@bluejedi ( ) posted a new topic, subject "The WORKBENCH part 5". It read:

   Welcome to the WORKBENCH part 5.
    
    This is a topic for the TTN'ers, the Builders, the Makers, the Tinkerers.  
    Here you can showcase, discuss and ask:
    
      * Your latest project, still under construction or completed
      * Tips and tricks
      * How-to's
      * Questions like what's the best chip for…, where to find… etc.
      * And more…
    
    
    
    So, any electronics and/or mechanics DIY related to building and/or TTN.
    
    * * *
    
    Previous parts of this topic:
    
      * The WORKBENCH part 1
      * The WORKBENCH part 2
      * The WORKBENCH part 3
      * The WORKBENCH part 4

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    GW #33 now registered and online with TTN  A few weeks later than planned, after show & tell at TTN-UK Conf, and spending time exploring the user interface and with distractions for other projects.
    
    Plan is to take with me to use in the Cambridge area as a pop-up GW alongside the TTN Cambridge official launch event tomorrow ( TTN Cambridge, UK )…not sure where yet - likely to the north side where I did some trialing 1.5-3 years ago, and where there are few GW's currently. Over following weeks it will then go to known test/eval sites in N.West then on to N.East before settling to long term test site in the North of England before Xmas ( )
    
    Initial impressions - a comprehensive user interface, quick to set up (though not quite as fast as the Laird RG186 or the TTIG - but they has fewer user interface options or settings to deal with - but faster than usual RPi based builds & deployments), somewhat similar experience to setting up my original Multitech MTCAP AEP, though most recent version set up got interupted part way though and may be bricked ( ) so will need to look at that one when more time allows to time and judge correctly.
    
    A bit more expensive than the TTIG, but looks very stable in initial tests, has source available and importantly isnt ‘just' WiFi enabled - the Enet port is worth an extra bit of my beer token stash! 
    
    2 main downsides so far are the rigid 90deg ant, which limits deployment orientation (easily swapped out), and more importantly to me legacy only packet forwarder when on external network vs abilty to run Jac's MP-Forwarder, with ability to give useful name vs usual EUI char string

Then @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) said

    Picked up a package from PCB's.io today with 10 more of @Charles RPi Zero (W)/RAK831 i/f boards for building a few more (OWL) GW's  Need to check latest BOM and get a quick order into Digi-Key, Mouser or whom ever to get bits in for a Xmas vacation build! (well there are too many repeats on TV anyhow  )  
    
    
    …only problem now is securing 10 more RPi0W's (not WH's) as only sold 1 per person - time to resurect recent @PiSupply discussion from the TTN-UK Reading Conf…may need to buy for the kids, wife, neighbours, extended family - well Xmas is coming right!

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    Got home last night from another road trip North sorting GW's, sensors and recovering the above Dragino LPS8 from test site for deployment to new location and found another box of goodies waiting from @edwin1 and the Dragino team   
    
    
    LGS-92 Tracker, LHT-65 T&H Sensor, and LT-33222-L I/O Controller…have a few contacts and clients looking at these so interesting to get my hands on test units. Guess I will have to pay a bit more attention to the Forum threads on these now - seen lots of post recently esp wrt Tracker…

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    Electronics Weekly – 7 Jan 20
    
    ### CES: Arduino launches Portenta for industrial applications
    
    At CES Arduino announces the Arduino Portenta, designed for demanding industrial applications, AI edge processing and robotics
    
    Potentially interesting for more rugged apps…as well as EdgeImpulse (AI/ML) type application copying/targeting?

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Treated nicely by the postman today with these 2 circuits boards from friend of the TTN Community & Workshop Hero of the TTC2020 Amsterdam @pe1mew \- Arduino Expansion boards providing input/stimulus simulation for Educational/training projects etc.  
      
    Details here: https://gitlab.com/wlgrw/han-iot-node
    
    Then seperate delivery of 2 more TTIG's (UK Version) - have 3 EU Versions on back order for later in the month. Would have ordered 5 x UK but UK version more expensive (why?!) & RS won't offer qty breaks for UK version in the way they do for EU version so split the order to get a more reasonable average price!
    
    I also need to get the new Tektelic Kona Micro Gateway brought back from TTC2020 online so likely a busy weekend+ (Will take registered GW count to ~35! when done)
    
    Though I think family would prefer me to work on the HD Flatpanel TV that died a few days ago instead! (Intermittent invertor causing screen to blank after a couple of minutes running - simply replace PSU/Invertor board?!)

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    If you are inspired by the EdgeImpulse pitch from TTC2020 and the work done by Jan ( @janjongboom ) , Zach, Dan (Hi Guys!) and considering trying some AI/ML activities yourself then perhaps adding these to you workbench/component stock…1 for nodes 1 more for the edge?
    
    edgeimpulse.com
    
    ### Edge Impulse
    
    Edge Impulse enables developers to create the next generation of intelligent device solutions with embedded Machine Learning
    
    Edge Impulse – 1 Feb 20
    
    ### Video: Sheep activity tracker demo
    
    During The Things Conference in Amsterdam this week we showed a demo of a TinyML sheep activity tracker, with Johan Stokking (The Things Industries CTO) as our special guest in the role of the sheep. This model was trained on 3-axis accelerometer...
    
