# The WORKBENCH part 1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [August 15, 2017, 9:40am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970 "2017-08-15T09:40:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/115 "2017-11-17T15:08:51Z")
![x537](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/5/5ee648ae61cdbc1e45379c2aa6bc9c396bfb2d4e.jpg) yeah baby yeah !! … 4 hardware uarts in a little box 🕶 3V3 PRO MINI version of Mega 2560. Built on the Atmel ATmega2560 microcontroller. - [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mega-2560-PROMINI-3-3V-ATmega2560-16AU-with-male-pinheaders-Compatible-for-Arduino-Mega-2560/32802346483.html](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mega-2560-PROMINI-3-3V-ATmega2560-16AU-with-male-pinheaders-Compatible-for-Arduino-Mega-2560/32802346483.html) ---
**Author:** ![bluejedi](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/bluejedi/32/44639_2.png) [@bluejedi](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/bluejedi)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/116 "2017-11-17T15:28:17Z")
Nice. And standard 16MHz with 3.3V instead of just 8MHz like Pro Mini. So, do you have any special application in mind with 4 UARTS? 😀 ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/117 "2017-11-17T17:12:58Z")
> [@bluejedi](#): > > So, do you have any special application in mind with 4 UARTS? 😉 uart 1 - debug / program uart 2 - GPS uart 3 - Nextion touchscreen uart 4 - LoRa module ---
**Author:** ![jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/jezd/32/46461_2.png) [@jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/jezd)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/118 "2017-11-17T19:30:18Z")
we’ve just sent you a post on twitter about when we can get hold of one for testing ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/119 "2017-11-19T14:49:36Z")
![x538](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/a/a402df25f634b67c7ba09b2fc010208ea0ec2050.jpg) proto TTN stick _software compatible with The Things Uno_🕶 [32U4](https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-ATMEGA32U4-Mini-Development-Board-Arduino-Leonardo-/400985233359?hash=item5d5c9517cf) / [levelshifter](https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Set-2-channel-Bi-Directional-Logic-Level-Shifter-Converter-3-3V-5V-For-Arduino/162323804445?) /[dc dc 3v3 stepdown](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2745) / [rn2483](https://nl.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Microchip/RN2483A-I-RM103/?qs=u4fy%2fsgLU9O6DLlaw%2fI9Gw%3d%3d) ![x539](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/4/40e445198deecb6b9e0aa90dbbb509386c0cdb42.jpg) _use case : developper stick / demo node on the go_ ---
**Author:** ![paulb](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/paulb/32/44714_2.png) [@paulb](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/paulb)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 9:00am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/120 "2017-11-20T09:00:15Z")
Smart looking thing with that integrated connector. If I may ask, why would you use a levelshifter and a stepdown? Isn’t either enough? ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 9:38am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/121 "2017-11-20T09:38:56Z")
the TTN stick gets its power from the USB bus which is 5 V (this node has no battery connection) 32U4 the (leonardo) processor operates on 5 v but the LoRa module RN2483 on 3v3. so the stepdown is to make 3v3 from the 5v and the [level shifter](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/bi-directional-logic-level-converter-hookup-guide)r is to ‘level’ the UART signals _in the final node I don’t use the fancy buck/boost module but a [simple stepdown](https://www.ebay.com/itm/AMS1117-3-3V-DC-5V-to-3-3V-Step-Down-Buck-Module-for-Arduino-NRF24L01-2-4GHz-RF/171309095049?) converter._ there will be some more things on the protoboard like an rgb led and a reset button (need that for programming the thing) _my problem is that I get an idea and start immediate with it… that’s why all my tables are full 🤣_ ---
**Author:** ![paulb](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/paulb/32/44714_2.png) [@paulb](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/paulb)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2017, 10:41am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/122 "2017-11-20T10:41:49Z")
Your workbench must be a ton of fun for a tinkerer. So a level switcher is just for data but not for actual power? I thought you could a level shifter to do 5v -\> 3v3 to also drive/power things. Not at all or only limited? - edit. Read up on it, looks like it’s indeed only for data. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/124 "2017-11-22T15:28:48Z")
![x540](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0c1835789dc162ff10dea99be408f7e70f6a96a2.jpg) _the RN2483 ‘A’ version [arrived](http://nl.farnell.com/microchip/rn2483a-i-rm103/lora-transceiver-mod-10-937kbps/dp/2758492?)_ ---
