diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ba287d48..d6cda4ba 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ By default bluetooth sniffing is disabled (#define *BLECOUNTER* 0 in paxcounter.
 
 Before compiling the code,
 
+- **edit platformio.ini** and select desired hardware target in section boards. To add a new board, create an appropriate hardware abstraction layer file in hal subdirectory, and add a pointer to this file in sections boards.
+
 - **edit src/paxcounter.conf** and tailor settings in this file according to your needs and use case. Please take care of the duty cycle regulations of the LoRaWAN network you're going to use.
 
 - **edit src/lmic_config.h** and tailor settings in this file according to your country and device hardware. Please take care of national regulations when selecting the frequency band for LoRaWAN.
diff --git a/build.py b/build.py
index f7cf7e79..cbe14c37 100644
--- a/build.py
+++ b/build.py
@@ -22,6 +22,17 @@ config.read("platformio.ini")
 # get platformio source path
 srcdir = env.get("PROJECTSRC_DIR")
 
+# get hal path
+haldir = os.path.join (srcdir, "hal")
+
+# check if hal file is present in source directory
+halconfig = config.get("board", "halfile")
+halconfigfile = os.path.join (haldir, halconfig)
+if os.path.isfile(halconfigfile) and os.access(halconfigfile, os.R_OK):
+    print "Parsing hardware configuration from " + halconfigfile
+else:
+    sys.exit("Missing file " + halconfigfile + ", please create it! Aborting.")
+
 # check if lmic config file is present in source directory
 lmicconfig = config.get("common", "lmicconfigfile")
 lmicconfigfile = os.path.join (srcdir, lmicconfig)
@@ -58,7 +69,7 @@ apitoken = mykeys["BINTRAY_API_TOKEN"]
 
 # get bintray upload parameters from platformio environment
 version = config.get("common", "release_version")
-package = str(env.get("PIOENV"))
+package, dummy = halconfig.partition(".")[::2]
 
 # put bintray user credentials to platformio environment
 env.Replace(BINTRAY_USER=user)
@@ -71,7 +82,7 @@ env.Append(BUILD_FLAGS=[
     u'-DWIFI_PASS=\\"' + mykeys["OTA_WIFI_PASS"] + '\\"', 
     u'-DBINTRAY_USER=\\"' + mykeys["BINTRAY_USER"] + '\\"', 
     u'-DBINTRAY_REPO=\\"' + mykeys["BINTRAY_REPO"] + '\\"', 
-    u'-DBINTRAY_PACKAGE=\\"$PIOENV\\"',
+    u'-DBINTRAY_PACKAGE=\\"' + package + '\\"',
     u'-DARDUINO_LMIC_PROJECT_CONFIG_H=' + lmicconfig,
     u'-I \"' + srcdir + '\"'
     ])
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 64e7fb1a..73153c72 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -1,52 +1,100 @@
 ; PlatformIO Project Configuration File
+; NOTE: PlatformIO v4 is needed!
 ;
 ; Please visit documentation for the other options and examples
 ; http://docs.platformio.org/page/projectconf.html
 
 
 ; ---> SELECT TARGET PLATFORM HERE! <---
+[board]
+;halfile = ebox.h
+;board = esp32dev
+;upload_speed = 115200
+
+;halfile = eboxtube.h
+;board = esp32dev
+;upload_speed = 115200
+
+;halfile = ecopower.h
+;board = esp32dev
+
+;halfile = heltec.h
+;board = heltec_wifi_lora_32
+
+;halfile = heltecv2.h
+;board = heltec_wifi_lora_32_V2
+
+;halfile = ttgov1.h
+;board = ttgo-lora32-v1
+;upload_speed = 115200
+
+;halfile = ttgov2.h
+;board = ttgo-lora32-v1
+
+;halfile = ttgov21old.h
+;board = esp32dev
+
+;halfile = ttgov21new.h
+;board = esp32dev
+
+halfile = ttgofox.h
+board = esp32dev
+
+;halfile = ttgobeam.h
+;board = ttgo-t-beam
+
+;halfile = fipy.h
+;board = esp32dev
+
+;halfile = lopy.h
+;board = lopy
+
+;halfile = lopy4.h
+;board = lopy4
+
+;halfile = lolin32litelora.h
+;board = lolin32
+
+;halfile = lolin32lora.h
+;board = lolin32
+
+;halfile = lolin32lite.h
+;board = lolin32
+
+;halfile = wemos32oled.h
+;board = lolin32
+
+;halfile = octopus32.h
+;board = featheresp32
+
+;halfile = generic.h
+;board = esp32dev
+
+
 [platformio]
-default_envs = generic
-;default_envs = ebox
-;default_envs = eboxtube
-;default_envs = ecopower
-;default_envs = heltec
-;default_envs = heltecv2
-;default_envs = ttgov1
-;default_envs = ttgov2
-;default_envs = ttgov21old
-;default_envs = ttgov21new
-;default_envs = ttgobeam
-;default_envs = ttgofox
-;default_envs = lopy
-;default_envs = lopy4
-;default_envs = fipy
-;default_envs = lolin32litelora
-;default_envs = lolin32lora
-;default_envs = lolin32lite
-;default_envs = wemos32oled
-;default_envs = octopus32
-;default_envs = ecopower, eboxtube, heltec, ttgobeam, lopy4, lopy, ttgov21old, ttgov21new, ttgofox
-;
+; upload firmware to board with usb cable
+;default_envs = usb
+
+; upload firmware to a jfrog bintray repository
+default_envs = ota
+
 description = Paxcounter is a proof-of-concept ESP32 device for metering passenger flows in realtime. It counts how many mobile devices are around.
 
