LoRa-concentrator

Details

I always wanna a real gateway since I meet LoRa, I've using it to transmit data from high altitude balloon for a long time, and amazed by the performance.

But I'm limited by the fact that without a real gateway, I could only have a single channel transceiver, which limit to a specific frequency and Spread Factor, thus I cannot receive two balloons at the same time.

For LoRa gateway, Semtech provide SX1301 and SX1308 baseband IC, both chip can provide up to 49 LoRa decoder, so I can build a 8 freq x 7~12 SF decoder in a single chip, baseband IC also needs RF frontend, Semtech provide SX1255 for 433Mhz band and SX1257 for 900Mhz band.

Normally I can buy LoRa gateway from some factory, but there is two problems,one is that when the project started, there is no gateway for 433Mhz band, and the other problem is that it is very hard to buy one, or the price is too high.

So I try to build one.

Current version is made for Raspberry Pi Zero and a variation for Raspberry Pi, using SX1301 and SX125X.

For Raspberry Pi Zero, the current version only have one SX125X connected to SX1301, which limited the bandwidth to 0.8Mhz, also since I remove Radio_A, lib from Semtech needs to be modified.

For both of the boards, the TX/RX line is separated, and there is no PA/LNA at TX/RX, but I did put a SAW filter on RX, it is because I want to use with external LNA right under antenna.

Also, there is a MAX-7Q GPS module for accurate timing and PPS is connected to both RPI and SX1301, so that RPI can use as NTP server.

Components

1 × SX1301 or SX1308 Baseband IC for LoRa

2 × SX1255 or SX1257 RF frontend, 1255 for 433Mhz, 1257 for 900Mhz

1 × (Optional) MAX-7Q GPS module

1 × ETA3410D2I or TPS62061 1.8V step-down

Project Logs

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Gateway V1.5 PCBA is back!
Will Whang • 05/25/2018 at 11:48 • 0 comments

So, its finally back from PCBA!
Also added PoE header to support RPI PoE hat!
I love matte black so much :D
The Smallest LoRa Gateway for RPI Zero!
Will Whang • 04/28/2018 at 11:28 • 1 comment

By moving to a 4-layer board, I can finally build a full setup LoRa gateway (2xSX125X) with LNA/PA for Raspberry Pi Zero!
Ver1.5
Will Whang • 03/31/2018 at 08:53 • 1 comment

So my multi-channel high altitude balloon receiver is pretty much finished, it's time for LoRawan!

Ver1.5 will have PA/LNA on board with RF switch so only one antenna is needed.
New RF Frontend is here!
Will Whang • 12/16/2017 at 10:43 • 0 comments

Ready for some testing!
RF Filter and LNA Board
Will Whang • 12/03/2017 at 07:39 • 0 comments

Since I can add my own LNA+Filter under antenna, I've designed a small board using MAX2640 and a SAW filter, LNA is power by RF Bias. I left a inductor pad on Gateway so that I can power through RF cable line.
Newer version using SKY67150_396LF, which have a much better NF
waiting for my new Filter and amp board!
Selling on Tindle and release files
Will Whang • 12/03/2017 at 07:25 • 0 comments

I've order about 25 boards from PCBA factory, and it just arrived!
And I'm selling this board on Tindle, note that it is 915Mhz version.

Also note that I've updated Github, new version of PCB files for RPI+RPI Zero is up.
Full Gateway Setup
Will Whang • 09/21/2017 at 12:01 • 0 comments

Finally.
Successfully power up the whole board
Will Whang • 09/01/2017 at 03:48 • 0 comments

So it is working!!!!!!!
note that since I removed channel A, hal testing will print error regarding channel A
New progress
Will Whang • 08/31/2017 at 10:41 • 0 comments

So I solder the SX1301 and 1.8V step-down, but i ran out of SX1255 and forgot where my previous board went. Thus testing SX1301 without RF frontend while waiting my new order.
And it seems working, no longer stuck with calibration firmware error.
Try again
Will Whang • 08/02/2017 at 02:19 • 0 comments

So... it's almost a year for this project.
Quite a lot happened this year, LoRa community has grown pretty fast,
even SX1301 datasheet is now open without NDA.

