LoRa on a Pico! Introduction to The Things Network with the Makerverse LoRa-E5 Breakout
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 พ.ค. 2024
- PART 2! - • Weatherproof LoRa Envi...
This guide will instruct exactly how to build a LoRa Capable Raspberry Pi Pico with a Makerverse LoRa-E5 Breakout Module (10KM Range!). I will even demonstrate how to transmit Human Readable Weather Data accessible from any internet connected device for FREE using The Things Network.
Full Written Guide - core-electronics.com.au/guide...
Related Information
MicroPython Firmware For Raspberry Pi Pico W - micropython.org/download/rp2-...
Thonny IDE Download Location - thonny.org/
The Things Network Coverage Map - www.thethingsnetwork.org/map
Raspberry Pi Pico Getting Started Guides - core-electronics.com.au/guide...
Make a LoRa uGateway with Raspberry Pi - core-electronics.com.au/guide...
The Public Pico LoRa Weather Station Dashboard (using DataCake) - app.datacake.de/dashboard/d/a...
Use Your Phone to Control Your Raspberry Pi - core-electronics.com.au/tutor...
Build a TANK Controlled By Raspberry Pi - core-electronics.com.au/guide...
DIY 10W Bluetooth Speaker, No Code Needed - core-electronics.com.au/guide...
Rugged, Responsive, Reliable, and Remarkable the world of LoRa is Rad. Offering a huge range (thanks to it encoding data inside a Chirp Radio Signal), it has finally reached the point of simplicity for the end-user to set up their IoT Project easily. This video will teach you exactly how to liberate your edge-collected data and beam it right into the internet at will. This is a detailed step-by-step making it easy for everyone to set up their own LoRa system connected for FREE to The Things Network.
To be clear, this will demonstrate how to connect a Lora E5 Module to a Raspberry Pi Pico. Then we will set up Thonny IDE. Then create an Account with The Things Network. We will then Register our Device with The Things Network and send a simple Hello World Message to it. The Things Network is a Free IoT platform with gateways all over the globe. The Where To Now will be a Weather and Air Quality IoT Station set up in a 3D printed Case that sends Human Readable Weather Data to The Things Network that Runs on Boot. All wrapped up in a package that can fit into the palm of your hand and is fully ready to be Battery Powered or Wall powered.
So go ahead and install this system into your summer retreat, your boat, your secret campsite, inside your car, or anywhere you want to have accurate weather data! The world is your oyster and your LoRa system is the pearl.
If you have any questions about this content or want to share a project you're working on head over to our maker forum, we are full time makers and here to help - coreelec.io/forum
Core Electronics is located in the heart of Newcastle, Australia. We're powered by makers, for makers. Drop by if you are looking for:
Makerverse LoRa-E5 Breakout Module (Used here): core-electronics.com.au/catal...
Raspberry Pi Pico W (Used here) - core-electronics.com.au/catal...
Raspberry Pi Pico - core-electronics.com.au/catal...
PiicoDev LiPo Expansion Board: core-electronics.com.au/catal...
LoRaWan Gateway Options: core-electronics.com.au/wirel...
PiicoDev Atmospheric Sensor BME280 - core-electronics.com.au/catal...
PiicoDev Air Quality Sensor ENS160 - core-electronics.com.au/catal...
Male to Female Jumper Cables - core-electronics.com.au/catal...
0:00 Intro
0:36 LoRa Overview
0:49 The Process
1:35 Weather Station Preview
1:49 What You Need
2:12 Hardware Assembly
3:55 Firmware Set Up
4:34 Thonny IDE Set Up
5:51 The Things Network Set Up
9:17 Huge Success!
10:01 Exploring the Data Packets
10:36 The Big Reveal!
10:52 How to Send Other Messages
11:14 LoRa Pico Air and Weather IoT Station!
13:33 Good LoRa Data Types
14:04 Outro!
The following trademarks are owned by Core Electronics Pty Ltd:
"Core Electronics" and the Core Electronics logo
"Makerverse" and the Makerverse logo
"PiicoDev" and the PiicoDev logo
"GlowBit" and the GlowBit logo
Thanks for making this awesome tutorial!
