RAK7431 Quick Start Guide

Prerequisite

Before going through each and every step in the installation guide of the RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial, make sure to prepare the necessary items listed below:

Hardware Tools

RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial
Micro USB Cable
Gateway in Range, for Testing
A Windows/Mac OS/Linux Computer

Software Tools

Product Configuration

Typical Network Application

RAK7431 converts data from the RS485 protocol into LPWAN wireless messages and delivers it to a cloud server through an LPWAN gateway. Cloud servers can also proactively send data to RAK7431 for two-way data transmission. Using the RAK7431, you can convert data from a conventional RS485 wired network to a wireless network.

Figure 11851: Example communication with RS485 enabled devices

Connect the RAK7431 to the Sensor

Power Interface Configuration

The RAK7431 device can be powered either by:

DC (VIN/GND) terminals
Micro USB

The DC screw terminals are supporting 8 to 48 V_DC. The Micro USB port can be used to power the RAK7431, up to 5 V / 500 mA DC. At the same time, the USB port is used as the configuration port for the device. Using the USB cable to connect the RAK7431 to a computer’s USB port, you can import your configuration settings.

NOTE

The Micro USB port can be used only for powering the device. It cannot provide power to VOUT and power other devices in the RS485 network.

Figure 11852: RAK7431 bridge with connected sensor and power supply

Data Interface Configuration

The RAK7431 - RS485 serial interface can support up to 16 RS485 devices. VOUT on the data interface can supply external power to the RS485 connected devices (only when the device is powered from the DC input). The VOUT output voltage is the same as the DC input voltage VIN.

Figure 11853: RAK7431 Interface pin definition

Gateway Connection Settings

In this section, the RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial will be connected into the RAKwireless Gateway. For this guide, the RAK7289 WisGate Edge Pro V2 shall be used. Listed below are the requisites for this section:

RAK Serial Port Tool - used to configure the RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial
WisGateOS2 User Manual- guide on how to configure the RAK7289 WisGate Edge Pro V2

Gateway Configuration

Built-In Network Server Setup

Start by accessing the gateway. You can see how to do it on the WisGateOS V2 user manual.

Figure 11854: WisGateOS V2 login page

Once logged in, head to the LoRa menu.

Figure 11855: LoRa page

By default, the gateway works as a Built-In Network Server. If that is not the case, check the Built-in Network Server Mode Settings on the WisGateOS V2 User manual to switch the mode.

Adding Application

Once the gateway is in Built-in network server mode, head to the Applications tab.

Figure 11856: Create Application in the Built-In Network Server

Click the Add application button or add one now link to add a new application. On the new page, fill in the following information:

Application name - type a name for the application.
Application description - optionally you can write a description of the application.
Application Type - from the drop-down menu select the type of application.
Unified Application key - all devices will use the same application key. Selecting this option pops up an Application Key field. You can type your application key there or use the Autogenerate button to generate one.

Figure 11857: Unified application key

The Auto Add Device switch activates the Application EUI field. The device will be automatically added to the application after the application EUI and key verification.

Figure 11858: Auto add device

Separate Application keys – each device will have its own application key. The key is added when registering the device.
Payload type - from the drop-down, select CayenneLPP payload type and turn on the Only forward data object feature.

Figure 11859: Adding application

Once set, click Save application to add the application.
After the application is added, head to the End devices tab. The devices should automatically register upon join request if you are using the Auto Add Device feature.

Figure 11860: Successfully added end device

If that’s not the case, click the Add end device button. On the End device information page fill in the following information:

Activation Mode - choose the activation mode of your device:
- OTAA
- ABP - This mode pops up two additional fields:
  - Application Session Key
  - Network Session Key

Figure 11861: Adding ABP device

End device (group) name – the name of the device.
End device description (optional) – optionally, you can add a description for the device.
Class – the class of the device.
Frame Counter width – the width of the frame counter. Leave it as default.
LoRaWAN MAC Version – the LoRaWAN MAC version. V1.0.2 pops up a LoRaWAN Regional Parameters reversion field where you need to select the reversion of the device.

