What is LoRa?
LoRa, short for long-range, is the physical layer or the wireless modulation utilized to create a long-range communication link. LoRa is based on Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation, which maintains the same low power characteristics as FSK modulation but significantly increases the communication range.
Material Required is as follows:
- 2x LoRa Bee modules
- 2xNano 33 Ble Sense
- 1x Breadboard
- Jumper Wires
Circuit Diagram
Pin Details
LoRe BEE |
LoRe BEE physical pin |
Nano 33 BLE Sense
|
MISO |
4 |
D12(MISO)
|
RESET |
5 |
D9 |
MOSI |
11 |
D11(MOSI) |
D0 |
12 |
D2 |
NSS |
17 |
D10 |
SCK |
18 |
D13(SCLK) |
3V3 |
1 |
3V3 |
GND |
10 |
GND |
Now we are going to set up LoRa Node to Node communication using Nano 33 BLE Sense. In Node to Node communication, we use two nodes. One of the nodes we configure as Transmitter and another node as Receiver.
Step1: Adding Nano 33 BLE Sense in Arduino IDE
Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager
Search for Nano 33 BLE Sense and Click on the install button
It should be installed after a few seconds.
Step2: Code and Library
Download the Zip file for Arduino-LoRa Library from the link given below
https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/libraries/lora/
Installing library
In the Arduino IDE, navigate to Sketch > Include Library
At the top of the drop-down list, select the option to "Add. ZIP Library'' and then choose the zip file downloaded from the link given above.
Step 3: Sender Code
In the Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Board>Arduino mbed OS Board
Select Nano 33 BLE board
Select the correct COM port from Tools > Port
Enter the code given below and click on the Upload button in the Arduino IDE
#include <SPI.h>
#include <LoRa.h>
//define the pins used by the transceiver module
#define ss 5
#define rst 14
#define dio0 2
int counter = 0;
void setup() {
//initialize Serial Monitor
Serial.begin(115200);
while (!Serial);
Serial.println("LoRa Sender");
//setup LoRa transceiver module
LoRa.setPins(ss, rst, dio0);
//replace the LoRa.begin(---E-) argument with your location's frequency
//433E6 for Asia
//866E6 for Europe
//915E6 for North America
while (!LoRa.begin(866E6)) {
Serial.println(".");
delay(500);
}
// Change sync word (0xF3) to match the receiver
// The sync word assures you don't get LoRa messages from other LoRa transceivers
// ranges from 0-0xFF
LoRa.setSyncWord(0xF3);
Serial.println("LoRa Initializing OK!");
}
void loop() {
Serial.print("Sending packet: ");
Serial.println(counter);
//Send LoRa packet to the receiver
LoRa.beginPacket();
LoRa.print("hello ");
LoRa.print(counter);
LoRa.endPacket();
counter++;
delay(10000);
}
After uploading code open Arduino Serial monitor
d
Step 4: Receiver Code
In the Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Board>Arduino mbed OS Board
Select Nano 33 BLE board
Select the correct COM port from Tools > Port
Enter the code given below and click on the Upload button in the Arduino IDE
#include <SPI.h>
#include <LoRa.h>
//define the pins used by the transceiver module
#define ss 5
#define rst 14
#define dio0 2
void setup() {
//initialize Serial Monitor
Serial.begin(115200);
while (!Serial);
Serial.println("LoRa Receiver");
//setup LoRa transceiver module
LoRa.setPins(ss, rst, dio0);
//replace the LoRa.begin(---E-) argument with your location's frequency
//433E6 for Asia
//866E6 for Europe
//915E6 for North America
while (!LoRa.begin(866E6)) {
Serial.println(".");
delay(500);
}
// Change sync word (0xF3) to match the receiver
// The sync word assures you don't get LoRa messages from other LoRa transceivers
// ranges from 0-0xFF
LoRa.setSyncWord(0xF3);
Serial.println("LoRa Initializing OK!");
}
void loop() {
// try to parse packet
int packetSize = LoRa.parsePacket();
if (packetSize) {
// received a packet
Serial.print("Received packet '");
// read packet
while (LoRa.available()) {
String LoRaData = LoRa.readString();
Serial.print(LoRaData);
}
// print RSSI of packet
Serial.print("' with RSSI ");
Serial.println(LoRa.packetRssi());
}
}
After uploading the code, open the Arduino Serial monitor
On the receiver node, you can see the received packet
Troubleshooting
After uploading code if you are not receiving any packet in the receiver node follow the points mentioned below
1.Make sure both node sender and receiver are using the same
frequency in the line given below:
while (!LoRa.begin(866E6))
2.Ensure you have selected a baud rate of 115200 in the Serial monitor.