    Reading time: 1 mins 🕑 Likes: 14 ❤
    
    Electronics Weekly – 10 Feb 20
    
    ### Arm extends ML capabilities of MCUs
    
    Arm has added the Arm Cortex-M55 processor and the Arm Ethos-U55 NPU for Cortex-M, designed to deliver a combined 480x leap in machine learning (ML) perfor
    
      
    Electronics Weekly – 11 Feb 20
    
    ### Aaeon's Pico-WHU4 board built for AI and edge computing
    
    Aaeon has announced the Pico-WHU4, a compact board designed for embedded artificial intelligence and edge computing built on 8th gen processors.

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Last week saw the 8th Birthday for the RPi  And the RPi4 ‘default' low end is now the 2GB version at the nominal $35 price point 
    
    Raspberry Pi – 27 Feb 20
    
    ### A birthday gift: 2GB Raspberry Pi 4 now only $35 - Raspberry Pi
    
    TL;DR: it's our eighth birthday, and falling RAM prices have allowed us to cut the price of the 2GB Raspberry Pi 4 to $35

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Nice little package just arrived from David & the team at SenseBox/openSenseMap/Re:Edu in Germany  
    https://sensebox.de/en/products
    
    Seem to have a nice suite of accessories & sensors - based on Open Source HW designs.
    
    This is to support a collaboration on Environmental Monitoring with one of the local Universities (more to follow on that!)
    
    Includes SenseBox MCU (Arduino environment compatible) with lots of sensor connection/expansion options and a HDC1080 T&H sensor, sady though cable included it looks like am missing the SDS011 Particulate Matter sensor…may have to substitue alternate from component stock or source one seperately

So @AlainD (Alain D) replied

    Hi
    
    What's you're opinion about the Dragino LPS8 (with other antenna) vs the TTIG?

After which, @mitkot (Mitkot) added

    How to add frame counter in Cayenne like here:  
    
    
    The WORKBENCH part 1 Hardware
    
    > [x541] using 'analog design tools  [x542] 5v - 3v3 - reset - levelshifter [x544] everything works… last part now is mounting the rn2483A decided to build version v2 of the TTN stick with this 32U4 @ 3v3 so you don't need the levelshifter/voltage conversion [32u4-3v3] update 2018  that's not true … the GPIO is still 5v so you need a level shifter to connect it to rn2483 or rak811 [x579] 
    
      
    Thnaks for answer!

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Locked down, with time to kill and an RPi4 on hand with need for more home/small biz data storgage? (Repository for all that TTN data intgration info you have been meaning to collate, archive and analyse?)
    
    Perhaps this is a quick project for you?   
    Electronics Weekly – 30 Mar 20
    
    ### Raspberry Pi-powered quad NAS with Radxa SATA HAT
    
    Radxa has announced the ROCK Pi SATA HAT, a series of SATA expansion targeting at the NAS solution for Raspberry Pi 4 and ROCK Pi 4. The ROCK Pi SATA HATs

@pe1mew (Remko) replied

    Some time ago I purchased 2 Dutch origin Marvin LoRaWAN prototype boards with RN2483 modules. As we are in voluntary self isiolation there is time to pickup some old projects. The 2 boards have been transferred into particle sensors using a SDS011 and a stock bmp280 temperature/air pressure sensor.
    
    Because the Marvin is actually not designed for deployment I created a small PCB, with the same size as the Marvin, to interface with it. Any polarisation DC power source is rectified and converted to 3,3 and 5 V using buck converters. I2C and serial as wel as 3,3V and 5V are transported over a UTP cable to the sensor that is house in a PVC sleeve.
    
    Next thing to do is 3D print brackets so they can be installed inside a weather proof housing.

After which, @pe1mew (Remko) added

    As I ran out of stock on bridge rectifiers I had to improvise om my Marvin sensor connector and PSU board.
    
    I used 4x 1N4148 SMD diodes as a replacement and it fts fine!

So @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    New nFuse SX1302 card should be available 2H? listing at €100?
    
    Might see if they will sample me one or two for test Pi builds when available 
    
    CNX Software - Embedded Systems News – 11 Apr 20
    
    ### n-Fuse SX1302 Mini PCIe LoRaWAN Concentrator Card to Sell for 100 Euros
    
    nFuse will soon launch a mini PCIe LoRaWAN concentrator card based on the latest Semtech SX1302 LoRa transceiver for gateways.

Then @edwin said

    @Jeff-UK  
    
    
    Will be happy to provide you a sample for testing. We will release a bacth of this in two monthes.  
    will remove the ST MCU and SX1261 in the final version for cost down.
    
    Best Regards  
    Edwin

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Yes, please Edwin, when ready  Sounds good.
    
    Have an environmental monitoring project requiring estimated 45-60+ GWs initially (Mix of indoor/outdoor and wifi/enet backhaul) where had been looking at mix of your LPS8's, Laird RG186 (Indoor or rehoused for outdoor) and RPi builds (Mostly outdoor) that was due to ramp from end March/Beg April but delayed now for 3-4 months due to CoVID-19 - so your timing might be good  Will PM you on the long term test of current LPS8…the 6mo eval project is almost up already! Time flys  Stay Safe…

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Need a bit more storage/grunt for your combined GW/NS/App Server (TTIv3 Stack anyone?) or building a monster TTi/TTN/MQTT system? How about trying the newly released/long rumoured 8GB RPi4?
    
    Also makes 64bit implementation a better option for power users…!
    
