to reliably examine the quality of light sources and the changes in the lighting conditions. Technological advance has led to an increase in the development of intelligent systems that are permanently connected to the Internet and that allow access to real time-data. Smart lighting systems have become a subject of great interest given their potential in different application areas, such as optimization for object reflectance and damage reduction to artwork. It has become necessary to develop new sensors that are aligned with the technological needs, that are easily integrated into IoT (Internet of Things) or smart lightning systems, and that allow estimating lighting quality measurements in real time. Here, a low-cost IoT multi-spectral acquisition device with wireless communication is presented. Insights into the overall system design and a validation of its operation is provided to allow reproducibility and independent testing of the proposed device. The device can be used for light source spectrum recovery and estimation of light quality and color rendering measures. The total cost of the device is below 130 USD, and customizability provides a great advantage over commercially available devices.