Building a Complete LoRa Network from Sensor to Cloud

During the webinar, we reviewed a complete end-to-end LoRa-based asset tracking solution utilizing the Renesas RX231 MCU and RX65N Wi-Fi Cloud Connectivity Kit combined with Medium One's data intelligence platform.

You had questions, we have answers:

When will the solution be available?
The complete solution will be released shortly. Go to www.dotsonamap.io to sign up to be notified as it becomes available.

Can I customize this for my own application?
Yes, this LoRa network demo is easy to customize for your application. Register at www.dotsonamap.io if you want someone to contact you to discuss custom configurations.

What is the supported range from gateway to the end nodes?
Up to several miles.

Is the RX MCU family Arm®-based?
No, the high-performing RX CPU core utilizes a proprietary CISC-RISC architecture with enhanced DSP capabilities making it ideal for LoRa-based platforms.

What packages are available for the RX231 and RX65N?
Packages range from 48 to 100 pins for the RX231 and from 100 to 177 pins for the RX65N.

Do I have to use the RX231 and RX65N to implement a LoRa design?
As we saw in the RX overview section, the wide-ranging RX family has many options. The RX231 and RX65N are the newest RX devices so we used them for the demo since they have the best combination of low power and processing capability for the nodes and the gateway.

What LoRa chipset is being used for the demo?
The demo uses an Adafruit LoRa module that utilizes the Semtech SX1276 transceiver.

What are the advantages of a LoRa-based implementation for asset tracking?
LoRa is low-power, enabling operation using inexpensive batteries for years – and it has up to a 2KM range, which is far better than BLE or NFC connectivity options.

Will this presentation be made available?
Yes, you can download the presentation here.

Why is a LoRa-based network often superior to using a cellular-based approach?
Cellular networks suffer primarily from poor battery life and may have gaps in coverage. Another difficulty is technology sunsetting (when a technology is intentionally phased out); there are 30 million 2G endpoints in the US orphaned by sunsetting. Many of the IoT devices must remain on the network for 10 years.

How do you synchronize reception of multiple LoRa edge nodes?
Regarding clock/time synchronization, we currently have not implemented any synchronization based on time. The data is timestamped when received in the cloud. It’s possible to timestamp it on the edge with some modifications. Regarding simultaneous LoRa traffic from multiple edge nodes, LoRa has built-in acknowledgment to ensure data delivery. Furthermore, you can ID your messages and de-dup if you’re worried about redundancy.

Was the white cord going to the dash an antenna (GPS or LoRa)?
No, the white cord was not an antenna, but was used for connection.

What is the RF power level on the GTW?
The RF level can be varied by software. Specific data on the RF module can be found here: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3078

How much do I need to pay for fee by using LoRA?
There’s no fee for LoRa if you have your own private network. If you use a public network, you will need to pay a service network provider.

Is this kit designed according to Australian Standard frequency?
The kits supports 915 MHz, which we believe is part of the Australian standard.

What frequency are you broadcasting at?
900 MHz

What type of OS runs on Renesas? Linux?
RTOS support for RX devices includes: Micrium, Segger, freeRTOS, Rowebots, CMS, and Express Logic. The boards used in the demo use a Micrium OS.

This kit uses LoRaWAN?
The kits in the demo have been modified to use LoRAWan in conjunction with Wi-Fi

Is it possible to run embedded Linux?
Not with RX microcontrollers.

I'm not familiar with band licensing. Are there any hoops to jump through with respect to regulatory bodies in order to deploy a LoRa gateway?
Your LoRa transceiver will need to be FCC or CE certified. Most LoRa modules and chipsets available are pre-certified.

What programming languages are supported?
C/C++

What is the best use for LoRa?
LoRa is typically used to connect low-power devices that send data infrequently, an especially common scenario in IoT.

What is the air quality sensor actually measuring?
Particulate matter

Is example code available?
Ideally the code that was just demonstrated. Sample code will be available shortly on the www.dotsonamap.io web portal.

Is LoRa a hackable network? If yes, then how can it be protected from hacking?
There are multiple layered techniques to ensure security for LoRa or any IoT network. We recommend using security keys for data encryption and secure key storage to protect the keys.

I missed the first part. Was LoRa created for a specific industry?
LoRaWAN is a media access control (MAC) layer protocol designed for large-scale public networks with a single operator. It is built using Semtech’s LoRa modulation scheme. It was not developed for a specific industry.

What temperature ranges do compatible Renesas chips span? (Ignoring battery temperature limitations.) Equipment tracking equipment in northern Alberta can see -50 degrees.
RX Microcontrollers are available in Commercial grade temperature range: -40 °C to +85 °C and Industrial grade temperature range: -40 °C to +105 °C.

Can LoRa make a mesh network?
No, it’s not designed for a mesh network.

Do we need a license to run Micrium OS on the kit?
The demos and Wi-Fi connectivity provided on the RX kits used in the demos do not require a Micrium license. For detailed development, a Micrium license would be required. More information can be found at www.micrium.com/buy/licensing.

Related Resources Learn more about: RX231 MCU | RX231 Wi-Fi kit | Buy a kit
Learn more about: RX65N MCU | RX65N Wi-Fi kit | Buy a kit

Want to build an asset tracking solution of your own?
Visit www.dotsonamap.io to learn how ›

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