Figure 11862: Successfully created application

Adding the Device

Once everything is set, click Add end devices to go to the page and add the device.

Figure 11863: Adding end device

On the Adding end devices page, type the device EUI at the End Device EUI (main) and click Add to “End Devices list”.
- If the EUI is correct, the device will show in the End devices list.
- If the EUI is not correct, the devices will show in the End devices with an error.
Once the device is added to the End devices list click Add end devices. Confirm you are adding the device.

Figure 11864: Confirmation message for adding a device

RAK7431 Configuration

Connect the RAK7431 to Your Network

Connect the RAK7431 to a computer using the Micro USB cable.
Open the RAK Serial Tool and select the correct COM port. The default baud rate is 115200.
After selecting, press Open.

Figure 11865: RAK Serial Tool

To set up the Device EUI, run the command:

AT+DEVEUI=<Device EUI>

To check the Device EUI run:

AT+DEVEUI

To set up the Application EUI run the command:

AT+APPEUI=<application EUI>

To set up the Application Key run the command:

AT+APPKEY=<application Key>

To check the previously configured Application EUI and Key, run the commands:

AT+APPEUI

AT+APPKEY

Figure 11866: Configuring the RAK7431

Set the Frequency Region

The node supports the following Regional Frequencies:

EU433
CN470
CN470ALI
RU864
IN865
EU868
US915
AU915
KR920
AS923

For this demonstration, EU868 shall be used. To set the desired regional frequency band use the command:

AT+REGION=EU868

NOTE

The regional frequency settings need to be consistent with the RAK commercial gateway supported band.

Data Serial Port Rate Setting

NOTE

The baud rate setting needs to be consistent with the baud rate of the sensor, which is 9600.

The AT command for execution is:

AT+BAUDRATE=9600

Operating and Activation Mode Settings

Supported operating modes are two: Class A and Class C. To set the operating mode (Class C in this case), you need to execute the AT command:

AT+CLASS=C

NOTE

Changes will take effect as soon as they are made.

Activation mode supports the following two modes: ABP and OTAA. To set the activation mode (OTAA in this case), you need to execute the AT command:

AT+JOINMODE=OTAA

Restart is needed for the modification to take effect. To restart the RAK7431, execute the command:

AT+RESTART

If everything is configured right, after the execution of the restart command this output pops up in the RAK Serial Tool:

Figure 11867: RAK7431 Successful Join

Configure RAK7431 Working Modes

Data Transparent Mode

When the RS485 data interface works in Modbus mode, the data encapsulation format can be divided into two types: transparent mode and non-transparent mode.

In transparent mode, the Modbus execution instruction response data (data, received by the node) will be directly forwarded through the LoRaWAN network.
In the non-transparent mode, the Modbus execution instruction response data (data, received by the node) will be encapsulated in the message header according to the Modbus protocol, and then transmitted to the server through LoRaWAN.

NOTE

The non-transparent mode is the default one.

Enter the following AT command in the RAK Serial Tool to change the mode:

AT+TRANSPARENT=n

n	Condition
0	transparent mode is turned off
1	it is turned on

NOTE

The change takes effect immediately after modification.

Scheduled Polling Function

When the device works in MODBUS mode, it supports the scheduled polling function.

This means that the device will perform a polling operation every given period (polling cycle). During polling, the device will send the pre-added MODBUS instructions in turn and forward the corresponding response data through the LoRaWAN network.

The device turns on the scheduled polling by default. The AT command for this is:

AT+ENABLEPOLL=n

n	Condition
0	turns scheduled polling off
1	turns it on

NOTE

The modification takes effect after restart.

Figure 11868: Scheduled polling example

Scheduled Polling Cycle

This command sets/reads the scheduled polling cycle. This command only works if scheduled polling is enabled. The modification takes effect after the next polling cycle or a restart.