I'm still not able to make the first board working though, after re-soldering and testing, again and again, so I stopped for a while.

I think I might overheat the chip though.
I've checked the SCH with datasheet, no such big difference found.

So I'll try again with version 2, designed for Raspberry Zero
Added step-down for 1.8V supply, GPS module,
but removed RADIO_A because of the board space and layout reason.
Also ordered new SX1301, maybe also a Concentrator from others to compare.

Hope this works.

View all 11 project logs

Discussions

osvaldom wrote 04/23/2019 at 18:46

Hi Will,

it's a pity this board were retired. I want to purchase 5 pcs for testing purpose. is it possible? thks, best regards, ingeom

Are you sure? yes | no

Danny Bokma wrote 11/25/2017 at 19:35

Awesome project! I am looking into designing (and Opensourcing) a lora concentrator as well but I am unable to source the SX1301 (I tried ordering Digikey and Avnet here in Europe, but both suppliers keep my order at "processing" and awaiting vendor approval :( ). Can you share a SX1301 source that you know sells real chips? Were you able to receive messages with the chips you sourced from a Taobao seller?

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 11/26/2017 at 03:43

Well.... I recently have some sourcing problem with Taobao seller, I ordered from almost every store I can, but they all ran out of SX1301.

Maybe you can try SX1308, there's still in stock on digikey, the spec is almost the same, just operating temperature is narrower.

https://www.digikey.tw/product-detail/zh/semtech-corporation/SX1308IMLTRT/SX1308IMLTRTCT-ND/7386314

Are you sure? yes | no

Bartosz wrote 09/26/2017 at 12:43

I would like to similar gotenna mesh or sonnet

small device with normal linux, mobile and completly offgrid and off cell phone infrastructure

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 09/28/2017 at 03:30

I dont think it is capable for cellphone replacement though
Because gateway only have one downlink, so you cannot have more then one call per gateway.

Are you sure? yes | no

Ron Segal wrote 08/12/2017 at 05:12

Hi Will, good work by the look.

Are you willing to share your latest design? I'd consider modifying it for an 868 and/or 915 MHz version. Could also check it over and provide some feedback if you're interested. I've designed several LoRaWAN end-devices but no gateway so far.

Best wishes, Ron

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 08/12/2017 at 19:09

Just uploaded the new version to github repo. I'm currently traveling so might not start soldering the PCB . So good luck :)

Are you sure? yes | no

Ron Segal wrote 08/13/2017 at 18:54

Hi Will, fantastic, thanks. Although can only find the older version repo under PCB files! Cheers Ron.

Sorry, found it now!

One initial observation is that, even though they're reasonably short, you might want to calculate the width of the RF output traces to ensure a 50 Ohms impedance match. Perhaps using a free tool like AppCAD - http://www.hp.woodshot.com/

Are you sure? yes | no

mehbub.hassan48 wrote 06/10/2017 at 16:26

Hi Whang,

How is your Loa gateway project. Is it improve ? I wish to follow your project & build gateway. May i ?

Are you sure? yes | no

meriam.kalai wrote 03/16/2017 at 10:52

Hi,

I have developped a lora mDot and I have used a Multitech Conduit mLinux to ensure the transmission of the uplink and the downlink frames. Now I need to certificate my mDot, for that I tried different solutions but all are useless (I have developped a server that build downlink frames and I used the transceiver SX1272 which can not be listening to all channels). So I must use the transceiver SX1301. Can you provide me with the datasheet of the transceiver SX1301 or give me any ideas or solutions to certificate my mDot. Thanks in advance

Are you sure? yes | no

sgtwilko wrote 02/26/2017 at 11:45

Hiya,

This looks to be a fantastic project, I'm very interested to see how it pans out as I'd like to build one, but for 868Mhz.

