Visibility-Based Calibration of Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors: Laboratory Evaluation and Theoretical Analysis

Low-cost optical sensors for particulate matter (PM) monitoring, such as the SDS011, are widely used due to their affordability and ease of deployment. However, their accuracy strongly depends on aerosol properties and environmental conditions, necessitating reliable calibration. This study presents a theoretical and laboratory evaluation of a practical calibration method based on visibility sensors, which measure atmospheric light extinction and are readily available at many meteorological stations. Experiments were conducted in a controlled aerosol chamber, using SDS011 sensors, visibility sensors (FD70 and SWS250), and gravimetric samplers. The mass extinction coefficient was determined through parallel measurements of visibility and mass concentration, enabling conversion of optical signals into accurate PM values. The calibrated SDS011 sensors demonstrated consistent response with a stable normalization factor (dependent on aerosol type, wavelength, and particle size), allowing their deployment as a spatially distributed sensor network. Comparison with manufacturer calibration revealed substantial deviations due to differences in aerosol optical properties, highlighting the importance of application-specific calibration. The visibility-based approach enables real-time, continuous calibration of low-cost sensors with minimal equipment, offering a scalable solution for PM monitoring in resource-limited or remote environments. The method's robustness under varying environmental conditions remains to be explored. Nevertheless, the results establish visibility-based calibration as a reliable and accessible framework for enhancing the accuracy of low-cost PM sensing technologies. The method enables scalable calibration with a single gravimetric reference and is suited for future field deployment in resource-limited settings, following additional validation under real atmospheric conditions.