RAK7590 Field Tester Pad Troubleshooting & FAQs

This section provides quick answers to common questions and helps users operate the Field Tester Pad more efficiently.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Possible Cause	Recommended Action
Join Failed	- Incorrect DevEUI/AppEUI/AppKey - Wrong frequency band - Gateway out of coverage - Network server backend issue	- Verify all LoRaWAN credentials - Check band and region settings - Move closer to gateway - Ensure gateway is online - Try performing a hardware restart (power cycle)
Test points not showing on map	- Point is unlabeled - No GPS fix - Wrong time range - Map zoom level too high	- Use labeled points - Ensure GPS lock or use Custom GPS - Adjust time range - Zoom out
Line charts show no data	- Test not running - Device not joined - No uplinks sent	- Start a test session - Rejoin the network - Check interval and transmit settings
Map download fails	- Unstable or no internet connection - Selected area too large or zoom level too high - OpenStreetMap restrictions in your region - Insufficient storage	- Check network connectivity - Select smaller area / lower zoom level - Verify storage in Settings > Manage Cache
High packet loss	- Intermittent gateway reception - Physical obstructions - Too far from gateway - Interference from other RF sources	- Try testing in open areas or reposition the gateway - Reduce Data Rate (DR) for longer range - Switch to a higher TX power setting

FAQs

Testing and Labeling

What is the difference between Start Test and Start Labeling?

The Start Test button initiates a regular test (labeled as "NULL" under the hood) that collects LoRa signal data without specific location tags.

The Start Labeling button allows you to assign custom labels to testing points for better organization and analysis.

Key differences:

• Labeled test points can be visualized in the Signal scatter chart and Geolocation heat map on the Report page and exported reports
• Unlabeled test points (NULL) are only visible in exported CSV files
• Labeled records appear in orange on the line charts, while unlabeled records appear in green

NOTE

If the device is already joined to the LoRaWAN network, pressing Start Labeling will automatically start the test in the background. If the device is not joined, you must press Start Test first and wait for Join Succeeded before starting a labeling test.

How many characters can labels and descriptions contain?

• Labels: up to 6 characters
• Descriptions: up to 30 characters

What happens when I stop a test?

Pressing "Stop Test" will stop both the test and any active labeling session.

The "End Labeling" button only stops the labeling feature while allowing the test to continue running.

Why do some labeled points not appear on geolocation heat map?

• Only labeled points with valid GPS coordinates are shown on the geolocation heat map.
• You can enable Quick Add Mode to assign location information to labeled points without GPS. For details, see Add or Edit GPS Coordinates.

GPS and Location Services

Why do I need Custom GPS, and what should I be aware of when using it?

Custom GPS is useful when testing indoors or in areas with poor GPS reception where the built-in GPS chip cannot acquire accurate coordinates. It allows you to manually enter GPS coordinates or mark your location on a map.

Important considerations:

• When using Custom GPS, the device cannot calculate the distance to the gateway automatically (we are considering adding this feature in a future update)
• Custom GPS settings only apply to the current labeling test
• After completing a test, Custom GPS automatically switches back to the built-in GPS signal
• If you need to use Custom GPS for the next test, you must manually set it again

How do I set custom GPS coordinates?

When you press "Start Labeling" (if the device is already joined), a dialog will appear with an "Open Custom GPS" button.

You can:

• Manually enter latitude and longitude coordinates
• Or tap on the map to mark your location visually

After modifying GPS coordinates, a toast message will confirm that custom GPS has been applied

Maps and Offline Maps

When do I need to download offline maps?

You should download offline maps when testing in areas without network connectivity. Offline maps allow you to view geographic data and visualize test points on maps even when there is no internet connection available.

Are there restrictions for offline map downloads?

Yes, please avoid downloading excessively large areas with very high zoom levels, as this may:

• Place excessive load on the OpenStreetMap tile server
• Violate OpenStreetMap tile server usage regulations
• Result in very large file sizes and long download times

Recommendation: Only download offline map areas relevant to your testing locations. Use appropriate zoom levels that balance detail with file size.