    Raspberry Pi – 28 May 20
    
    ### 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 on sale now at $75 - Raspberry Pi
    
    A new 8GB RAM variant of Raspberry Pi 4 is available today, priced at just $75. Visit your favourite Raspberry Pi Approved Reseller to get yours.

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Its been a while since updating on Workbench activity so thought I would come back with a bang (litterally) after a busy few weeks…not least dealing with a couple of the biggest, and most likely the heaviest!, bits of Work Bench kit I've played with in a while 
    
    A few weeks ago I hired a large van and headed North to collect both the ‘Open Frame' and 'Boxed versions of the Omnium Sensing Solar Pods from Reece Innovations as featured in the picture and (You Tube) video that many of you may have seen before:
    
    With source company wind down I was keen to have one of my own businesses step in and secure the units for use across the UK TTN Community and some of our wider IoT market clients and to look at what future prospects for such systems may be.
    
    For the last couple of weeks, as we started to open up after Covid lock-down, have been ‘playing with'/evaluating the base systems, refreshing components and looking at potential varients that might interest users and the market generally - I expect to post more in coming weeks/months.  
      
    For now 1st system is on long term soak test and 2nd system is awaiting final assembly whilst a new GW (another RAK7249) finishes assembly and then goes into soak test   
      
      
    
    
    All being well plan is for one to head to South Coast shortly with the other heading to N.West as soon as tested and logistics can be arranged, with a potential queue of of likley UK deployments around the UK to follow…will let forum know how we get on…both expected to get a few months deployment on TTN

Then @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) said

    Havent had opportunity or cause to evaluate and play with Renesas family of sensors before but this new Avnet board might temp to have a play
    
    Electronics Weekly – 14 Aug 20
    
    ### Avnet develops Raspberry Pi sensor HAT
    
    Avnet is shipping a specialised sensor HAT for Raspberry Pi. The Avnet-designed evaluation, development and quick-prototyping tool is intended for engineer

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    Got back from a short field trip and site survey to find a couple of these beauties I had requested from @edwin and the Dragino team waiting for me: 
    
    LDDS75 Ultrasonic Distance Sensors  
      
    
    
    Got one quickly registered into TTN yesterday…well it would have been quick if I hadn't mis-typed a couple of characters from Dev-EUI/App-EUI then lost time trying to debug  Dho!
    
    Loaded the stock decoder and could see distance & battery data in App console:
    
    A short while later I had it running under a Cayenne Integration and showing data on a standard dashboard. Left it running overnight hanging off edge of desk…great news the flat line shows the earth didnt move relative to the desk last night. Tried in a couple of places outside today before loading over the test rainwater butt outside the office, where it has been stable on 20min updates since.  
      
    Tommorrow will start the butt on a slow drain down (a few hours) and see how well it tracks reducing water level (increasing distance) until empty as a quick calibration check. The 2nd unit will be deployed at the weekend on long term test on a small stream feeding the River Thames nearby ready to check for summer thunderstorm driven flooding, leaf blockages over the Fall and the Winter general water level increases…  
    
    
    1st impressions very good, easy to set up and will report back on long term reliability/battery consumption etc… may have to get a few more of these…

@pe1mew (Remko) replied

    I had this idea already for a long time, collected the parts some time ago and yesterday night I came to the point where I actually did it: I started replacing the existing battery holder of a The Things Node for a LiPo and a DIY Qi wireless charger:
    
    The Qi wireless charger is connected to an Adafruit PowerBoost 500 Charger (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1944) that will power the Things Node. The Things node is internally equipped with a 3,3 volt LDO.
    
    I now have to see if I can add some signals to the microprocessor to the Thing Node to monitor the behaviour of the Qi wireless charged battery.
    
    If anyone has any documentation on the Qi wireless charger like this one, that would be helpful.
    
    aliexpress.com
    
    ### US $1.43 |DIY Qi Standard Wireless Charging Coil Receiver Module PCB DIY...
    
    Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
    
    I have read that a battery could be connected to it but I have not found directives nor schematics to do so. It would save me the Powerboost 500 and space for a bigger LiPo battery.
    
    @13:45 added the finished product:
    
    I now have fancy lights in my Things Node!

@arjanvanb (Arjan) replied

    Jeff-UK:
    
    > it would have been quick if I hadn't mis-typed a couple of characters from Dev-EUI/App-EUI
    
    Manufacturers, please provide QR codes! (Especially for gateways with sequential EUIs, where a typo may lock the EUI of a future buyer's gateway if it has been erroneously registered and deleted.)

So @jwijngaard replied

    I have made one here to. but I use it for the water level off the public water (-171 cm below NAP)   
    Data from TTN >> Cayenne >> dashboard.

Then @pe1mew (Remko) said

    arjanvanb:
    
    > Manufacturers, please provide QR codes!
    
    Yes please, not only for the devEUI, also for the other EUI and Keys.

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    2 new temp sensors from Maxim. I2C version standby current ~1/5th the 1-wire may be good for v.low power nodes. Both potentially good for easy build accurate nodes?  
    
    
    Electronics Weekly – 2 Sep 20
    
    ### A tale of two low-power temperature sensors
    
    Maxim has announced a pair of temperature sensors, one accurate with an I2C bus, and the other with a multi-drop 1-Wire interface. MAX31889 is accurate: ±0

So @pe1mew (Remko) replied

    Two LoRaWAN gateways from a totally different breed on the workbench this week.

So @kersing (Jac Kersing) replied

    pe1mew:
    
    > totally different breed
    
    I do recognize the one on the right (TTI Kickstarter gateway), but what brand and model is the left one?

