Many people want to build a node to test their own TTN (The Things Network) gateway and build new use cases. Itās not that hard to build a node when you know which components to buy. With this post Iāve collected some information which might save you time in getting the things together.
Building a node is the easiest using a RN2483 module which can be controlled using text commands via a serial interface.
Shopping list:
- Breakout board which makes prototyping easy withĀ theĀ RN2483.
- Microchip RN2483. Use google to find a supplier and buy the appropriate frequency.
- Antenna ConnectorĀ (itās a link to ebay).
You slide this connector on the print so the print should fit between the bottom and middle pins. You solder all 5 pins to the print. - 868 Mhz Antenna (ebay link).
- bigger Antenna (ebay link, not yet received)
Next, the RN2483 is 3.3volts. It seems you can add a voltage regulator to the board. I didnāt tried that yet. I just connected VCC to 3.3 volt output pin on my Arduino Uno. I used a 3.3Volt Logic Level module to connect the 5 volt output pins from the Arduino savely to the RN2483.
You can find a lot of info on the forum of TheThingsNetwork in the TTN UNO BETA topic.
There is an Arduino Library available on GitHub. An example sketch is included and you can find the configuration parameters in the rn2483.cpp file. This file contains the serial commands send to the RN2483 module. Check theĀ RN2483 LoRa Technology Module Command Reference Userās Guide for explanation of these commands.
With the above post I hopeĀ to save you some time searching for the parts needed so you can start building your own instead of searching through many forum posts.
HAVE FUN!!