On the software side, the LSN50 is an open source product based on the free STM32Cube MCU package and other libraries available at the ST website. The device can be configured with AT Commands, meaning that it is not necessary to learn C/C++ programming before being able to use the device.

IoT kit comprises gateway, nodes, sensors and actuators

As said before, LoRa connections can be peer-to-peer (P2P) or go through a gateway to a server somewhere in the cloud. The Dragino IoT Kit is a good place to start for people who want to experiment with the cloud or a private LoRa network. This kit contains an LG01-P LoRa gateway, two LoRa Arduino shields to make LoRa nodes with a bunch of sensors and actuators to use in the nodes:
  • flame sensor
  • relay
  • photosensitive sensor
  • buzzer
  • ultrasonic transducer
  • DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor
 
Dragino LoRa IoT Kit
Dragino IoT Kit

The gateway can talk to the cloud (ThingSpeak for instance) or it can function as a kind of access point for LoRa nodes so they can talk to each other in a mesh network. Like the LNS50, the IoT kit comes in several frequency versions (433/868/915 MHz), make sure to order the one that is suitable for your region.

An Arduino Yùn in disguise

The LG01-P is built on an Atheros AR9331 processor with 64 MB RAM and 16 MB flash memory; it runs Linux (OpenWRT). Ethernet, Wi-Fi and USB provide connections to standard networks. If this is not enough, the gateway can be extended with a Quectel 3G/4G LTE module. Add a SIM card and away you go.

Inside the gateway the AR9331 communicates with an ATmega328 microcontroller. It is this MCU that controls the wireless modem (the same as in the LNS50: a Semtech SX1276/78). Actually, the LG01-P is comparable to an Arduino Yùn with a Dragino LoRa shield and, as such, it can be programmed as a Yùn from the Arduino IDE.