To which @pe1mew (Remko) replied

    kersing:
    
    > but what brand and model is the left one?
    
    It's a Helium Hotspot

To which @kersing (Jac Kersing) replied

    Right, if you'd told me it is an IoT enabled hotplate I would have believed you as well 
    
    At least they got the user interface right. Green led, all is well.

@descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    @kersing, that would be this book:
    
    Arm | The Architecture for the Digital World
    
    ### Efficient Embedded Systems Design and Programming – Arm
    
    This textbook introduces embedded systems design using the Arm Cortex-M0+ CPU. Topics covered include the CPU, interrupt system, peripherals, and programming. It gives an introduction to practical multitasking on the CPU, with the goals of improving...
    
    From chapter 1:

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Looks like the BBC microbit getting update…  
    
    
    BBC News
    
    ### Micro Bit mini-computer gets new update
    
    The new model will have an in-built microphone and speaker.
    
      
    uBit + @rakwireless @rakwireless2020 ‘811 add-on bd from @PiSupply running an edge AI routine for smart sensor anyone?  
    Pi Supply
    
    ### IoT micro:bit LoRa Node (Multi Frequency)
    
    Our IoT micro:bit LoRa Node allows you to create an inexpensive LoRa node, compatible with The Things Network, in conjunction with a BBC micro:bit or other single board computers. This board allows quicker prototyping as it has the LoRa stack on the...
    
    Price: GBP 24.99
    
    Fleshing out a bit (excuse the pun!) more tech detail:  
    
    
    theregister.com
    
    ### BBC Micro:bit with boosted specs and onboard mic to go on sale from next month
    
    16KB RAM becomes 128KB as the Beeb gets down with the kids again

@descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Found this little ATmega328P + RFM95W combo on AliExpress …
    
    Small box of 5, separate MCU board + radio chips cost £22.27 aka £5.44 each. The vendor sells a number of combinations for regional frequencies or using RFM69.
    
    aliexpress.com
    
    ### US $2.62 25% OFF|Suitable for Arduino 3.3V RFM95 RFM69CW RFM12 RFM69HCW RFM92...
    
    Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
    
    The PCB doesn't have a link for DIO1 trace, hence the yellow wire. Took about 5 minutes to solder and three minutes to setup ABP & download using Classic LMIC and see uplinks.
    
    Tomorrow I'm make another, add DHT11's & a 7805 Vreg and wire them to both cars that are suffering badly from damp at present - may as well get some hard data on the problem.
    
    To students and beginners, these modules are very entry level, the principal problem is the shortage of memory - they are cheap, good for ‘disposable' devices or only requiring one or two simple sensors. They are not a good match for those wishing to warp time & space by rushing to an end result.

@AlainD (Alain D) replied

    Hi Jeff
    
    Did you run the tests on the LDDS75 Ultrasonic Distance Sensors?

To which @kylix (Kylix) replied

    They seem to be a copy of the Moteino boards: https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/moteino/

After which, @descartes (Nick McCloud) added

    So they do, normal mode for Chinese entrepreneurs

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    With the launch of the new Raspberry Pi 400 Keyboard kit ( The LIBRARY basement part 12 ) I was scratching head thinking how to best use my new acquisitions.
    
    Then it struck me - add 40way external cable, break out connector bd &/or interposer board such as one of those from Charles/Ch2i used previously with RPi0W's, drop in a SX13xx concentrator card such as those from @kenyu and our friends at @rak such as this one contributed by friend of the TTN @jmarcelino and _Bingo!_
    
    An integrated GW development kit  \- just need to break out the soldering iron and smd reflow kit 
    
    Guess what me and the kids will be playing with over Xmas & New Year?!

After which, @descartes (Nick McCloud) added

    Jeff-UK:
    
    > Guess what me and the kids will be playing with over Xmas & New Year?!
    
    A smoldering pile of chips & plastic?

@paulb replied

    It's been a while since I had inspiration and time, but this week Aliexpress has been good to me.

@descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    A post was split to a new topic: Problem registering Dragino ldds75

After which, @pe1mew (Remko) added

    Here is something that should be on your workbench: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32876049554.html?spm=a2g0s.12269530.255.87.135d4425a6RHIncR

So @kersing (Jac Kersing) replied

    Seeed seems about to release a new LoRaWAN module:
    
    seeedstudio.com
    
    ### LoRa-E5 STM32WLE5JC Module, embedded SX126X and MCU for LoRaWAN Wireless...
    
    LoRa-E5 LoRaWAN module is designed with ST system-level package chip STM32WLE5JC, ARM Cortex M4 ultra-low-power MCU and LoRa SX126X. It supports (G)FSK mode and LoRa. 62.5kHz, 125kHz, 250kHz, and 500kHz bandwidth can be used in LoRa® mode, making it...
    
    Price: USD 9.9
    
    LoRa-E5 STM32WLE5JC Module, embedded SX126X and MCU for LoRaWAN Wireless Sensor Network & IoT devices - EU868 & US915

After which, @LoRaTracker (loraTracker) added

    I just had one. Ordered on the 11th, arrived in the UK on the 16th.
    
    The useful mod I saw on You Tube is to add a switch to turn off just the heater elements, so you can still keep an eye on the plate temperature.
    
    I can bin my electric frying halejacqueline@example.net.

@LoRaTracker (loraTracker) replied

    I have had a chance to try the hotplate.
    
