Thanks to advancements in technology, it is now possible to make the most out of smart devices either at home or work. As the name suggests, LoRa, from a technological standpoint, refers to long-range wireless gadgets that relay tiny bits of data over long distances without utilizing much power. MOKOSmart is among the biggest producers of LoRa modules, which seamlessly integrate within all major sectors of IoT. The relationship between IoT and LoRa gadgets is such that LoRa gadgets, together with LoRaWAN ideals, provide captivating components for IoT applications. If you have a timely project that requires the use of a Bluetooth module, MOKOSmart is your go-to LoRa module partner. We have high-quality Bluetooth modules that meet all the wireless standards and provide much-needed external circuitry.

LoRa Modules

LoRa Module Development Kit

MOKO LoRa Modules Family

Module Type	LoRa RF Module	LoRa RF Module	RF Module	Geographic Module
Model	MKL62BA	MKL68BA	MKL62	MKL110BC
Picture
Package	34 pins,SMT	SMT 34 pins	SMT	SMT 50 pins
Dimension	24mm x 19mm*2.8mm	24mm x 19mm x 2.8mm	14.6mm10.6mm2.8mm	22.3mm*17.1mm
LoRaWAN®-Based Protocol	V1.0.3	V1.0.3	/	V1.0.3
Frequency Bands	CN470/EU868/AU915/ US915/AS923/IN865/ KR920/EU433/CN779/ RU864	CN470/EU868/AU915/ US915/AS923/IN865/ KR920/EU433/CN779/ RU864	433MHZ/470MHZ/ 868MHZ/915MHZ	CN470/EU868/AU915/ US915/AS923/IN865/ KR920/EU433/CN779/ RU864
BLE Protocol	V4.0	V4.0	/	V4.0
Interface	/	/	SPI	/
Sleep Current	7uA	7uA	180nA	7uA
Max TX Power	Max 21dBm	Max 22dBm	Max 21dBm	Max 21dBm
Operating Temperature	-40 ˚ C to +85 ˚ C (VCC 3.3 V)	-40 ˚ C to +85 ˚ C (VCC 3.3 V)	-40 ˚ C to +85 ˚ C (VCC 3.3 V)	-40 ˚ C to +85 ˚ C (VCC 3.3 V)
Range	Up to 10km(in free space 5dBi)	Up to 8km(in free space 5dBi)	Up to 10km(in free space 5dBi)	Up to 10km(in free space 5dBi)
Antenna Type	On-board BLE ceramic antenna, U.FL (IPEX) connector for external LoRa antenna	On-board BLE ceramic antenna, U.FL (IPEX) connector for external LoRa antenna	Stamp hole for external LoRa antenna	On-board BLE ceramic antenna; Stamp hole for external LoRa antenna
Certification	CE, FCC，LoRaWAN Alliance，RoHS	CE, FCC，LoRaWAN Alliance，RoHS	CE, FCC，LoRaWAN Alliance，RoHS	CE, FCC，LoRaWAN Alliance，RoHS

Applications

Smart cities

The LoRa module is a foreseeable technology that is expected to be used in future smart cities applications along with the Internet of Things such as:

• Smart lighting
• Management of wastes
• Monitoring air quality and pollution

• Management of vehicles and smart parking
• Management of infrastructure and other facilities
• Management and detection of fire

Industrial applications

The LoRa module is apt for numerous applications in industries, like in:

• Detecting leakages and radiation
• Smart sensor technology
• Asset tracking and item location

• Shipping and transportation

Smart home

It is expected that billions of smart home applications and devices will be connected to the internet shortly. LoRa modules will be used to:
• Enhance home security
• Automation of homes for IoT enabled smart appliances

Healthcare

LoRa is one of the best solutions that can be efficiently used to connect healthcare devices. It is used in:
• Monitoring and managing health devices
• Wearable technology

Agriculture

The LoRa module is also used in applications smart agriculture and farming to:
• Manage livestock and smart farming
• Monitor temperature and moisture
• Control irrigation and water level sensors

MOKOSmart Services

As a leader in the production of LoRa modules, we specialize in diverse offerings, including:

Engineering

Having already set up a reliable RF wireless design solutions OEM/ODM department; the MOKOSmart team includes highly skilled engineers specializing in embedded hardware and software for IoT. If you have a project that requires some engineering expertise, our technicians can help you to either upgrade the project or develop a new product altogether.

Manufacturing

When it comes to manufacturing LoRa gadgets and other IoT devices, MOKOSmart utilizes advanced technology to ensure high-quality output. We specialize in the manufacturing of diverse smart products directly from our factory to offer quality, low-cost products to our clients consistently.

Research and Design

MOKOSmart’s dedicated team of experts is always up to date with market trends regarding research and design. Rest assured, you’ll get several options to choose from when handling a given project.

Project Evaluation

Our expertise spans various fields, which means we can comfortably handle any IoT project. We can deeply analyze each project for you and ensure you meet your fictional requirements perfectly.

