LPS8N - LoRaWAN Gateway User Manual

Version 154.1 by Xiaoling on 2022/07/07 09:44

Table of Contents：

1. Introduction

1.1 What is the LPS8N

The LPS8N is an open source LoRaWAN Indoor Gateway. It lets you bridge LoRa wireless network to an IP network via WiFi, Ethernet, 3G or 4G cellular network. The LoRa wireless allows users to send data and reach extremely long ranges at low data-rates.

The LPS8N uses Semtech packet forwarder & LoRaWAN Station connection and fully compatible with LoRaWAN protocol. It includes a SX1302 LoRaWAN concentrator, which provides 10 programmable parallel demodulation paths.

LPS8N has pre-configured standard LoRaWAN frequency bands to use for different countries. User can also customized the frequency bands to use in their own LoRa network.

LPS8N can communicate with ABP LoRaWAN end node without LoRaWAN server. System integrator can use it to integrate with their existing IoT Service without set up own LoRaWAN server or use 3rd party LoRaWAN service.

1.2 Specifications

Hardware System:

Linux Part:

400Mhz ar9331 processor
64MB RAM
16MB Flash

Interface:

10M/100M RJ45 Ports x 1
WiFi : 802.11 b/g/n
LoRaWAN Wireless
Power Input: 5V DC, 2A, Type C
USB 2.0 host connector x 1
Mini-PCI E connector x 1
SX1302 + 2 x SX1250

WiFi Spec:

IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Frequency Band: 2.4 ~ 2.462GHz
Tx power:
- 11n tx power : mcs7/15: 11db mcs0 : 17db
- 11b tx power: 18db
- 11g 54M tx power: 12db
- 11g 6M tx power: 18db
Wifi Sensitivity
- 11g 54M : -71dbm
- 11n 20M : -67dbm

LoRa Spec:

Up to -140 dBm sensitivity
70 dB CW interferer rejection at 1 MHz offset
Able to operate with negative SNR, CCR up to 9dB
Emulates 49 x LoRa demodulators and 1 x (G)FSK demodulator
Dual digital TX & RX radio front-end interfaces
10 programmable parallel demodulation paths
Dynamic data-rate (DDR) adaptation
True antenna diversity or simultaneous dual-band operation

Cellular 4G LTE (optional):

Quectel EC25 LTE module
Micro SIM Slot
External 4G Sticker Antenna.
Up to 150Mbps downlink and 50Mbps uplink data rates
Worldwide LTE,UMTS/HSPA+ and GSM/GPRS/EDGE coverage
MIMO technology meets demands for data rate and link reliability in modem wireless communication systems

1.3 Features

Open Source OpenWrt system
Managed by Web GUI, SSH via WAN or WiFi
Remote access with Reverse-SSH or remote.it
Emulates 49x LoRa demodulators
LoRaWAN Gateway
10 programmable parallel demodulation paths
Pre-configure to support different LoRaWAN regional settings.
Allow to customize LoRaWAN regional parameters.
Support Local decode ABP end node info and transfer to MQTT server
Support different level log in.
Support Semtech Packet Forwarder
Support LoRaWAN basic station.
Optional 3G/4G cellular connection

1.4 Hardware System Structure

1.5 LPS8N Applications

1.6 LED Indicators

LPS8N has totally four LEDs, They are:

Power LED : This RED LED will be solid on if the device is properly powered.
LoRa LED : This RGB LED will blink GREEN when LoRaWAN module starts or transmit a packet.
SYS LED : This RGB LED will shows different colors on different state:
- SOLID BLUE: Device is alive with LoRaWAN server connection.
- BLINKING BLUE: a) Device has internet connection but no LoRaWAN Connection. or b) Device is in booting stage, in this stage, it will BLINKING BLUE for several seconds and then with SOLID RED and BLINKING BLUE together
- SOLID RED: Device doesn't have Internet connection.

ETH LED : This LED shows the ETH interface connection status.

