Given that both the LPS8 and the LG308 which you apparently have use the same AR9331 processor module and have SPI connected classic concentrators, I’d not expect a lot of compatibility differences there. Their factory builds also seem to use the same source repository, so any differences are probably readily discoverable.
Given built images for these are fairly small, if there’s someone who has a box and a good understanding of flashing firmware via U-Boot (if the system gets broken to the point where the web gui no longer works) it would seem like sending a build to test could be a viable path. Not even really clear that whatever you are doing for the LG308 would not simply work, especially at the level of running alternative user space components like the packet forwarder - unless you are using the SX1276 (apparently present in v1.1 only?) as a transmit path, but it would seem you could try not doing that on the LG308.
Hi Ben, Tony is presenting his motivations and reasons for developing the GW and the background to the trials and tribulations of deploying gateways at this comming weeeks TTN Conf APAC/AU…if not to far for you perhaps you can go participate and ask him directly His presentation to TTN-UK Conf a couple of weeks back was much appreciated as was his Workshop contribution so I heartily recommend you take a trip if poss!
2:00pm Tech track
19 November
Stamford Plaza
North Terrace, Adelaide
South Australia
Been there, done that. Avoid it if possible and don’t want to consider it for something like this. Too much effort without any gain for me. Sorry if that sounds wrong, but I’ve invested a lot of money and energy already and I’m not about to spend time and effort on remote support and debugging software on a new platform.
Edit: my LG308 is deployed remotely on an island with 3G without remote access. Traveling there would cost me the same amount as buying an LPS8.
Jeff,
I did take a look at that, but unfortunately I can’t take the time out required to attend this time (18 hour drive or possibly 8 if I were to fly) but I might have to keep an eye out and plan to attend one in the future
I ended up going for the laird gateway. It has more than one purpose for me which is great. I’m still working out which sensors I’ll be using for this. Progress is slow but still moving …
I was recommending the Laird gateway but the recent upgrade wasn’t the smoothest, super solid gateway though. Also region-locked it, which I’m sure helps with certification but kinda sucks if you wanted to move it to another country/band.
So, my recent purchase was a Mikrotik GW, which is cheaper, has a cheap & apparently nice antenna (AU$80), and all mounts on a pole outside w/PoE injector included. It has a few quirks but is amazingly configurable. Available for ~half the price of the Laird. It’s still early days but seems solid. Multiple sellers in .au too.
You could go RaspberryPi+Hat route but I’ve heard a lot of different stories about stability of hardware and software. You really want your gateway to Just Work rather than wondering if you’ve stuffed up your Node or your GW is playing up…I have been there too many times.
In Node terms, it depends on your requirements. Do you want something ready-to-go, something just to connect sensors to, or something to wire up, program, and experiment? What do you want to do with it?
I would also not recommend raspberry pi hardware for any sort of field-installed embedded system. And in that regard, pre-made boxes can be a solid choice.
However, it’s also extremely useful to have a box where you can get a shell and directly view packet logs without reliance on the internet backhaul or TTN servers, modify the software and add custom scripts, for example to have a reverse SSH tunnel in for management . That desire can rule out things like the TTIG (closed source), and some locked-down conventional gateways. People do regularly run custom system images on the multitech boxes, my understanding is that there’s good source support for the dragino actual gateways (with “8” in the model number), I’ve done it on the RAK mt7688 boxes though they don’t officially support that, etc.
But if gateway is going in a development rather than field location such that someone can easily get to it, then a raspberry pi can be fine and is certainly flexible.
Thanks fellas, i appreciate your help and insights. I’ll try explain my requirements a bit better;
I’m at the very start of this journey, having just developed the appetite to learn more about all things IoT starting with LoRaWan as there is some overlap with my job in local government
So for now this query is only for personal interest and learning
I’m reluctant to bite off more than i can chew, for that reason an out of the box ready GW may suit to get to grips with everything. Having said that, if you feel my sanity wouldn’t be impacted and the resources were there to assist with a raspberry-pi solution then id be all for it
Node wise, i would definitely say something to code, wire & experiment as this is not meant to serve any other purpose than developing my own knowledge. I guess something to have a bit of fun with!
