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Selection of module for wireless communication at 500m: LoRa, XBee, frequency bands

...KUBA... 4212 16
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  • #1 16325671
    ...KUBA...
    Level 25  
    Hello, I am facing the problem of selecting a module for wireless communication between devices. The devices will be about 500m away from each other. The target is to have 3 devices: the first acting as a sensor, the second as a data acquisition, the third presenting the measurement on a display. I have already looked through a dozen radio modules and solutions used in IoT, and M2M. I have come across network solutions compliant with the Sigfox, LoraWAN and ZigBee standards, since WiFi and Bluetooth are not suitable due to the lack of range at such distances. I was thinking of using the LoRa standard or XBee modules. The first question that comes to my mind is what band should be used, and what distinguishes the various bands (apart from the range, which depends on the frequency)? I have seen LoRa modules operating in the 433MHz, 868MHz and 915Mhz bands? ;/ I have also come across several versions of LoRa SX12xx transceivers from Semtec, and integrated transceiver modules with MCUs such as Microchip's RN2483 or Murata's CMWX1ZZABZ-078, can anyone tell me what will distinguish transmission on the various available frequencies, and is it very complicated to establish communication using the LoRa standard? To start with, I am considering this set: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3251401.html#15948217
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  • #2 16325844
    dasej
    Level 32  
    Welcome.

    Try the "Chinese" RFM69 at 433 MHz . It is a copy of the SX1231.
    SX max according to the manufacturer in favourable and good antennas give 16 km in open terrain.
  • #3 16325904
    TvWidget
    Level 38  
    In the case of so-called LoRa, there are very restrictive bandwidth regulations. The throughput is low. Transmitting a few tens of bytes takes a long time (a few seconds). The devices must therefore take very long pauses in transmission so that they do not interfere with each other.
  • #4 16325931
    Father
    Level 26  
    TvWidget wrote:
    For so-called LoRa, there are very restrictive regulations on bandwidth occupancy.
    .
    Correct, but the whole game is to use only the transceiver for data transmission, not implementing the entire LoRa-compliant protocol.
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  • #5 16326074
    gadula88
    Level 15  
    How about an nRF24L01+ PA LNA module? All that remains is the question of writing your own protocol.
  • #6 16380461
    ...KUBA...
    Level 25  
    Hello colleagues again. I am renewing the topic because I would like to finally make the purchase of the module. Following the advice of a colleague:
    dasej wrote:
    Hello.
    Try the "chinese" RFM69 on 433 MHz . It is a copy of the SX1231.
    .
    I was interested in the modules of the series RFMxx because they are available in the PL immediately, only I can not find what would be the difference in range between SX1231 vs SX1276?? The corresponding modules, RFM69HCW and RFM96W, have a very similar current of approx. 120mA - TX and 12mA -Rx, among other things, which guides my choice. Now the question is what perceptible differences exist between the two versions? ;/
  • #7 16380545
    dasej
    Level 32  
    Welcome.

    I don't know. I have had a cursory look at the pdf. But the RFM69W does not draw 120mA during transmission
    but about 40mA-50mA.

    And the SX1276 is more expensive. And you will get 500 mb (for 433 ) for sure with RFM69W.
    There is still the legal issue of permissible transmit power left.

    In the city I have done tests. It cuts those concrete blocks without any problem.
  • #8 16380640
    ...KUBA...
    Level 25  
    Yes the RFM69W version, draws less, I was looking at the RFM69HCW version which has an amplifier added and is +20dBm. Do you know what is the maximum transmit power allowed at 433MHz AND 868MHz? I read somewhere on non-official sources that for 433 it is 10dBm but I don't know how true that is ;/
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  • #10 16844196
    Lech450
    Level 9  
    Welcome,

    Both Lora bands, 433 and 866 allow 100mW or +20dBm operation.
    The second restriction, is 1% TX operation time, and 99% RX.
    This is the requirement, operating in this band, from Listen, before transmit , freely translated: "Listen, before you broadcast" .
    It's not so bad in the UK parliament there is a rule that only one speaks and the rest listen.
    So far, the LoRa bands are not so crowded :) .

    For your project you may still want to consider the HC-12 modules.

    Admittedly they operate in the lower band, i.e. 433MHz, but they guarantee a range of about 1km in standard configuration, but if you look through the documentation you will discover a slow transmission mode allowing you to double this distance!
    Price on AliE, about 2.3 EUR + 4-5 weeks waiting time at ;) .
    In the AVTSkshop more than 30PLN, but I have also found places at 29 PLN.

