LoRa expansion?

[Anders Öster]

I didn't know about LoRa until I found the LoPy Kickstarter campaign yesterday. And now I want a LoRa expansion for the Omega
Such long range connection would be useful for many I think.

This is LoRa : https://www.lora-alliance.org/What-Is-LoRa/Technology

LoPy uses this transciever : http://www.semtech.com/wireless-rf/rf-transceivers/sx1272

I don't know what your intention is about expanding your expansion portfolio, but this would be so nice to have for the Omega.

[Lazar Demin]

@Anders-Öster Cool! I've asked the Semtech guys for a sample and we'll see about making an Omega Expansion from there, so stay tuned!

[Anders Öster]

Thanks @Lazar-Demin, that's another topic watched then

[Sven Huijbrechts]

@Lazar-Demin , make sure to implement a LoRaWAN stack.

[Anders Öster]

I noticed that Microchip also has LoRa modules in production :

http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/RN2903

http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/RN2483

For example Espruino Pico users use them with a simple breakout board : https://www.tindie.com/products/DrAzzy/rn2483-breakout-bare-board

[Anders Öster]

A cheap way to start working with LoRa on the Omega could be this module http://modtronix.com/inair9.html
on a proto expansion. But we would need some software for the Omega. There are some patches to get LoRa software
working on OpenWrt : https://github.com/mirakonta/OpenWrt-lora

I don't know if that's everything that's needed. Maybe LoRaWAN is needed too http://www.research.ibm.com/labs/zurich/ics/lrsc/lmic.html

[Sven Huijbrechts]

LoRa is the radio modulation, the PHYsical part of the stack.
LoRaWAN is the MAC protocol, standardized by the LoRa Alliance to create a LPWAN.

You can look at the Microchip RN2483 as a LoRa modem, it has the LoRaWAN stack implemented for you. By connecting toits UART interface, you can implement in a matter of hours.

[Anders Öster]

Thanks @Sven-Huijbrechts for the answer. So if I use the RN2483 nothing new is needed on the Omega.