    I have been working on a ESP32 based PCB that can take a choice of SX126X, SX127X or SX128X LoRa modules. I have versions of the board for Pro Minis, but that does mean they lack in program space.
    
    I first used the hotplate to remove an ESP32 from a previous PCB. Once I had worked out the right temperature setting to use it was very easy to heat the old board and remove the ESP32. If I had heated the board from above with a blower, there would have been the risk of maybe unsoldering all the bits inside the ESP32.
    
    I soldered the ESP32 in place by hand on the new board but when powered up there was a fault. Eventually it seemed to be a short between the ESP32s GND and VCC pads. So I used the hotplate to lift the ESP32 and found and corrected the solder bridge. I placed the ESP32 over the pads again, let the hotplate heatup and the ESP32 neatly soldered itself back in place. No heat damage to the halejacqueline@example.net. Overall a very easy operation.
    
    The temperature indicated was maybe 25C out from what the setting was, so perhaps you might not want to use this hot plate for making commercial stuff, but for the DIYer it is well worth the money.
    
    The board by the way has a power supply that survives the WiFi switch on current pulse and has **a deep sleep current of 20uA**. There is a FRAM and a micro SD card holder on the back. Even the LoRa modules work.

So @LoRaTracker (loraTracker) replied

    **Connecting LoRa devices to 5V Arduinos.**
    
    I am sure that observant LoRaites will have noticed that for the SX127X LoRa devices the data sheets have no maximum voltages stated for the logic pins, SCK, MOSI, NSS etc. This is very odd from Semtech, are users of the devices supposed to guess ? So what does the lack of information mean, that the pins are 5V tolerant possibly or that it does not matter and you could put many kilovolts on a pin with no risk to the device ?
    
    We all may assume these LoRa devices are 3.3V logic devices but some who try it say they do work (for a while at least) when hooked up to a 5V Arduino such as a UNO.
    
    So I checked what happens when I connected a SX1276 LoRa module to an Arduino UNO (do this at your own risk). The device appears to work, you can read and write to registers etc. However the LoRa device is putting out signals of around 4.2V peak on the MISO pin.
    
    This is odd I thought, the device is only connected to a 3.3V supply ?
    
    Turns out the LoRa device is being phantom powered by the 5V outputs of the UNO, NSS and MOSI and this raises the LoRa devices VCC supply to around 4.1V.
    
    Oh dear … the absolute max voltage on the VCC supply pin is 3.9V and the operating range is listed as 3.7V max.
    
    So thats why you should not connect 3.3V LoRa devices directly to 5V Arduinos.

Then @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) said

    A potential client interested in deploying one of these:  
    
    
    powered by one of these:  
    
    
    Wanted an easy way to monitor the battery voltage. Problem was I didnt have a lot of free time to build a low cost node lash up and I also decided it would be useful to report the solar panel output voltage. Then I remembered I has a Dragino LT-33222 from our friend @edwin and the team. Perfect - supports 2 analogue input voltages for monitoring (0-30V) as well as running off a supply upto 24V, thereby allowing a direct connection to relevant circuit points without any adaptation or changes. A bit more expensive than a self build perhaps but time is money and a better value proposition at the time. Also (  ) it has a number of Digital I/O and relay contacts so next step is to consider how these might be used for battery & load switching/failover automation, etc…
    
    Lash up circuit with output taken directly from TTN Integration to Cayenne dashboard (for easy sharing with the client)  
    
    
    Installed and happily running for a couple of weeks now as part of the system POC

So @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    For anyone itching to play with one since last weeks TTConf:
    
    Electronics Weekly – 3 Feb 21
    
    ### Arduino makes the Portenta Vision Shield LoRa available
    
    Detect gestures, identify objects, generally see things - that's the goal. We're talking the Portenta Vision Shield LoRa is now available on the Arduino online store, having been first announced at the end of last year.

Then @descartes (Nick McCloud) said

    Prototyping - now I know what the longer breadboards are for …

So @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Raspberry Pi Pico, DS18B20 on 1-Wire library from the original code so not production ready, RAK4260 module.
    
    The Pico in the foreground is a Pico setup as a programmer / debugger.
    
    Still working on the exact figures but the Pico isn't going to be suitable as a battery device as the minimum I've seen so far is 900uA. As such I won't be stampeding to use these unless I end up the a compelling use case - probably edge-AI/ML.

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Take a couple of RPi Pico boards, a hand full of of LoRaWAN modules (Note not LoRa modules, so you dont have to worry about porting e.g. Aunties version of LMIC or other such LoRaWAN stacks! and avoid wrangling Arduino-like implementations for such), add a few sensors… and a nice weekend project?! If LoRaWAN Stack based devices should go straight to V3?  what can possibly go wrong?!

To which @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    @Jeff-UK, this may help: GitHub - HeadBoffin/Pico-Three-Way-Serial: Serial communications example/starter for the Raspberry Pi Pico board

Then @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) said

    Perfect thanks, from the Github : _the application is for a comms module on a UART like ESP8266 for Wifi or a LoRa/LoRaWAN AT based module and have a GPS on another UART_ : Just what I need 
    
    p.s. took nearly a month but finally got the picture to load and completed the post! (Remembered that one and couple of other pics had been interupted during phone download - looks like however it was corrupted stopped forum loading - 2nd pull from phone worked fine  )
    
    _Would be interesting to hear here if other Forumites have a Pico working with LoRaWAN/TTN…come on guys get posting!_

@descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Made a programmer/debugger/serial/power cable loom for my Generic Node Sensor Edition:
    
    The double lead from the USB-Serial adapter allows for monitoring the serial feed without having to plug in / power the ST-Link.

