RAK10701-Plus Field Tester for LoRaWAN
What is Field Tester Plus？
The RAK10701-Plus LoRaWAN Field Tester is a portable tool for indoor and outdoor LoRaWAN coverage testing, gateway placement assessment, and network optimization. It provides real-time insights into uplink and downlink signal quality, including RSSI, SNR, packet-loss rate, gateway information.
The device can work with a RAK gateway’s Built-in Network Server, enabling field tests even in sites with limited or no Internet access. For indoor or GPS-denied environments, you can manually tag and label test locations to compare signal quality across specific rooms, floors, or deployment points.
With its touch screen LCD and on-device UI, you can configure test parameters such as data rate, frequency band, and transmit power directly on the device. When integrated with the Field Test Data Processor Extension on WisGateOS 2, the Field Tester Plus also supports gateway-side RSSI/SNR heatmap visualization, network performance review, and CSV report export.
Key Features
- Compatible with LoRaWAN 1.0.3 across multiple bands: RU864, IN865, EU868, US915, AU915, KR920, and AS923-1/2/3/4.
- Supports TTN, ChirpStack, AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN, and private networks using WisGateOS 2 Built-in Network Server (no Internet required).
- Real-time graphical display of RSSI and SNR for signal monitoring.
- Proprietary packet loss calculation for accurate coverage evaluation.
- Supports manual location labeling and structured CSV data export.
- Powered by a 3200 mAh rechargeable battery (USB Type-C charging).
- External LoRa antenna for improved performance.
- Supports OTAA activation and Class A modes.
- BLE support for wireless configuration and firmware upgrades via WisToolBox Mobile App.
How It Works?
System Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Field Tester Plus | A handheld LoRaWAN end device that sends uplinks and displays real-time metrics like RSSI and SNR. |
| LoRaWAN Gateway | Receives uplinks from the Field Tester and forwarders them to the configured LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS). Supported LNS options include:
|
| Network Server | Handles LoRaWAN sessions and provides uplink/downlink communication. Supported platforms include:
|
| Field Test Data Processor Extension | Installs on your RAK gateway to enable local signal processing. It computes key quality metrics—such as RSSI, SNR, and packet loss—and exports structured test reports (e.g., CSV), without relying on any cloud integration. |
System Workflow Diagram
Figure 1: Field Tester RoadmapUplink Data Flow
- The Field Tester periodically sends uplink packets containing GPS coordinates or manually assigned location labels.
- The gateway receives these uplinks and forwards them to the LoRaWAN Network Server.
- The Network Server publishes the decoded uplink data to the MQTT broker.
- The Field Test Data Processor Extension subscribes to these MQTT topics, processes incoming messages, and calculates key performance metrics such as RSSI, SNR, and packet-loss rate. It then provides real-time RSSI/SNR heatmap visualization, detailed test-point and network performance information, and CSV report export for further analysis.
Downlink Data Flow
- The extension generates a downlink message containing the computed signal-quality results.
- The LoRaWAN Network Server schedules the downlink, and the gateway sends it to the Field Tester.
- The Field Tester updates its user interface with a complete, real-time representation of the LoRaWAN link performance.
Work Modes
Field Tester Plus offers two operational modes, depending on whether the Field Test Data Processor Extension is installed and properly connected:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Field Tester Mode | Full-feature mode. The gateway runs the Field Test Data Processor Extension, which analyzes uplinks locally via MQTT and feeds results back to the device. Displays both uplink and downlink metrics, including RSSI, SNR, packet loss, distance (if GPS is available), and allows CSV export and heatmap generation. |
| LinkCheck Mode | Basic mode. The device has joined an LNS, but no Extension is installed or configured. Only basic downlink information is shown: RSSI, SNR, and number of receiving gateways, based on LinkCheck MAC responses. |
Why Use Field Tester Plus?
Most LoRaWAN field testers depend on GPS and cloud processing, which often fail in indoor or GPS-denied environments. Field Tester Plus, combined with the Field Test Data Processor Extension on a RAK gateway, solves this by enabling:
- Real-time signal insights – See RSSI, SNR, and packet loss as you test
- Quickly check network health – Evaluate coverage and performance on the spot
- Standalone, no phone needed – Works fully on its own with a touch screen
- Durable and compact design – Built for rugged outdoor and indoor environments
- Plug-and-play compatibility – Supports WisGateOS2 Built-in LNS, TTN/TTI, Chirpstack v3 / v4, and AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN
Typical Applications
Field Tester Plus is ideal for a variety of real-world LoRaWAN validation scenarios:
- Pre-deployment testing: Check signal conditions at potential gateway locations to choose the best installation point.
- Post-deployment validation: Walk through the site to confirm actual coverage and quickly spot weak-signal areas.
- Indoor / GPS-denied testing: Use manual location tags to record accurate test points inside buildings.
- Outdoor range testing: Measure how far the network can reliably reach and identify coverage boundaries.