2. Access and Configure LPS8N

The LPS8N is configured as a WiFi Access Point by factory default. You can access and configure the LPS8N after connecting to its WiFi network, or via its WAN Ethernet port.

2.1 Find IP address of LPS8N

2.1.1 Connect via WiFi

At the first boot of LPS8N, it will auto generate a WiFi network called dragino-xxxxxx with password: dragino+dragino

User can use a PC to connect to this WiFi network. The PC will get an IP address 10.130.1.xxx and the DLOS8N has the default IP 10.130.1.1

2.1.2 Connect via Ethernet with DHCP IP from router

Alternatively, connect the LPS8N Ethernet port to your router and DLOS8N will obtain an IP address from your router. In the router's management portal, you should be able to find what IP address the router has assigned to the LPS8N. You can also use this IP to connect.

2.1.3 Connect via WiFi with DHCP IP from router

If the LPS8N already connect to the router via WiFi, use can use the WiFi IP to connect to LPS8N.

2.1.4 Connect via Ethernet with fall back ip

The WAN port also has a fall back ip address for access if user doesn't connect to uplink router. Click here to see how to configure.

2.2 Access Configure Web UI

Web Interface

Open a browser on the PC and type the LPS8N ip address (depends on your connect method)

http://10.130.1.1/ (Access via WiFi AP network)

http://IP_ADDRESS or http:// IP_ADDRESS:8000

You will see the login interface of LPS8N as shown below.

The account details for Web Login are:

User Name: root

Password: dragino

3. Typical Network Setup

3.1 Overview

The LPS8N supports flexible network set up for different environments. This section describes the typical network topology. The network set up includes:

WAN Port Internet Mode
WiFi Client Mode
WiFi AP Mode

3.2 Use WAN port to access Internet

By default, the LPS8N is set to use the WAN port to connect to an upstream network. When you connect the LPS8N's WAN port to an upstream router, LPS8N will get an IP address from the router and have Internet access via the upstream router. The network status can be checked in the home page:

3.3 Access the Internet as a WiFi Client

In the WiFi Client Mode, DLOS8N acts as a WiFi client and gets DHCP from an upstream router via WiFi.

The settings for WiFi Client is under page System--> WiFi --> WiFi WAN Client Settings

In the WiFi Survey Choose the WiFi AP, and input the Passphrase then click Save & Apply to connect.

3.4 Use built-in 4G modem for internet access

If the LPS8N has 3G/4G Cellular modem, user can use it as main internet connection or back up.

First, install the Micro SIM card as below direction

Second, Power off/ ON LPS8N to let it detect the SIM card.

The set up page is System --> Cellular

While use the cellular as Backup WAN, device will use Cellular for internet connection while WAN port or WiFi is not valid and switch back to WAN port or WiFi after they recover.

3.5 Check Internet connection

In the home page, we can check the Internet connection.

GREEN Tick : This interface has Internet connection.
Yellow Tick : This interface has IP address but don't use it for internet connection.
RED Cross : This interface doesn't connected.

4. Example: Configure as a LoRaWAN gateway

LPS8N is fully compatible with LoRaWAN protocol. It uses the legacy Semtech Packet forwarder to forward the LoRaWAN packets to server. The structure is as below.

This chapter describes how to use the DLOS8Nto work with (TTN v3) LoRaWAN Server (www.thethingsnetwork.org)

4.1 Create a gateway in TTN V3 Server

Step 1: Get a Unique gateway ID.

Every LPS8N has a unique gateway id. The ID can be found at LoRaWAN page:

The example gateway id is: a840411e96744154

Step 2: Sign up a user account in TTN server

https://account.thethingsnetwork.org/register

Step 3: Choose the TTNv3 Cluster Picker

Note: Choose the cluster corresponds to a specific Gateway server address

Europe 1 corresponding Gateway server address: eu1.cloud.thethings.network
North America 1 corresponding Gateway server address: nam1.cloud.thethings.network
Australia 1 corresponding Gateway server address: au1.cloud.thethings.network
Legacy V2 Console : TTN v2 shuts down in December 2021

Step 4: Create a Gateway

Click the Gateway icon and then click Add gateway.