To which @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    TinyThing4200 = ProMini with RAK4200 to off-load the LoRaWAN element, leaving plenty of space for sensors and extended firmware but still accessible for those that don't code ARM all day every day.

After which, @descartes (Nick McCloud) added

    MiniPrototyping4200 = ProMini, RAK4200 and a surfeit of connectors. Pile of these about to go out with a variety of sensors to do some getting started training via remote.
    
    There will be a TTIG in the box for their local gateway.

So @bluejedi ( ) replied

    descartes:
    
    > Made a programmer/debugger/serial/power cable loom for my Generic Node Sensor Edition
    
    Here is my version. It does not provide power but has the advantage that it requires only one USB port (because the STLink-V3MINI supports this).
    
    _The small adapter board is not standard included with STLINK-V3MINI but comes provided when ordering from Waveshare._

To which @pe1mew (Remko) replied

    Today I investigated the performance of the Aurel GP 868 antenna that can be purchased at Conrad (Aurel GP 868 Ground Plane Antenne Antenne | Conrad.nl).
    
    This antenna is nice looking with rubber protection at the ends of the radials
    
    From experience, I know that these rubbers will detune the antenna frequency down, and when I verified the antenna I found that the 868 MHz antenna actually was resonant at 816 MHz and not 868 MHz. At the resonant frequency, antenna performance is pretty good with 18 dB return loss. However, at 868 MHz return loss was 9 dB. That did not meet my quality standards.
    
    Because the antenna resonance frequency was lower than 868 MHz the elements of the antenna were too long and can be shortened to tune for an exact 868 MHz. In an iterative process with intermediate measurements, I shortened the elements on average 2 mm with a satisfying result: return loss was >26 dB from 864 to 873 MHz.
    
    Radio link performance is directly influenced by the quality of the antenna. I know this antenna is performing well.
    
    The only problem left is that the antenna is not waterproof but that can be solved with some Self-amalgamating tape.

@AlainD (Alain D) replied

    Is the 2mm for use with the rubbers or without them?

So @pe1mew (Remko) replied

    The 2 mm is without rubbers. With rubbers, you probably need more.

Then @engelking (hek) said

    Perhaps a warning to others:  
    The rubber caps are very firm. When removing the vertical rod, something inside came loose and now the rod can be moved.

To which @wolfp (Wolfgang) replied

    BTW the resonant frequency is not the frequency with the best VSWR but the frequency with Xs=0

After which, @bluejedi ( ) added

    pe1mew:
    
    > Because the antenna resonance frequency was lower than 868 MHz the elements of the antenna were too long and can be shortened to tune for an exact 868 MHz. In an iterative process with intermediate measurements, I shortened the elements on average 2 mm with a satisfying result: return loss was >26 dB from 864 to 873 MHz.
    
    So is this antenna only suitable for those having the proper RF equipment to measure antenna performance and are willing to tune the antenna themselves (and not a good buy for others)?
    
    pe1mew:
    
    > The only problem left is that the antenna is not waterproof
    
    Why (and where) is it not waterproof?

@descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    A post was merged into an existing topic: The LIBRARY basement part 12

@pe1mew (Remko) replied

    bluejedi:
    
    > So is this antenna only suitable for those having the proper RF equipment to measure antenna performance and are willing to tune the antenna themselves (and not a good buy for others)?
    
    No. The antenna is performing well enough for many applications.
    
    bluejedi:
    
    > Why (and where) is it not waterproof?
    
    That is because the top is hard-plastic and I expect that the capillary effect will allow water to enter. As the internal connector is an F-type (from what I know is this connector 75 ohms, not 50) the water might leak into the coaxial cable connected to it.
    
    AlainD:
    
    > Is the 2mm for use with the rubbers or without them?
    
    No, there is additional length taken from the rods to tune it.

So @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Using OTAA & TTSCE (TTN V3) 
    
    Hackster.io
    
    ### Connect Your Adafruit Feather RP2040 to The Things Network
    
    This guide will walk you through connecting your Adafruit Feather RP2040 board to The Things Network V3 using LoRaWAN. By Sandeep Mistry.

Then @bluejedi ( ) said

    ###  Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) + Arduino + MCCI LMIC
    
    This is one of my Raspberry Pi Pico's + RFM95 using LoRaWAN to connect to TTN V3.
    
    It runs the LMIC-node example application.

Then @descartes (Nick McCloud) said

    NOT on the WorkBench any time soon …

Then @SmallSpace (Small Space) said

    How are you finding the LT-33222? I have a US-915 version that I need to install the AU915 firmware on before I can use it. I've got some ideas for agricultural use.

@descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Apparently too cute to send to a customer …

@Raccoon (Raccoon) replied

    I started from a moteino based, added tpl5110 for managing deep sleep, added place for rfm95w, added place for bme280 ( with polish nails xD) , added patch antenna, those little baby run for 1 year and half now on 2 AAA lithium cells
    
    I also made the same but this time adding a mofset to switch off the moisture sensor.
    
    All run on ttn v3, with custom optiboot firm
    
    I can share diagram on easyEDA.

