Gumstix Pi Conduit Gateway Board Leverages Raspberry Pi Compute Module, Off-the-Shelf LoRa and Cellular Modules

Gumstix has designed Pi Conduit Gateway baseboard for both the Raspberry Pi Compute Module and RisingRF RHF0M301 LoRa gateway module, in order to create a Linux based LoRa gateway that can optionally support LTE or other cellular connectivity via NimbeLink Skywire cellular modem.

Conduit Pi LoRa Gateway board specifications:

• 200-pin SO-DIMM connector for Raspberry Pi Compute Module / Raspberry Pi 3 Compute Module (CM3 / CM3L)
• Headers for RisingRF RHF0M301 LoRa Module
• NimbeLink Skywire 2G/3G/4G cellular modem connector
• Low profile 10/100M Ethernet jack (implemented via USB 2.0)
• USB – 1x micro USB port for debugging via an FTDI USB to TTL chip
• Misc – User (GPIO5) and reset buttons
• Power Supply – 5V via power barrel

The board was designed using Geppetto, which means you should be able to customize it to your needs by modifying it the original design in a web browser, and order your brand new custom board from there.

Let’s have a closer look at the LoRa and LTE modules – pictured above – for the baseboard:

• RisingRF RHF0M301 LoRa Gateway and Concentrator Module:
  • 10 channels (8 x Multi-SF + 1 x Standard LoRa + 1 x FSK) LoRa/LoRaWAN gateway or concentrator module.
  • RF input power – less than -13dBm
  • Frequency ranges (SKU dependent) – 430MHz ~ 437MHz; 470MHz ~ 490MHz; 779MHz ~ 787MHz; 859MHz ~ 870MHz; 900MHz ~ 930MHz
  • Host Interface – SPI
  • 24 pins DIP header
  • Operating voltage – <= 6V
  • Dimension – 40 x 63 mm
  • Temperature range – -40°C to +85°C
• NimbeLink Skywire cellular modem modules:
  • 2x 10-pin headers
  • Several models for 2G CDMA, 2G GPRS, 3G EVDO, 3G HSPA+, LTE Cat 1/3/4, or LTE Cat M1
  • GPS supported on some models
  • Interfaces – XBee Standard, UART, and USB (on some models only)
  • Operating voltage – Depends on module (
  • Dimensions – 33 x 29 x 10.5 mm
  • Temperature range – -40°C to +85°C

Gumstix are known for their Overo modules based on Texas Instruments OMAP/Sitara processors, so they’ve also made an Overo Conduit Gateway using Overo modules instead of the Raspberry Pi SoMs, but only supporting RisingRF LoRa module, not the cellular ones. The video below gives an overview of the new Gumstix LoRa solutions and how to customize the board in Geppetto.

Pi Conduit Gateway board is sold for $84, but bear in mind that you need to add the price of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, RisingRF module, and optionally NimbeLink Skywire cellular mode. The Overo baseboard is quite cheaper, and also customizable at $59. Visit Gumstix LoRaWAN family page for the full details.

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