Hardware

Specifications

The LoRaWAN module is managed via UART and it can be connected to SOCKET0 or SOCKET1.

LoRaWAN EU

The main features of the module are listed below:

• Manufacturer: Microchip

• Model: RN2483

• Protocol: LoRaWAN 1.0, Class A

• LoRaWAN-ready

• Frequency: EU 863-870 MHz and EU 433 MHz ISM frequency bands.

• TX power: up to +14 dBm

• Sensitivity: down to -136 dBm

• Range: >15 km at suburban and >5 km at urban area. Typically, each base station covers some km. Check the LoRaWAN Network in your area.

• Chipset consumption: 38.9 mA

• Radio bit rate: from 250 to 5470 bps

• Receiver: purchase your own base station or use networks from LoRaWAN operators

Figure: LoRaWAN EU module

Figure: LoRaWAN EU module with antenna

LoRaWAN US

The main features of the module are listed below:

• Manufacturer: Microchip

• Model: RN2903

• Protocol: LoRaWAN 1.0, Class A

• LoRaWAN-ready

• Frequency: US 902-928 MHz ISM band

• TX power: up to +18.5 dBm

• Sensitivity: down to -136 dBm

• Range: >15 km at suburban and >5 km at urban area. Typically, each base station covers some km. Check the LoRaWAN Network in your area.

• Chipset consumption: 124.4 mA

• Radio bit rate: from 250 to 12500 bps

• Receiver: purchase your own base station or use networks from LoRaWAN operators

Figure: LoRaWAN US module

Figure: LoRaWAN US module with antenna

LoRaWAN AU

The main features of the module are listed below:

• Manufacturer: Microchip

• Model: RN2903

• Protocol: LoRaWAN 1.0, Class A

• LoRaWAN-ready

• Frequency: AU 915-928 MHz ISM band

• TX power: up to +18.5 dBm

• Sensitivity: down to -136 dBm

• Range: >15 km at suburban and >5 km at urban area. Typically, each base station covers some km. Check the LoRaWAN Network in your area.

• Chipset consumption: 124.4 mA

• Radio bit rate: from 250 to 12500 bps

• Receiver: purchase your own base station or use networks from LoRaWAN operators

Figure: LoRaWAN AU module

Figure: LoRaWAN AU module with antenna

LoRaWAN IN

The main features of the module are listed below:

• Manufacturer: Microchip

• Model: RN2903

• Protocol: LoRaWAN 1.0, Class A

• LoRaWAN-ready

• Frequency: IN 865-867 MHz ISM band

• TX power: up to +18.5 dBm

• Sensitivity: down to -136 dBm

• Range: >15 km at suburban and >5 km at urban area. Typically, each base station covers some km. Check the LoRaWAN Network in your area.

• Chipset consumption: 124.4 mA

• Radio bit rate: from 250 to 12500 bps

• Receiver: purchase your own base station or use networks from LoRaWAN operators

Figure: LoRaWAN IN module

Figure: LoRaWAN IN module with antenna

LoRaWAN ASIA-PAC / LATAM

The main features of the module are listed below:

• Manufacturer: Microchip

• Model: RN2903

• Protocol: LoRaWAN 1.0, Class A

• LoRaWAN-ready

• Frequency: AS 923 MHz ISM band

• TX power: up to +18.5 dBm

• Sensitivity: down to -136 dBm

• Range: >15 km at suburban and >5 km at urban area. Typically, each base station covers some km. Check the LoRaWAN Network in your area.

• Chipset consumption: 124.4 mA

• Radio bit rate: from 250 to 12500 bps

• Receiver: purchase your own base station or use networks from LoRaWAN operators

Figure: LoRaWAN ASIA-PAC / LATAM module

Figure: LoRaWAN ASIA-PAC / LATAM module with antenna

The user must check the allowed bands, channels and transmission power, in order to respect the regulations in the operation country.

Libelium commercializes different items depending on the band the user wants to use. In the case of 868 and 433, the module is the same, but the antenna is different for each band. The module for EU (868) and 433 MHz includes 2 RP-SMA connectors for the antenna. One is for the 868 band and the other for the 433 band. A sticker on the bottom of the modules specifies clearly where to screw the antenna.

