The WORKBENCH part 4

With the increasing availability of ‘low cost/micro gateways’ am thinking of resurecting a project I started spring last year:

Take >50 usb powered micro USB dongle supporting WiFi (+1 Wired Enet Port) Routers:

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I cleaned out Maplins stock as they went into Administration and closed down Feb - May’18 :wink:

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Have been using a couple of these for last 2-3 years for local GW/management access for pop-up/field test GW’s in the field either linking over Wifi or the ethernet port hooked up to e.g. Laird, RAK or Semtech IOT Starterkit GW’s, using laptop. phone or iPad over wifi etc. to manage & configure/update.

Add in a bunch of matching 3G Mobile dongles:

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And some supporting SIM’s (with ~£5/mo data bundles on PAYG)

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Yeh, I know numbers/volume reduced in pictures but got bored laying everything out for photo’s but you get the idea! :rofl:

Throw in matching LoRaWAN compliant micro GW’s e.g.:

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TTN TTIG’s (if only back end was more stable… 50+ in the field right now would be a nightmare wrt support…) technically the cheapest option, or maybe better would be Dragino LPS8’s (@edwin1 ) or perhaps RAK e.g. 7528 micro GW’s (I really need to talk with @kenyu again as they look to have been doing great things over the summer and in recent months with many GW’s, nodes and new modules of late but have been too busy to follow up…) or the new micro GW’s from e.g LpwanSpace/Maxiiot (MG6810) BIG product placement allowed topic and several others in the $80-$160 price category…

Or maybe adding in a few more of my OWL builds, more RAK pilots or other self builds - though @ $170-$230 starting to get expensive c/w the off the shelf micro builds…

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Can see a path to quickly adding >50 GW’s to existing portfolio if I can secure sensible GW locations around the country…potentially far more as many site hosts willing to allow access to local Enet or WiFi vs having to provide my own 3G Backhaul using kit such as this.

Big problem is that with £6-8000 equipment spend (allowing for accessories and sundaries) and then £5 x 12 x 50 = £3000/yr just for comms costs, how to fund and deploy given TTN is already a major cash sink and doesnt generate any revenue… :slight_smile: :thinking:

Might also need to place some in outdoor rated housings (have a few already in stock) for some sites, possible adding solar power to go totally off grid or more remote sites - more cost and temp range a potential issue for the micro GW’s then…?!

Guess I will need to start asking around for appropriate sites and funds :grin:

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start renting them :thinking:

True! :slight_smile: but thats more for the professional/consulting side of what I do… for TTN community deployments it’s an idea but problem is the moment money changes hands ‘expectations’ increase and support becomes an issue - especially managing such a fleet… my 30+ (+ others under other users and running also on networks other than on TTN) already a bit of a nightmare to manage - especially in recent days and weeks with back end instability and non-functioning console (status/last seen) issues…

Also still need to layout cash up front for kit and recover later through rental, though that works well for the ongoing comms costs…

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It could be a ‘small’ business model, renting them to students/schools/small business/privatepersons who like to get a taste before investing themselfs , rent for a minimum period of 3 months including a node, a try it out kit with documentation.

So a new company is born - LoRaRent :upside_down_face:

E 25,- for 3 months will cover
after 3 / 6 months they can buy the equipment for a reduced price
in cooperation with local TTN communities

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I know of several companies offering such LoRaWAN bundles already (1 or 2 GW’s + 2-25 nodes & embedded back end or a subscription/cloud model) on short term deal with long term ongoing/buy out options and there is always the IoT-in-a-Box model from MyDevices, and I do something similar (customised/with support) on the professional side of my activities - at a cost! But perhaps I need to look at a stripped down low cost ‘TTN Community Bundle’! :wink:

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x1679

x1680

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x1690

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EndSim (end node simulator) POC under construction

Basically the idea is a programmable desktop LoRaWAN 1.0.3 class A / B / C node.
Use case (in my case) is application (dashboard) development and testing.
If you need for example, temperatures with a certain interval (or value), battery voltages, general I/O, lat/lon, in(de) creasing SF / power, anything you may need, OTAA or ABP, you can add 'templates on a SD card, insert card to device and clone info.
These setting are then available through the touchscreen menu.
For example : once every 3 hours and 52 minutes and 12 seconds a temperature in lpp format and a voltage, just set it.
Also there’s onboard GPS So device can be used as a mapper (auto/manual) ect.

Sometimes you need ventilation holes in your electronic project enclosure.

I just discovered that I can use ’ Wardrobe Cabinet Mesh Hole Black Air Vent Louver Ventilation Cover Stainless Steel Black color ’ for a nice finish :wink:

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ventcover

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main part for the diy LoRaLock arrived

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there are commercial LoRaLocks available from http://www.milocks.com/Lora/

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@Borroz my eval unit arrived a couule of weeks back but was too busy to post pics:

Handy Blister Pack with basic getting going and pin out info included


Though default OoTB seems to be demo with Loriot so I may have to fire up with my account and test there before migrating to TTN so I can get quick 1st impression…

Will report 1st impressions and prgress over next mnth or so as I get time to play! :wink:

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A few days later this MultiTech MTCAP AEP courtecy of Neil C, Campbell and the MT team ready for another trial deployment… should be initially online to start soak test this weekend…

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A busy run up to Xmas ahead :slight_smile:

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32700 3.2V 6000mAh lifepo4 - interesting (for mobile 3v3 devices :wink:)

I will try these, bought them together with a 1S BMS protection board
16%20PM

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Nice box with the latest firmware on it.

25%20PM
wow … goldplated ?

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nah!.. diamond encrusted! :rofl:

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I’m willing to sell mine for € 500 (€ 495 on 11-11) Raspberry Pi and shipping included. :sunglasses:

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Hmmm, mine still not arrived. Ordered sept 28th…

price went up … I will test current consumption today… curious

Banggood… aaaaargh I’m not happy at all about their service.
I am still having a discussion about a product I ordered in August, and never received.
Yesterday they offered me a half what I paid, but the package was insured !

Dutch post nl didn’t deliver to me and for some idiot reason they said they sended it back to China.
Bangood stated ’ we’ll wait for the package , but me, as a customer, have no part in this, I want a FULL refund because a] package was insured and b] product was never delivered.

In short… hope your lock will arrive soon :wink:

Lesson learned… NEVER buy expensive equipment through Banggood … I have better experiences with E bay and Ali, much better service when something goes wrong !

*update- * must be reading here too… this morning ‘a manager’ offered a full refund for products I never received … after 3 months… thank you Banggood :sunglasses:

  • update 2 - oh yesss pompom
    bgrefund
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reverse

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Downlink is coming, don’t forget to reverse your IQ polarity so that the packet knows which way to go :wink:

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party

it’s my TTN birthday today… time flies and now … PARTY ! pompom

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