❤
Honestly, I work on boards using LoRa, GSM and satellite comms as part of my work, and whenever I see videos claiming LoRa will get up to 10Kms it makes me laugh. In the real world even 2Km is pretty outstanding from a standard LoRa module and antenna. Any trees, undulations in the ground etc will severely reduce the range. Even the weather makes a big difference. You should plan to have a gateway within 1Km, to be safe, and anything other that is a bonus. It is nice and cheap though, and a better option than Sigfox.
Shhhhhhhh. Let THESE people and the dumber people that follow blindly, be!
people use ELRS on RC planes and drones. They can fly 30+ KM. I don't really understand all this though, but i believe it is based on LoRa
@@IggyBiggy It's a different technology. Plus obviously you have a good line of sight when the plane is in the air 😁
One of the more awesome videos I've seen lately! Now I need to work with a local Makerspace to see if they are willing to host a LoRa gateway!
More LoRa Gateways the Better the World!
Make sure it's an 8 channel gateway compatible with the TTN. No single channel gateways.
You should point out that "The Things Network is subject to a Fair Use Policy which limits the uplink airtime to 30 seconds per day (24 hours) per node and the downlink messages to 10 messages per day (24 hours) per node."
Answers my thought-experiment question, can we use it to replace cell phones...
No of course not!
THESE people only care about views, not the real technology.
@@kennethbeal If you think of how long it takes to send a message, 30 seconds per day is a lot of messages per node no?
@@kennethbeal only because laws.
Who,s policeing networks then ahhaha .dingbat
Cheers for another awesome video Tim! 💪
Cheers for the comment! Much appreciated 😊 and glad you dig it.
Love the project and video was flawless - thank you!
Cheers mate 😊 very kind words! Come check Part 2 - th-cam.com/video/vlo9Vcslsh0/w-d-xo.html
Fantastic, what a a lovely project. I am sure there is API to read the data from the things network and we can have it appended to a table .
Cheers for the kind words mates 😊 I reckon there would most definitely be an API to make that happen. I actually used DataCake to store and display the Data in a real nice dashboard. And it emails the data to me each week! Come check it out here - th-cam.com/video/vlo9Vcslsh0/w-d-xo.html
Yes! Go for the unedited daily 👍
Subscribed! Very nice! I will try building this soon.
Wow mate, Perfectly explained!
Cheers for the kind words champ! 😊
Awesome video. The cardigan rocks.
Cheers mate 😊 glad you dig it!
Very slick. Thank you.
Really great info and well presented..!
It is indeed extraordinary Tim. Thank you for this peek(o) into Lora. Will this work better if we all set up Lora gateways at home and work?
I love your word play 😊 and absolutely, the more Gateways the better the infrastructure for everyone. Zurich is a leader in this regard, they now have over 200 gateways. Here is a article from 2018 Celebrating the milestone of getting over 100 crowd sourced gateways, providing open and free LoRaWan Coverage - www.thethingsnetwork.org/community/zurich/post/to-the-infinite-and-beyond
@@Core-Electronics I have looked into TTN here in Hobart and there is a bit of a community that I can get on board with. My house is on a hill which overlooks much of the south and east of the city. it might be a good place to experiment with a gateway.
Love it!
Come check the Part 2 Mate 😊 - th-cam.com/video/vlo9Vcslsh0/w-d-xo.html
Great video, thank you for sharing :)
Excellent video thank you. Does the things network use the Helium network as a backbone? If not, could you do the same on the Helium network?
Helium and "The Things Network" (often referred to as TTN) are both based on the same technology. The end point devices (like the one built) broadcasts the same regardless of which network you are on. Each network type then decides what to do with the data received. If the data is not for their network( the endpoint device not being registered), they have some mechanism to toss the data along the way.
This is basically APRS but without the ham radio license
I'd love to see this on a weather balloon... might need a parachute & gps to get it back in one piece though :)
In my experiments over water, I could not achieve more than 5km. In an urban area it was hard to get more than 500m.
So wifi basically?
@@tiloalo With a lot less data!