Example: To set the polling cycle to 60 seconds, use this command:

AT+POLLPERIOD=60

RAK7431 supports polling mode, which stores up to 32 query instructions at a maximum length of 128 bytes per instruction. Polling intervals and wait times can be adjusted as needed. RAK7431 converts the data returned by the RS485 node into a LoRaWAN message, which can be sent to the LoRaWAN gateway as is or encapsulated. In transparent mode, the data for the RS485 is sent in the payload of the LoRa message as is, and in non-transparent mode, the data of RS485 is encapsulated in the LoRa message with a header and validation.

Add Polling Instructions

To add polling instruction, execute the AT command:

AT+ADDPOLL=<n>:<xxxx>

Parameter	Description	Value Range
n	polling instruction ID	1 to 127
xxxx	polling instruction content; hexadecimal string	128 bytes max

According to the temperature and humidity register address of the temperature and humidity sensor in the example and the RS485 address, the polling instruction should be:

AT+ADDPOLL=1:010300000002C40B

Example: If you have added multiple RS485 temperature and humidity sensors, continue to increase the polling instructions based on the RS485 address and register address, for example:

RS485 Temperature and humidity sensor addr: 01, Polling 1: 010300000002C40B
RS485 Temperature and humidity sensor addr: 04, Polling 2: 040300000002C45E
RS485 Temperature and humidity sensor addr: 08, Polling 3: 080300000002C492
RS485 Temperature and humidity sensor addr: 0F, Polling 4: 0F0300000002C525

You will need to increase the polling instruction by the following AT commands:

AT+ADDPOLL=1:010300000002C40B

AT+ADDPOLL=2:040300000002C45E

AT+ADDPOLL=3:080300000002C492

AT+ADDPOLL=4:0F0300000002C525

The RAK7431 sends an instruction to the sensor every 1 minute to obtain temperature and humidity data, and the following is the result of 3 consecutive scheduled polls:

DTU Tx: The polling instruction sent to the Sensors over RS485 Data Interface
DTU Rx: The sensor data received.
LoRa Tx：Send the received data through a LoRaWAN network.

Figure 11869: Data in transparent mode

Figure 11870: Data in non-transparent mode

Humidity calculation: hex is 0210, the decimal is 528, converted humidity is 52.8% RH.
Temperature calculation: hex is 012F, the decimal is 303, converted temperature is 30.3° C.

MQTT Subscribe to Data Server

To better demonstrate the functionality, you will use the gateway MQTT integration feature to subscribe to the Built-In Network Server Topics, using the MQTT client, to obtain data and send instructions to the RAK7431. To communicate with the MQTT bridge in the gateway, you need to use MQTT Topic Templates.

MQTT Topic Configuration:

Application/{{application_ID}}/device/{{device_EUI}}/join
Application/{{application_ID}}/device/{{device_EUI}}/rx
Application/{{application_ID}}/device/{{device_EUI}}/tx
Application/{{application_ID}}/device/{{device_EUI}}/ack
Application/{{application_ID}}/device/{{device_EUI}}/status

Download and install MQTTfx tool to read the topics and send data to the gateway and node.
After installation, the MQTT Client must be configured. Select local mosquitto from the drop-down list and click the edit connection profiles icon marked in the image below to open the settings page.

Figure 11871: MQTT.fx Client

On the next window, input the Broker Address and Broker Port. If the Client ID is empty press Generate. Then click OK.

Broker Address: Address of MQTT server – the gateway IP.
Broker Port: Consistent with MQTT Broker Port set by the gateway - by default 1883.

Figure 11872: MQTT.fx settings

Click on the Connect button. The green dot indicates that the connection is successfully subscribed to the MQTT Broker.

Figure 11873: MQTT.fx connected successfully

If you want to receive all data from the MQTT Bridge, use the wildcard character #.

Choose the Subscribe tab, enter the wildcard and press Subscribe.

Figure 11874: Subscribing to MQTT Broker with wildcard

If the node sends data, the MQTT client will display it as it is subscribed to the topic.

Figure 11875: Subscribed topic

Notice that the data field is in base64 format, which has to be converted to hex string to be useful. You can change the data format from the built-in server settings.

This is done by going to LoRa>Application, select the application you created and enter the "Configuration" interface of the application. Chose HEX String in Decode Type . Press Save changes.