Any LoRaWAN module is provided with a special antenna (for 433 or for 868 or for 900 MHz), which enables maximum range.

Due to the propagation characteristics of the sub-GHz bands, the near field effect could make that 2 modules cannot communicate if they are placed very close (< 1 m). We suggest keeping a minimum distance of 3 or 4 meters between modules.

LoRaWAN Global

The main features of the module are listed below:

• Manufacturer: Murata

• Model: CMWX1ZZABZ

• Protocol: LoRaWAN 1.0, Class A

• LoRaWAN-ready

• Frequency:

  1. AS 923 MHz ISM band

  2. AU 915-928 MHz ISM Band

  3. EU 863-870 MHz ISM Band

  4. KR 920-923 MHz ISM Band

  5. IN 865-867 ISM Band

  6. US 902-928 MHz ISM Band

• TX power: up to +16 dBm

• Sensitivity: down to -135.5 dBm

• Range: >15 km in suburban and >5 km in urban areas. Typically, each base station covers some km. Check the LoRaWAN Network in your area.

• Chipset consumption: 96.7 mA

• Radio bit rate: from 250 to 5470 bps

• Receiver: purchase your own base station or use networks from LoRaWAN operators

Figure: LoRaWAN Global module

Figure: Bottom of the LoRaWAN Global and module with antenna

The user must check the allowed bands, channels and transmission power, in order to respect the regulations in the operation country.

Libelium commercializes different items depending on the band the user wants to use. The module is the same for all cases, but the antenna is different for 868 MHz bands and 900 MHz bands.

Any LoRaWAN module is provided with a special antenna (for 868 or for 900 MHz), which enables maximum range

This module replaces the previous LoRaWAN JP/KR enabling the use of the LoRaWAN bands for the rest of the world. Unlike the rest of the Libelium LoRaWAN modules, this radio is not capable of communicating among LoRaWAN Global modules.

Region standards

The LoRaWAN Specification settled by the LoRa Alliance establishes the parameters that must be complied with for every region. Check the compatibility table below, showing the areas supported by our LoRaWAN versions for the moment.

Region
EU 863-870 MHz ISM Band (Europe)	LoRaWAN EU LoRaWAN Global
US 902-928 MHz ISM Band (United States)	LoRaWAN US LoRaWAN Global
CN 779-787 MHz ISM Band (China)	Not supported
AU 915-928 MHz ISM Band (Australia)	LoRaWAN AU LoRaWAN Global
CN 470-510 MHz ISM Band (China)	Not supported
AS 923 MHz ISM Band (ASEAN)	LoRaWAN ASIA-PAC / LATAM LoRaWAN Global (compatible with Japan)
KR 920-923 MHz ISM Band (South Korea)	LoRaWAN Global
IN 865-867 ISM Band (India)	LoRaWAN IN LoRaWAN Global

Figure: Regional compatibility table

Power consumption

LoRaWAN EU

The LoRaWAN EU module is powered at 3.3 V. The next table shows the module's average current consumption in different states of the module.

State	Power Consumption
On	2.8 mA
Transmitting data	38.9 mA
Receiving data	14.2 mA

Figure: Power consumption table

LoRaWAN US

The LoRaWAN US module is powered at 3.3 V. The next table shows the module's average current consumption in different states of the module.

State	Power Consumption
On	2.7 mA
Transmitting data	124.4 mA
Receiving data	13.5 mA

Figure: Power consumption table

LoRaWAN AU

‌The LoRaWAN AU module is powered at 3.3 V. The next table shows the module's average current consumption in different states of the module.

State	Power Consumption
On	2.7 mA
Transmitting data	124.4 mA
Receiving data	13.5 mA

Figure: Power consumption table

‌LoRaWAN IN

The LoRaWAN IN module is powered at 3.3 V. The next table shows the module's average current consumption in different states of the module.

State	Power Consumption
On	2.7 mA
Transmitting data	124.4 mA
Receiving data	13.5 mA

Figure: Power consumption table

‌‌LoRaWAN ASIA-PAC / LATAM

The LoRaWAN ASIA-PAC / LATAM module is powered at 3.3 V. The next table shows the module's average current consumption in different states of the module.

