LoRa Gateway

[NeverDie]

Made this simple LoRa gateway that combines an Arduino Pro Mini using an Ra-01 LoRa with an ESP8266 D1 Mini running ESP-LINK:

I gave the LoRa radio and Pro Mini their own separate 700ma 3.3v LDO so that the LoRa would not be competing with the D1 for the D1's LDO output.

I realize this embodiment falls short of the theoretical ideal, in that it overhangs the ESP8266's antenna. I made it this way because it leverages the LoRa Pro Mini shield I had already developed. My "other" Lora D1 Mini shield I made doesn't have any overhang:
https://www.openhardware.io/view/394/Minimalist-LoRa-Ra-01-Shield-for-WeMos-D1-Mini

Ultimately, I may combine the two so as to have everything on a single D1 Mini PCB shield, but for now this works well enough. It's also quite easy to assemble.

Because this gateway uses WiFi as the link back to the controller, I can move it around and place it anywhere I like without it being physically tethered to a controller. :)

[alexsh1]

@neverdie Did make any tests on range, power, etc?
How do you envisage using it in home automation?
The only Lora GW (LoraWAN for TTN) I have tinkered was Hallard's one:

https://github.com/hallard/WeMos-Lora

[NeverDie]

@alexsh1

The range and coverage, as you would guess, is fantastic.

[NeverDie]

@alexsh1
Hallard's is more like my earlier LoRa shield, except of course with more bells and whistles. This new shield is different, in that it required a separate MCU (the atmega328p in this case) to handle the LoRa radio while the ESP8266 D1 Mini runs ESP-LINK, which is what allows the D1 Mini to perform as an untethered gateway.

Hmmm. Come to think of it, if ESP-LINK ran on an ESP32, then I suppose I wouldn't need the atmega328p. Perhaps one core of the ESP32 could run ESP-LINK and the other could manage the LoRa. I should look into that.... Up until just now, I hadn't really seen a reason to use an ESP32 for anything, let alone this.

Anyhow, the purpose of it is, like all gateways, to communicate with nodes and relay information via Domoticz and/or Node Red. For instance, I have leak detectors based on LoRa which need to be managed:
https://www.openhardware.io/view/534/Extremely-Simple-Arduino-Pro-Mini-LoRa-Water-Leak-Detector

[NeverDie]

By the way, ESP-LINK comes with a built-in MQTT Client.

[alexsh1]

OK, excellent. I have not tried lora coverage myself (apart from single channel GW for TTN). In fact I did not even built one for my home automation. I think the best usage of it are things like remote location sensors. I know a guy who is utilising lora for HAB (High Altitude Ballooning) projects - http://www.daveakerman.com/

I am trying to think about where at home I can utilise one, but so far RFM69 is covering everything for me. Having said that, your GW is a simple and minimalist one and I can probably build one just to tinker.

PS BTW, water leak sensors - I have a couple of z-wave sensors. They were not DIY, but the advantage is that they just work and look very nice.

[ricorico94]

Hi,
Seems a great project !
Can you clarify the difference with your previous minimalist gateway : the new one is linked to Domoticz controller through wifi, but how was the minimalist linked to controller ? Wasnt'it already through wifi ? Or do you mean this new approach enhances the wifi connectivity by using ESP-Link ? (to be frank, I don't really understand what makes ESP-Link so good, as I never investigated it)

br,
Ricorico94

[NeverDie]

@ricorico94 The main difference is that the newer project can use ESP-LINK on the ESP8266, whereas the first one can't. However, you are correct: with the right programming both can use wi-fi

[NeverDie]

Also, I've confirmed that ESP-LINK doesn't run on the ESP32, so the only way to use it is with an ESP8266 plus an additional MCU, which is what this newer version enables.

[ricorico94]

I think I could understand the wiring thanks to your other projects (the shield for ESP-link on Wemos D1 mini), but I'd appreciate if you could clarify it -just to make sure since I see the 90° connector on picture is not like the one in your shield)
Could you detail also the SW/scripts and settings you use ?
Thanks,
Ricorico94

[NeverDie]

@ricorico94
To overcome the overhang, I've since put everything onto a single shield for the ESP8266 D1 Mini:

[NeverDie]

Of course, another way to handle the overhang would be to make it overhang in the opposite direction, where the overhang wouldn't matter:
https://www.openhardware.io/view/273/ESP-LINK-ESP8266-WeMos-D1-Mini-Adapter-Board
That would work too.

[ricorico94]

This is even one step further as I understand you get rid of the sandwich Arduino pro mini by soldering directly an ATMEGA328p. It makes the overall setup much more dense indeed. Congratulations !

Could you share the details on software (scripts..) you used for the whole setup ?
I'm also interested in settings you use, because based on another thread, I had seen that some settings for RFM95 had an impact on error rates.

[NeverDie]

@ricorico94 said in LoRa Gateway:

software (scripts..) you used for the whole setup ?

Nothing meaningful to share as yet. I'm using RadioHead to verify that the hardware works as intended.

[NeverDie]

Currently priced at $3.01 per module with free shipping:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LoRa-Series-Ra-01-Spread-Spectrum-Wireless-Module-Ultra-10KM-433M-RF-Chip-SX1278/32799821469.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.262.rCAs4B
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LoRa-Series-Ra-02-Spread-Spectrum-Wireless-Module-Ultra-10KM-433M-RF-Chip-SX1278/32799769669.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.265.rCAs4B

[NeverDie]

Epilog: the fully integrated ESP-LINK LoRa gateway has no antenna overhang and is working fine. :)

[alowhum]

Cool.

Have you seen these?
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/RCmall-2-Sets-partij-LoRa32u4-II-Lora-Development-Board-Module-LiPo-Atmega328-SX1276-HPD13-868-MHZ/32832789857.html

[NeverDie]

Hadn't seen it. I'm lately of the mind that it's better to have everything (including sensors) integrated onto a single board.