Why the Blues Starter Kit for LoRaWAN is Perfect for Long-Range IoT
Do you want to win a Blues LoRaWAN Starter Kit? Enter the giveaway in the comment section of the Electromaker Show, but hurry, we'll announce the winner on August 30th, 2024!
As the name suggests, the Blues Starter Kit for LoRaWAN gives you everything you need to create and prototype with LoRaWAN networks. Unlike Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, LoRa is designed to provide connectivity over extreme distances, reaching many kilometers while keeping energy consumption as low as possible. This makes LoRa devices ideal for remote areas where connectivity is challenging and only a few bytes of data from a sensor or controller are needed.
Blues Starter Kit for LoRaWAN - Key Features
Blues' products are undeniably awesome, and we've reviewed the Blues Starter Kit for Cell+WiFi in a previous article and video. What makes this kit particularly interesting is that it includes not one, not two, but three different devices that can all be used to experiment with LoRa. This means that you can get straight to device-to-device communication, something that many other kits lack.
Furthermore, each of these kits comes with its own notecard, its own carrier, WisGate Edge Lite 2 LoRaWAN Gateway, batteries, and antenna. So there is no need for anything else when using this kit to develop LoRaWAN designs. And yes, they even provide pre-packaged examples and all necessary libraries. Just two lines of code and you're done!
Blues Starter Kit for LoRaWAN - Components Breakdown
Development Boards
The kit includes three development boards, each equipped with the ultra-low power STM32WL microcontroller, which helps projects run on batteries for extended periods. These boards are API compatible with Blues' cellular notecards, meaning you need to change almost no code when converting existing cellular projects into LoRaWAN versions.
Notecards
The notecards support both US 915 and European 868 MHz frequencies, eliminating the need for multiple antennas. However, it is crucial to choose the right variation for your project because each notecard is designed for specific regional operations.
WisGate Edge Lite 2
The included gateway, the WisGate Edge Lite 2, is preconfigured to work with Blues Thing Stack, allowing projects to work straight out of the box. As an 8-channel indoor gateway, it can easily support multiple LoRaWAN Blues notecards, providing extended network coverage for projects spread over large areas.
Practical Applications
This kit is superb for those looking to start with LoRa connectivity, and you can go from unboxing to deployment in just five minutes. Here are some practical applications:
- Remote Sensing in Agriculture: Deploy sensors in far-out remote areas such as farms, forests, and construction sites.
- Smart Buildings and Cities: Use for environmental monitoring and control of devices through a web interface, utilizing LoRa for long-range sensor data transmission and cellular connectivity for broader network access.
- Industrial Monitoring: Ideal for machine monitoring, predictive maintenance, and other industrial applications where remote monitoring is crucial.
Side note: The Blues team showed us the Starter Kit for LoRaWAN at Embedded World 2024. Watch the interview here.
Setting Up the Kit
Setting up the Blues LoRaWAN Kit is very straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:
- Connect the development board to your computer via USB.
- Install the necessary libraries and software from Blues' documentation.
- Write or upload your code, and you're ready to deploy your LoRaWAN project.
Make sure to select the correct notecard for your region to ensure compliance with local regulations.
View the full setup guide here.
Blues Starter Kit for LoRaWAN - Final Thoughts
The Blues LoRaWAN Kit stands out due to its ease of use, quick deployment, and comprehensive nature. Providing multiple development boards and a gateway allows you to get straight to developing LoRa projects without the need for additional equipment.
In summary, the Blues LoRaWAN Kit is a versatile, comprehensive solution for anyone looking to explore LoRa technology. With its ease of use and powerful features, it’s perfect for a wide range of applications, from remote sensing to industrial monitoring.
Ready to elevate your project with the Blues LoRaWAN Kit? Visit the Blues website to purchase your kit today and explore additional resources and accessories to enhance your build.
Residing on the south coast of England, Rich has spent the last few years building Electomaker.io from the ground up. He is usually found behind a laptop coordinating the rest of the EM team and occasionally finding time to contribute articles to the blog. When not tapping away at a laptop, he can be found either paddleboarding, at the beach, playing golf (badly), or camping with his family.
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