Open the following page:

Notice: Gateway Server address must match the gateway configuration, otherwise you will have problem for End Node to join the network.

After creating the gateway, you can see the gateway info, as below.

4.2 Configure DLOS8N to connect to TTN v3

You can now configure the LPS8N to let it connect to TTN network V3.

Make sure your LPS8N has a working Internet Connection first.

Choose the right server provider and click Save&Apply

Note: The server address must match the Gateway server address you choose in TTN V3.

In the home page, we can see the LoRaWAN connection is ready now.

In TTN v3 portal, we can also see the gateway is connected.

4.3 Configure frequency

We also need to set the frequency plan in LPS8N to match the end node we use, so to receive the LoRaWAN packets from the LoRaWAN sensor.

In logread page, user can check the frequency actually used.

4.4 Add a LoRaWAN End Device

This section shows how to add a LoRaWAN End device to a LoRaWAN network and see the data from TTN web site.

We use LT-22222-L IO Controller as a reference device - the setup for other LoRaWAN devices will be similar.

Step 1: Create a Device definition in TTN v3 with the OTAA keys from the example LT-22222-L IO Controller device.

Three codes are required to define the device in TTN v3:

DEV EUI - Unique ID code for a particular device.
APP EUI - ID code for an Application defined in TTN v3.
APP Key - Unique key to secure communications with a particular device.

A set of these codes are stored in each device by the manufacturer as the default codes for that particular device. Each device is shipped with a sticker with the default Device EUI as shown below.

Note: You may be able to change these codes in a device by using a configuration facility on the device e.g. the LT-22222 uses a serial port access and a series of AT commands. Changing the codes may be necessary in the case where you have to use codes assigned by a LoRa WAN server.

For the TTN v3 server, you can use the codes set in the device as in the following example.

Select Add Application to open the screen below.

Open the Application select Add end device

Start Register the end device

Select OTAA activation mode

The LoRaWAN version for your device should be provided by the manufacturer in a datasheet as LoRaWAN version or LoRaWAN specification. The most commonly used LoRaWAN versions are v1.0.2 and v1.0.3.

First, input the End device ID, AppEUI and DevEUI.

Secondly, choose the corresponding frequency and LoRaWAN class capabilities.

Finally, Application layer settings input the corresponding AppKey. Before saving the configuration, check that the data matches the device.

Step 2: Power on LT-22222-L device and it will automatically join the TTN network. After joining successfully, it will start to upload messages to the TTN v3. Select the Live data tab and you will see the data appearing in the panel.

Note that it may take some time for the device data to appear in the TTN v3 display.

5. Web Configure Pages

5.1 Home

Shows the system running status.

5.2 LoRa Settings

5.2.1 LoRa --> LoRa

This page shows the LoRa Radio Settings. There are a set of default frequency band according to LoRaWAN protocol, and user can customized the band* as well.

Different LPS8N hardware version can support different frequency range:

868: valid frequency: 863Mhz ~ 870Mhz. for bands EU868, RU864, IN865 or KZ865.
915: valid frequency: 902Mhz ~ 928Mhz. for bands US915, AU915, AS923 or KR920

After user choose the frequency plan, he can see the actually frequency in used by checking the page LogRead --> LoRa Log

Note *: See this instruction for how to customize frequency band

5.2.2 LoRa --> ABP Decryption

The LPS8N can communicate with LoRaWAN ABP End Node without the need of LoRaWAN server. It can be used in some cases such as:

No internet connection.
User wants to get data forward in gateway and forward to their server based on MQTT/HTTP, etc. (Combine ABP communication method and MQTT forward together).

