LoRa®-based Solutions for RA Family

LoRa^®-based Solutions for Low Power

One of Renesas’ solutions comprises a low power RA microcontrollers (RA0E1, RA0E2, RA2E1, RA2L1) and a LoRa^® transceiver (Semtech SX1261/SX1262) for low power operation. This solution contributes to the realization of IoT sensor end-devices with long battery life.

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LoRaWAN^® Average Current (Estimation): LoRaWAN^® Class A Operation - TX + RX (ACK)

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Low power consumption of LoRaWAN^® stack

• LoRaWAN^® stack shifts RF part to the most suitable low consumption mode automatically according to the internal operating state.
• MCU part can be shifted to a low consumption mode during frame sending and receiving.
• Low power timer function optimized for intermittent operation is supported. This can also be used from an application.

Development Environment for Easy Development and Evaluation

The software development environment consists of the RA2E1 Fast Prototyping Board, Evaluation Kit for RA2L1 MCU Group, RA0E1 Fast Prototyping Board, RA0E2 Fast Prototyping Board, and the Semtech SX1261/SX1262. The use of wireless receivers and transmitters is restricted by international standards and domestic regulations. Wireless receivers and transmitters must therefore be used in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the country in which they are being used.

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Software for Ease of Design

Renesas offers software for controlling a LoRa^® transceiver (Semtech SX1261/SX1262) using a low power RA microcontrollers (RA0E1, RA0E2, RA2E1, RA2L1). For applications that require interoperability, there is the LoRaWAN^® protocol stack based on the LoRaWAN^® specification which implements LoRaWAN^® protocol (Class A, Class B* and Class C) specified in the specification version 1.0.4/1.0.3/1.0.2. Control is performed using AT commands. (*Class B conforms to version 1.0.4/1.0.3) For applications for which interoperability is not necessary, there are the LoRa^®-based network software (private LoRa^®-based network sample) and the radio driver for LoRa^® for custom protocol implementation.

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Supporting of Firmware Update over LoRaWAN^®

FUOTA (Firmware Updates Over The Air) provides a function to remotely update a firmware over wireless communication. This function is a key feature for IoT applications deployed widely in the field and that require long term operation. The LoRa Alliance^® standardized the FUOTA process utilizing the application layer protocols on top of the LoRaWAN^® protocol, such as Clock Synchronization Message Package, Remote Multicast Setup Package and Fragmented Data Block Transport Package. These protocols can deliver a firmware image to multiple devices at the time specified by an application server.

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Private LoRa^®-based Network Sample

The private LoRa^®-based network sample provides a small network environment using LoRa^®-based protocol. It allows direct and indirect transmissions between devices, as well as bidirectional communication. In addition, AT commands can be used to control intermittent operation and key exchange necessary for security, making it easy to construct a network environment. Furthermore, the communication interval can be flexibly changed, which is useful for balancing the amount of data communication and power consumption.

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LoRaWAN^® and Private LoRa^®-based Network Combination Sample

For LoRaWAN^® and Private LoRa^®-based network combination sample, LoRaWAN^® and private LoRa^®-based network can be switched dynamically (time-division operation), which is suitable for wide-area / large-scale network communication and small / ad-hoc network communication, respectively. The communication can be resumed immediately after the network switch by retaining the parameters required for LoRaWAN^® and private LoRa^®-based network. In addition, this sample supports the low power function utilizing intermittent operation, the frame encryption, and the frame integrity check functions.

For example, in the case of an automatic meter reading application, LoRaWAN^® can be used as the main network to collect the meter data automatically and the private LoRa^®-based network can be used as the sub network for an operator to get the data directly from a meter when it is in a bad wireless environment. The private LoRa^®-based network can be also used to set the parameters required for the applications and the LoRaWAN^® communication when a meter is installed, or to get the statuses of a meter interactively when abnormal behavior or malfunction of the meter is detected.

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Wireless Communication Tools for Ease of Evaluation

Renesas offers tools that make evaluating characteristics easy. Renesas LPWA Studio can perform continuous CW/Modulation transmission, PER (Packet Error Rate) / BER (Bit Error Rate) measurement, and RSSI measurement. It also has a sniffer function that captures LoRa^®/GFSK modulation frames over the air and displays analysis results, as well as a function that transmits temperature/humidity sensor information of HS3001 connected to the transmitting node and visualizes it at the receiving node. Renesas also offers a tool that estimates power consumption.

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Example of Application

• Introduces you how to visualize sensor data transmitted by the RA2 Sensor Node to the Cloud (AWS/Azure) via LoRaWAN^® networks. Refer to LoRaWAN^® Sensor Demo. 

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