**Author:** ![jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/jezd/32/46461_2.png) [@jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/jezd)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/125 "2017-11-22T15:57:45Z")
whats new in the ‘A’ version? ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/126 "2017-11-22T16:02:14Z")
If I’m not mistaken, it has to do with the tolerance of the cristal inside, they improved that. The famous’cold’ problem, and it’s getting winter here in Holland, so I didn’t want to use my ‘old’ stock. But my outdoor testnode is running on a older rn2483 version and still everything is ok… waiting for minus 5 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 12:28pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/127 "2017-11-23T12:28:51Z")
![x541](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/4/49e734b9ca725d8e99436763e41b2210c3674318.jpg) _using 'analog design tools_😏 ![x542](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/9/9d11e823ab9655c12641d4cab40cd436e7125ba0.jpg) _5v - 3v3 - reset - levelshifter_ ![x544](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/7/75aa3f1d3588bbee1e85fc87318182088ccc8ce2.jpg) _everything works… last part now is mounting the rn2483A_ - decided to build version v2 of the TTN stick with **[this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mini-ATMEGA32U4-Compatible-For-Arduino-SS-Micro-ATMEGA32U4-Module-Board/282196052055?)** 32U4 _@ 3v3 so you don’t need the levelshifter/voltage conversion_ ![32u4-3v3](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0aa59e7cd54f124eef948c327f5c338b4cf3f38e.jpg) **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](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/8/82e9a91124a48c431a874b47d4c360f6ec0e491b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/128 "2017-11-25T12:51:07Z")
![32days](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7f3c16eb4ee4353a79e09e709e41e56cf689d78c.jpg) 32 days… and still going strong on a 1.5 AA battery 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/jezd/32/46461_2.png) [@jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/jezd)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/129 "2017-11-26T13:20:04Z")
My Rocket sample is on its way now, are you using custom code? or their supplied code. ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/130 "2017-11-26T13:44:50Z")
ah nice, I use the code supplied [a few post back](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench/8970/104) here ( but it works only with an bme280 sensor) _if we talk about the beta board_ ---
**Author:** ![jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/jezd/32/46461_2.png) [@jezd](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/jezd)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/131 "2017-11-27T00:35:21Z")
Looking at the code it wakes every 8 seconds to then go back to sleep on a loop for x minutes, as the Rocket device works off a 1.5v battery I assume its using a boost converter on the board too? I’m assuming this approach is no good on the cheap Lora324u boards due to the lack of memory space ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2017, 9:43am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/132 "2017-11-27T09:43:32Z")
No this works different then the widely used 'counting loops for timing. The RN2483 is brought to sleep _ttn.sleep(SLEEP\_PERIOD);_ and wakes up the 328p with an interrupt _attachInterrupt (digitalPinToInterrupt(2), awake, LOW);_ The max sleep period is determined by the Microchip module and is 49.7 days. This works only with the RN2483 and the TTN library _and off course the[LoW Power](https://github.com/rocketscream/Low-Power) lib from the same company_ ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/133 "2017-11-27T17:09:10Z")
![x545](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3c917317c9bcbec8cd8beb2bf3d0d8c386175817.jpg) by mistake bought 2 of these … 🤣 _\* useless for lorawan_ ---
**Author:** ![BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/borroz/32/44234_2.png) [@BoRRoZ](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/BoRRoZ)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2017, 10:28am UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/134 "2017-11-28T10:28:44Z")
![10k2](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/4/48fd2b34cf8eb766bf811b246acb54ea57f369a9.jpg) ![10k1](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/uploads/default/original/2X/0/030432d80ff0d3e43fabc4aeeaf3761379e7ba4c.jpg) the 10k th payload arrived … no errors on the TTN backend, integration with Cayenne works flawless 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![nox1989](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/user_avatar/www.thethingsnetwork.org/nox1989/32/25844_2.png) [@nox1989](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/u/nox1989)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970/135 "2017-11-28T12:39:35Z")
Is there a boost converter on the node or how can you power it with only 1.5V? [Previous page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970.md?page=5) [Next page](https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/the-workbench-part-1/8970.md?page=7)