Connecting to TTN (The Things Network) via Multitech mLinux Gateway and LoPy Pycom device. Presentation at TTN Dallas on June 29, 2017.

1. LoRa Multitech Conduit mLinux
Connecting to LoRaWan Networks
The Things Networks Dallas – June 29, 2017

2. Demo Outline
1. Multitech Conduit gateway intro
○ Installation and configuration
○ Packet forwarders
2. LoPy microprocessor sends data to TTN
○ OTAA vs ABP
○ Tracking data on node, gateway and network server
3. Zenseio sensor device sends data to Loriot
○ OTAA vs ABP
○ Tracking data on node, gateway and network server

3. Multitech Gateway -- First Sighting
● LoRa mDot; gateway antenna and mDot antenna
● Serial Monitor
● Ethernet configuration
● Network Server vs. Packet Forwarder

4. Multitech Conduit mLinux
Serial Monitor via mini-USB access
behind this plate
Ethernet USB slot
LoRa Card
(one only!)
http://www.multitech.net/developer/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Conduit.pdf
Accessory cards
● Multi-Function Serial
● GPIO
● LoRaWAN

5. Network Server vs. Packet Forwarder
Default configuration is Network Server
● Ex. with Multitech mDot as node device (LoRa certified)
http://www.multitech.net/developer/software/lora/lora-network-server
http://www.multitech.com/brands/multiconnect-mdot

6. Network Server vs. Packet Forwarder
To connect to a 3rd party network server (TTN, Loriot) the gateway needs to be
configured as a packet forwarder
● Loriot packet forwarder: Easy!
● TTN packet forwarder: Several versions exist; state of flux

7. Multitech Conduit mLinux network config
DHCP
Static IP
DHCP lease
PuTTY via Serial port

8. Multitech Conduit mLinux packet forwarders
Could use Multitech’s packet forwarder:
http://www.multitech.net/developer/software/lora/conduit-mlinux-convert-to-basic-packet-forwarder
… Except that 3rd party network server provide their own.
(This is the easiest way to specify settings.)
Examples:
1. The Things Network - https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/ → several versions posted on Forum
2. Loriot - https://us1.loriot.io/home/documentation.html#docu/gw-basic → gateway-specific instructions

9. Demo Configurations
Config #2
Config #1

10. Multitech Conduit mLinux - Show me the packets
“NEW” packet forwarder
Check gateway status and LoRa packets
Run installer.sh to configure gateway

11. Configuration #1:
LoPy - Multitech - TTN

12. Config #1: TTN > Gateway > Overview

13. Config #1: TTN > Gateway > Traffic

14. Config #1: TTN > Application > Device > Settings (ABP)

15. Config #1: TTN > Application > Device > Overview (ABP)

16. Config #1: TTN > Application > Device > Data (ABP)
Switch to
OTAA

17. Config #1: TTN > Application > Device > Overview (OTAA)

18. Config #1: LoPy
https://www.pycom.io/product/lopy/
“The LoPy is a triple bearer
MicroPython enabled microcontroller
(LoRa, Wifi, Bluetooth) – perfect
enterprise grade IoT platform for your
connected Things. With the latest
Espressif chipset the LoPy offers a
perfect combination of power,
friendliness and flexibility.”

19. Config #1: LoPy IDE
Watch execution here
See next slide

20. TTN frequencies
● Entire band is from 902 to 928 MHz
● TTN uses sub-band 2
● Device needs to use same channels,
or else...
http://www.rfwireless-world.com/Tutorials/LoRa-channels-list.html

21. Config #1: LoPy config - OTAA

22. Config #1: Follow the packets - OTAA
1: LoPy
2: TTN pkt forwarder
4: TTN Application
3: TTN Gateway
Activation may
take a while...
OTAA Activation message

23. Config #1: Switching ABP <-> OTAA on TTN

24. Config #1: LoPy config - ABP

25. Config #1: Follow the packets - ABP
2: TTN pkt forwarder
3: TTN Gateway
4: TTN Application
1: LoPy
No Activation for ABP

26. Configuration #2:
Zenseio - Multitech - Loriot

27. Config #2: Multitech mLinux Gateway - Loriot pkt forwarder
https://us1.loriot.io/home/gateways.html#docu/gwguide/multitech-conduit-mlinux

28. ● Band centered at 903.08 MHz
● Loriot uses sub-band 1
● Device needs to use same channels
or else...
Loriot frequencies (???)
http://www.rfwireless-world.com/Tutorials/LoRa-channels-list.html

29. Config #2: Multitech mLinux Gateway - Loriot pkt forwarder
1. We need to replace packet forwarder: from TTN to Loriot
2. Loriot makes it easy - they provide supported forwarders for several gateways
3. Steps:
a. Stop TTN packet forwarder, or else… (see next slide)
b. Start Loriot packet forwarder

30. Config #2: From TTN to Loriot pkt forwarder
Connect to Loriot
Tight loop...

31. TTN pkt forwarder commands
https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/switching-a-multitech-gateway-between-
multitechs-original-lora-network-server-and-the-ttn-server/4004/8

32. Config #2: From TTN to Loriot pkt forwarder
Stop pkt forwarder this way
(Kill -9 doesn’t do it)
Start Loriot pkt forwarder in foreground
(Just in case...)
Reboot

33. Config #2: Loriot packet forwarder now running...
To remove Loriot packet gateway:
root@mtcdt:/opt/lrt# rm /etc/init.d/loriot-gw 2> /dev/null
root@mtcdt:/opt/lrt# update-rc.d loriot-gw remove 2> /dev/null
Removing any system startup links for loriot-gw ...
https://us1.loriot.io/home/gateways.html#gateway?gw=000800FFFF4A179C

34. Config #2: Loriot gateway packets
LoRa packets
Downlink

35. Config #2: Loriot server Dashboard

36. Config #2: Loriot Application

37. Config #2: Loriot Device
ABP vs
OTAA?

38. Config #2: Zenseio ABP vs OTAA
OTAAABP

39. Config #2: Zenseio sketch - Loriot settings
OTAA
ABP

40. From Loriot back to TTN pkt forwarder
1: Kill Loriot pkt
forwarder
2: Start TTN
pkt forwarder
3: TTN pkt
forwarder running...

41. Other Topics...

42. Multitech Conduit - If completely stuck...
Reset: short pin push - reset; 5+ sec pin push - reset to factory defaults
Note: May not work if packet forwarder misbehaves
Ex. Tight loop waiting forever on Internet connection
http://www.multitech.net/developer/forums/topic/cannot-reset-conduit-mlinux
Reflash support: $80
http://www.multitech.net/developer/products/conduit/resetting-the-device/

43. How To
1. Versions
2. HW IDs
3. Logs
4. Getting help

44. Lessons Learned
1. Solder components even if you don’t feel like it!
2. Upgrade your devices even if you don’t feel like it!
3. Use recent information in postings on forums! This is still an emergent field!
4. Re-re-reminder to self: Documenting demos is painful!
○ But projects are fun!