Why does the map show gray tiles sometimes?

The map functionality depends on network services. The OpenStreetMap tile server may not be accessible in certain countries or regions due to:

• Geographic restrictions
• Internet connection blocked
• Server not available

Solution: Download offline maps before traveling to areas with limited or no network access. Offline maps will work regardless of network connectivity.

Can I manage multiple offline maps?

Yes, you can create and manage multiple offline maps through the Settings page. Each map can be given a custom name for better organization. You can delete user-created maps, but the "Default" map cannot be deleted (though you can clear its saved tiles)

Device Hardware

What is the purpose of the Type-C port on the right side?

The Type-C port is used for direct power input, allowing you to power the device without relying on the battery. This is useful for extended testing sessions or when the battery is low.

Important note: The Type-C port does not support serial communication functionality. It is power-only.

Why does the pad sometimes show a time confirmation screen on startup, but other times it doesn't?

The time confirmation screen appears based on network connectivity:

• When there is NO network connection: The pad reads the time from the built-in RTC (RealTime Clock) module and prompts you to confirm or adjust the time. This ensures accurate time tracking when NTP (Network Time Protocol) is unavailable.
• When connected to a network: The pad automatically synchronizes with NTP time servers, so no manual confirmation is needed.

Why this matters: All testing records are time-based, so accurate date and time settings are crucial for proper data analysis and report generation.

How do I change the system time?

You can only change the system time when the pad is not connected to the NTP service. If connected to NTP, the time is automatically synchronized and cannot be manually adjusted. To change the time, refer to Set System Time.

What should I do if the LoRa radio module cannot be detected?

If you receive a "Hardware Connection Error" indicating the LoRa radio module cannot be detected:

1. Perform a complete hardware restart:
   • Switch the power OFF by toggling the power switch to the OFF position.
   • Wait a few seconds to ensure the device fully powers down.
   • Switch the power ON by toggling the power switch back to the ON position.
2. This complete power cycle will reinitialize the radio module at the hardware level.
3. If the issue persists after this hardware restart, it may indicate a hardware fault. Please contact technical support for further assistance.

Why do I see a “Battery Low” warning? Why does the Pad continue to drain power after shutdown, and how should I handle it?

When the Pad battery becomes low, the system will show warnings and may initiate an automatic shutdown countdown. This is designed to prevent deep discharge and protect the device.

Even after performing a software shutdown, if the physical power switch is not turned off, the mainboard’s standby circuitry will continue to draw power. Over time, this may cause the battery to fully drain, leading to:

• The device not powering on
• The device failing to charge
• The battery entering deep-discharge protection (appearing completely unresponsive)
• Permanent reduction of battery lifespan

Recommended Actions:

1. When you see a Battery Low warning, charge the device as soon as possible.
2. If a shutdown countdown appears, you must plug in the charger immediately.
3. If the device will not be used for an extended period, always turn off the physical power switch.
4. If the Pad does not respond at all, connect the charger and leave it charging for at least 30 minutes, then try powering it on again.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please contact technical support for further assistance.

Battery indicator shows low battery - what should I do?

You have two options for powering the device:

Option 1: Battery Charging only (Recommended)

• Turn off the device by pressing the power switch to the OFF position
• Connect the power adapter to the top DC port to charge the battery
• This is the recommended method for charging the battery

Option 2: Direct Power Input (For use while charging)

• If you need to use the device while it is charging, connect an external power source (5 V, ≥ 2 A) to the right-side Type-C port (direct power input port)
• Ensure the power switch is in the OFF position, and connect the power adapter to the top DC port to charge the battery simultaneously
• This setup allows the device to operate on external power while the internal battery continues charging
• Ideal for extended testing sessions where you need uninterrupted operation during charging

Network and Connectivity

How do I connect the pad to the Internet?

You can connect the device to the Internet using either Wi-Fi or Ethernet:

• Wi-Fi: Refer to Manage Wi-Fi for instructions on how to scan, select, and connect to a wireless network.

• Ethernet: Simply plug an Ethernet cable into the ETH port located on the top side of the Pad to establish a wired connection.

How do I check my IP address?

You can check the IP address from the Wi-Fi Management page:

1. Go to Settings > Manage Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the network connection indicator in the top right corner of the screen. If the pad is connected to a hotspot or Ethernet, it will display the IP address.

What happens if the network drops during map download?

If the connection is lost or unstable during map download, you will receive an error message. You can retry the download once the connection is stable. The download will resume from where it left off if possible.

Data Export and Reports

What file formats can be exported?

CSV file: Contains all raw testing records, including both labeled and unlabeled points. Each record includes detailed fields such as timestamp, GPS coordinates, RSSI, SNR, data rate, distance, and other uplink/downlink parameters. This format is suitable for deep analysis, troubleshooting, or importing into external tools (e.g., Excel, GIS software, or data visualization platforms).

PDF file: Contains summarized statistics based on labeled test points, including average RSSI/SNR, packet-loss rate, uplink/downlink performance, and signal-quality scatter charts. The PDF may also include an optional geolocation map for a quick visual overview of signal distribution. This format is suitable for reporting, documentation, and sharing results with stakeholders.

How do I export data to a USB drive?

You can export test logs in CSV or PDF format. For detailed steps, refer to the guide here: Export Reports (CSV / PDF).

How do I include a map in the PDF report?

1. Select a time range on the Report page
2. Switch to the Geolocation view using the "Signal/Geolocation" toggle button
3. Adjust the map to show the desired area
4. Return to the Signal view
5. Press "Open Historical Report" to save the current map view to the PDF

How is the packet-loss rate calculated in the report?

The Field Tester Pad calculates packet-loss rate using a frame counter and a sliding window of 50 packets.

How it works:

• Every uplink and downlink message contains a frame sequence number.
• Each new packet increases the sequence number by 1.
• The Pad compares the expected number of packets (based on sequence numbers) with the actual number received within the latest 50 records.

Example:

If the Pad receives packets with sequence numbers 2, 4, and 5:

• Expected packets = 5 − 2 + 1 = 4
• Received packets = 3
• Packet-loss rate = (4 − 3) / 4 = 25%

When the window reaches 50 packets: The same calculation is applied to the latest 50 sequence numbers, removing the oldest entry each time a new packet arrives.

Additional Notes:

• Uplink and downlink packet-loss rates use the same calculation method.
• When you update a label, the sliding window is cleared and packet-loss statistics restart from zero.
• Sequence numbers automatically restart from 1 after reaching their maximum range.

How is data collected and why do uplink counts sometimes differ?

The Field Tester Pad records an uplink entry only when a corresponding downlink acknowledgment is received. This is part of the system design to ensure the Pad displays only confirmed uplink results.

Uplink data in the report may be incomplete if some downlink packets were lost, because the Pad cannot log uplinks without their matching downlink responses.

For a complete uplink history, refer to the gateway-side CSV exported from the Field Test Data Processor extension, which captures all uplink packets directly from the gateway, regardless of whether a downlink was received.

Downlink statistics on the Pad are always complete, since the device records every downlink it actually receives.

Configuration and Settings

What LoRa parameters can be configured?

On the Configuration page, you can configure:

• DevEUI: Device Extended Unique Identifier
• AppEUI: Application Extended Unique Identifier
• AppKey: Application Key
• Band: Frequency band (e.g., US915, EU868)
• ADR: Adaptive Data Rate (enabled/disabled)
• Transmit Interval: Time between transmissions (in seconds)
• Uplink Data Rate (DR): Data rate for uplink transmissions
• Transmit Power: Transmission power level

What happens when I apply LoRa configuration?

• Any ongoing field testing will automatically stop
• The changes will be applied to the LoRa chip (this may take a few seconds)
• You will see a success toast message when the changes are applied
• You will need to manually restart the test from the Dashboard page

How do I clear cached data?

To clear cached data, refer to Manage Cache.

How do I reset the onboarding guide?

Go to Settings and press the "Reset OnBoarding" button. This will re-enable the onboarding guide that appears on first launch.