HT-1303 LoRa Concentrator Module Linux Drive

This project is depends on Semtech^® sx1302_hal project.

This document is trying to make sense how to drive Heltec Automation HT-1303 (SX1303 + SX1250) module on Linux. before all the operation you may need basic knowledge of Linux operation system. this document is a basic manual of Raspberry Pi.

Preparation

• A Raspberry Pi (RPI3, RPI4, Zero, etc. are also fine)
• [HT-1303 LoRa Concentrator Module](HT1303 LoRaWAN Concentrator Module – Heltec Automation)
• Raspberry Pi Interposer Board

1.Hardware Connections

Plug the HT-1303 module into the adapter module, and connect the adapter module to the Raspberry Pi, finally connect it to the Raspberry Pi's power supply, As shown in the figure.

2. Configure the HT-1303 Linux (SPI) Drive

On the Linux system ~ path, by running the following commands to install HT-1303 drive.

git clone https://github.com/HelTecAutomation/ht-1303.git lora
cd lora/packet_forwarder
cp -f global_conf_EU868.json global_conf.json  //use the corresponding region configure file
nano global_conf.json //edit the config file

Now you will see the following content at the end of global_conf.json file, modify parameters according to the actual situation.

"gateway_conf": {
        "gateway_ID": "b827ebFFFEf49e97",  //LoRa gateway ID
        /* change with default server address/ports */
        "server_address": "lora.heltec.org", //LoRa NS address
        "serv_port_up": 1700,    //Packet uplink port, 1700 by default
        "serv_port_down": 1700,  //Packet downlink port, 1700 by default
        /* adjust the following parameters for your network */
        "keepalive_interval": 10,
        "stat_interval": 30,
        "push_timeout_ms": 100,
        /* forward only valid packets */
        "forward_crc_valid": true,
        "forward_crc_error": false,
        "forward_crc_disabled": false
    }

The gateway_ID will be generated during the lrgateway.service install process, after the installation of the entire service is completed, open globalis_comf.json again and you will get the correct gateway ID.

Now the configure process is done, running make clean all to build the source code to output executable file.

cd packet_forwarder
./lora_pkt_fwd

If all process goes well, you will see information output like the following figure shown. Now the HT-1303 is success running.

3. Create a System Service

The above steps are just to get the program running. We can create a system service to set it boot up enable.

sudo cp lrgateway.service /etc/system/lrgateway.service  //create a system service named lrgateway
systemctl start lrgateway    //Enable lrgateway service
systemctl enable lrgateway   //Enable auto start for each system boot up

Now the lrgateway.service is successfully create, by running the systemctl status lrgateway to check status.

Now the components can working like a LoRa gateway and able to register on a LoRa NS.