BEEP base

BEEP supports beekeepers in taking care of their bees using technology

Most beekeepers only know how their bees are doing when they take a look in the hive. He or she has the best intentions and want to take care of the bees. However, it is almost impossible not to disturb them when you peek into their home. The beekeepers will use smoke to calm the bees, open the hive and look at the frames. The interventions or actions are written down on a weathered piece of paper.

Now, imagine a different approach to beekeeping. One in which the bees are less often disturbed. One in which the beekeeper is better informed about the needs of a colony. An approach to beekeeping in which the beekeeper can open an app to have an instant insight in the status of the colony of honeybees. A digital environment to register actions and observations. That is where BEEP come into play. BEEP supports beekeepers in taking care of their colonies with the BEEP app and the BEEP base.

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The BEEP base

The BEEP base v3.7 is an automatic measurement system that you place under the hive. The built-in scale, temperature sensor and microphone turn on every 15 minutes to measure the values and to send the information to the BEEP app through LoRa. The built-in PCB is the 'computer' that regulates the measurements and sends the data. Thus, with the ready-to-use BEEP base you always have insights in the status of your bees.

New!

We have taken your feedback into account and further developed the BEEP base v3.7. In the new version, you will experience improved stability due to a change in the design of the steelwork. Changing the batteries will be a breeze, since you can detach the battery box with valcro and the build-in real-time clock ensures that the time stamp is accurate, even when there was no connection to the LoRa network.

Improved stability The biggest change in the BEEP base is the steelwork. In previous versions, the legs were separate parts that had to be attached to the frame. For the new BEEP base we changed that design, so the legs and the base housing are made from one piece of steel. This results in a more stable BEEP base, and therefore a more stable beehive.

External battery holder One of the wishes of BEEP base users was an easier way to replace the batteries. This is now possible with an external battery holder that is attached to the frame of the base with valcro. The box can be disconnected and thanks to the cable you can replace the batteries without having to remove the hive from the BEEP base. The batteries last three times longer, because the AAA batteries have been replaced by AA batteries.

Build-in real-time clock The BEEP base collects and transmits data. The data is also stored on the computer of the BEEP base in case the data connection does not work as expected. It is important that the stored date and time of the measurements are precise, especially if the data is used for scientific research. That is why we have built in a timer with its own battery, a so-called real-time clock. This ensures that the time series is always correct. This results in higher quality and reliability of the collected data.

Easy to install

The BEEP base is completely assembled. You can configure the BEEP base with the BEEP base app (iOS and Android) via Bluetooth. In the online helpdesk you find a detailed step-by-step manual that guides you through the configuration. If you have any questions, you can ask our team who is happy to help.

Wireless data transmission

The BEEP base collects data and sends it to your BEEP app via the LoRa network. This is how you can access the data in the app on your phone, tablet or computer. You can connect to the LoRa network in two ways: via a KPN LoRa subscription (only in the Netherlands) or by means of your own LoRa gateway that connects you to the free LoRa network, called The Things Network (TTN). If TTN is not available at your apiary, you can install a gateway yourself to expand the network.

There are also commercial LoRa providers that you could use, these differ per country. The LoRa frequency in the BEEP base V3.7 is compatible for the LoRa in Europe and Southern Africa. You can also directly collect the data with Bluetooth to the BEEP base app, and send it to the BEEP app. The base has 64 MB of memory, enough for two years of data storage.

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Above: measurement data visible in the BEEP app of the BEEP base in combination with weather data at the location of the apiary. The vertical dotted line in the graphs are inspection moments. You can click on it in the BEEP app to view the inspection data.

Up to three years measurements with 2 AA batteries

The BEEP base v3.7 uses two AA batteries, which allows the BEEP base to measure up to three times longer than previous versions. This is based on a measurement interval of fifteen minutes. The batteries need to be replaced less often, which increases the ease of use for the beekeeper.

Will my hive fit?

The BEEP base fits under all common hives like the Segeberger and Dadant. Smaller hives will always fit. The base comes with clamps to attach it to the surface and to the hive. If you want, you can also belay the hive with a lashing strap (not included). Afraid for theft? Hide the base behind a self-made wooden border. Once you have registered your BEEP base in the app the base becomes unusable for others, unless you deregister it in your BEEP app.

Applications

The sensors (weight, temperature and sound) provide a range of possibilities for measurements on the hive. For example: how much stock do the bees collect, how much do they use, swarming, robbery, brood and the expansion and reduction thereof, flight activity. You can move the bases around multiple locations to compare the bees activities and availability of food per area. Click here for more information about the applications.

Benefit from research

The BEEP foundation participates in multiple researches. All BEEP users benefit from this. Based on the outcomes of the research, the BEEP platform is improved by (free) upgrades of the BEEP base and/or app. Also bases that are already in use benefit, since you can update the firmware with the BEEP base app.

An example of current research is the interpretation of sound data, for example in a hive without a queen. Sound interpretation is very complex and thorough research helps to come to a reliable interpretation. At the moment you can look at raw, transformed (Fourier transform) data in the BEEP app.

On the BEEP platform you can contribute to existing research by sharing your data, you have to explicitly consent for this, and set up your own research. Click here for more information.

Open source

BEEP foundation shares code and construction drawings via Open Source. This means that you can consult the code and construction drawings to work on them yourself. This can vary from adding multiple temperature or humidity sensors (up to 10) and other sensors or making code adjustments for new features in the app. You can also build your own data dashboard using the API (Application Programming Interface).

Technical specifications

Dimensions: 482x398x68mm
Energy usage
• 0.24 mW @ 1x/15min measurement and sending interval
• 2.5-3.8 VDC (2xAA 1.5V batteries included)
Measurements
• Temperature sensor 1-Wire (DS18b20): -55 °C +125 °C (+/- 0.5 °C)
• Weight sensor Bosche H40A: 0-150 kg (+/- 0.1%)
• Microphone frequency: 100Hz-12kHz, Audio ADC (92 dBA SNR)
Transmittors
• Bluetooth® 2.4 GHz / transmit power max: +8dBm
• LoRaWAN®-Zone: EU863-870 (868 MHz) / transmit power max: +20dBm
• uFL SMT-antenne
Push button to turn the base on and off
Buzzer (beep!) for auditive feedback
I2C sensor screw terminals
Processor: nRF 52840 MHz ARM®️ CortexTM-M4
8MB flash memory (storage for approximately two years of measurement data)
2-Channel Weight Amplifier (HX711)
Firmware updates via Bluetooth (BLE)
Real-time clock DS-3231