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RAK4200 Evaluation Board Datasheet

Overview​

Description​

RAK4200 Evaluation Board is a WisBlock product consisting of RAK4200 WisDuo LPWAN Module and RAK5005 Base Board. You can use this development board to access all serial and GPIO ports for easy configuration. RAK4200 includes an STM32L071KB MCU and an SX1276 LoRa transceiver. This evaluation board uses a RAK4200 module which is a LoRa module that has an Ultra-Low Power Consumption of 9.40 μA (down to 1.08 μA @ 2.0 V) in sleep mode and high LoRa output power up to 19 dBm max in work mode. The module complies with the LoRaWAN 1.0.2 specification. It also supports LoRa P2P (Point-to-Point) communications. The module is suitable for various applications that require long-range data acquisition and low power consumption.

Features​

  • LoRa module for Smart City, Smart Agriculture, Smart Industry
  • I/O ports: UART/I2C/GPIO/ADC
  • Temperature range: -40 °C to +85 °C
  • Supply voltage: 2.0 ~ 3.6 V
  • Frequency range: 863–870 MHz (EU) / 902–928 MHz (US), ISM and SRD systems
  • Low-Power Wireless Systems with 7.8 kHz to 500 kHz Bandwidth
  • Based on RAK4200 module with a sleep current consumption of 9.40 μA (down to 1.08 μA @ 2.0 V)
  • Core: STM32L071 ARM 32-bit Cortex M0+ with MPU
  • Up to 128 KB flash memory with ECC
  • 20 KB RAM
  • 6 KB of data EEPROM with ECC

Specifications​

Overview​

The RAK4200 Evaluation Board front view (top) and back view are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Figure 7340: RAK4200 Evaluation Board front view
Figure 7341: RAK4200 Evaluation Board back view

Hardware​

The hardware specification is categorized into five parts. It discusses the interfacing, pinouts, and its corresponding functions and diagrams. It also covers the RF and electrical parameters that include the tabular data of the functionalities and standard values of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board.

Interfaces​

RAK4201 is the WisBlock Core CPU module used on the RAK4200 Evaluation Board. Figure 2 shows an overview of interfaces found on the RAK4200 Evaluation Board.

Figure 7342: RAK4200 Evaluation Board Interface Overview
SWD Programming Interface​

When programming via a DAPLink tool, it is required to have all of the following four (4) pins connected to your DAPLink tool:

  1. 3V3
  2. SWDIO
  3. SWCLK
  4. GND
NOTE

For the aforementioned reason, it is best you leave these pins exposed for programming purposes and not to remap them as GPIOs.

Flash the Firmware Using DAPLink and RAKDAP1​

Refer to section RAKDAP1-Flash-and-Debug-Tool

Use Figure 3 as a guide to connect RAKDAP1 on RAK4200 Evaluation Board.

Figure 7343: RAK4200 RAKDAP1 connection
RF Interface​

The RF output pin of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board is connected to an external antenna through a standard iPEX antenna connector.

Figure 7344: RAK4200 LoRa antenna
warning

Before powering the RAK4200 Evaluation Board, you should install the LoRa antenna first. Not doing so might damage the board.

USB Interface​

The Micro-B USB connector is compliant with the USB 2.0 specification. The pin definition of the USB interface is shown below:

Pin NumberPin NameDescription
1USB_VBUS(+5 V) USB Bus Voltage
2USB_DMUSB Bus D+ positive pin
3USB_DPUSB Bus D- negative pin
4NCNot connected
5GNDGround
Figure 7345: RAK4200 Micro-B USB connector

The USB data bus is connected to a USB-SERIAL CH340 chip. The CH340 is a series of USB bus adapters, that provides a virtual serial interface over the USB bus.

Pin Definition​

NOTE

The SWD pins PA13 and PA14 are reserved for STM MCU debugging and programming.

The following tables below shows the pin definitions of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board:

J10, J11, J12 2.54 mm header​
J10​
Pin NumberPin NameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1BOOT0Boot for ST MCUNot connected
2VDDPower supply generated by CPU module
3TX1/USART2_TXUSART2 TX pinPA2
4RX1/USART2_RXUSART2 RX pinPA3
J11​
Pin NumberPin NameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1AIN1/USART2_DEADC input signalPA1
2IO1/USART1_DEGeneral purpose IOPA12
3IO2Power switch control of 3V3_S
4GNDGround
NOTE

3V3_S is another 3.3 V power supply that can be controlled on/off by MCU. Set pin IO2=0 when the sensor is not in use to save power.