Ah, you should try operating in an area with no cosmic radiation at all. Probably best if you find somewhere without a planetary magnetic field, too. That should get you up to 6.5km at least
th-cam.com/video/adhWIo-7gr4/w-d-xo.html working at 57km range
@Peter th-cam.com/video/ne12J9nVBbo/w-d-xo.html&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE 240km of range, and with high transmission speed.
Wifi can also transmit over several kilometres in perfect conditions
Can this be used and made without connecting to IOT or TTN?
I’d like to setup at weather station at my parents farm and have the data on a tablet
LoRA is great! I have a node inside a concrete tank which send data 500m to the gateway. Wifi could never do this and it is so low power it goes forever.
So cool! Thanks for digging the content and sharing 😊
Can you share what Gateway you used? I have a need for a similar project.
This is our go to for Big community Set ups. core-electronics.com.au/laird-sentrius-rg191-lorawan-gateway-au915-as923-compatible.html
Very good content
That cardigan fits you in all of the right places.. I pico you!
How do you handle safely discharging the battery at extremely low or high temperatures? In temperatures and humidities belowthe dewpoint?
Definitely points worthy of consideration, in fact dew-point was raised in some discussions long before this video came out. The system has been out in some pretty intense weather and the Stevenson Screen Case has done wonders for us so far. I am tempted to use a more enclosed battery holder, something along the lines of this - core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/POLOLU-1147 - but we will see how our Pico System fairs over the next couple of weeks. My fingers do remain crossed.
are these LoRa-E5 Breakout Modules more or less all the same cause they seem to be quite expensive if shipped around the globe to the EU ?
I can get 2 of these for less from inside the EU incl. shipping cause VAT and customs will come on top of the australian price plus shipping
seeed Grove - LoRa-E5, 868 MHz, STM32WLE5JC which are 35€ free shipping incl. VAT
Not sure if they do they same or are complete different thing cause I can only see that the STM is the same but do not find a hint about the 868 Mhz on the core electronics one except that they say to be CE compliant and use the same LORA chipset SX126X.
Feels like quite the same but I want to avoid to buy 2 which afterwards would not work the way as expectet and I am new to LORA (except the LORA used in the ELRS modules for model RC).
Heyya mate. It is the same Lora-e5 module as used by Seeed Studio on their development board. The Lora-e5 module is compatible internationally, there is options to change the regional settings inside the Micro-Python Scripts so you'll be free to use correctly wherever in the globe you are 😊
Where I live there is no gate way, how does one go about adding one? PS very informative and like your channel. I want to use it to monitor my bee hives
You can make Micro Gateways with a Raspberry Pi - core-electronics.com.au/guides/the-things-network-ttn/ugateway-wifi-setup/ - or you can help the entire community have a big gateway 😊 - core-electronics.com.au/wireless/lora/gateways.html
Try to find other people who are interested in having a lora gateway, and you all can share it.
@@Core-Electronics Re Micro gateway - not enough info to make this work. Link to more info does not work.
I too would like to make a low cost gateway for rural use but TTN vs 3 seems to have stopped this.
You can purchase a TTN compatible gateway, meaning it has 8 channel capability for TTN v3 not a single channel unit we often see in LoRa DIY projects. I have a Dragino installed in Sydney. Very reliable and fairly priced.
would ne nice if that map you showed was actually available, all I get is a spinning globe with a bunch of dots and no zoom-in
Maybe add a PM sensor (laser one), for air quality too
Excellent idea! These Particulate Matter Sensor are very cool - core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/SEN-15103
is it possible to do it with raspberry pi 3 and lora module?
Hi! I have been researching this technology for awhile now and I have some questions, if you don’t mind assisting.
1. I am from Liberia and there are no gateways in my country.
2. In terms of the range of LoRa, when there is no information on which frequency random to use, what frequency is the best guess? There is no frequency range on the Things network for Liberia
1. That is a bit of a tricky one, if you dont want to set up a gateway, you might have to have things communicating locally and offline. There are a few communication platforms that use LoRa like Meshtastic, we are setting up a Meshtastic network here in our city, just do your research because only some hardware setups are supported.