Figure 11876: Change the Data Encode/Decode Type

RAK7431 Remote Control and Configuration via MQTT.fx

To remotely control the RAK7431 you need to publish messages to the Gateway’s Network Server MQTT “TX” topic.

Add a Scheduled Polling Task List

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x03	2Byte	2Byte	TASK_ID	DATA
0x03	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte	nByte

NOTE

The message length does not contain the header.

Example: You will add a polling instruction.

Publish topic:

application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

NOTE

Application ID and Device EUI should be consistent with the settings within the gateway.

To successfully complete this, the JSON data format must be followed.

Content of the uplink:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"030001000901010300000002C40B"
}

Parameter	Description
"confirmed":true	This indicates that the downlink to the RAK7431 will be confirmed for successful receiving.
"fPort":129	Defines the port that you want to send the command. (For more information on the fPort see the AT Command Manual for RAK7431)
"data":"030001000901010300000002C40B"	The data of the task in hexadecimal format.

The content of the data that you will send is:

Figure 11877: Data arrangement

DTU command word
The message number
Message length (excluding header)
The task ID
The content of the task

Figure 11878: Publishing data to RX topic

After publishing the data, you can see the downlink instruction and uplink answer from the RAK Serial Tool:

Figure 11879: Received data and sent an answer

Message format when execution is successful:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x83	2Byte	2Byte	TASK_ID
0x83	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte

The MQTT subscription bar can see the upstream message "83000100010101" for successful execution.

Figure 11880: Received confirmation of the task

Remove the Scheduled Polling Task List

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x04	2Byte	2Byte	TASK_ID
0x04	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte

Example: Removal of timed polling temperature and humidity sensor task order on a node:

Publish the topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
 "fPort":129,
"data":"040001000101"
}

Figure 11881: Remove poll downlink message

Message format when execution is successful:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x84	2Byte	2Byte	TASK_ID
0x84	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte

Figure 11882: Poll removed successfully message

The MQTT subscription bar sees the upstream message "84000100010101", which means the task was successfully removed.

Read the Scheduled Polling Task List

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x05	2Byte	2Byte	TASK_ID
0x05	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte

Publish topic:

application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"050001000101"
}

Figure 11883: Publishing the read poll task message

Perform successful upstream message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x85	2Byte	2Byte	TASK_ID	DATA
0x85	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte	nByte

Open the MQTT subscription column that is to see to the performance of the above line: "8500010009010103000000002C40B" is the query to the task, the order ID is 1, the task order content is 010300000002C40B (example registers).

Figure 11884: Received message from the node

Read the LoRa Configuration

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x06	2Byte	2Byte	0Byte

Publish topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
 "data":"0600010000"
}

Figure 11885: Publish LoRa configuration read message

Perform successful upstream message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x86	2Byte	2Byte	DATA RATE	TXPWR	CONFIRM	RETRY	ADR	DUTY CYCLE
0x86	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte

DATARATE: Speed rate (0 – 5)
TXPOWER: The transmit power level (0 – 20)
CONFIRM: Whether to turn on ACK 0 – off, 1 – on
RETRY: Maximum re-transmission times when ACK is on (0 ~ 15)
ADR: Whether to turn on the dynamic rate adjustment 0 – off, 1 - on
DUTY CYCLE: Whether to turn on duty cycle limit 0 – off, 1 – on

Figure 11886: Received message with LoRa configuration

Open the MQTT subscription bar to see the upstream message "860001000006000010301000000" to read the LoRa configuration based on the upstream message format for the successful execution above.

Change the LoRa Configuration

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x07	2Byte	2Byte	DATA RATE	TXPWR	CONFIRM	RETRY	ADR	DUTY CYCLE
0x07	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte

Publish topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"070001000601050103010"
}

The above command changes the data rate to "1" and the transmit power to "5".

Figure 11887: Publish change LoRa configuration data

Perform successful upstream message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x87	2Byte	2Byte	0Byte

Open the MQTT subscription bar to see the upstream message for successful execution: "8700010000".