Quality Assurance

MOKOSmart prides itself in offering qualitative certification tests for our clients. By establishing a close working relationship with UL Laboratory and SGS, we can offer instant UL, CE, RoHS, and other certifications. All inspections are conducted using custom precision tools and advanced testing programs.

MOKOSmart Services

As a leader in the production of LoRa modules, we specialize in diverse offerings, including:

Advantages of LoRaWAN modules

The following are some of the leading benefits of LoRaWAN;

All ISM bands used by LoRaWAN are available in most countries worldwide. It mostly uses the 868 MHz/ 915 MHz ISM bands.
Its coverage range is very large. For example, it can cover more than 15km in rural areas and about 5 km in urban areas.
Its battery lasts long as it consumes less power.
One LoRaWAN Gateway device is specially built to take care of multiple nodes or end devices easily.
Its simple architecture makes it easy to deploy the LoRaWAN to any location.
LoRaWAN applies the Adaptive Data Rate technique when varying the RF output of end devices/output data rate. This maximizes the LoRaWAN’s network overall capacity and its battery life as well.

Components of the LoRaWAN modules

Other than the Semtech LoRa SX1262, a LoRaWAN module also easily integrates with the Nordic BLE nRF52832 chip with an ARM Cortex-M4 of 32-bit, 64 kB RAM, or a 512 kB flash.

Moreover, the LoRaWAN module backs up several digital interfaces like SPI, GPIO, NFC, UART, ADC, I2C, and more. When its sensors are physically connected to these digital interfaces, the LoRaWAN module quickly collects and transmits sensor data to a remote LoRWAN gateway before transferring to a server.

Also, the LoRaWAN BLE module can be used to create a link with BLE terminal tools. This enables sharing of data over short distances, like updating firmware over the air using a smartphone.

Difference between the LoRa module and the LoRaWAN module

Although it is easy to think that the LoRa and LoRaWAN modules are the same, their entities are very different. So, how do the LoRa module and the LoRaWAN module differ?

LoRa is a radiofrequency signal

All LoRa modules are radiofrequency hauler signal that are based on the telecom PHY layer. It is easy to alter any data to signals using a lLoRa modem. LoRa applies the chirp spread spectrum (CSS), a modulation technique when transmitting signals, although this varies depending on the message intended to be conveyed.

Also, when broadcasting, LoRa uses the whole channel bandwidth, permitting it to be robust to rate offsets and noise. A long range LoRa module has an improved range of communication when transmitting data; hence it is popularly known for increasing the sensitivity of receivers. In good conditions, LoRa can cover up to 20km, making it ideal for networking solutions in rural areas.

LoRaWAN links signals to the application

LoRaWAN controls the architecture and protocol of the telecom device, making it easy to regulate the battery life of nodes, the capacity of networks, service quality, security of the conveyed data, plus the variety and types of applications in question.

When LoRaWan is combined with LoRa radiofrequency signals, it makes it possible to generate long-range, low-powered, profitable, and bi-directional broadcastings solutions for application in multiple situations. This had made LoRaWAN progressively widespread in smart cities for IoT networks.

Comparison between the LoRa module and other communication modules

Even though these networks station themselves by the same token in the IoT market, they substantially differ in marketing and technology. With SigFox targeting to become a universal operator of IoT, the LoRa Alliance intends to provide a technology that enables other communication module companies to permit worldwide IoT applications.

Typical LoRa modules are suitable for use as they can effectively operate bidirectionally, unlike SigFox. At any given moment, it is possible to transform a receiver into a transmitter via the same radio module and vice versa. Thus, LoRa is more modified in such a way that it can command-and-control setups.

While integrating a radio module, SigFox gives a straightforward API. Conversely, the LoRa communication module offers a vast configurable API of low level, making it possible to undertake different optimizations. This makes the incorporation of SigFox less complicated than the LoRa radio module.

All SigFox messages are by design restricted to 12 bytes. For LoRa, the user defines the length of messages. Developers need to certify that radio messages sent last for less than five seconds over the air. This makes sure that there is compliance with the protocols set.

Although only SigFox can authenticate and identify devices, Lora and SigFox technologies provide some safekeeping tasks. On the other hand, both networks offer high confrontation to communication overcrowding as they achieve transmissions via one-sided communications without authorization from any network.

The data rate of the LoRa module

Even at low power, the Chirp spread spectrum technology enables LoRaWAN to work perfectly well with channel noise, the effect of Doppler, and multipath fading. Bandwidths and the spreading factor determine its data rate, but this predominantly depends on its frequency plan and location. All channels that the LoRaWAN module uses must have a bandwidth of either125 kHz, 250 kHz, or 500 kHz. The end device picks the spreading factor and influences the time taken when transmitting a frame.