2. The lower frequencies should have the longest ranges, but you should ensure that the frequency you are using is legal to use in your country (for example here in australia we can only use 915MHz). You can explore making your own antenna to increase the range (a dipole antenna is really easy to make), and with a homemade antenna, I've seen people get up to 100 km range with LoRa. The biggest limiting factor is line of sight though. Even if you are only 300 meters away, you will struggle to receive a signal on the other side of a hill, so it's more important to get a line of sight.
@@Core-Electronics Thanks so much for the prompt response. I really appreciate. I will do some research on creating local gate ways… if you have some links to some materials on that, I’d be interested. The intent of my project is to measure energy consumption in my distribution network and transmit those information through LoRa networks, in real time.
Waooo waooo waoo man thanks .. many thanks
Big love!
nice
Sounds really secure! I think I’ll send my banking and credit card info over this network!
I would advise against this 😊
I'm nowhere near a repeater. How can I set up my own?
Sdr is more likely to replace cells.
Extremely cool!
Cheers mate, your videos are heaps cool too! I'm jamming your Realistic Expectations album right now - th-cam.com/video/CM9CbN9Wa18/w-d-xo.html
@@Core-Electronics haha no way, amazing. You know, I’ve bought so much stuff from you guys and I’m also sending one of my classes to your store for a circuit bending / hardware hacking course I teach. Seb from Adelaide
So rad! It is sooo good that in person maker and hacking courses are coming back! And in a big way too 😊 hope all is the best, come pop us a message on the forum if you ever need anything - forum.core-electronics.com.au/
Kind regards,
Tim
Good morning ... Can you pls infm me in what frequency the device works ?
Any frequency that you'd want it to. From 62.5kHz to 915MHz. Just make sure you are following the rules in your local region.
Come check the datasheet for the Lora-E5 Module here - core-electronics.com.au/attachments/uploads/lora-e5-module-datasheet-v1.0.pdf
@@Core-Electronics Tks a lot for the clear information. Will do.
Can this be used to run a drone? Whats the frequency it run at?
Technically you could connect to a drone with some work but the limited data transfer speed would kill almost all projects, certainly wouldn't be able to control it in anything like real time.
@@Foojaleeckalikeelamaka so its more for "hello" world" back and forth
@@NathanCroucher yeah
In AUS we use 915 Mhz. Because of the 'fair use policy' in the TTN this is more suitable for sensor data like weather station or agricultural projects not real time like you need in operating a drone.
(sees lebowski sweater) subscribed
That rug really tied the room together 😉 Welcome aboard!
I was hearing 'Funny IDE' 😂
can we diy make modem 4g lte?
Come check this guide champ 😊 th-cam.com/video/ABnwz-IYzqA/w-d-xo.html
Can you send a message to specific device/person? If yes - can this send a Bitcoin payment ?
Come check this forum post on Bitcoin Talk talking about off grid transactions through LoRa - bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5230202.0 - so its definitely on peoples minds.
Thank You for the quick reply. Love the content too. Great demonstration 🎓
Please make a video where I can scan my fingerprint using adafruit fingerprint sensor with only raspberry pi Pico. Please make this video using raspberry pi Pico.
Heyya mate, I'll see what I can do. There is Arduino Code written to control the Adafruit Fingerprint Sensor and it would be absolutely possible to customise that code to make it Pico appropriate and then flash it with Arduino IDE. Come write up a forum post if you ever need any direction with your projects 😊 always the best place to do so - forum.core-electronics.com.au/
Subscribe and OBEY! You'll change the world!
I’m getting a serious Joseph Quinn from stranger things 4, here.
Sorry to see that you have removed most info on the homepage for lora gateway. Just wifi settings and a tip about password, left on the page. :/
Our gateway got struck by lighting 😬
Does the antenna come with the Makerverse LoRa-E5?
Negative, I grabbed one of the FPCB antennas that Tim used: CE09458, works a treat!
@Liam no stock! Next best alternative?
