We recently published a new video on our STEVAL-STRKT01, the LoRa tracker that was so popular during the Toronto Technology Tour. The PCB embarks an STM32L0 microcontroller, a LoRa transceiver, a Teseo-LIV3F GNSS module, and various sensors, making it a great solution to monitor the geographical location of multiple assets and tailor software to wake up on movement or if there are changes in temperature, for instance. Furthermore, its 5 V USB Type-C controller and the STBC02 battery charger make it an all-in-one solution to track non-powered assets, its low-power profiles, and microcontroller ensuring that it can run a relatively long time on its Lithium Polymer battery. The STEVAL-STRKT01 also is one of the modules students are using in the high-altitude balloons currently competing in the STM32 in the Sky contest.
A MOOC on LoRa
To help developers make the most out of our solution, we offer a MOOC on Low Power Area Network, with a specific chapter on LoRA. The video below explains the modulation method behind LoRA as well as its physical layer (PHY), device classes, the typical network topology, and the security features baked into the protocol. Anyone developing applications that rely on this network ought to know clearly what to expect and the various constraints inherent to the specifications. The fact that we offer a Function Pack, the FP-ATR-LORA1, with a demo application and its source code, removes a lot of the complexity and makes it easier to obtain the certifications necessary to commercialize a product. Nevertheless, a strong understanding of the protocol remains crucial to understand better how to remain compliant and to optimize transmissions.
How to Get Started With Our Tracker
Those who are utterly new to LoRa developments may also want to check out the video below on the LoRa Starter Kit we presented at CES 2019. Indeed, we not only walk viewers through a LoRa module similar to the STEVAL-STRKT01, but we also present a gateway and cloud interface by MachineQ. The ST module will work with any platform, as we explain in the first video above, and the STM32 in the Sky contest relied on TagoIO to track all the balloons and enable online audiences to follow their progress online. Nevertheless, we presented our partnership with MachineQ at CES 2019 and during our Technology Tour to assist those who are starting from scratch and want some recommendations or examples.
- Learn more about the STEVAL-STRKT01