Figure 11888: Received confirmation message

Reset the Default LoRa Configuration

Publish topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"1D00010000"
}

Figure 11889: Publish reset the default LoRa configuration

Open the MQTT subscription bar to see the upstream message for successful execution: "9D00010000".

Figure 11890: Received Data

LORA configuration default values:

DATARATE	TXPOWER	CONFIRM	RETRY	ADR_ENABlE	DUTYCYCLE_ENABLE
0 – DR_0	19 -19dBm	1 – open	3 times	1 – open	0 – close

Read the DTU Configuration

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x08	2Byte	2Byte	0Byte

Publish topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"0800010000"
}

Figure 11891: Publish message for reading the DTU configuration

Uplink data message format when execution successful:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x88	2Byte	2Byte	POLL ENABLE	POLL PERIOD	BUS TIMEOUT	RETRY	RS485
0x88	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte	4Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte

POLL ENABLE: Enables scheduled polling, 0 - off, 1 - on
POLL PERIOD: Polling period, in seconds
BUS TIMEOUT: Bus timeout. The unit is seconds
RETRY: Number of retries after bus timeout. 0 - turn off retry function
RS485: 485 bus parameters

Open the MQTT subscription bar to see the upstream message "8800010000800000003C010050" to read the DTU configuration according to the successful upstream message format above.

Figure 11892: Received message with current DTU configuration

Change the DTU POLL Configuration

Downlink instruction message format:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x09	2Byte	2Byte	POLL ENABLE	POLL PERIOD	BUS TIMEOUT	RETRY	RS485
0x09	2Byte	2Byte	1Byte	4Byte	1Byte	1Byte	1Byte

Publish topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"09000100080100000E10010050"
}

The above command changes the polling period to only 1 hour.

Figure 11893: Publish message for change the DTU configuration

Uplink data message format when execution successful:

DTU_CMD	MSER	MDATA_LEN	MDATA
0x89	2Byte	2Byte	0Byte

Open the MQTT subscription bar to see the upstream message for successful execution: "8900010000".

Figure 11894: Received confirmation message

Reset the Default DTU Configuration

Publish topic:

Application/1/device/60c5a8fffe75404b/tx

Content:

{
"confirmed":true,
"fPort":129,
"data":"1E00010000"
}

Figure 11895: Publish reset the default DTU configuration

Open the MQTT subscription bar to see the upstream message for successful execution: "9E00010000".

Figure 11896: Received Data

DTU Configure the initial value:

POLL_ENABLE	POLL_PERIOD	BUS_TIMEOUT	RS485
1 - on	3600 seconds	1 second	0xE0

Connecting to the Helium Network

Helium has quickly become the most widespread LPWAN communal network with more than 27,000 devices deployed globally. All the RAKwireless node products are compatible with it and the process of adding a device to the network is intuitive and straightforward.

This section will focus on giving a brief guide on how to connect the RAK7431 to the network console, assuming that there is a Helium Hotspot within range.

Figure 11897: Helium Console

Once registered/logged in, you will end up at the home page where you can see your function tree on the left and your DC balance at the top, as well as several useful links.

Figure 11898: Helium console home screen

Go to the Devices section in the function tree. If this is your first time doing this, there will be no devices registered. Click the + Add Device button to get started.

Figure 11899: Devices section

A window will pop up with a set of a field containing the device parameters required for its registration.

Figure 11900: Adding a new device

Fill in a name of your choosing. The Dev EUI, App EUI, and App Key will have random values generated for you by default. Press the eye icon to reveal the values. You can manually replace them with values of your own. For this tutorial, use the default values. Press the Submit button, and you are done.

Figure 11901: Helium devices

Now, your RAK7431 is registered and is awaiting activation. For this to happen, you need to import the Dev EUI, App EUI, and App Key in the RAK7431 using the RAK Serial Port Tool.

Open the tool, select the desired port (default baud rate) and open it. Then start importing your settings.

Configure your LoRa band and activation mode. This tutorial will be using the EU868 band and OTAA (the only option available for now with Helium) with device class A (default one, does not need configuring).

