Hello all,
Finally, I was able to put everything together and started testing out the experimental setup.
Wrote a code for the water level measurement and sent the data over LoRa to another module.
But I was not getting any good range because I didn't have a good antenna. In India allowed band for LoRa is 865 MHz. or IN865 when uploading the first configuration code.
if (!modem.begin(EU868)) //here IN865 for India
{
Serial.println("Failed to start module");
while (1) {}
};
This is needed to get the EUI key and to check the firmware version of the module.
For me, the MKRWAN library worked without any issue. MKRWAN V2 gave some errors so had to use the MKRWAN library.
Note down the EUI key if you want to connect to the things network gateway (if it is in a chirp-able location :)).
You can update the firmware of the Murata module by uploading the updating standalone code in the MKRWAN library.
Once all these things are done you are good to go.
Here's my code repository for the whole project: https://github.com/vishwasnavada/LoRa_Exp
Antenna Design for LoRa:
Coming back to the weak signal, I realised that I need to make an antenna to enhance the range of the LoRa. The simplest one would be
building a helical antenna using copper wire. I got a copper wire from an old co-axial cable. Which is strong and somewhat easy to bend also.
DIY antenna by winding 7 turns on a 5mm drill bit and 2mm apart.
I found this hackaday article which helped me to design the antenna.
I had this old wifi antenna from an old laptop. So I got MHF female connector which plugs in on the MKRWAN 1300 directly.
Old wifi antenna from a laptop.
Antenna wire ready to be soldered to the copper helical antenna
Demonstration of the whole setup.
After connecting everything, upload the water level program to transmitter unit and the LoRa receiver program to the receiver LoRa module.
The data is received on the node at the receiver LoRa end.
#Blog1 Just Encase challenge: Getting started and deciding the architecture..
#Blog 2 Just Encase challenge : Building a LoRa based water level sensor and a demo.
#Blog 3 Just Encase Challenge : Setup of water level sensor and demo.
Blog 4 Getting started with the airquality monitor project.
#Blog 5 Just Encase Challenge : Final blog with the results and enclosure conditions.