This guide will instruct you to create a DIY LoRaWAN node using ESP32, RFM95 module and RadioLib.

  • The guide is applicable to all ESP32 variant and RFM95 module with minor difference.
  • The guide uses ESP32 Dev Module and RFM95 for 915/923Mhz.
  • The node will support LoRaWAN 1.1.0, Class A and uplink/downlink feature. LoRaWAN 1.0.x is still backward supported. Class B and C are not supported yet.
  • Product link: ESP32 and RFM95. AIThinker Ra01/02/01h is supported too.
  • Source code: From Easy LoRaWAN.

ESP32 Dev Module:

HopeRF RFM95

AI-Thinker ra01/02/01h

Step 1: To wire LoRa module to ESP32 as below

  •  LORA_SS              25 // Must have pull up resistor
  •  LORA_SCK           18 // Default SCK for VSPI in ESP32
  •  LORA_MOSI         23 // Default MOSI for VSPI in ESP32
  •  LORA_MISO         19 // Default MISO for VSPI in ESP32
  •  LORA_DIO0          26
  •  LORA_DIO1          35
  •  LORA_DIO2          34
  •  LORA_RESET       27

Step 2: Install softwares and libraries

  • To install Arduino IDE at here
  • To add Arduino support for ESP32: here
  • To install UART driver: Check section B2 here

Step 3: To import RadioLib library

Step 4: To download source code at the top of the guide

Step 5: To modify GPIOs  to fit your board wiring in config.h

  • To use SX1276 for EU868, US915, AU915, AS923, AS923_2, AS923_3 and AS923_4
  • To use Sx1278 for CN470

Step 6: To change your JOIN_EUI, APP_KEY, NWK_KEY and Region

Step 7: Upload the code to the node

Step 8: To configure your gateways and LoRaWAN server

Step 9: After step 8, you can see the node sending uplink data to server and receiving downlink data from the server.

Enjoy.

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Kevin

Hi,
Do you have some guides to create a DIY LoRaWAN node using STM32 board?
Thanks a lot.

1
Reply
iotthinks_com

Hi Kevin,
Ok, we will create a guide for STM32 board using STM32CubeIDE and CubeMX this month.
Keep in touch.

Best regards.

1
Reply
Jon

Will this DIY node work with my RAK gateway and Dragino gateway?
Thanks in advance.

2
Reply
iotthinks_com

Hi Jon,
This DIY node will work with ALL LoRaWAN gateways.
You just need to make sure they use the same LoRaWAN regions with your node.

Best regards,
IoTThinks.com

0
Reply
Mark

Does this code work with LoRaWAN 1.0.x?
Thanks a lot.

1
Reply
iotthinks_com

Hi Mark,
RadioLib library officially supports LoRaWAN 1.1.
However, if you want this code to work with LoRaWAN 1.0.x (such as LoRaWAN 1.0.2, 1.0.3 and 1.0.4), in step 6, you put any value to RADIOLIB_LORAWAN_APP_KEY and put your APPKEY into RADIOLIB_LORAWAN_NWK_KEY.

Hope it helps.

1
Reply
Johnson

Thanks alot for the guides.
The OTAA is working great.

1
Reply
iotthinks_com

Great.
Enjoy the guide.

0
Reply
Logan

Why my downlinks are pending a while in server before getting downloaded to the LoRaWAN node?
Thanks.

1
Reply
iotthinks_com

The library Radiolib in this guide supports LoRaWAN Class A.
It means the node only downloads the downlink right after an uplink.
So if the node sends an uplink every 30 minutes, then the downlinks will be pending in the server for 30 minutes before getting downloaded to the node.

So for class A, you could send an uplink more frequently to get a downlink faster.
We will update the guide when Radiolib supports Class C (continuous mode).

You can read more about Class A, B and C here
https://iotthinks.com/lorawan-class-a-b-and-c/

Enjoy.

0
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