LoRa Transceiver SX1276 Connection​
LoRa IC PinSTM32 GPIO
DIO0PB0
DIO1PB1
DIO2PB5
DIO3PB4
SPI1_CLKPA5
SPI1_MISOPA6
SPI1_MOSIPA7
SPI1_CSPA4
NRESETPA0
VCTL1PA11
VCTL2PA8
LoRa Transceiver Mode​
LoRa ModeVCTL1/PA11VCTL2/PA8
TX modeHL
RX modeLH
Logic Level Table
  • H level (1.8 - 5.0 V)
  • L level (0 V)
J12​
Pin NumberPin NameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1GNDGround
2I2C1_SCLI2C clock pinPB6
3I2C1_SDAI2C data pinPB7
4VDDPower supply generated by CPU module
IO Module Connector​
Figure 7346: RAK4200 IO Module Connector
Pin NumberPin NameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1VBATNot connected
2VBATNot connected
3GNDGround
4GNDGround
53V33.3 V power supply
63V3_S3.3 V power supply can be shutdown by CPU module
7USB+Not connected
8USB-Not connected
9VBUSNot connected
10SW1Not connected
11USART1_TXUART1 Interface (AT Commands and FW Update)PA9
12USART1_RXUART1 Interface (AT Commands and FW Update)PA10
13RESETConnected to the reset switch for MCU resetPA0
14LED1Red LED for battery charge indicator
15LED2Green LED for custom useNot connected
16LED3BLue LED for custom useNot connected
17VDDPower supply generated by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
18VDDPower supply generated by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
19I2C1_SDAI2C data pinPB7
20I2C1_SCLI2C clock pinPB6
21AIN0/USART1_DEAnalog Input for ADC
22AIN1/USART2_DEAnalog Input for ADCPA1
23NCNot connected
24NCNot connected
25SPI1_CSSPI chip select signalNot connected
26SPI1_CLKSPI clock signalPA5
27SPI1_MISOSPI MISO signalPA6
28SPI1_MOSISPI MOSI signalPA7
29IO1/USART1_DEGeneral Purpose IOPA12
30IO23V3_S
31IO3Not connected
32IO4Not Connected
33TX1/USART2_TXUART2 Interface (AT Commands)PA2
34RX1/USART2_RXUART2 Interface (AT Commands)PA3
35NCNot connected
36NCNot connected
37NCNot connected
38NCNot connected
39GNDGround
40GNDGround
Sensor Module Connector​
Figure 7347: Sensor Module Connector
Slot A
Pin NumberPin nameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1USART1_TXUSART1 TX pinPA9
2GNDGround
3SPI1_CSSPI chip select signalNot connected
4SPI1_CLKSPI clock signalPA5
5SPI1_MISOSPI MISO signalPA6
6SPI1_MOSISPI MOSI signalPA7
7I2C1_SCLI2C clockPB6
8I2C1_SDAI2C data pinPB7
9VDDControlled by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
10IO2Power switch control of 3V3_S
113V3_S3.3 V power supply can be shutdown by CPU module
12IO1/USART1_DEGeneral Purpose IOPA12
13NCNot connected
143V3_S3.3 V power supply can be shutdown by CPU module
15NCNot connected
16VDDControlled by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
17NCNot connected
18NCNot connected
19NCNot connected
20NCNot connected
21NCNot connected
22NCNot connected
23GNDGround
24USART1_RXUSART1 RX pinPA10
Slot B
Pin NumberPin nameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1NCNot connected
2GNDGround
3SPI1_CSSPI Chip Select PinNot connected
4SPI1_CLKSPI Clock signalPA5
5SPI1_MISOSPI MISO signalPA6
6SPI1_MOSISPI MOSI signalPA7
7I2C1_SCLI2C clockPB6
8I2C1_SDAI2C data pinPB7
9VDDControlled by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
10IO1/USART1_DEGeneral Purpose IOPA12
113V3_S3.3 V power supply can be shutdown by CPU module
12IO2Power switch control of 3V3_S
13NCNot connected
143V3_S3.3 V power supply can be shutdown by CPU module
15NCNot connected
16VDDControlled by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
17NCNot connected
18NCNot connected
19NCNot connected
20NCNot connected
21NCNot connected
22NCNot connected
23GNDGround
24NCNot connected
Slot C
Pin NumberPin nameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1NCNot connected
2GNDGround
3SPI1_CSSPI Chip Select PinNot connected
4SPI1_CLKSPI Clock PinPA5
5SPI1_MISOSPI MISO signalPA6
6SPI1_MOSISPI MOSI signalPA7
7I2C1_SCLI2C clock pinPB6
8I2C1_SDAI2C data pinPB7
9VDDControlled by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
10IO4General Purpose IO
113V3_S3.3 V power supply, can be shutdown by CPU module
12IO5General Purpose IONot connected
13NCNot connected
143V3_S3.3 V power supply, can be shutdown by CPU module
15NCNot connected
16VDDControlled by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
17NCNot connected
18NCNot connected
19NCNot connected
20NCNot connected
21NCNot connected
22NCNot connected
23GNDGround
24NCNot connected
Slot D
Pin NumberPin nameDescriptionMicrocontroller Pin
1NCNot connected
2GNDGround
3SPI1_CSSPI Chip Select PinNot connected
4SPI1_CLKSPI Clock PinPA5
5SPI1_MISOSPI MISO signalPA6
6SPI1_MOSISPI MOSI signalPA7
7I2C1_SCLI2C clock pinPB6
8I2C1_SDAI2C data pinPB7
9VDDPower supply generated by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
10IO6General Purpose IO
113V3_S3.3 V power supply, can be shutdown by CPU module
12IO5General Purpose IO
13NCNot connected
143V3_S3.3 V power supply, can be shutdown by CPU module
15NCNot connected
16VDDPower supply generated by CPU module.
Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
17NCNot connected
18NCNot connected
19NCNot connected
20NCNot connected
21NCNot connected
22NCNot connected
23GNDGround
24NCNot connected
Battery Connector​