Regional band, device class, and activation mode setting

at+joinmode=OTAA

at+region=EU868

Enter the Dev UI

Use the command below by replacing the XXXX with your Device EUI from the Helium console:

at+deveui=XXXX

Enter the App EUI

The same as with the Device EUI, replace the XXXX with your value:

at+appeui=XXXX

Enter App Key

Finally, fill in the App key with the following command:

at+appkey=XXXX

Join Network

Run the following AT command in order for the node to join the network.

Once the procedure is initiated and successfully complete, you will have a notification in the serial console.

at+restart

Figure 11902: RAK7431 EUIs and key

If you take a look at the Helium console, you will also see the join request packets both in the graph and event log. Your node is now a part of the Helium Network.

Figure 11903: Helium console live device data

Connecting to The Things Network V3 (TTNv3)

At The Things Conference 2021, it was announced that The Things Network is upgrading to The Things Stack v3. In this section, it will be shown how to connect RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial to The Things Stack. To login into the TTNv3, head on here. If you already have a TTN account, you can use your The Things ID credentials to log in.

Figure 11904: The Things Stack Home Page

Figure 11905: Console Page after successful login

NOTE

To be able to connect RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial to TTNv3 you should already have connected a gateway in range to TTNv2 or TTNv3, or you have to be sure that you are in the range of a public gateway.

Adding an Application

NOTE

This tutorial is for EU868 Frequency band.

To create an application, choose Create an application (for new users that do not already have created applications) or Go to applications > + Add application (for users that have created applications before).

Figure 11906: Create an application page

Fill in the needed information:

Owner - Automatically filled by The Things Stack, based on your account or created Organization.
Application ID - This will be the unique ID of your application in the Network. Note that the ID must contain only lowercase letters, numbers, and dashes (-).
Application name (optional) - This is the name of your application.
Description (optional) – Description of your application. Optional application description; can also be used to save notes about the application.

After you fill in the information, click Create application. If everything is filled in correctly, you will see the same page, as shown in Figure 53.

Figure 11907: Application Overview

Registering and Configuring the Device In OTAA Mode

Registering the Device in OTAA Mode

From the Application Overview page, click on + Add end device.

Figure 11908: Adding a device in OTAA mode

Below the Register end device heading you can find two options for registering a device. Since RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial is part of The LoRaWAN Device Repository, you can register it From The LoRaWAN Repository option. In the Brand dropdown menu find and select RAKwireless Technology Co. and a Model field will pop up next to it. In it choose RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial.

Figure 11909: Choosing the device

After choosing the device, three more fields will pop up.

Hardware Ver. – Version of the hardware. This is the only option, so leave it as default.
Firmware Ver. – Version of the firmware. This is the only option, so leave it as default.
Profile (Region) – Here the region is chosen.

NOTE

For this example, the EU_863_870 is chosen.

Next, an Enter registration data heading will pop up below. Scroll down to enter the required data for the device.

Figure 11910: Registration Data

Here you must enter the following information:

Frequency plan – Note: For this example, you will choose Europe 863-870 MHz (SF9 for RX2 - recommended).
AppEUI - The AppEUI uniquely identifies the owner of the end device. It is provided by the device manufacturer. To get the AppEUI, connect your device via USB cable to your computer. Open RAK Serial Port Tool, choose the correct COM port and BaudRate and run the following command:

AT+APPEUI

Figure 11911: AppEUI of the device

DevEUI - The DevEUI is the unique identifier for this end device. It is provided by the manufacturer and is printed on the label on the back of the device.
AppKey - The root key to deriving session keys to secure communication between the end device and the application. AppKey can be generated by clicking the Generate button .
End device ID – The End device ID is automatically filled based on the DevEUI. It can be changed. Note that the end device ID must contain only lowercase letters, numbers, and dashes (-).

NOTE

If you are going to register more than one device of this type, you can choose the option Register another end device of this type and be transferred to the same page to register the next device.

After filling in the registration information, click Register end device.