I went with a 1/2 wave and ufl to RP-SMA adapter cable
Hey all, a greater option is to solder on this RP-SMA Connector (core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/WRL-00592) to the Makerverse Lora-E5 Breakout Antenna Pads and screw in a larger Antenna like this one here (core-electronics.com.au/catalog/product/view/sku/WRL-14876)
@@Core-Electronics yes much neater solution. So I ordered that too!
Can you setup a LoRa security webcam ?
No LoRa cant send large data packets like a video file. Its better used for sensor data which is like byte sized
"Up to" parameters are completely useless because one cannot design anything based on "up to".
What happened to "at least" a.k.a. "minimum"? Or maybe "typical"? ... and based on a published reference design?
Nerds will save the World! This is awesome. Elon Musk. Mega Nerd. Keep Nerding. Hashtag proud nerd
You plugged in the battery and then connected it to USB. Generally not good practice.
If you wanted to use the Timer HAT as a battery charger (for LiPo Batteries) you need to connect the battery to the system first before connecting the Pico to another power source, otherwise it won't commence charging.
So I'm sure plugging in the battery and then the USB is okay at least for this project 😊.
why the hell using appkey for lora. It was not suppose to do that. what we want is send and received data from long range without internet.
Rest assured you can use Node to Node connection between these Makerverse Lora-E5 Modules. There won't be any internet required for that style of P2P communication and long ranges you will still get. Check here for the example script - core-electronics.com.au/lora-e5-breakout-module.html
Reminds me of pagers are we going backwards......
A LoRa Pager...now that sounds like a rad project to me! Heres a LoRa Mobile Phone - th-cam.com/video/BqBQHBapcnE/w-d-xo.html
@@Core-Electronics Ahh free contact reminds me of the cb . . . I often wondered why we were charged to have contact with other humans when the airwaves are free.... Its to keep us in slavery . . . .
In the next couple of years, you'll be able to transmit your IoT data directly to satellite via Bluetooth.
We can only dream and keep our fingers crossed 🤞
You have demonstrated your ignorance.
What is the MINIMUM latency to a geostationary satellite???
@@pepeshoppingnot geostationary. Transmission to a LEO constellation.
Bluetooth - Satellite That satellite would have to be in a very, very, very low orbit indeed. Might need to duck everytime it went overhead.
@@Moonlight0551 500-600 km would suffice
herp a derp
I don't know why, but I get so annoyed when micropython gets strutted around.
I am far from a C queen but being so close to the metal gives me satisfaction. Besides mp is much slower.
But just like in business software, it's all about opaque layers on layers.
It's a pitty that resources are so fragmented. The thing that made Arduino so successful is no longer with us.
I understand your wariness - people had the same complaints about Arduino vs. bare-metal C only a few years ago! You can find the driver code is really a few pretty simple UART wrapper functions that ought to be straightforward enough to port to C/C++. If you have a crack at it let us know and we'll add it to the docs. Open source ftw
Dislike immediately for the usual youtuber exaggerated claims:
"We can now get rid of WiFi!".
Do tell them the speeds and amount of data allowed and possible!
For basic small packets or messages its fine, but NOT MORE!
We didn't claim LoRa would make WiFi redundant, we're just opening Makers up to a useful alternative when considering small data projects.
"data" is a plural.
"The Internet" is pedantic
@@Core-Electronics "Pedantry" is merely a euphemistic word to describe being corrected for a blunder.
Hi
Good afternoon 😊
@@Core-Electronics does this work anywhere in the world ?. if so pls send instructions so others worldwide can send msgs to you . that is real proof
LoRo doesnt stand for long range radio.... it stands for Long Range. the amount of people making tutorial videos but don't even know what it stands for....
📶
Don't launch this balloon over the USA :)
Big Roger! 😊
I hate the use of python on micro processors.
Normal software dev is wrecked by many blackbox layers and now the same is happening to micro controller.
Script kiddies need to go back to play station.
What is it good for? With 30 sec/day/node uplink time, and 10 messages/day/node? Just to make the world know the temperature and humidity in my room?! Am I the only one who do not see the point of this network??
Being able to check a sensor 10 times a day would be plenty useful for a ton of scientific projects.