State	Power Consumption
On	2.7 mA
Transmitting data	124.4 mA
Receiving data	13.5 mA

Figure: Power consumption table

‌LoRaWAN Global

The LoRaWAN Global module is powered at 3.3 V. The next table shows the module's average current consumption in different states of the module.

State	Power Consumption
On	1.1 mA
Transmitting data	96.1 mA
Receiving data	27 mA

Figure: Power consumption table

‌Time consumption

The elapsed periods defined in this chapter take into account the following steps depending on the case:

• Join to a network and send unconfirmed data

• Join to a network and send confirmed data

These periods of time depend on the data rate set which is defined by the spreading factor and signal bandwidth configured.

Transmit mode	Time elapsed (10-Byte packet)
Send unconfirmed at 5470 bps	~ 2.8 seconds
Send unconfirmed at 250 bps	~ 4.2 seconds
Send confirmed at 5470 bps	~ 1.7 seconds
Send confirmed at 250 bps	~ 4.2 seconds

Figure: Time consumption table

When transmitting in ISM frequency bands, the user must ensure that the communication is not exceeding the permitted time using the chosen frequency channel (for example, 1% of time). This depends on the local regulations (CE, FCC, etc). It is the responsibility of the user to know the allowed time of use in the occupied frequency band and respect it. Ignoring this, could lead to considerable penalties. Also, a LoRaWAN back-end operator could cut off the service or apply extra fees, it they detect that the user is exceeding the maximum number of frames or data in a period of time.

How to connect the module

This module can be connected to both SOCKET0 and SOCKET1 on the Waspmote board.

Figure: Module connected to Waspmote in SOCKET0

In order to connect the module to the SOCKET1, the user must use the Expansion Radio Board.

Expansion Radio Board

The Expansion Board allows to connect two communication modules at the same time in the Waspmote sensor platform. This means a lot of different combinations are possible using any of the wireless radios available for Waspmote: 802.15.4, ZigBee 3, DigiMesh, 868 MHz, 900 MHz, LoRa, WiFi, NB-IoT / Cat-M, 4G, Sigfox, LoRaWAN, Bluetooth Pro, Bluetooth Low Energy and RFID/NFC. Besides, the following Industrial Protocols modules are available: RS-485/Modbus and CAN Bus.

Some of the possible combinations are:

• LoRaWAN - 4G

• 802.15.4 - Sigfox

• 868 MHz - RS-485

• NB-IoT / Cat-M - WiFi

• DigiMesh - 4G

• NB-IoT / Cat-M - RFID/NFC

• WiFi - 4G

• CAN Bus - Bluetooth

• etc

NB-IoT / Cat-M and 4G modules do not need the Expansion Board to be connected to Waspmote. They can be plugged directly into the SOCKET1.

In the next photo, you can see the sockets available along with the UART assigned. On one hand, SOCKET0 allows to plug any kind of radio module through the UART0. On the other hand, SOCKET1 permits to connect a radio module through the UART1.

Figure: Use of the Expansion Board

The API provides a function called ON() in order to switch the module on. This function supports a parameter which permits to select the SOCKET. It is possible to choose between SOCKET0 and SOCKET1.

Selecting SOCKET0: LoRaWAN.ON(SOCKET0);

Selecting SOCKET1: LoRaWAN.ON(SOCKET1);

The rest of the functions are used the same way as they are used with older API versions. In order to understandthem, we recommend to read this guide.

Warnings:

• Avoid to use DIGITAL7 pin when working with the Expansion Board. This pin is used for setting the XBee into sleep mode.

• Avoid to use DIGITAL6 pin when working with the Expansion Board. This pin is used as power supply for the Expansion Board.

• Incompatibility with Sensor Boards:

  • Agriculture PRO v30: Incompatible with Watermark and solar radiation sensors

  • Events v30: Incompatible with interruption shift register

  • Smart Water v30: DIGITAL7 incompatible with conductivity sensor

  • Smart Water Ions v30: Incompatible with ADC conversion (sensors cannot be read if the Expansion Board is in use)

  • Gases PRO v30: Incompatible with SOCKET_2 and SOCKET_3

  • Cities PRO v30: Incompatible with SOCKET_3. I2C bus can be used. No gas sensor can be used.