Lastly as its a learning experiences, I’d prefer to keep the cost low, at least until i get an idea of what i can do with the technology
Sorry if this is a bit vague, but i’m am open to suggestions on solutions & paths you feel provide the best way to gain a practical understanding of LoraWan
Hi Bruce, I have two RAK831 gateways operating and one RAK7249 also. They have been going well. My question is regarding the Mikrotik units, can they be used in a remote situation with a built in modem for the 3g or 4g networks? That’s the 850 & 700Mhz bands, as I am in rural AU. My potential new deployment will be solar powered with no ethernet available (other than for power of course).
Not that one no. It has a SIM slot, but don’t be fooled as it only has one mini-PCIe slot and that’s full with the LoRa board. It looks probable that you could get their 4G router external box (random .au link) and put the LoRa9 board (intentionally available separately just for this purpose) in the spare slot. Their 4G modems don’t appear to have 700Mhz versions but I didn’t look too hard and I don’t have the band numbers memorised
I’ve had my gateway all of five days, so someone with some actual experience of this should probably speak up now. My initial glow of ownership is still firmly in place.
Yeah ok, I suspected as much, I got a basebox set up last year for a neighbour, and had to get a particular modem for the slot to get it to work. Pity. It looks like a good unit otherwise.
Thanks for the advice Bruce. Much appreciated!
Bearing in mind depending on where you are you may not need a gateway of your own (check ttnmapper.org at least).
The dev boards that come with a screen can be handy, and I guess at this point power consumption and range are not too critical for you.
You could start with the Arduino IDE/platform.io on the ESP32 base (TTGO, Heltec, etc) or the Heltec Cubecell range (arduino ide only, still). I’ve personally bought too many different boards, including the 8bit Arduino ones and the STM32 ones, and (right now, things change) the ESP32 and Cubecells have been the easiest to get working and extend – opinions here will definitely differ(!). The STM32 boards are possibly the best in spec terms, especially with the new all-in-one module, but the dev environment is hard work (powerful, but hard work) compared with the Arduino IDE
I’ve not used the Murata stuff (which looks very nice) or the rasppi with a hat, or the Adafruit feather or LoPy. Learning each dev environment and the foibles of each one and it’s associated stack is…time consuming.
There are heaps of threads on each of these here on the forum (and this thread is getting off topic), be prepared for some learning(/frustration) with any of them though.
Enjoy, and report back with your decision and lessons learnt
I had the same question, so I asked MikroTik. They told me the SIM socket is used for other products that use the same enclosure, but is non-functional if you have the LoRaWAN module. They recommended the RBLtAP-2HnD (https://mikrotik.com/product/ltap) for a device that can accommodate a LoraWAN gateway and a cellular modem in a single box. (I posted the same answer in the MikroTik thread MikroTik LoRaWAN gateways and concentrator boards).
Hi guys, i am just starting out in LORA and made the exact same mistake as Sean which was very frustrating to say the least and put me off for a few months… I am back at it now and want to make a start but also wish to know what a suitable gateway is for a newbie, preferably for outdoor use (i am a bit wary of the iot store for selling this in the first place!). Beyond that i am a bit lost as to how to view the data retrieved from end nodes, especially in the sense of providing an end user solution so they aren’t deciphering code but just presented with easy to read data, graphs etc. Is node-red the best for this sort of thing or does TTN provide an interface for end users?
Appreciate any and all information as im very new to this.
And Dragino gateway with an 8 or 16 in it, a TTIG or one of the RAK gateways. Find one you like the look of the price of and then search on here for feedback and then feel free to ask for a final thumbs up.
Outdoor gateways for inclement climes are quite expensive - having to be flood proof etc.
You can put your gateway next to a window and then upgrade the antenna with a short run of cable to something mounted outside. All gateways have the same source of chips (Semtech) so outdoor gateways tend to be about extras & being in heavy duty boxes.
His presentation to TTN-UK Conf a couple of weeks back was much appreciated as was his Workshop contribution so I heartily recommend you take a trip if poss! 