LoRa module cost

For the viability of the IoT, the cost needs to be less. The LoRa module cost grasps stars when it comes to price as the general cost of LoRa modules lingers at around $8-10. This is more than half the price of LTE modules that are cellular such as NB-IoT.

The cost of NB-IoT is high due to some issues of IP-royalty that relate to the operation of the licensed band, the complexity of its network, and the required advanced silicon area. Furthermore, upgrading the NB-IoT base stations to advanced 4G/LTE levels is much more costly than deploying LoRa via top-tower gateways or industrial gateways. The LoRaWAN module cost is anticipated to drop when the market becomes fully grown, and integrations transpire.

How to choose a LoRa module

Below are suggestions on how developers and enterprises can determine which LoRa module best suits their needs.

Outdoor or indoor suggestion

Access to first door gateways is a general way that can be used to classify the split between outdoor and indoor stations. After determining if the IoT application will be positioned indoors or outdoors, next contemplate how the internet will be connected to the gateway. This will help you know if the gateway supports 3G or 4G, especially with the LoRaWAN module in 865.

Capacity suggestion

Gateways are available in either inversion that supports a different quantity of channels for public networks or in reliable deployments that are better options for channels with a higher number. Ever since the LoRaWAN module in 865 allows the deployment of a high capacity, it is suitable to address most applications using gateways.

Data privacy suggestion

When selecting the best LoRa module, you must consider its control of real-time data, requirements of its field coverage, and if the client stays with its data privacy. For example, to prevent leakage of data, MokoSMART has employed a Network Server that permits users to track data flow using VPN or MQTT inside its gateway.

Test extensively suggestion

Ensure that the LoRa module you are buying is extensively tested with network servers and end devices. At times some delicate issues on compatibility erupt if the end devices, network servers, and gateways used are all LoRaWAN acquiescent.

How to set the LoRa SX1278 with Arduino

In our demonstration, we will incorporate 2 Arduino boards and 2 other LoRa modules to transfer data from one board to the other. We will use an Arduino Nano at the receiving end, whereas we will use an Arduino Uno at the transmitter side.

As the frequency ranges of LoRa modules are different, the most common ones are the 433MHz and 915MHz modules. The 868MHz module is as well becoming gradually more widespread in the market. Check at the back of your module to see its frequency. If you intend to purchase a chip, make sure that you have excellent soldering skills.

It would be best if you mounted an antenna to your LoRa module by the output transmitting power. Although we will use a Lora module 433Mhz in this demonstration, we will also use antennas rated for 433MHz.

The transmitting side that connects Arduino Uno to the LoRa SX1278

In the transmitting side of this demonstration, the LoRa module will use an Arduino Uno. First, connect your Arduino UNO’s circuit diagram with LoRa, as illustrated below.

There are 16 pins on a LoRa module, with 8 on each side. Out of these 16 pins, a GPIO ranging from DIO0 to DIO5 will use six pins, whereas the Ground pins will use four. Since the module uses 3.3V to operate, its 3.3V Arduino Uno board pins must be linked with the LoRa’s 3.3V pins. Then, connect the Arduino Boards SPI pins to the LoRa SPI pin.

Use connecting wires to link the LoRa module to the Arduino UNO. The complete setup is made portable for tests when powered with a power bank. The setup should look something similar to the description shown below.

The receiving side that connects the Arduino Nano to the LoRa SX1278

The module’s receiving side will use an Arduino Nano. Use any available Arduino board on the transmitting and receiving side but ensure they are fixed properly.

External 3.3V regulator is mounted on the LoRa module to power the 3.3V pins. This is because the Arduino Nano onboard regulator is not strong enough to offer a sufficient operating current for the LoRa module.

LoRa wireless communication preparation method using Arduino IDE

After setting the hardware, now move to the Arduino IDE section. In this demo, our Arduino IDE will include a library and example sketches with minor modifications to enable communication between our LoRa modules. Follow Sketch once you open the Arduino IDE to add the library. After doing this, search for “LoRa Radio” and select library, then click on install.

Use File -> example -> LoRa, then open the sending and receiving programs of the LoRa module as shown below.

In every 5 seconds, a “hello” is sent by the Sender program while incrementing the counter’s value. This is received by a receiver which later prints the RSSI value on the Serial monitor. First, ensure that you make changes on the LoRa.begin() function. It is by default set to work on LoRa module 915MHz, which is why the program has “LoRa.begin(915E6)”.

After certifying that the connections are made appropriately, and the LoRa module is connected correctly with the antenna, upload the program once it is ready.

Wireless communication of LoRa with Arduino

Open the Arduino board’s serial monitor after you upload the program. The sender’s Serial monitor should indicate the value sent and later received and displayed on the receiver’s serial monitor.

It is important to always keep on checking the LoRa module’s value of RSSI in every message received. The RSSI value will every time be negative. In our demonstration, it is around -68. This is because the signal strength becomes strong as the RSSI value gets closer to zero.