So @bluejedi ( ) replied

    ##  Adafruit QT Py running LMIC-node
    
    This is my Adafruit QT Py (SAMD21) board with HPD13A LoRa module and SSD1306 OLED display running LMIC-node connected to TTN V3.
    
    _Support for the Adafruit QT Py has just been added to LMIC-node._

Then @SmallSpace (Small Space) said

    I had a productive day working with the owner of a local WISP to perform a test installation and range testing at a proposed gateway colocated on one of his sites. This didn't happen in my workshop but was on site at a PoP on a hill. Still I think it counts for here.
    
    As they say no contact with the enemy goes as planned which was true today. The WISP guy had some trouble with getting a connection to the internet via the router used to act as CPE instead of connecting directly to his core. That was solved with noticing a VPN program had crashed and the laptop was trying to connect to a different part of the core and was fixed with a reboot.
    
    It was then my time to shine. While checking if the gateway had booted we discovered that the status is no longer displayed in V2 of the console so I had to hastily read the migration documentation and move my gateway from V2 to V3. This was actually easier than I was expecting and went well with the gateway talking to the V3 console. I'm going to move over my other gateways in the next few weeks but I might leave one on V2 until I know all V2 apps are moved to V3 though.
    
    I had a T-Beam module loaded with TTN-Mapper firmware installed but forgot to charge the 18650 battery. None of the powerbanks I brought with me would power it properly nor would the other guy's USB charger. We eventually got enough power into the battery to get the T-Beam to boot.
    
    From there it was time to drive around testing range with two different antennas. The best we got was about -110dbm RSSI with -2.5 SNR at about 13KM for the trial gateway. From there we did more driving to add more coverage to TTN mapper for the local area. We happened to get 20KM to a different gateway in a nearby town which also impressed me.
    
    I'm quite pleased with how the day went. I've got a new collaborator to work with, we have a great idea how much actual range we have compared to simulated coverage and I have ordered a better gateway based on the SX1302 chipset to go into production at the site. We have plans to rollout LoRaWAN coverage at some of his other sites in the future if the next stage of collaboration works out.

Then @descartes (Nick McCloud) said

    As the current world wide shortage of, well, anything really, spent 30 minutes today tracking down some 220uF Electrolytic capacitors, 5mm pitch that weren't gold plated, let alone finding a LoRaWAN module and an MCU to suit, I've gone back to me roots and updated it a little:
    
    It's an ATmega4808 28 pin SSOP which is, with a fine tipped soldering iron, feasibly hand-solderable. I'm using a trusty RFM95. The 4808 has 48KB of flash and 6KB of SRAM which is half as much again of flash and three times more than the trusty 328P of Arduino Uno/Nano/Pro Mini fame.
    
    I've put the Optiboot boot loader on it, so the Arduino IDE thinks it's an Arduino and I used the latest MCCI LMIC (v4) that provides v1.0.3 LoRaWAN to test OTAA and the forbidden fruit that is ABP and all is well.
    
    Having turned off some of the junk for Class B but turned up logging to 11 (as I want to explore the MAC commands coming down from v3 a bit more), it took up 26741 bytes of flash (54%) and 1216 bytes SRAM (19%). Plenty of space for sensors and gratuitous text strings. With logging set to 0, it uses 22882 bytes of flash.
    
    So for non-critical applications, I suspect this will be my go-to build for a while until the silicon universe stops ebbing & flowing quite so much.

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    An alternative to EdgeImpulse for edge AI classification before sending result over LoRaWAN?
    
    Electronics Weekly – 6 Jul 21
    
    ### Arduino gets AI framework, from Fraunhofer
    
    Fraunhofer IMS and Arduino have release a stand-alone C-programmed AI framework for Arduino, allowing battery-powered AI hardware to be created without nee

To which @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Not on any workbench for a rather long time … … is it me or is supply going backwards?

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    Looks like the latest Microchip MPLAB ICE 4 emulator, programmer, debugger is out and available in stock with latest IDE support available for download if interested (AVR, SAMD users et al)  
    https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/DV244140

After which, @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) added

    Think I've just found the idea power supply for my next LoRaWAN GPS Tracker development:
    
    The Independent – 2 Feb 22
    
    ### Man builds enormous ‘portable' battery that can charge 5,000 phones
    
    The power bank was used to charge electric bicycles and white goods

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Now how can this be adapted/adopted to support remotely deployed RPi based gw's? Main weakness is vulnerability for SD card corruption, usually during uncontrolled power out, so if this could help fix…? 
    
    theregister.com
    
    ### Raspberry Pi bootloader gains network OS install function
    
    Beta for now, but Pi from the cloud will eventually become a factory option
    
    Pity it's only Pi 4 onwards…to many 2b/3b+ & 0Ws deployed so far… (less power draw than Pi4's)…

So @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Only if they are on a network as they have to download ~1Gb as a minimum - although could be via LTE but it has to be an external network to the Pi as it can't do anything until it's installed.
    
    It would also need to be able to detect a corrupt SD Card and trigger a refresh - bit hard to do if the OS is borked - but a watchdog could intervene - but it would be a sophisticated watchdog with a network - maybe another Pi?
    
    Perhaps you could create a spec for a remote setup so we can have an alternative to Balena and then the community could come together to create a solution …
    
    Academic at present but stock coming mid March …

Then @kersing (Jac Kersing) said

    descartes:
    
    > Perhaps you could create a spec for a remote setup so we can have an alternative to Balena and then the community could come together to create a solution …
    
    How about using CM4 with eMMC on Sourcekit PiTray Mini. No more corrupt SDcards. Combined with balena a winning combination.

