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RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot Quick Start Guide

This guide introduces the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot and how to use it.

Prerequisite​

What Do You Need?​

Before going through each and every step on using the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot, make sure to prepare the necessary items listed below:

Hardware​

It is highly recommended to also check the dedicated quick start guide that you can follow on various WisBlock Modules. Each quick start guide of these modules contains the detailed steps on how to open the example codes and upload them to the WisBlock Core.

Software​

Based on the choice of the WisBlock Core, select a Development Environment:

Programming via Arduino IDE Programming via PlatformIO IDE:

Product Configuration​

Overview​

To give you a better understanding of how the WisBlock Base works, the block diagram RAK19011 is provided in this section.

Block Diagram​

The block diagram shown in Figure 1 shows the internal architecture and external interfaces of the RAK19011 board.

Figure 4470: RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot block diagram

The MCU in the WisBlock Core module offers the I2C, UART, and SPI data buses to the sensor and IO modules. Through these buses, the MCU can control and retrieve data from the sensors. The RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot board connects all these modules.

Hardware Setup​

RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot Installation Guide​

RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot is the main board that allows you to attach MCU, Power modules, sensors, and IO modules through the standardized expansion connectors. These connectors provide a data bus interconnection between the modules attached to the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot.

This guide shows the details related to the installation of modules into the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot.

Attaching a WisConnector​

The WisConnector is the interface between the RAK19011 module and the WisBlock Core, Wisblock Power, Sensor, and IO modules. Before connecting these modules, read the following instructions:

NOTE

This guide uses two arrows. Refer to Figure 2 for its representation.

Figure 4471: Notation within the guide
  1. Align the connectors. Keep the header parallel and place it lightly in the corresponding lap joint of the socket.
Figure 4472: Alignment of WisConnector
  1. Fit the connector. Tilt one end of the connector (header) less than 20 degrees, while do not apply force during this process, gently place the other end in parallel.
Figure 4473: Fit the WisConnector’s header inside of the socket
  1. After the above alignment steps, the header and socket are matched but still not buckled.
Figure 4474: WisConnector’s header matched inside of the socket
  1. Apply forces evenly by pressing in parallel, then there will be a sound confirming the completion of the buckling.
Figure 4475: Apply forces to buckle the heard to the socket
  1. In the process of buckling and applying force, avoid the application of uneven force on both sides.
Figure 4476: Avoid applying uneven forces
  1. When the buckling process is completed, check that the header and socket are kept in parallel.
Figure 4477: Correct way to buckle the WisConnector’s header to the socket
  1. After buckling, if the header and socket are not in a parallel state (not fully assembled in one place), press with even force on both sides of the long side to complete the correct buckling.
Figure 4478: WisConnector’s header is not parallel to the socket
  1. When the aforementioned steps are not completed yet, do not apply force to buckle. Otherwise, there will be a risk to damage the connector. When the connector cannot be smoothly buckled down, repeat the alignment step.
Detaching a WisConnector​
  1. To disconnect the header from the socket, pull out in parallel with even forces.
Figure 4479: Correct way: Applying even forces to detach the header from the socket
  1. Avoid pulling out the header asymmetrically in the long-side direction.
Figure 4480: Wrong way: Applying uneven forces to detach the header from the socket
  1. The short-side of the connector can be pulled out asymmetrically, but apply the force vertically and avoid rotating the header.
Figure 4481: Wrong way: Do not rotate the header
  1. Avoid applying forces in a single corner.
Figure 4482: Wrong way: Do not apply force in a single corner of the header
Assembling a WisBlock Module​
WisBlock Core​

A WisBlock Core module is designed to be installed on the CPU slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot. As shown in Figure 14, the location is properly marked by silkscreen. Follow carefully the procedure defined in attaching a WisConnector section in order to attach a Core module. Once attached, fix the module with one or more pieces of M1.2 x 3 mm screws depending on the WisBlock Core.

Figure 4483: WisBlock Core silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
WisBlock Power​

A WisBlock Power module is designed to be installed on the Power slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with a Power Slot. As shown in Figure 15, the location is properly marked by silkscreen. Follow carefully the procedure defined in attaching a WisConnector section in order to attach a Core module. Once attached, fix the module with one or more pieces of M1.2 x 3 mm screws depending on the WisBlock Core.

Figure 4484: WisBlock Power silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
WisBlock Sensor​

A WisBlock Sensor module is designed to be installed on the sensor slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot. There are six (6) available sensor slots in the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot. As shown in Figure 16, the location of the slots is properly marked by silkscreen. Follow carefully the procedure of the section, attaching a WisConnector, to attach a WisBlock Sensor module. Once attached, fix the module with an M1.2 x 3 mm screw.

Figure 4485: WisBlock Sensor silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
WisBlock IO​

A WisBlock IO module is designed to be installed on the IO slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot. There are two (2) IO slots in the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot. As shown in Figure 17, the location is properly marked by silkscreen. Follow carefully the procedure of the section, attaching a WisConnector, to attach a WisBlock IO module. Once attached, fix the module with three pieces of M1.2 x 3 mm screws.

Figure 4486: WisBlock IO silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
Disassembling a WisBlock Module​
  1. The procedure to disassemble any type of WisBlock module is the same. As shown in Figure 18, first, remove the screws.
Figure 4487: Removing screws from the WisBlock module
  1. Once the screws are removed, on the PCB of a WisBlock module, there is a silkscreen that shows the correct location where force can be applied. By applying even force under the marked area, the module can be detached from the Base Board. See Figure 19 and Figure 20.
Figure 4488: Detaching silkscreen on the WisBlock module
Figure 4489: Applying even forces on the proper location of a WisBlock module to detach the module from the Base Board

Software Setup​

The WisBlock Core is designed to be interfaced with other WisBlock Modules like sensors, displays, and other interfaces. To make useful devices, you need to upload a source code to the WisBlock Core. Before you continue, you should have already set up either an Arduino BSP or PlatformIO.

WisBlock Examples Repository​

To quickly build your IoT device with less hassle, example codes for WisBlock Core are provided. You can access the codes on the WisBlock Example code repository. The example codes on folder common are compatible with RAK4631, RAK11200, and RAK11310 WisBlock cores.