iC880A and Linklabs in-between-shield plus funky features

Charles · July 27, 2016, 6:04pm

Hi there,

I designed this shield to help wiring between Raspberry PI and ISMT iC880A LoraWan concentrator Gateway (SPI version) and to be able to put the whole thing into a outdoor enclosure such as this one.

But while I was working on this, ideas were coming and I decided to add some funky stuff such like:

Of course footprint for iC880a ISMT LoraWan concentrator
Can be also used between LinkLabs board and Raspi Also
I2C and Grove connectors to be able to add internal/external sensors
Footprint for DC/DC step down if you want to do some simple POE splitter to power the whole thing
Footprint for a simple Lora module such as RFM95 that can be used a Single Channel Gateway or also act as a Lora Node
Power with DC Barrel connector and/or terminal block
Four visual GPIO Led
Footprint for DHT1x Temperature/Humidity sensors
Easy to build, 0805 or PTH components
Holes to fix board on enclosure or other support

Looks like this

Description and build files are on the dedicated github repo.

Board are not tested, I’ve ordered a bunch of some so if you want a PCB (and other components going around) just drop me a PM, I can send you them as soon as I got the boards.

Of course you can also order the PCB of this board at PCBs.io, Don’t worry they still have a bug with top/bottom thumbnails view but final boards are okay)

Charles · August 11, 2016, 7:23pm

Board, mounted; tested and operational for (indoor now) forwarding. Got an I2C Temp/Hum sensor also.

)

Got some PCB and connectors if someone interested

x893-00 · August 12, 2016, 12:23am

Looks perfect. I make simple adapter to Rpi w/o pcb - only wires and header.
http://akb77.com/g/iot/lorawan-first/

Charles · August 12, 2016, 2:29pm

@x893
Thanks, oh what a smart solution, wire on RPI connector, excellent idea

Charles · September 13, 2016, 9:38am

Just to let you that I’ve pushed the poly packed forwarder that can now drive the on board LED
You can see the readme here

github.com

ch2i/packet_forwarder/blob/master/poly_pkt_fwd/readme.md

	 / _____)             _              | |    
	( (____  _____ ____ _| |_ _____  ____| |__  
	 \____ \| ___ |    (_   _) ___ |/ ___)  _ \ 
	 _____) ) ____| | | || |_| ____( (___| | | |
	(______/|_____)_|_|_| \__)_____)\____)_| |_|
	  (C)2013 Semtech-Cycleo
	  (C)2015 Modfications by Ruud Vlaming (The Things Network)

Lora Gateway packet forwarder with multiple extensions
======================================================

WARNING: 
  Bleeding edge work. Code not yet properly tested, will most likely 
  fail directly afer startup.  

1. Introduction
----------------

The poly packet forwarder is a program running on the host of a Lora 
Gateway that forward RF packets receive by the concentrator to a server

This file has been truncated. show original

vannut · September 14, 2016, 11:21am

Cool job! Cant wait to test it with the board.
Havent been in the job for two weeks; but wil test it next week

Charles · October 27, 2016, 4:02pm

New promotional Price for IC880A Lora Concentrator

peterhoneder · November 15, 2016, 3:22pm

Hi!

great work with the shield, I would be interested in getting one of those for my gateway in Vienna/Austria.

-Peter

Charles · November 15, 2016, 5:13pm

Peter,
I have one V1.0 assembled and working, was my 1st gateway
if you’re interested send me a private email

Sandgroper · February 9, 2017, 9:26pm

Hi Charles, Do you have any of the bare boards still available? I am in Redmond WA in the USA looking to add the first gateway in this area.

Regards, Andrew

jmarcelino · February 9, 2017, 10:42pm

The IC880A is for the 868Mhz band (EU), there’s no US version of that available yet

Charles · September 18, 2017, 4:44pm

Hi there,
Just to let you know that I tested the 1.2 boards, with FTDI connector for console, no more HDMI cable and keyboard needed in case of network configuration problem (but still need 3V3 FTDI like cable), a must. I also added a power off switch, all is working fine.

github repo has been updated, got some spare V1.1 boards with SMD components assembled and all other if you need to build a kit. just PM me if you’re interested.

ch2i-shield-enclosure

pe1mew · September 19, 2017, 4:56am

Hi I have couple of these boards too and I am very happy with the FTDI connector!
When I ordered boards I unexpectedly got the versions with the FTDI connector

bogd · October 27, 2017, 6:01am

I’m sorry for spamming the thread, but I cannot for the life of me find the link to PM somebody…

Do you still have the spare boards?

Charles · October 27, 2017, 6:52am

@bogd,
yes got some V1.0 assembled and some PCB of V1.1
I’ll sent you a PM (click on user icon, then Message)

Charles · October 24, 2020, 1:52pm

Just some revival, found some spare of this shield in my boxes, put them on tindie if some are interested.