The RAK5005 WisBase board can be powered by a battery via a P1 connector, and the battery is not included on the RAK4200 Evaluation Board packaging.

Use Figure 8 as a guide to connect the battery. The red triangle indicates pin 1.

Figure 7348: RAK4200 EVB battery connector

The pin definition of the RAK600 Evaluation Board Li-Ion battery connector is shown in the table below. The matching connector for the battery wires is an JST PHR-2 2 mm pitch female.

P1 Battery connector

PinPin NameDescription
1GNDGround
2VBATPositive + pin of the battery

The full specification of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board battery is shown in the table below.

No.ItemSpecification
1Charge Cut-off Voltage4.2 V
2Nominal Voltage3.7 V
3Discharge Cut-off Voltage2.75 V
4Typical Capacity2650 mAh
5Max Discharge Current0.5 C at 25 ℃ to 45 ℃
6PH Connector2.0 mm pitch
7Cable Length110.0±3.0 mm
8Cable ColorRed: VBAT, Black: GND
NOTE

The voltage of the Li-Ion battery must not exceed 4.3 V. When connecting the battery make sure the polarity is correct. Not all connectors are wired the same.

Solar Panel Connector​

A 5 V solar panel can be connected to the board via a P2 connector to serve the purpose of charging the battery. The solar panel is not included on RAK4200 Evaluation Board packaging. Use Figure 9 as a guide to connect the solar panel. The red triangle indicates pin 1.

Figure 7349: RAK4200 EVB solar connector

The pin definition of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board solar panel connector is shown in the table below. The matching connector for the solar panel wires is an JST ZHR-2 1.5 mm pitch female.

P2 Solar Panel connector

PinPin NameDescription
1C0NN_5VPositive + pin of solar panel
2GNDGND

The full specification of the Solar Panel for the RAK4200 Evaluation Board is shown in the table below.

No.ItemSpecification
1Nominal Voltage5 V
2Typical Current80 mA
3SizeLength: 60 mm, Width: 60 mm, Height: 2 mm
4Connector1.5 mm pitch
5Cable ColorRed: C0NN_5V, Black: GND
NOTE

The output of the solar panel must not exceed 5.5 V. Otherwise, it may cause permanent damage to the board.

LEDs​
  • 🔴 Red LED - connected to the charger chip to indicate the charger status. When the battery is charging, this red LED is on. When the battery is full, this LED is weak light or off.
RESET Button​

The reset push button is connected to the NRST PA0 pin of the RAK4200. When pushed, it resets the MCU.

RF Requirements​

Operating Frequencies​

The RAK4200 has two different models based on its frequency: RAK4200(L) for low frequency and RAK4200(H) for high frequency.

ModelRegionFrequency (MHz)
RAK4200 (L)EuropeEU433
ChinaCN470
RAK4200 (H)AsiaAS923
AustraliaAU915
EuropeEU868
KoreaKR920
North AmericaUS915
RussiaRU864

Electrical Characteristics​

Power Consumption​
ConditionsCurrentUnit
Tx mode LoRa @17 dBm87mA
Tx mode LoRa @19 dBm120mA
Rx mode LoRa @37.5 Kbps15mA
Absolute Maximum Ratings​

Exposure to maximum rating conditions may affect device reliability.

RatingsMaximum ValueUnit
VBUS power supply on USB port-0.3 - 5.5V
VBAT battery voltage-0.3 - 4.3V
C0NN_5V solar panel voltage-0.3 - 5.5V
IO connector-0.3 - VDD+0.3V
ESD2000V

Mechanical Characteristics​

Board Dimensions​

Figure 10 shows the actual dimensions of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board measured in millimeters (mm).

Figure 7350: RAK4200 Evaluation Board dimensions

Software​

Download the latest firmware of the RAK4200 Evaluation Board in the table provided.

NOTE

The bin file contains the application code only and you need the RAK DFU Tool to upload this file to the module.

The hex file contains both the bootloader and the application code. You need to use STM32CubeProgrammer to upload this.

Firmware​

ModelSource
RAK4200Download

Certification​

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