The WORKBENCH part 1

I had this one in mind
Undervoltage_protection_DD04CPMA

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yes that’s the same idea, but be carefull, these little protection boards are specific designed for 18650 batteries and they have different characteristics then that LIR2450

I tested a few in the past … if they say 'cutoff voltage = 2.75v ’ don’t believe them … test it first and don’t be amazed when the protection kicks in @ 2.35v ’ :sunglasses: … or never

x608

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x609

finally … The REAL DEAL ! thank you

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Good to see that stuff finally starts arriving. Enjoy it :tada:

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x610

Leonardo Pro Micro ATmega32U4 8MHz 3.3V !

so direct connection to RFM95 / RN2483 possible ? a mini TTN node ?

x611

always run BLINK to check module :rofl:

TTNnodeBIG

  • identifying individual components (click for BIG)

after loading the passthrough sketch in the TTN node

ESplorer-2

I started this ESPlorer V2… nice free tool for the ESP8266 and now extended with preprogarammed buttons for the RN2483
ESploreV2

download

to start just double click ESPlorer.jar

ESplorer-1

tool seems to work
ttn-node-control

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x613

x613

testing TTN node with RN2483 firmware 1.0.1
loaded with the basic sketch
Rx = 3.8 mA
Tx = 14.5 mA

first conclusion … don’t leave the basic sketch in the node with the batteries :sunglasses:

I will have a closer look at the ‘sleeping’ code … and ask @Charles and @rocketscream , the low power specialists, for advice how (and if possible) to improve this TTN device

now I will upgrade the RN2483 firmware and test again :

update 1

update 2

ok firmware updated to 1.0.3 with the passtrough sketch and the semtech tool

  • that was a bit disappointing… with the same basic sketch but with the updated firmware no difference, continue

x614

x617
fits without tweaking

The idea is to make an simple (work) table stand for testing different antenna’s and to make it portable.
I found on eBAY this Studio Photography Light Flash Stand Support Tripod and this Studio Lamp Boom Arm Reflector Single Swiveling Grip Head Bracket Clamp Holder

nice antenna.
a recommendation?
any measurements?

it looks like it actually sends the sleep command to the RN module, and also triggers the function to put the uC in sleep mode. But I also can’t get it below 3.x mAh, even with bare minimum code. Maybe there’s a HW voltage regulator drawing the remaining current?

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we need the schematic…

everything is published now https://github.com/TheThingsProducts/node/tree/master/hardware :sunglasses:

intconnections

sensors

digital

Sure, 3 batteries 1.5V= 4.5V and reading Vbat with TTN library API and fresh batteries indicate 4.5V also, so yes I think there is an onboard regulator, which is absolutely not a friend of low power :wink:

We just need to wait for schematics to hack this (they will come, it’s open source and confirmed by ttn team), but since node are now real could be fine to have at least schematics released :wink:

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From the code, it sure does all the sleeping portion including proper detaching from the USB port. As @Charles pointed out, definitely there’s an on-board regulator to step down from 4.5V to 3.3V. Also could be other smaller details like unused floating pins. The battery monitoring circuitry also scales down from 4.5V maximum down to below 3.3V power rail which probably uses a simple resistor divider network (I could be wrong on this guess) and if the resistor values are not selected correctly, it will easily consume mA range.

So, we shall wait for the schematic I guess. @Charles is probably right because most more common regulator usually consumes more quiescent current.

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day88
day 88 of the RocketScream single AA battery LoRaWAN temp sensor.
still going strong !
25457 x 5 min / 60 min / 24 uur = days

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One of my sensors is running on 3 AA batteries and a solar cell. temperature and battery voltage are sent to Cayenne. Great to see the the charge of the battery change over time:

afbeelding

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Did you post that somewhere here in the forum or elsewhere on the internet? I’d like to have a look. :slight_smile:

Is the sensor board running at 3.3v? how is the battery voltage being taken

The sensor board is directly connected to the 3 AA batteries and running on variable voltage. The solar cell is direct on the 3 AA batteries. Not very elegant.

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These are 1.2V NiMH rechargeable batteries right? If yes, 3 of them in series will stay around 3.6V for most of the time!