DEBIX Polyhex LoRa Board Mini PCIe Interface User Guide

June 14, 2024
DEBIX

Polyhex Technology Company Limited
DEBIX LoRa Board User Guide
Version: V1.0 (2023-07)

Polyhex LoRa Board Mini PCIe Interface

Complied by: Polyhex Technology Company Limited(http://www.polyhex.net/
DEBIX LoRa Board is compatible with DEBIX Model A/B and provides a Mini PCIe interface for LoRa Module. LoRa enables long-range transmissions with low power consumption. In addition to a LoRa Antenna Connector, it also has a Wifi Antenna Connector and Bluetooth Pairing Button.

REVISION HISTORY

Rev.| Date| Description
1| 2022.07.24| First edition

Chapter 1 Security

1.1. Safety Precaution
The following messages inform how to make each cable connection. In most cases, you will simply need to connect a standard cable.
Table 1 Terms and conventions

Symbol Meaning
Always disconnect the power cord from the chassis whenever there is no

workload required on it. Do not connect the power cable while the power is on. A sudden rush of power can damage sensitive electronic components. Only experienced electricians should open the chassis.
| Always ground yourself to remove any static electric charge before touching DEBIX product. Modern electronic devices are very sensitive to electric charges. Use a grounding wrist strap at all times. Place all electronic components on a static-dissipative surface or in a static-shielded bag.

1.2. Safety Instruction
To avoid malfunction or damage to this product please observe the following:

  1. Disconnect the device from the DC power supply before cleaning. Use a damp cloth. Do not use liquid detergents or spray-on detergents.

  2. Keep the device away from moisture.

  3. During installation, set the device down on a reliable surface. Drops and bumps will lead to damage.

  4. Before connecting the power supply, ensure that the voltage is in the required range, and the way of wiring is correct.

  5. Carefully put the power cable in place to avoid stepping on it.

  6. If the device is not used for a long time, power it off to avoid damage caused by sudden overvoltage.

  7. Do not pour liquid into the venting holes of the enclosure, as this could cause fire or electric shock.

  8. For safety reasons, the device can only be disassembled by professional personnel.

  9. If one of the following situations occur, get the equipment checked by service personnel:
    • The power cord or plug is damaged.
    • Liquid has penetrated into the equipment.
    • The equipment has been exposed to moisture.
    • The equipment does not work well, or you cannot get it to work according to the user’s manual.
    • The equipment has been dropped and damaged.
    • The equipment has obvious signs of breakage.

  10. Do not place the device outside the specified ambient temperature range. This will damage the machine. It needs to be kept in an environment at controlled temperature.

  11. Due to the sensitive nature of the equipment, it must be stored in a restricted access location, only accessible by qualified engineer.

DISCLAIMER: Polyhex disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy of any statement of this instructional document.
1.3. Declaration of Compliance
CE: This equipment has passed CE certified.
FCC: This equipment has passed FCC certified.
RoHS: This equipment is manufactured in compliance with RoHS regulations.
UKCA: This equipment has passed UKCA certified.
1.4. Technical Support

  1. Visit DEBIX website https://www.debix.io/ where you can find the latest information about the product.
  2. Contact your distributor, sales representative or Polyhex’s customer service center for technical support if you need additional assistance. Please have the following info ready before you call:
    • Product name
    • Description of your peripheral attachments
    • Description of your software(operating system, version, application software, etc.)
    • A complete description of the problem
    • The exact wording of any error messages

Discord Community (recommended): https://discord.com/invite/adaHHaDkH2
Email: info@polyhex.net

Chapter 2 DEBIX LoRa board Introduction

DEBIX LoRa board for DEBIX motherboard provides a Mini PCIe interface, and supports access to LoRa module to enable long-range transmissions with low power consumption.
Main features:

  • Support Mini PCIe LoRa module.
  • Support WiFi, Bluetooth.
  • Low power consumption, long distance transmission.

2.1. Overview DEBIX LoRa board provides Mini PCIe interface of DEBIX motherboard to support LoRa, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. The data specifications are as below:
Table 2 DEBIX LoRa Board specification

I/O Interface

USB| 1 x USB Type-C Debug (USB to Serial)
Mini PCIe| 1 x Mini PCIe, support LoRa module
LED & Key| l 1 x Operation LED
l 1 x Bluetooth Pairing LED
l 1 x Bluetooth Pairing Key
External| l 1 x WiFi antenna
Antenna| l 1 x LoRa antenna
Storage| 2Kbit EEPROM
Clipper Chip| 1 x Secure Element, e.g.ATECC608
Mechanical & Environmental
Size (L x W)| 85.0mm x 61.2mm
Weight| 54g

2.2. Interface
2.2.1. Debug Interface
DEBIX LoRa board has a USB Type-C Debug interface (J104) as a debug port for DEBIX troubleshooting program. 2.2.2. Mini PCIe
DEBIX LoRa board has a PCIE Gen3.0 single lane PCIe controller compatible with the following standards:

  • PCI Express Base Specification, Revision 4.0, Version 0.7
  • PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 3.0
  • PCI Bus Power Management Specification, Revision 1.2
  • PCI Express Card Electromechanical Specification, Revision 1.1

Mini PCIe interface (J101) supports Mini PCIe LoRa module. The Mini PCIe interface is defined as follows:
Table 3 Pin definition of Mini PCIe

Pin Definition Pin Definition
1 NC 2 LORA_5V
3 NC 4 GND
5 NC 6 NC
7 NC 8 NC
9 GND 10 NC
11 NC 12 NC
13 NC 14 NC
15 GND 16 RF-RWREN
17 ECSPI1_SCLK 18 GND
19 ECSPI1_MISO 20 NC
21 GND 22 LORA-RST
23 ECSPI1_MOSI 24 NC
25 ECSPI1_SSO 26 GND
27 GND 28 NC
29 GND 30 NC
31 NC 32 NC
33 NC 34 GND
35 GND 36 NC
37 GND 38 NC
39 LORA_3V3 40 GND
41 LORA_3V3 42 NC
43 GND 44 NC
45 NC 46 NC
47 NC 48 NC
49 NC 50 GND
51 NC 52 LORA_3V3
53 GND 54 GND
55 GND 56 GND

2.2.3. LED & Key
DEBIX LoRa board has two LED indicators, one Bluetooth pairing button, as shown in the following figure: Table 4 Description of LED & Key

LED & Key Operation LED Status Lighting Description Power is on
off Power is off
Pairing LED Blinking Bluetooth pairing is successful
off System fault
Bluetooth Pairing Button Long press blinking Bluetooth pairing is successful

and works

2.3. Packing List

  • DEBIX LoRa Board
  • LoRa Module (optional)
  • Antenna (optional)

Chapter 3 Getting started

3.1. Hardware connection

  • Component Preparation
  • DEBIX LoRa board, DEBIX motherboard
  • LoRa Module
  • 2 x External Antenna

The connection steps are as follows:

  1. Install the LoRa module onto the DEBIX LoRa board, as shown below:

  2. Connect two antennas to the antenna interfaces of the DEBIX LoRa board, as shown in the following figure:

  3. Align the female header of DEBIX LoRa board with the top pin header of DEBIX motherboard, and press to insert, as shown in the following figure:
    NOTE
    It is necessary to confirm that the female header of DEBIX LoRa board are aligned one by one with the top pin header on the DEBIX motherboard to avoid damage to the board caused by power on after misalignment.

  4. Insert the Micro SD card with DEBIX system into the slot of DEBIX motherboard, connect DEBIX peripherals (HDMI monitor, keyboard, mouse, network cable), power up DEBIX, and the DEBIX can be used normally.

Chapter 4 Function Examples

4.1. Usage of LoRa module

  • Component Preparation
    DEBIX LoRa board, DEBIX motherboard
    WiFi antenna, LoRa antenna, LoRa module
    Peripherals (HDMI, keyboard, mouse, network cable)

  • LoRa module hardware resources:

Table 5 LoRa module hardware resources

Function name I/O name Device node Description
SPI ECSPI1-SSO /dev/spidev0.0 SPI chip select
ECSP11-MOSI SPI data output
ECSP11-MISO SPI data input
ECSPI1-SCLK SPI clock
LORA RST GPI01-1011 /dev/lora reset Lora module reset
LORA-PWR-EN CAN 1-TXD /dev/lora en Lora module enable power
  1. Connect DEBIX LoRa board and DEBIX motherboard as the steps described above, and power up DEBIX;

  2. Check whether LoRa is supported in the system:
    • Open the terminal, run the command ls /dev/lora*, the output is as follows: /dev/lora_en /dev/lora_reset
    • The existence of lora_en and lora_reset files in the /dev/ directory proves that the DEBIX kernel supports LoRa.

  3. Test whether the LoRa module is normal:
    • Run the command cd /opt/packet_forwarder/, and sudo ./lora_pkt_fwd, the outpas follows:
    Packet Forwarder
    Version: 1.0.5
    SX1302 HAL library version info
    Version: 1.0.5;


    INFO: Little endian host
    INFO: found configuration file global_conf.json, parsing it
    INFO: global_conf.json does contain a JSON object named SX130x_conf, parsing
    SX1302 parameters
    INFO: spidev_path /dev/spidev0.0, lorawan_public 1, clksrc 0, full_duplex 0
    lgw_board_setconf:236: Note: board configuration: spidev_path: /dev/spidev0.0,
    lorawan_public:1, clksrc:0, full_duplex:0
    INFO: antenna_gain 0 dBi

    Note: success connecting the concentrator
    Loading AGC fw for sx1250
    Loading ARB fw
    INFO: [main] concentrator started, packet can now be received
    INFO: concentrator EUI: 0x0016c001ff1a8f79
    •  The output shows “success connecting the concentrator”, indicating that the LoRa module has been successfully connected.

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References

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