I've got a couple of questions;

What do you think the cost of this project has been so far?

How much work would be involved in combining the Tx/Rx into a single aerial connection?

Thanks!

Are you sure? yes | no

Radu Motisan wrote 01/31/2017 at 20:45

Very interested in this, any news?

Are you sure? yes | no

Shane Bekker wrote 01/30/2017 at 09:06

How is it going with this Lora Gateway project you have been working on?

Are you sure? yes | no

Andung wrote 09/24/2016 at 07:29

Hi Will, I am about to start similar project as this one because I want 433 MHz as well. Do you manage to get it working with SPI interface?

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 09/27/2016 at 08:48

Yes, I've tested with test_loragw_spi and test_loragw_reg

both seems to be fine, but PLL won't start

Are you sure? yes | no

mehbub.hassan48 wrote 04/07/2019 at 04:42

Hi will, i bought 4 board from tindie. wish to ask you before start.. is PLL mean phase-locked loop ? What is the problem if PLL wont or not start ?

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 04/07/2019 at 05:41

@mehbub.hassan48 Yes it does means phase-locked loop

If the PLL is not starting, it means that the RF receiver cannot put into correct freq.

Make sure the power supply is enough for the gateway (5V 2A)

Did you purchase the PCB or complete board?

If you brought the complete board, and the power supply is Ok, then I think the board is broken, contact me using Tindle so I can refund.

If you build yourself, make sure that the TCXO is running and the connection to SX1255/7 is fine. also check the connection between SX1301 and SX1255/7.

Are you sure? yes | no

mehbub.hassan48 wrote 04/07/2019 at 06:51

Hi Will, Thank for your information about (5v2a) powersupply. I just bought 4 PCB, because complete board not in stock. Its hard to get all component in singapore. I wish to purchase 2 complete board, do you have any ? i had text you from tindie but you may overlooked.

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 04/07/2019 at 14:08

@mehbub.hassan48 I don't have any complete board left though....

Are you sure? yes | no

Sabas wrote 09/03/2016 at 15:28

Does this can be considered a gateway? If I want to do for 915 Mhz, should only change SX1272 for SX1255? Thanks

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 09/05/2016 at 09:45

yes, it is a gateway

if you want 915mhz, you can change SX1255 to SX1257,

note that SX1272 is a single channel transceiver, not RF frontend for SX1301

Are you sure? yes | no

Dorijan wrote 08/30/2016 at 11:02

Where did you get a hold of the SX1301 ? Can you please provide a link?

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 08/30/2016 at 15:43

From Taobao (in China)

Are you sure? yes | no

Gabriel wrote 08/30/2016 at 09:39

Ive been pretty interested in LoRa for a while yet have not found a need that i cant cover with regular wifi or GPRS...

Maybe you can shed some light.

Are you sure? yes | no

Will Whang wrote 08/30/2016 at 15:54

Wifi is not that power efficient, in terms of low data / high duty cycle, also not capable for long distance, I've been using LoRa as my High altitude bollooning for some time, and my longest distance record is about ~270km, with SX1278 and one 10db hand made antenna.

GPRS is not that power efficient either, maximum power typically consume about few Amp, and needs some time to attach to the cell tower, also GPRS are fading out for 4G, not that future prove.

For these Long Range & Low power wireless protocol, I think the most important is power per bit, enabling battery power end device to have the ability to free from the small distance to the gateway.

Are you sure? yes | no

LoRa-concentrator

Description

Details

Components

Project Logs

Collapse

Gateway V1.5 PCBA is back!

The Smallest LoRa Gateway for RPI Zero!

Ver1.5

New RF Frontend is here!

RF Filter and LNA Board

Selling on Tindle and release files

Full Gateway Setup

Successfully power up the whole board

New progress

Try again

Discussions

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