Detail of this feature: Communication with ABP End Node

5.3 LoRaWAN Settings

5.3.1 LoRaWAN --> LoRaWAN

This page is for the connection set up to a general LoRaWAN Network server such as: TTN, ChirpStack etc

Note:

*: User can ignore the latitude and longitude settings here, LPS8N will use the actually value from GPS module.

**: Packet filter is to drop the unwanted LoRaWAN packet, instruction see here:

See: Filter unwanted LoRaWAN packets

5.3.2 LoRaWAN --> Amazon AWS-IoT

Please see this instruction to know more detail and demo for how to connect to AWS-IoT LoRaWAN Core.

5.3.3 LoRaWAN --> LORIOT

Settings to communicate to LORIOT LoRaWAN Network Server: https://www.loriot.io/

Instruction: Notes for LORIOT

5.4 MQTT Settings

If end nodes works in ABP mode, user can configure LPS8N to transfer the data to MQTT broker,

Instruction: MQTT Forward Instruction

5.5 System

5.5.1 System --> System Overview

Shows the system info:

5.5.2 System --> General ( login settings)

System Password:

There are two login for LPS8N: root /dragino or admin /dragino. Both root and admin has the same right for WEB access. But root user has also the right to access via SSH to Linux system. admin only able to access WEB interface.

This page can be used to set the password for them.

Timezone: Set device timezone.

Port forwarding: Enable/Disable the HTTP and SSH access via WAN interface.

5.5.3 System --> Network

LAN Settings: When the LPS8N has the AP enable, LAN settings specify the network info for LPS8N's own network.

WAN Settings: Setting for LPS8N WAN port

WiFi Settings: Setting for LPS8N WiFi IP when use it as WiFi Client

5.5.4 System --> WiFi

LPS8N WiFi Settings.

5.5.5 System --> Cellular

While use the cellular as Backup WAN, device will use Cellular for internet connection while WAN port or WiFi is not valid and switch back to WAN port or WiFi after they recover.

Note *: For LPS8N which doesn't have the cellular module, this page will shows Cellular not detected.

5.5.6 System --> Network Status

5.5.7 System --> Remote Mgnt & Auto Provision

Auto Provision is the feature for batch configure and remote management. It can be used in below two cases:

Please see this document for detail:

http://www.dragino.com/downloads/index.php?dir=LoRa_Gateway/LPS8N/Firmware/Application_Note/&file=Auto-update-feature.pdf

R-SSH is for remote access device and management, introduction for how to use: Remote Access Gateway

5.5.8 System --> Firmware Upgrade

We keep improving the LPS8N Linux side firmware for new features and bug fixes. Below are the links for reference.

Latest firmware: LoRa Gateway Firmware,

( http://www.dragino.com/downloads/index.php?dir=LoRa_Gateway/LPS8N/Firmware)

Change Log: Firmware Change Log.

( http://www.dragino.com/downloads/downloads/LoRa_Gateway/LPS8N/Firmware/ChangeLog )

The file named as xxxxx–xxxxx-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin is the upgrade Image. There are different methods to upgrade, as below.

Web--> System--> Firmware Upgrade

Select the required image and click Flash Image. The image will be uploaded to the device, and then click Process Update to upgrade.

NOTE: You normally need to uncheck the Preserve Settings checkbox when doing an upgrade to ensure that there is no conflict between the old settings and the new firmware. The new firmware will start up with its default settings.

The system will automatically boot into the new firmware after upgrade.

NOTE*: User can also upgrade firmware via Linux console

SCP the firmware to the system/var directory and then run

root@OpenWrt:~# /sbin/sysupgrade –n /var/Your_Image

NOTE : it is important to transfer the image in the /var directory, otherwise it may exceed the available flash size.

5.5.9 System --> Reboot/Reset

5.5.10 System --> Package Maintain

Place to show what package has installed and possible to upgrade packages.

5.6 LogRead

5.6.1 LogRead --> LoRa Log

Show the frequency for LoRa Radio and traffics.