To which @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    kersing:
    
    > How about using CM4 with eMMC on Sourcekit PiTray Mini. No more corrupt SDcards. Combined with balena a winning combination.
    
    Have you hacked my file server??
    
    But still largely Unobtainium - the challenge I have is not investing in a 100 or so of all the bits I could buy as they become available before I've got a design. Perhaps the first step is to get a group buy scheme of all the things we'd like to have on hand.

After which, @descartes (Nick McCloud) added

    Not on my workbench - the Microchip LDO I've designed in to a pile of boards and just run out of - or the 8 pin PIC we use in our security timer products. Two and a half hours of finding alternatives …

Then @kersing (Jac Kersing) said

    descartes:
    
    > Have you hacked my file server??
    
    No, I've deployed a couple of these combinations with a concentrator card == gateway.
    
    Currently waiting for more CM4 with eMMC. Initial delivery when ordered last year was march, by now pushed back to mid august. Seeed had some in stock but those were top end model when the simplest is sufficient and I refuse to pay triple.

@Caspar replied

    Hi everyone!
    
    I just constructed a small holder for the Browan TABS sensors, so you do not have to glue them somewhere. Now its easier to replace the battery for example or move them around. Its a OpenSCAD file so you can adjust a number of things, like want to use glue/screw/magnets to hold it to the wall/surface, need a bit of height adjustment for the door/window sensor to get good connection to the magnet? Its just customizeable. You can find the files here:
    
    https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/134670-browan-tabs-lorawan-sensor-holder
    
    And a picture from a installation with height adjustment:  
    
    
    Have fun with it, its under CC-BY-SA

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    After a long wait finally received Raspi 0W Mk2 - just in time for another low power GW build as update to previous 0W MK1 ‘Owls'… so approriate that its…
    
    The LIBRARY basement part 12
    
    > I guess today is the day for all TTN Raspberry Pi based GW owners (and a few nodes?) to turn and say Ha-Pi Pirthday Raspi! Its 10 years since the intro of the 1st RPi (Technically its 29th Feb - but as 2022 isnt a leap year we celebrate today (or tomorrow!)) :tada  Many of us are truely grateful and appreciative of this (family) of useful little SBC's…

After which, @phk (Phk) added

    Looks very interesting, especially given the ongoing shortage in chips of all kinds.
    
    Have you published anything from this project? I tried to find something (Gerber files, source code) but didn't find anything.

After which, @descartes (Nick McCloud) added

    phk:
    
    > Have you published anything from this project?
    
    Yes, you'll see in my post the PCB I used, the wiring diagram and all the details for the source code I used …

To which @GryKyo (Gry Kyo) replied

    How did your Z2W gateway work out @Jeff-UK ?
    
    I have a RPi Zero W gateway using @Charles interface PCB/RAK831 and code from his repo and it is super robust. I also have a RPi Zero2 W whch uses Balena ‘Basic Station' and a RAK831 radio also. There were a couple of bugs in this that prevented the software from generating TTN credentials from MAC address on boot but Balena (Marc) were pretty dynamic in fixing this, works an absolute charm now and is super easy to support with the default tunnel etc in Balena.
    
    What is the spec of your low power gateway? I should test both of mine for power shouldn't I? Neither are deployed in ‘working' scenarios but would appear suitable.
    
    G

After which, @descartes (Nick McCloud) added

    Such is the state of the Unobtainium Vortex and it's capture of any reasonable priced MCU in its evil grasp, Adafruit have started a new YouTube feature:

So @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Life in the old 8-bit work horses yet! (Pair with a COTS LoRaWAN module so you don't have to play SW eng and wrangle a critical s/w stack…… simples  )
    
    Electronics Weekly – 28 Apr 22
    
    ### Five families of AVRs and PICs for sensor nodes
    
    Microchip is to introduce five families of 8bit microcontrollers, sharing both its PIC and ex-Atmel AVR resources amongst new PICs and AVRs. Users who favo

To which @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    MVIO on the AVR-DD parts is useful - but what would be more useful would be for them to make more of the recent parts that are completely Unobtainium - like the megaAVR 0-series. Plus some of the venerable but super useful SAMD21.

To which @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Wireless update to RPi Pico….and Eben claims not made from Unobtainium so need to think of some use cases….  Could be a nice update for a PAX counter type device?
    
    theregister.com
    
    ### Raspberry Pi goes wireless with the $6 Pico W
    
    Wi-Fi arrives. As does a $2 price increase... but it's a worthwhile update

So @descartes (Nick McCloud) replied

    Jeff-UK:
    
    > Could be a nice update for a PAX counter type device?
    
    Maybe, but it's WiFi, not LoRa …

Then @Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) said

    Usual pax counters sniff for peoples BT &/or WiFi radios as a proxy for # of bodies - an indicator vs actual count. Then send count data over LoRa  For privacy its not usually considered good to capture the MAC's for long term storage centrally so some level of edge processing can be a good thing - repeat visitor detection, data extraction, duration/location ‘dwell' time evaluation etc. good for monitoring people & traffic flows, congestion analysis, popularity eval, etc.

@Jeff-UK (Jeff Uk) replied

    Another interesting snippet given choice of WiFi solution (CYW43439 from Infineon):
    
    “ _CYW43439 supports both Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low-Energy – we have not enabled Bluetooth on Pico W at launch, but may do so in the future._ ”


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