Getting started with LoRaWAN and Python using Zerynth on ESP32
4zerobox - LoRa Connection Test

Published December 5, 2017 © GPL3+

Python on ESP32 for Industrial LoRaWAN Applications

How to send data from a 4zerobox (based on ESP32 and Python programmable using Zerynth) to The Things Network via a Microchip LoRa module

BeginnerFull instructions provided1 hour8,035

Python on ESP32 for Industrial LoRaWAN Applications

Things used in this project

Hardware components

4zerobox

Mikroelektronika LoRa Click

Espressif ESP32S

AAEON LoRa Gateway

Software apps and online services

Zerynth Studio

The Things Industries The Things Stack

Story

In this article you can see how to connect and send data from a 4zerobox to the The Things Network console via a Microchip LoRa module.

4zerobox is an industrial-grade board based on ESP32 and designed to bridge the gap between industrial PLCs and IoT. 4zerobox is programmable in Python using Zerynth, that allows a rapid integration with industrial sensors, actuators and Cloud services like AWS and Google IoT. You can find more info about Zerynth and its support for 4zerobox (and for ESP32) in its Kickstarter campaign page: https://bit.ly/get-4zerobox

LoRaWAN is designed to allow low-powered devices to communicate with Internet-connected applications over long range wireless connections.

Main advantages of LoRaWAN:

Long battery life for devices and sensors due to low power consumption

Low cost implementation due to low cost hardware and unlicensed spectrum

Long range coverage and in-building penetration

Scalable network to support future upgrades

LoRaWAN can play a significant role for providing a smart, low cost and highly efficient network for Industrial Automation, Smart City, Home Automation, Smart Agriculture and applications like:

Smart lighting

Air quality and pollution monitoring

Smart parking and vehicle management

Facilities and infrastructure management

Fire detection and management

Waste management

Shipping and transportation

Smart Home

Wearable technology

Temperature and moisture monitoring

Water level sensors and irrigation control

Getting started with LoRaWAN and Python using Zerynth on ESP32

Required Materials

A LoraWAN Gateway, for example the industrial “all-in-one” LoRa Gateway by AAEON.

A LoraWAN endpoint. In this case, we’ve used a 4zerobox as MCU board and a LoRa Click, that carries Microchip’s RN2483 fully certified LoRa Sub-GHz, 433/868 MHz European R&TTE Directive Assessed Radio Modem. You can pre-order 4zerobox on Kickstarter: https://bit.ly/get-4zerobox . In alternative you can use one of the ESP32-based boards supported by Zerynth.

Zerynth Studio, a powerful IDE for embedded programming in Python that enables the IoT. You can download it here.

TTN (The Things Network) Console: you need to create/register an account entering a username and an email address.

Prerequisites

At the following link you can find how to get started and run your first basic Python script on 4zerobox using Zerynth: https://www.hackster.io/TOI-things-on-internet/python-on-esp32-for-industrial-iot-applications-d8bbc4

Take a look at this step-by-step tutorial to see how to get started with the Zerynth and LoRaWAN: https://www.zerynth.com/blog/getting-started-with-lorawan-and-python-using-zerynth-and-the-things-network/

Here is another project where you can find more info about Zerynth and LoRaWAN applications: https://www.zerynth.com/blog/lora-nodes-real-time-data-plotting-using-python-for-microcontrollers/

4zerobox - LoRa Connection Test

Here is the video of the project. You can replicate it using the attached code and following the step-by-step guides mentioned above.

NOTE: this video shows the v0 prototype of 4zerobox, that uses an ESP32 mounted on an ESP32-DevKitC. The final version will include an ESP32-wroom module directly on-board.

This is a very basic example of the capabilities of 4zerobox. Take a look at the campaign page for more video examples about Web Server Connection, RS232 and RS485 communications, AWS and Google Cloud IoT connections!

The 4zerobox Kickstarter campaign provides a “LoRa Network Kit”, a complete out-of-the-box kit to create a private Lora network for industrial environment, including:

2 x 4zerobox

2 x Powersupplies

2 x LiPo Batteries

6 x Current probes

8 x NTC probes

2 x Mikroe “Secure 3 Click”

2 x Mikroe “LoRa Click” & Antenna ready for The Things Network

1 x AAEON LoRa Indoor Gateway ready for The Things Network

3 Months Subscription Zerynth Studio PRO

Code

4zerobox - LoRa Test

import streams
from microchip.rn2483 import rn2483 # import lora driver

streams.serial()

# LoRa module on Mikrobus Slot 1
ser_LORA = SERIAL2
rst_LORA = D4

# TTN appeui and appkey
appeui = 'appeui'
appkey = 'appkey'

i = 0
while True:
    i += 1
    print("joining 4ZeroBox TTN Demo App")
    print("attempt ", i, "...")
    
    try:
        res = False
        res = rn2483.init(ser_LORA, appeui, appkey, rst_LORA)
    except Exception as e:
        print(e)
    
    if not res:
        print("... failed :(")
        sleep(1000)
    else:
        print("... succeded !")
        break

cnt = 0
while True:
    msg = '4ZB'+str(cnt)
    print("sending '",msg,"' to TTN")
    try:
        res = rn2483.tx_cnf('4ZB'+str(cnt))
    except Exception as e:
        print(e)
    if res:
        print("response :'",res,"'")
    else:
        print("no response received")
    cnt += 1
    cnt %= 256
    print(cnt)
    sleep(4000)