    A lot depends on the antenna and, of course, the antenna cable, because transmitting at such low power you need to take care to minimise losses and use all your strengths.
    The "springs" included in the set, use them at the launch stage at home (a few meters or maybe even communication through the wall).
    Another thing is to improve the shielding, as the module is obviously bare.

    Here's a link to the video page and a description of some code examples for the Arduino
    http://www.instructables.com/id/Long-Range-18km-Arduino-to-Arduino-Wireless-Commun/

    Good luck :)
    Attachments:
  • #11 16858211
    vstm
    Level 15  
    A few months have passed and ...KUBA.... probably solved his problem but I want to add my opinion about the HC-12, it might be useful for someone. Lech450 mentioned this module in a previous post. I was looking for transceiver modules for my devices. I recently came across the HC-12, got it up and running and am delighted. At my place three of these work together. Clear, reliable reception, no rubbish when no coverage. I checked the range. A bare module without any screens. On „spring” at 9600 and 100mW it pierced several walls and still about 100m in the city. On the subject of range, a colleague from Brazil made a nice video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ4qYwILRjA&t=419s On a piece of wire (16cm) he reached 1.3km in free space. Seamless launch, I'm really impressed. And the price in the range of 15zł. I bought here: https://www.fasttech.com/products/1099/100434...2-433mhz-100mw-si4463-wireless-remote-control And that's as much as I euphorically wanted to pass on to you. Regards.
  • #12 16858235
    dasej
    Level 32  
    Everything is nice only Silicon Labs analyses transmission conflicts poorly.
    This problem occurs with more transmitting devices ( with hundreds of transmitters ).
    Semtech chips handle this better, and STMicroelectronics chips have the best sensitivity.
  • #13 16859000
    vstm
    Level 15  
    Sure it is. But e.g. such a Lora is 4-5 times more expensive than an Hc12 which is not insignificant when you buy by the dozens. We are still talking about ~500m communication. One more thing. I attached (on contact) a car remote control(433) to the HC12 module receiving the signal from the other Hc transmitting from behind the wall. The receiving Hc ignored the interfering remote control and cleanly received what was transmitted to it. A shock to me.
  • #14 16859226
    Lech450
    Level 9  
    Hello,
    Just a small point, the HC-12, is probably one of the cheapest modules with the Lora protocol and it works. The protocol itself is supposed to work so as to be immune to most common interference - including interference.
    You can also look for early versions of Hope RF modules, e.g. RFM22 or similar, but the price may be less attractive and the mask will not be 2.5mm, but denser.

    There are also other options, such as the 2.4GHz band - but not yet WiFi / BT, but here achieving a range of 500m may already be a challenge in the city.
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  • #15 16859354
    vstm
    Level 15  
    I was referring to Lora - Semtech. I didn't read in the HC-12 manual that it was also this protocol. I may have read that way.
  • #16 16860049
    rekinisko
    Level 22  
    gadula88 wrote:
    And maybe an nRF24L01+ PA LNA module? It's just a matter of writing your own protocol.
    .
    I would also apply this, quietly range up to 1km.
  • #17 16860216
    Lech450
    Level 9  
    vstm wrote:
    .
    Right, nothing about Lora there.
    My inattention
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Topic summary

The discussion focuses on selecting a wireless communication module suitable for approximately 500 meters range between three devices (sensor, data acquisition, display). WiFi and Bluetooth are unsuitable due to limited range. The main candidates are LoRa and XBee modules, with considerations on frequency bands (433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz) and regulatory constraints. LoRa modules (e.g., Semtech SX12xx series) operate under strict bandwidth and duty cycle regulations, limiting throughput and requiring long transmission pauses. The RFM69 (433 MHz) and RFM96 (SX1276) modules are compared, with RFM69HCW offering lower current consumption and +20 dBm output power, while SX1276 is more expensive but with better performance. Legal transmit power limits vary by band, typically up to +20 dBm (100 mW) for 433 and 868 MHz bands, with duty cycle restrictions (e.g., 1% TX time). The HC-12 module (433 MHz, 100 mW) is highlighted as a cost-effective alternative with reliable performance and ranges up to 1 km in open space, though it does not implement the LoRa protocol. Other options include early HopeRF modules (e.g., RFM22) and nRF24L01+ PA LNA modules, which require custom protocol development. Antenna quality and cable losses significantly impact effective range. The discussion also notes that Semtech chips handle transmission conflicts better than Silicon Labs, and STMicroelectronics chips offer superior sensitivity. Overall, the choice depends on balancing cost, power consumption, regulatory compliance, and required throughput for the 500 m communication range.
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