Laird RM126x LoRaWAN modules and development kits feature Silicon Labs EFR32 MCU, support P2P communication

Laird Connectivity has launched the RM126x series of ultra-low power LoRaWAN modules with the RM1261 based on SX1261 RF transceiver compliant with regulations in Europe, UK, Taiwan, Japan, India, and other countries, and the RM1262 based on Semtech SX1262 for USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc…

The RM126x modules partially achieve their low power consumption through the use of a Silicon Labs EFR32 series microcontroller, and should be integrated into products for industrial, agriculture and forestry, smart cities, utilities monitoring, transportation, logistics, supply chain, healthcare monitoring, and retail.

Laird RM126x specifications:

MCU – Silicon Labs EFR32 Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller with 512KB flash, 32KB SRAM
LoRa connectivity
- RF transceiver – Semtech SX1261 or SX1262
- Data rates
  - LoRa 125kHz
  - LoRa 250kHz
  - LoRa 500kHz
  - FSK 50kbps (as per RP002-1.0.3 )
- Frequency Range (1) – 863 MHz – 870 MHz
- Frequency Range 2 – 902 MHz – 928 MHz
- LoRa Version Class – Version V1.0.4 LoRa MAC Class A, B & C
- Antenna – MHF4 connector with support for Laird’s FlexPIFA and i-FlexPIFA antennas
Power Supply – On-board DC-DC converter
Power consumption – See table below.
Dimensions – 14 x 13 x 2 mm
Temperature Range – -40 °C – 85 °C
Certifications
- RM1262: FCC, ISED, AS/NZS
- RM1261: EU, UKCA, NCC, MIC, IN

RM1261 RM1262 block diagram — RM126x block diagram

RM1262 RM1261 power consumption — Power consumption with VDD @ 3.3V, 25ºC ambient temperature.
Note 2: RM1262 HW RF tuned and capable of operating in both 902-928MHz and 863-870MHz, but RM1262 is not certified for the 863-870MHz band and certified for 902-928MHz band countries (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand).
RM1261 HW RF tuned and capable of operating in both 902-928MHz and 863-870MHz, but RM1261 is certified for
both 902-928MHz (Taiwan, Japan) and 863-870MHz band (India, CE, UKCA) countries.

The modules can operate in hosted mode controlled via AT commands by an external MCU, or in hostless mode where the Cortex-M33 core from the EFR32 microcontroller runs the application code written in C with the Simplicity Studio IDE. The RM126x modules support LoRaWAN classes A, B, and C for bi-directional communication and Laird also says customers can utilize proprietary LoRa Point-to-Point (P2P) capabilities to create a private ultra-long range radio network between two RM126x modules without a traditional gateway.

Laird is also offering development kits for the RM126x LoRaWan modules with an RM1261 or RM1262 DVK board with Qwiic and MikroBus expansion connectors as shown above, a USB cable, and one or two Laird Connectivity i-FlexPIFA antenna(s) for the 902-928 MHz and/or 863-870 bands.

I was unable to find pricing information for the modules and development kits. More information about the RM126x can be found on the product page where you can also register for a chance to win one of six RM126x Series development kits offered by the company, and the press release.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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.