I want to set up a communication system with lora module using arduino. The lora module is said to have a high range (<15km), but when I go about 50-100 meters away, my connection drops. Also, when I integrate a sensor into this system, I can't get an output from my sensor. When I try the same things with the hc-12 module, I don't have a problem with communication. Does anyone have any ideas why I'm having such a problem with lora?

 

How are you using LoRa in your project?

 

How are you using LoRa in your project?

I generally use one of the lora modules as a receiver and I want to read the data from more than one lora module from the serial port screen. this incoming data can be sensor data.

 

Which LoRa modules, which LoRa layers?
What is your antenna?

 

Which LoRa modules, which LoRa layers?
What is your antenna?

433 Mhz LoRa Ra-01 and I am using the module's own internal antenna. Enough?

 

OK, antenna is critically important here. Could you link to the specific module you are using? I don't see an Ra-01 with an internal antenna, and, if there is one it will be entirely inadequate.

If you haven't seen videos from Andreas Speiss, you should take a look he's a great resource.

 

OK, antenna is critically important here. Could you link to the specific module you are using? I don't see an Ra-01 with an internal antenna, and, if there is one it will be entirely inadequate.

If you haven't seen videos from Andreas Speiss, you should take a look he's a great resource.

The module and antenna I use are as seen in the photo. Thanks for the resource, but it didn't contain the information I was looking for. I need information about the relationship between arduino nano and lo-ra ra-01, the relationship between multiple lo-ra modules. There are many resources on this, I looked at almost all of them, but could not find what I was looking for. Thanks

 

I've used LoRa32u4 II modules from BSFrance which are Adafruit Feather 32u4 clones. I have been able to communicate reliably from indoors to outdoors at least 500m.

Because you are dealing with a very low powered transmitter, the antenna is crucial. I suspect it is the crux of your problem. There are much better antenna options which you can even adapt to that module. If you do buy antennas, be sure they actually operate on the frequency they are using.

Ideally, you should get a Nano VNA to ensure they are resonant where you need them to be, many antennas are simply non-functional at their labeled frequencies.

 

I've used LoRa32u4 II modules from BSFrance which are Adafruit Feather 32u4 clones. I have been able to communicate reliably from indoors to outdoors at least 500m.

Because you are dealing with a very low powered transmitter, the antenna is crucial. I suspect it is the crux of your problem. There are much better antenna options which you can even adapt to that module. If you do buy antennas, be sure they actually operate on the frequency they are using.

Ideally, you should get a Nano VNA to ensure they are resonant where you need them to be, many antennas are simply non-functional at their labeled frequencies.

I'll take your advice on the antenna into consideration. Thanks

 

To get the really long ranges they talk about, you'll want to adjust parameters of the protocol. Generally, longer range is associated with lower bandwidth (BW), higher spreading factor (SF), and lower code rate (larger FEC size). This will slow your data (bps) rate, but increase range.

Beyond that, you can gain range by turning up the transmission power (dBm). This means higher power consumption per time on-air. At your slower data rate, you'll spend more time on-air, so keep your messages short.

Here's a lab test adjusting these parameters. (There are other such reports floating around.) They claim 2.8km. Note particularly Sections 3.2 and 3.4:

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/9/1466

 

To get the really long ranges they talk about, you'll want to adjust parameters of the protocol. Generally, longer range is associated with lower bandwidth (BW), higher spreading factor (SF), and lower code rate (larger FEC size). This will slow your data (bps) rate, but increase range.

Beyond that, you can gain range by turning up the transmission power (dBm). This means higher power consumption per time on-air. At your slower data rate, you'll spend more time on-air, so keep your messages short.

Here's a lab test adjusting these parameters. (There are other such reports floating around.) They claim 2.8km. Note particularly Sections 3.2 and 3.4:

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/9/1466

Thank you for advice, i will look

 

I don't know if this will help, but MySensors makes it pretty easy to create wireless sensors and stuff with Arduino.
https://www.mysensors.org/build
Here's some info on using it with long range sensors for the PiHome Smart Thermostat system.
https://www.pihome.eu/2019/12/22/lora-sensors-zone-controller-and-esp8266-gateway/

 

Thank you for advice. I looking

Onur

 

It might not be any help, but at work we use the The Things Industries (part of The Things Network https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/) for LoRa (as a WAN) over several miles for environmental monitoring. In the early days we tested with Arduino Pro-Minis and RFM95 chips which are similar to the one you linked to.