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RAK4631 WisBlock LPWAN Module Datasheet

Overview​

Description​

The RAK4631 WisBlock Core module is a RAK4630 stamp module with an expansion PCB and connectors compatible with the RAK5005-O baseboard. It allows an easy way to access to the pins of the RAK4630 module in order to simplify development and testing processes.

The module itself comprises a RAK4630 as its main component. The RAK4630 is a combination of an nRF52840 MCU and an SX1262 LoRa chip, it features ultra-low power consumption of 2.0 uA during sleep mode, high LoRa output power up to 22 dBm during a transmission mode, and the BLE interface with output power up to 4 dBm.

The module complies with LoRaWAN 1.0.2 protocols, it also supports LoRa point-to-point communication.

The RF communication characteristic of the module (LoRa + BLE) makes it suitable for a variety of applications in the IoT field such as home automation, sensor networks, building automation, personal area networks applications (health/fitness sensors, and monitors, etc.).

NOTE

The RAK4631 and RAK4631-R share common hardware and are 100% identical, but their firmware is different. RAK4631 firmware is based on the Arduino BSP of the nRF52840 chip, whereas RAK4631-R firmware is based on RUI V3, giving you the flexibility to develop optimized firmware using the RUI3 APIs or via RUI3 AT commands.

You can convert your RAK4631 to RAK4631-R if you prefer RUI3.

Features​

  • TCXO crystal for LoRa chip
  • I/O ports: UART/I2C/GPIO/USB
  • SPI pins and optional NFC interface are accessible using WisBlock IO module
  • Temperature range: -40 °C to +85 °C
  • Supply voltage: 2.0 ~ 3.6 V
  • Low-Power Wireless Systems with 7.8 KHz to 500 KHz Bandwidth
  • Ultra-Low Power Consumption 2.0 uA in sleep mode
  • LoRa PA Boost mode with 22 dBm output power
  • BLE5.0 (Tx power -20 to +4 dBm in 4dB steps)
  • Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interface
  • Module size: 20 x 30 mm
  • Chipset: Nordic nRF52840, Semtech SX1262

Specifications​

Overview​

The overview covers the RAK4631 board overview and the mounting mechanics of the board into the baseboard.

Board Overview​

Figure 4995: RAK4631 Overview
Figure 4996: RAK4630 in RAK4631 WisBlock Core

Mounting Sketch​

The RAK4631 module is designed to work with the RAK5005-O base board. Figure 3 shows how a RAK4631 module should be mounted on top of the RAK5005-O.

Figure 4997: RAK4631 Mounting Sketch

Hardware​

The hardware specification is categorized into four parts. It discusses the pinouts of the module and its corresponding functions and diagrams. It also covers the interfaces, RF, electrical, and mechanical parameters that include the tabular data of the functionalities and standard values of the RAK4631 Module.

Chipset​

VendorPart number
Nordic, SemtechnRF52840, SX1262

RF Characteristics​

The RAK4631 module supports the LoRaWAN bands shown in table below. When buying a RAK4631 module, pay attention to the specified correct core module RAK4630 H/L for your region. H stands for high-frequency regions and L for low-frequency regions.

NOTE

Detailed information about the RAK4631 BLE and LoRa antenna can be found on the 863-870 MHz antenna datasheet or the 902-928 MHz antenna datasheet .

ModuleRegionFrequency
RAK4631(L)EuropeEU433
ChinaCN470
RAK4631(H)EuropeEU868
North AmericaUS915
AustraliaAU915
KoreaKR920
AsiaAS923-1/2/3/4
IndiaIN865
RussiaRU864

Electrical Characteristics​

Power Consumption​
ItemPower ConsumptionCondition
Tx mode LoRa @20 dBm12 5mALoRa @ PA_BOOST&BT sleep
Tx mode LoRa @17 dBm92 mALoRa @ PA_BOOST&BT sleep
Tx mode BT@4 dBm9 mABT Tx mode & Lora sleep
Rx mode LoRa @37.5 Kbps17 mALoRa @ Receive mode &BT sleep
Rx mode BT@2 Mbps11.5 mABT Rx mode & Lora sleep
Sleep mode2.0 uALoRa&BT sleep
Absolute Maximum Ratings​
SymbolDescriptionMin.Nom.Max.Unit
VBAT_SXLoRa chip supply voltage-0.53.9V
VBAT_SX_IOLoRa chip supply for I/O pins-0.53.9V
VDD_NRFMCU power supply-0.33.9V
VBUSUSB supply voltage-0.35.8V
VBAT_NRFMCU high voltage power supply-0.35.8V
Recommended Operating Conditions​
SymbolDescriptionMin.Nom.Max.Unit
VBAT_SXSX1262 supply voltage2.03.33.7V
VBAT_SX_IOSX1262 supply for I/O pins2.03.33.7V
VDD_NRFNRF52840 power supply2.03.33.6V
VBUSVBUS USB supply voltage4.355.05.5V
VBAT_NRFNRF52840 high voltage power supply2.55.5V
Schematic Diagram​
Figure 4998: RAK4631 Schematic Diagram

  • WisConnector: The breakout module allows the RAK4630 stamp module pinout to be transferred by the board-to-board WisConnector.

  • WisConnector Pin Order: The pin order of the WisConnector is located in the bottom layer of the module.

  • Core Module: The breakout module itself has a RAK4630 at its core, and it shows the core module pin and connection information. By default, the NFC function is disabled for conserve the low power characteristic.

  • SWD Interface: The breakout module exposes a SWD debug interface. Additionally, the RST pin is used for resetting the core module RAK4630.

  • Power Up Automatic Reset: The breakout module has a power-up automatic reset circuit, and the schematic shows the automatic reset mechanism. This module also can be reset though RAK5005-O reset pin.

Setup of the SX1262​

Information to write custom firmware for the RAK4630. This shows the internal connection between the RAK4630 and required information when initializing the SX1262 LoRa Transceiver.

nRF52840 GPIOSX1262 pinfunction
P1.10NSSSPI NSS
P1.11SCKSPI CLK
P1.12MOSISPI MOSI
P1.13MISOSPI MISO
P1.14BUSYBUSY signal
P1.15DIO1DIO1 event interrupt
P1.06NRESETNRESET manual reset of the SX1262

Important for successful SX1262 initialization:

  • Setup DIO2 to control the antenna switch
  • Setup DIO3 to control the TCXO power supply
  • Setup the SX1262 to use it's DCDC regulator and not the LDO
  • RAK4630 schematics show GPIO P1.07 connected to the antenna switch, but it should not be initialized, as DIO2 will do the control of the antenna switch

Mechanical Characteristics​

Board Dimensions​
Figure 4999: Mechanical Dimensions
WisConnector PCB Layout​
Figure 5000: WisConnector PCB footprint and recommendations

Certification​

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