 [common]
 ; for release_version use max. 10 chars total, use any decimal format like "a.b.c"
-release_version = 1.7.62
+release_version = 1.7.71
 ; DEBUG LEVEL: For production run set to 0, otherwise device will leak RAM while running!
 ; 0=None, 1=Error, 2=Warn, 3=Info, 4=Debug, 5=Verbose
 debug_level = 3
-; UPLOAD MODE: select esptool to flash via USB/UART, select custom to upload to cloud for OTA
-upload_protocol = esptool
-;upload_protocol = custom
 extra_scripts = pre:build.py
 otakeyfile = ota.conf
 lorakeyfile = loraconf.h
 lmicconfigfile = lmic_config.h
-platform_espressif32 = espressif32@1.8.0
+platform_espressif32 = espressif32@1.9.0
 ;platform_espressif32 = https://github.com/platformio/platform-espressif32.git#develop
 board_build.partitions = min_spiffs.csv
 monitor_speed = 115200
+upload_speed = 921600
 lib_deps_lora =
     ;MCCI LoRaWAN LMIC library@2.3.2
     https://github.com/mcci-catena/arduino-lmic.git
@@ -57,7 +105,7 @@ lib_deps_matrix_display =
 lib_deps_rgbled =
     SmartLeds@>=1.1.5
 lib_deps_gps =
-    TinyGPSPlus@>=1.0.2
+    1655@>=1.0.2 ;TinyGPSPlus by Mikal Hart
 lib_deps_sensors =
     Adafruit Unified Sensor@^1.0.3
     Adafruit BME280 Library@1.0.8
@@ -74,7 +122,7 @@ lib_deps_all =
     ${common.lib_deps_gps}
     ${common.lib_deps_matrix_display}
 build_flags_basic =
-    -include "src/hal/${PIOENV}.h"
+    -include "src/hal/${board.halfile}"
     -include "src/paxcounter.conf"
     -w
     '-DCORE_DEBUG_LEVEL=${common.debug_level}'
@@ -86,319 +134,22 @@ build_flags_sensors =
 build_flags_all =
     ${common.build_flags_basic}
     ${common.build_flags_sensors}
-
-[env:ebox]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 115200
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:eboxtube]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 115200
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ecopower]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:heltec]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = heltec_wifi_lora_32
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:heltecv2]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = heltec_wifi_lora_32_V2
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ttgov1]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = ttgo-lora32-v1
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 115200
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ttgov2]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = ttgo-lora32-v1
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ttgov21old]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ttgov21new]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ttgofox]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:ttgobeam]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = ttgo-t-beam
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_gps}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_all}
     -mfix-esp32-psram-cache-issue
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
 
-[env:fipy]
+[env]
+board = ${board.board}
+upload_speed = ${board.upload_speed}
 platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
 framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
 board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:lopy]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = lopy
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-    ${common.lib_deps_gps}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:lopy4]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = lopy4
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-    ${common.lib_deps_gps}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-    -mfix-esp32-psram-cache-issue
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:lolin32litelora]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = lolin32
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:lolin32lora]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = lolin32
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_lora}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:lolin32lite]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = lolin32
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_rgbled}
-    ${common.lib_deps_matrix_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_basic}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:wemos32oled]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = lolin32
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps =
-    ${common.lib_deps_basic}
-    ${common.lib_deps_display}
-    ${common.lib_deps_matrix_display}
-build_flags =
-    ${common.build_flags_all}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
-
-[env:octopus32]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = featheresp32
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
 lib_deps = ${common.lib_deps_all}
 build_flags = ${common.build_flags_all}
 upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
 extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
 monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
 
-[env:generic]
-platform = ${common.platform_espressif32}
-framework = arduino
-board = esp32dev
-board_build.partitions = ${common.board_build.partitions}
-upload_speed = 921600
-lib_deps = ${common.lib_deps_all}
-build_flags = ${common.build_flags_all}
-upload_protocol = ${common.upload_protocol}
-extra_scripts = ${common.extra_scripts}
-monitor_speed = ${common.monitor_speed}
+[env:ota]
+upload_protocol = custom
+
+[env:usb]
+upload_protocol = esptool
\ No newline at end of file