Configuring the Device in OTAA Mode

For configuring the node you will need the following three parameters: Device EUI, Application EUI, and Application Key. You can see them all in the Device Overview page, but since the two EUI's come with the device, you only need the Application Key from there.

Figure 11912: OTAA device parameters

Using the RAK Serial Port Tool, set the join mode, device class, and your LoRaWAN region to your correct frequency band, with the following set of AT commands:

For the join mode (OTAA)

AT+JOINMODE=OTAA

For the class (Supported classes are: Class A, Class B and Class C. Remember for different classes to change the command with the correct letter, for example for Class B it will be AT+CLASS=B, in this case it is Class A.)

AT+CLASS=A

For the region, replace the frequency band with the one for your LoRaWAN region. Refer to the TTN site for your frequency plan.

AT+REGION=EU868

Figure 11913: Setting up the RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial operation modes

NOTE

The following tutorial is based on using the EU868 frequency band.

Now that those parameters are set, enter the App Key, using the command below. Remember to replace the "XXXX" with the corresponding parameter value for your particular case.

AT+APPKEY=XXXX

Figure 11914: Setting up the RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial OTAA parameters

To connect to the LoRaWAN Network after configuration, the device must be restarted. Restart it with the command:

AT+RESTART

Figure 11915: Joining the network confirmation

You can see in the Live data feed that the RAK7431 WisNode Bridge Serial is successfully joined.

Figure 11916: Receiving data in the Live data feed

RAK7431 Quick Start Guide

Prerequisite​

Hardware Tools​

Software Tools​

Product Configuration​

Typical Network Application​

Connect the RAK7431 to the Sensor​

Power Interface Configuration​

Data Interface Configuration​

Gateway Connection Settings​

Gateway Configuration​

Built-In Network Server Setup​

Adding Application​

Adding the Device​

RAK7431 Configuration​

Connect the RAK7431 to Your Network​

Set the Frequency Region​

Data Serial Port Rate Setting​

Operating and Activation Mode Settings​

Configure RAK7431 Working Modes​

Data Transparent Mode​

Scheduled Polling Function​

Scheduled Polling Cycle​

Add Polling Instructions​

MQTT Subscribe to Data Server​

RAK7431 Remote Control and Configuration via MQTT.fx​

Add a Scheduled Polling Task List​

Remove the Scheduled Polling Task List​

Read the Scheduled Polling Task List​

Read the LoRa Configuration​

Change the LoRa Configuration​

Reset the Default LoRa Configuration​

Read the DTU Configuration​

Change the DTU POLL Configuration​

Reset the Default DTU Configuration​

Connecting to the Helium Network​

Connecting to The Things Network V3 (TTNv3)​

Adding an Application​

Registering and Configuring the Device In OTAA Mode​

Registering the Device in OTAA Mode​

Configuring the Device in OTAA Mode​

Prerequisite

Hardware Tools

Software Tools

Product Configuration

Typical Network Application

Connect the RAK7431 to the Sensor

Power Interface Configuration

Data Interface Configuration

Gateway Connection Settings

Gateway Configuration

Built-In Network Server Setup

Adding Application

Adding the Device

RAK7431 Configuration

Connect the RAK7431 to Your Network

Set the Frequency Region

Data Serial Port Rate Setting

Operating and Activation Mode Settings

Configure RAK7431 Working Modes

Data Transparent Mode

Scheduled Polling Function

Scheduled Polling Cycle

Add Polling Instructions

MQTT Subscribe to Data Server

RAK7431 Remote Control and Configuration via MQTT.fx

Add a Scheduled Polling Task List

Remove the Scheduled Polling Task List

Read the Scheduled Polling Task List

Read the LoRa Configuration

Change the LoRa Configuration

Reset the Default LoRa Configuration

Read the DTU Configuration

Change the DTU POLL Configuration

Reset the Default DTU Configuration

Connecting to the Helium Network

Connecting to The Things Network V3 (TTNv3)

Adding an Application

Registering and Configuring the Device In OTAA Mode

Registering the Device in OTAA Mode

Configuring the Device in OTAA Mode