5.6.2 LogRead --> System Log

Show the system log

6. More features

6.1 Packet Filtering

Drop unwanted packets.

See: http://wiki.dragino.com/xwiki/bin/view/Main/Filter%20unwanted%20LoRaWAN%20packets/

6.2 Remote Access

Remote Access Devices for management.

Instruction: http://wiki.dragino.com/xwiki/bin/view/Main/Remote%20Access%20Gateway/

6.3 How to decode ABP LoRaWAN node

Decode ABP:

http://wiki.dragino.com/xwiki/bin/view/Main/Communicate%20with%20ABP%20End%20Node%20without%20LoRaWAN%20Network%20Server%20---%20LG308/

6.4 How to set data to MQTT broker

Only support ABP LoRaWAN End Node

Instruction: http://wiki.dragino.com/xwiki/bin/view/Main/MQTT%20Forward%20Instruction/

6.5 More instructions

LoRaWAN Gateway Instruction(LoRaWAN Gateway)

6.6 Auto-Provision

Auto Provision is the feature for batch configure and remote management. It can be used in below two cases:

Please see this document for detail:

http://www.dragino.com/downloads/index.php?dir=LoRa_Gateway/LPS8N/Firmware/Application_Note/&file=Auto-update-feature.pdf

7. Linux System

The LPS8N is based on the OpenWrt Linux system. It is open source, and users are free to configure and modify the Linux settings.

7.1 SSH Access for Linux console

User can access the Linux console via the SSH protocol. Make sure your PC and the LPS8N are connected to the same network, then use a SSH tool (such as putty in Windows) to access it.

IP address: IP address of LPS8N

Port: 22 (via WiFi AP mode) or 2222 (via WAN Interface)

User Name: root

Password: dragino (default)

After logging in, you will be in the Linux console and can enter commands as shown below.

The “logread -f” command can be used to debug how system runs.

7.2 Edit and Transfer files

The DLOS8N supports the SCP protocol and has a built-in SFTP server. There are many ways to edit and transfer files using these protocols.

In Windows, one of the easiest methods is using the WinSCP utility.

After establishing access via WinSCP to the device, you can use an FTP style window to drag / drop files to the DLOS8N, or edit the files directly in the windows.

Screenshot is as below:

7.3 File System

The DLOS8N has a 16MB flash and a 64MB RAM. The /var and /tmp directories are in the RAM, so contents stored in /tmp and /var will be erased after rebooting the device. Other directories are in the flash and will remain after reboot.

The Linux system uses around 8MB ~10MB flash size which means there is not much room for user to store data in the DLOS8N flash.

You can use an external USB flash memory device to extend the size of flash memory for storage.

7.4 Package maintenance system

DLOS8N uses the OpenWrt OPKG package maintenance system. There are more than 3000+ packages available in our package server for users to install for their applications. For example, if you want to add the iperf tool, you can install the related packages and configure DLOS8N to use iperf .

Below are some example opkg commands. For more information please refer to the OPKG package maintain system (https://oldwiki.archive.openwrt.org/doc/techref/opkg)

In Linux Console run:

root@dragino-169d30:~# opkg update // to get the latest packages list

root@dragino-169d30:~# opkg list //shows the available packages

root@dragino-169d30:~# opkg install iperf // install iperf

The system will automatically install the required packages as shown below.

root@dragino-169d30:/etc/opkg# opkg install iperf

Installing iperf (2.0.12-1) to root…

Downloading http://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/packages/mips_24kc/base/iperf_2.0.12-1_mips_24kc.ipk

Installing uclibcxx (0.2.4-3) to root…

Downloading http://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/packages/mips_24kc/base/uclibcxx_0.2.4-3_mips_24kc.ipk

Configuring uclibcxx.

Configuring iperf.

