We’ve seen plenty of ESP32 LoRa boards with the traditional 433 MHz, 868 MHz, or 915MHz frequencies, but I think LilyGO LoRa V1.8 (aka T3 V1.8) is the first ESP32 board that integrates a Semtech SX1280 transceiver for the 2.4GHz LoRa standard used for global coverage, notably maritime applications, and ranging.
The ESP32 & SX1280 board also offers 26 pins for expansion, a microSD card for data storage, a 2-pin connector for batteries, a 0.96-inch OLED for information display, and comes with a 3D antenna and u.FL connector for WiFi and Bluetooth, and an SMA antenna for LoRa connectivity.
LilyGO LoRa/T3 V1.8 specifications:
- SoC – Espressif ESP32 dual-core Xtensa LX6 processor with 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2
- Storage – 4MB SPI flash, microSD card slot
- Display – 0.96-inch OLED display with 128×64 resolution (SSD1306 I2C driver)
- Connectivity
- 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 4 up to 150 Mbps + Bluetooth 4.2 Classic and LE with “3D antenna” soldered on PCB, u.FL connector for external antenna
- LoRa
- Based on Semtech SX1280 RF transceiver connected to ESP32 via SPI interface
- 2.4 GHz LoRa radio with SMA antenna
- Power Output – +12.5 dBm
- USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming via CH9102 USB to TTL chip
- Expansion – 26-pin header (unpopulated) with GPIO, ADC, VP/VN, DAC, Touch, I2C, UART, 2x “LoRa” pins, and power signals (5V/3.3V/GND)
- Misc – Reset button, battery on/off switch
- Power Supply
- 5V via USB Type-C port
- 3.7VLiPo battery via 2-pin JST connector
- Dimensions – 6.6 x 2.5 cm; width including antenna: 7.9 cm
LilyGO provides some Arduino sketches for 2.4GHz LoRa including a ranging (ToF) demo, as well as receive and transmit samples on Github.
LilyGO LoRa V1.8 board sells for $27.18 plus shipping on Aliexpress, and ships with a 2.4GHz antenna, two headers, and a cable to connect a battery. If you don’t own a 2.4GHz LoRaWAN gateway, you’ll need two to experiment with P2P connection for ranging and/or data transmission.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Does it have better range than the standard one?
The range is supposed to be shorter. The main benefits of 2.4GHz LoRa are that it can work worldwide and supports ranging.
Thanks!
I need similar gotenna device. meybe add some keys (like old phones T9 keyboard)?
Interesting but still to expensive