Single Channel Packet Forwarder part 2 [Deprecated]

Gateways [obsolete] SCPF
126

Good question. I have exactly the same problem. In the meantime I will try the Dragino LG01.
Br Peter

127

I made a single gateway with RPI and RFM95. Does this single gateway only listen or also transmit RF out? IMG_20171108_171341

2 Likes
128

Yes, I finally got it working on 13.66.213.36:1700

129

Hi ItParadyske
I used https://github.com/hallard/single_chan_pkt_fwd with my Lorawan Hat. It is working well with 6 commands.

cd /home/pi
git clone https://github.com/hallard/single_chan_pkt_fwd
cd ~/single_chan_pkt_fwd
sudo nano global_conf.json
make
sudo /home/pi/single_chan_pkt_fwd/single_chan_pkt_fwd

Somsak

130

I can confirm that hallard’s version for Raspberry Pi works well.
It has 4 advantages over tftelkamp’s original version (latter is no longer maintained):

  • Code has been reformatted and is easier to read (implemented by jlesech).
  • Configuration is stored in separate JSON configuration file instead of being hard-coded and can use DNS names instead of IP addresses (implemented by jlesech).
  • ‘make install’ and ‘make uninstall’ was added to install the software as a service (implemented by hallard).
  • Servers strings in config file are up to date (implemented by hallard).
131

List of single channel gateway implementations

Below is a list of actual, up-to-date RFM9x / SX127x-based single channel gateway implementations:
(Last updated on: 2017-12-05)

For Raspberry Pi

  • https://github.com/hallard/single_chan_pkt_fwd
    Supports ABP activation, single frequency and single spreading factor. Configuration via separate configuration file (configuration changes do not require recompilation but require the software to be re-started). (Written in C++.)

For ESP8266

  • https://github.com/things4u/ESP-1ch-Gateway-v5.0
    Supports ABP and OTAA activation, downstream messages(?), single frequency with multiple spreading factors, Web interface, WifiManager, OTA, I2C OLED display and ‘use gateway as a node’. Configuration is (partially) hard-coded (some configuration changes require recompilation while others can be changed via web interface, if enabled). (Written in C++.)

  • https://github.com/JaapBraam/LoRaWanGateway
    Supports ABP and OTAA activation, downstream messages and single frequency with multiple spreading factors. Configuration via separate file (but file also contains code). (Written in Lua.)

For ESP32

  • https://github.com/kersing/ESP-1ch-Gateway-v5.0
    This fork of ‘things4u ESP-1ch-Gateway-v5.0’ for ESP8266 has added support for ESP32 and (Heltec) Wifi LoRa 32 modules.
    Supports the same features as things4u’s implementation but currently does not support WifiManager and OTA. (Written in C++.)

  • https://github.com/pycom/pycom-libraries/tree/master/examples/lorawan-nano-gateway for the LoPy (ESP32 board running MicroPython interpreter).
    Supports ABP and OTAA activation, downstream messages, single frequency (not clear if multiple spreading factors are supported), configuration via separate configuration file that can be uploaded via USB or FTP. Lacks description / instructions / readme.md. (Written in MicroPython.)
    .

NOTES:

  • Don’t forget: each implementation requires that you configure the software with your own gateway parameters before compiling/running the software.
  • Hallard’s Raspberry Pi version installs flawlessly (but supports the least features).
    The other implementations may require some tweaking.
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132

For ESP8266

133

Good summary @bluejedi

If in the case it does not support OTAA, it means that gateway only have one way communication, right? It will be excepted by my country law if it does not transmit or transmit < 50mW (eirp).

Somsak

134

Thanks.

OTAA requires downstream traffic from gateway to node (‘end-device’). ABP only requires upstream traffic from node to gateway. So upstream only.

In practice it would be possible to support downstream messages but not support OTAA, but hallard’s gateway for Raspberry Pi (currently) supports neither OTAA nor downstream messages.

135

True, but only if the node does not use ADR or other downlinks. (For ABP, there is simply no joining phase as the “session” keys have already been programmed into the device, so no downlinks are needed to join the network. Once those keys are known, OTAA and ABP devices act the same for uplinks, downlinks, ADR, and so on, until an OTAA device somehow loses its keys and needs to join again.)

Hmmm, assuming we’re referring to gateways for TTN: I doubt that. If TTN thinks a gateway can do downlinks, I don’t think it’s going to use that only for “data” downlinks, and not for OTAA (or ADR, or other MAC commands)? Gateways just forward whatever the node or backend gives them; they don’t know if a downlink is some OTAA Join Accept or any other type of downlink.

136

Thanks I now have the whole chain working!
Node, single channel gateway, ttn configuration and http output to my own website…

regards
Hans

1 Like
137

In the ESP32 section there also is the lorawan nano gateway code for the LoPy - written in µpython.

https://docs.pycom.io/chapter/tutorials/lopy/lorawan-nano-gateway.html

138

Thanks. If you or someone else can specify which features and MCU platforms this single channel gateway supports then I can update it in above list of single channel gateways.

139

It supports OTAA, ABP and downstream messages.
The configuration is kept separately in a dedicated file that can be uploaded to the board using USB or FTP - and maybe other network protocols on the wifi side like HTTP, haven’t tried.
It listens on a single frequency, but I’m not sure about multiple SF or not.

As for the MCU, this was written for a LoPy : ESP32 board running the micropython “interpreter” from pycom. I don’t know if it is possible to flash that on a different ESP32 board, but it should with some tweaking as it’s all opensource.

140

Thanks. Added it to the list.

1 Like
143

Fixed.

(Pity that the code lacks any instructions in a readme.md.)

152

Thanks to LoRa ESP developers! Wanted to share idea to use Tic-Tac enclosure for the LORA ESP8266 single ch GW glued to the window glass and a Thing with Arduino and HTU21.

  1. Tic-Tac plastic boxes can be easily cleaned from printed labels using WD-40.
  2. In the Thing had to supply HTU21 from 5V and use a pullup 10k on SDA signal.
  3. Example with SF7 works, but when tried to change registers to transmit in SF12 mode then the GW receives it but data are errorness.
  4. I use simple wire antena. Range is ca 200 m in the city. Would it make big difference to use enamelled transformer wire for antena?

Tic-Tac box LORA ESP8266 single ch GW and Thing Arduino RFM95 HTU21

2 Likes
153

Also, Tic-Tac boxes can easily be cut to get a smaller size, while still fitting their white top:

image

3 Likes
154

Do you think this module can be used a non-solder single channel Lora Gateway?https://es.aliexpress.com/item/868-MHz-915-MHz-SX1276-ESP32-LoRa-0-96-Pulgadas-de-Pantalla-OLED-Azul-Kit-32/32836591865.html?spm=a219c.12010108.1000023.4.7012662dCWvGFn

155

It has all the hardware needed for that yes, but I am not sure anyone have done the software part yet (porting a single channel gateway code to that platform).

More information on those boards in BIG ESP32 / SX127x topic a somewhat lengthy read.

1 Like