8. Upgrade Linux Firmware

9. FAQ

9.1 How can I configure for a customized frequency band?

See below link for how to customize frequency band: How to customized LoRaWAN frequency band

9.2 Can I connect DLOS8N to LORIOT?

Yes, the set up instruction is here: Notes for LORIOT

9.3 Can I make my own firmware for the gateway, where can I find the source code?

Yes, You can make your own firmware for the DLOS8N for branding purposes or to add customized applications.

The source code and compile instructions can be found at: https://github.com/dragino/openwrt_lede-18.06

9.4 Can I use 868Mhz version for 915Mhz bands?

It is possible but the distance will be very short, you can select US915 frequency band in 868Mhz version hardware. It will work but you will see the performance is greatly decreased because the 868Mhz version has an RF filter for band 863~870Mhz, all other frequencies will have high attenuation.

10. Trouble Shooting

10.1 I get kernel error when install new package, how to fix?

In some cases, when installing a package with opkg, it will generate a kernel error such as below due to a mismatch I the kernel ID:

root@dragino-16c538:~# opkg install kmod-dragino2-si3217x_3.10.49+0.2-1_ar71xx.ipk

Installing kmod-dragino2-si3217x (3.10.49+0.2-1) to root…

Collected errors:

* satisfy_dependencies_for: Cannot satisfy the following dependencies for kmod-dragino2-si3217x:

* kernel (= 3.10.49-1-4917516478a753314254643facdf360a) *

* opkg_install_cmd: Cannot install package kmod-dragino2-si3217x.

In this case, you can use the –force-depends option to install such package as long as the actual kernel version is the same.

Opkg install kmod-dragino2-si3217x_3.10.49+0.2-1_ar71xx.ipk –force-depends

10.2 How to recover the DLOS8N if the firmware crashes

Please follow this instruction to recover your gateway: Recover Gateway

10.3 I configured DLOS8N for WiFi access and lost its IP. What to do now?

The DLOS8N has a fall-back IP address on its WAN port. This IP is always enabled so you can use the fall-back IP to access DLOS8N no matter what the WiFi IP is. The fall back IP is useful for connecting and debug the unit.

Note: fallback IP can be disabled in the WAN and DHCP page.

Steps to connect via fall back IP:

1. Connect PC’s Ethernet port to DLOS8N’s WAN port

2. Configure PC’s Ethernet port has
IP: 172.31.255.253 and
Netmask: 255.255.255.252

As below photo:

3. In the PC, use IP address 172.31.255.254 to access the DLOS8N via Web or Console.

Please note the latest firmware uses port 8000 for http and 2222 for ssh access.

11. Order Info

PART: DLOS8N-XXX-YYY:

XXX: Frequency Band

868 : valid frequency: 863Mhz ~ 870Mhz. for bands EU868, RU864, IN865 or KZ865.
915: valid frequency: 902Mhz ~ 928Mhz. for bands US915, AU915, AS923 or KR920

YYY: 4G Cellular Option

E: EMEA, Korea, Thailand, India.
A: North America/ Rogers/AT&T/T-Mobile.
AU: Latin America, New Zeland, Taiwan
J: Japan, DOCOMO/SoftBank/ KDDI

More info about valid bands, please see EC25-E product page.

12. Packing Info

Package Includes:

DLOS8N LoRaWAN Gateway x 1
Stick Antenna for LoRa RF part. Frequency is one of 470 or 868 or 915Mhz depends the model ordered
Packaging with environmental protection paper box

Dimension and weight:

Device Size: 12 x 12 x 3 cm
Weight: 187g
Package Size: 14.5 x 13.5 x 6 cm
Weight: 300g

13. Support

Try to see if your questions already answered in the wiki.
Support is provided Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 18:00 GMT+8.
Due to different timezones we cannot offer live support. However, your questions will be answered as soon as possible in the before mentioned schedule.
Provide as much information as possible regarding your enquiry (product models, accurately describe your problem and steps to replicate it etc) and send a mail to:support@dragino.com

Tags: