RAK2461 WisNode Bridge IO Lite Quick Start Guide

The RAK2461 WisNode Bridge IO Lite is an industrial-grade LoRaWAN bridge device that connects digital inputs, digital outputs, and RS-485 industrial equipment to a LoRaWAN network. This guide covers hardware setup interface configuration and network preparation before field deployment.

Hardware Preparation

Package Inclusions

Variant for Wall Mounting

Figure 1: RAK2461 Package Inclusions (Wall Mount)

• One (1) RAK2461 WisNode Bridge IO Lite (RS485-DIx4-DOx1 or RS485-DOx4)
• One (1) Screw Kit
• One (1) LoRa Antenna
• One (1) Power Adapter
• One (1) USB Cable (Type C to Type A)
• One (1) 4-Pin Terminal Block
• Two (2) 8-Pin Terminal Block

Variant for DIN Rail Mounting

Figure 1: RAK2461 Package Inclusions (DIN Rail)

• One (1) RAK2461 WisNode Bridge IO Lite (RS485-DIx4-DOx1 or RS485-DOx4)
• One (1) DIN rail Mounting Kit
• One (1) LoRa Antenna
• One (1) Power Adapter
• One (1) USB Cable (Type C to Type A)
• One (1) 4-Pin Terminal Block
• Two (2) 8-Pin Terminal Block

Prerequisite

Before installation, ensure that the external devices to be connected are available and ready:

• RS-485 devices
• Digital Input (DI) devices
• Digital Output (DO / Relay) devices

Hardware Assembly

Attach LoRa Antenna

Attach the provided LoRa antenna to the antenna connector on the RAK2461.

NOTE

Always install the LoRa antenna before powering on the device. Operating the device without an antenna may degrade RF performance or cause damage to the RF front end.

Connect Device to Bridge IO Device

Refer to the link below and connect the RS485, Digital Input, and Digital Output devices to the corresponding terminal blocks on the RAK2461.

• Connect RS485 Device to Bridge IO Device
• Connect DI Device to Bridge IO Device
• Connect DO Device to Bridge IO Device

These interfaces allow the Bridge IO to collect field data and control external devices through LoRaWAN.

Power On the RAK2461

1. The RAK2461 device can be powered either by:

• 9–24 VDC input
• USB Type-C

Figure 1: Power interface connection

NOTE

• The USB Type-C port is intended for configuration and powering the device only.
• When powered via USB Type-C, the Vout port does NOT supply power to connected sensors.
• To power both the RAK2461 and connected sensors, use the 9–24 VDC input.

Network Setup Before Deployment

Before deploying the device in the field, configure the interfaces and LoRaWAN parameters locally to ensure correct operation and reduce the risk of network or configuration issues on site.

Prerequisites

• A LoRaWAN gateway within range
• A Windows / macOS / Linux computer
• Download and install the IO.Box Desktop application:
  • Windows
  • Linux (coming soon)
  • Mac (coming soon)
  After installation, launch the application to proceed.

Connect Bridge IO Device to IO.Box

To configure the Bridge IO device, connect it to a PC using a USB Type-C configuration cable and access it through the IO.Box application. Follow the steps below:

1. Connect the RAK2461 to your computer using a USB Type-C cable.

   NOTE

   • Note that this will work for the LoRaWAN configuration, but when configuring the sensor you would need to connect the 9–24 VDC power supply in order to provide power to the sensor itself.
   • Make sure that the USB type-C cable that you are using supports data transfer and no other serial software is connected to the COM port that RAK2461 uses.

2. In the IO.Box console, click Connect Device.

Figure 1: IOBox get started

If the message No device detected appears, check the following:

• Double-check the quality of the USB cable and if the correct COM port is used.
• Check if other terminal software is active and still connected to the RAK2461.

Figure 1: No device error

4. On the IO.Box dashboard, all connected devices are displayed in a list showing their model numbers and EUIs. Click Connect next to the target device to begin configuration.

Interface Configuration

After connecting to IO.Box, configure the RS485, DI, and DO interfaces as follows:

• RS485 Interface Configuration
• Digital Input Interface Configuration
• Digital Output Interface Configuration

Configure LoRaWAN Parameters

After configuring the device interfaces, select LoRaWAN from the left menu in IO.Box to configure the LoRaWAN parameters. Once completed, the device can join the LoRaWAN network and transmit data.

On the main menu to the left, choose LoRaWAN to configure the LoRaWAN settings as needed. Do not forget to click Save below the changes.

• Device Status: Indicates the device’s connection status to the LoRaWAN network.

  • Red: The device is not connected to the LoRaWAN network.
  • Green: The device has successfully joined the LoRaWAN network.

• Device EUI: The unique identifier of the device.

• Region: Specifies the LoRaWAN frequency band used by the device. In this document, US915 is selected.

• Sub-band: Select the specific frequency sub-band based on the region's frequency plan. For US915, sub-bands 8–15 and 65 are selected.

• Public Network Mode: Determines whether standard LoRaWAN public network parameters are used. Enabled in this document.

• Join Mode: Defines how the device joins the LoRaWAN network. OTAA (Over-The-Air Activation) is selected.

• Class: The type of LoRaWAN communication used by the device. Select Class C.

• Application EUI: The application identifier for the device. Ensure it matches the Application EUI configured in the LoRa network server.

• Application Key: The security key for device-server encryption and authentication. Ensure it matches the Application key in the LoRa network server.

• Confirmed Mode: Message acknowledgment mode. Enabled in this document.

• ADR: Enable Adaptive Data Rate allowing the network server to control the data rate for your device. Enabled in this document.

Figure 1: LoRaWAN Configuration Tab

Connect Bridge IO to LNS for Uplink

After configuring the interface and LoRaWAN parameters, connect the Bridge IO to the LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) to forward data from the connected interfaces as LoRaWAN uplinks.

For detailed instructions, refer to the following guides:

• RS-485: Connect Bridge IO to LoRa Network Server for Uplink
• Digital Input: Connect Bridge IO to LoRa Network Server for Uplink
• Digital Output: Connect Bridge IO to LoRa Network Server for Uplink

Remote Device Configuration via LoRaWAN Downlink

The Bridge IO device can be configured remotely through LoRaWAN downlink commands. For detailed instructions, refer to the following guides:

• RS-485: Remote Device Configuration via LoRaWAN Downlink
• Digital Input: Remote Device Configuration via LoRaWAN Downlink
• Digital Output: Remote Device Configuration via LoRaWAN Downlink

Installation and Deployment

RAK2461 allows for two installation methods: wall mounting and DIN rail installation.

Wall Mounting

1. Drill the wall corresponding to the device dimensions and insert the anchors in the holes.

Figure 1: Hole drilling

2. Fix the device to the wall with two tapping screws.

Figure 1: Wall mounting

DIN Rail Mounting

1. Attach the DIN rail mounting clip on the device with two M3*6 countersink screws.

Figure 1: Attaching the clip

2. Mount the device to the DIN rail.

Figure 1: DIN rail mounting

After installation, power on the device and verify both uplink and downlink data transmission. Once communication is confirmed, the device is ready for normal operation in the field.