What is LoRa® ?
LoRa® is the physical layer or the wireless modulation utilized to create the long range communication link. Many legacy wireless systems use frequency shifting keying (FSK) modulation as the physical layer because it is a very efficient modulation for achieving low power. LoRa® is based on chirp spread spectrum modulation, which maintains the same low power characteristics as FSK modulation but significantly increases the communication range. Chirp spread spectrum has been used in military and space communication for decades due to the long communication distances that can be achieved and robustness to interference, but LoRa® is the first low cost implementation for commercial usage.
Aptinex LoRaNODE RN2903A ?Â
Aptinex LoRANODE RN2903 is the second of the LoRaNODE device series. This LoRaNODE is offering the full capabilities of Microchip RN2903 as a ready to use module which the user can not only plug connect the module to his microcontroller or the device , but also can connect to the PC (Using Onboard micro USB Connector) for testing and debugging purposes.In addition each LoRaNODE comes with and antenna for 915mHZ, So that is a fully easy to use kit for not only for the hobbyists but also for experienced developers. Â Â
General Features
- PCB Dimension : 3.8cm x 6.4cm
- On-Board Serial to USB Controller : PL2303TA
- On-Board MicroUSB socket for Debuging and Testing
- On-board interface for external MCU interfacing (Logic level :3.3V)
- All pins of RN2903can be accessed via the pin headers
Microchip RN2903A General Data
- Type: Sub-GHz
- Power Output: 18.50 dBm
- Temperature range: -40°C to +85°C
- Interface: UART
- Pin Count: 47
- RF Module : Yes
- RF Transceiver: Yes
- Frequency Range : 915 MHz
- Input Sensitivity : -146 mVpp
- Rx Input Sensitivity : -146 dB
- TX Current Consumption : 124 mA (max)
- RX Current Consumption : 13.5mA
- Operating Voltage : 3.3V DC
Package Contains :
- 2 Units of Aptinex LoRaNODE RN2903
- 2 Antennas for 915Mhz
Microchip RN2903Â Operational Data
- On-board LoRaWANâ„¢ Class A protocol stack
- ASCII command interface over UART
- Temperature range: -40°C to +85°C
- Programmable RF Communication Bit Rate up to 300 kbps with FSK modulation, 5468 bps with LoRaâ„¢ Technology modulation
- Integrated MCU, Crystal, EUI-64 Node Identity Serial EEPROM, Radio Transceiver with Analog Front End, Matching Circuitry
- 14 GPIOs for control and status
Microchip RN2903A RF/Analog Features
- Low-Power Long Range Transceiver Operating in the 915 MHz Frequency Band
- High Receiver Sensitivity: down to -146Â dBm
- TX Power: adjustable up to +18.5 dBm high efficiency PA
- FSK, GFSK, and LoRa Technology modulation
- IIP3 = -11 dBm
- >15 km coverage at suburban and >5 km coverage at urban area
Connecting LoRaNODE RN2903 to a computer
Connecting LoRaNODE RN2903 with a microcontroller