Quick and Easy Transmission with the LoRa Concentrator Gateway Module

Posted by Michel Brown on June 21st, 2019

RAK has recently launched their PCIE LoRa Gateway along with their RAK833 model which provides LoRa processing functionalities and modems. The module provides multi-mode technology operations to China, Europe, America and South East Asia.

Gateway Features

Gateways connect devices and The Things Network using high bandwidth networks such as Ethernet or WiFi. There are usually two types of Gateways, those that are low cost, easy to use and run on minimal firmware and those that run only on the packet forwarding software. The key features of LoRa and LoRaWan Technology include geolocation with free GPS and tracking applications that run on low power. It also reduces the overall costs in terms of operating expenditure, end node sensors and infrastructure investments. The provision of global interoperability ensures that the speed performance of LoRaWan networks are standard and fast. The PCIE LoRa Gateway is designed specifically for lower consumption of power which ensures that the life of the battery can stretch upto 20 years. Its network and application can penetrate long distances of about 30 miles away into urban or rural areas. With an embedded AES128, it ensures secure encryption features.

Gateway Specifications:

RAK833 is a PCIE LoRa Gateway concentratorwhich can receive different frequency channels simultaneously. Its unique feature is that inspite of its compact design it is able to separate the LoRa signal. Its applications can be seen in Security Sensors Network, Smart Metering, VPN Router, IoT Gateway, Industrial Router, Agricultural Monitoring and Industrial Computer. Its frequency band ranges between 868MHz and 915 MHz. The RAK 833 also needs a host system like the Raspberry Pi for smooth operation. The RAK7258 is an indoor Gateway that has a system memory of 128MB DDR2 RAM and a storage provision in eMMC flash and a micro SD card slot. It supports cellular connectivity, extended NB-IoT, LTE 4G and Cat M. It has a 2.0 USB host port and requires a 12V/2A default power supply. Its plastic enclosure dimensions are 180x120x43mm. This Gateway is designed to be mounted on ceilings and walls and has inbuilt LoRa packet forwarder. It also has a web based GUI which allows easy configuration of the firewall, TTN, network environment and many other parameters. The RAK Wireless 7258 is sold in a package that includes a LoRa antenna, two anchor screws, two tapping screws and a power adapter.

Why Do We Need LoRa Gateways?

Municipal pipelines, landfills, lamps, public utilities, gas, agricultural irrigation, large areas of cattle, collection of mountain data, hydrology, harsh weather, mines and remote operations outdoors all suffer in terms of insufficient or unstable data collection because of inadequate coverage. These operations also do not receive sustainable power supply especially during unpredictable harsh weather. The low occupation and utilization of network resources results in higher costs and lower economic efficiency. The PCIE LoRa Gateway provides the solutions to these problems by penetrating upto 15 km of open area to transmit signals. Its low power mode consumes very low power and it requires lower costs to transmit network communications.