Shenzhen Rakwireless Technology RAK7431 RS485 to LoRaWAN Converter User Manual
- June 5, 2024
- Shenzhen Rakwireless Technology
Table of Contents
Shenzhen Rakwireless Technology RAK7431 RS485 to LoRaWAN Converter
Overview
Introduction
RAK7431 is an RS485 to LoRaWAN™ converter designed for industrial
applications. The device relays ModBUS data using the LoRaWAN™ network as
means of wirelessly transmitting to and from the end devices.
RAK7431 can operate in all of the LoRaWAN™ bands within the standard
parameters defined by the LoRa® Alliance. Its open environment range is 15+km
and in industrial cases, where there are heavy obstructions in the path of the
RF signal performance is improved compared to conventional wireless systems
due to the characteristics of LoRa® as a modulation technique. This allows for
consistently good signal quality within the confines of large factories,
densely populated offices, storehouses, etc.
This RS485 compatible devices can address up to 16 client terminal nodes. The
conversion from and to LoRa® frames is seamless and allows for real time
control and monitoring of multiple RS485 devices. bus data to access and
control the RS485 terminal nodes.
RAK7431 together with RAK’s LoRaWAN™ gateway and LoRa® Server products, can
easily and quickly build a wireless industrial field control system.
RAK7431 adopts industrial protection design, supports wide range voltage
supply, supports wall mounting and DIN rail installation, facilitates field
installation and use.
Main Features
- LoRaWAN™ 1.0.2 protocol stack, supports Class A & C
- Working modes: Polling mode, transparent mode and packet mode
- Remote cloud management of RS485 devices
- Can address up to 16 RS485, a que with up to 32 instruction sets
- Industrial grade STM MCU: ultra-low power (4uA sleep) and wide temperature range of operation.
- Wide range of input voltages, 8-48V DC input
- Can power RS485 devices via a dedicated output.
- Mounting: Wall, DIN rail, and magnetic mounting
- Compliant with IEC61000-4-2, IEC61000-4-4 and 18KV HMB ESD protection
RAK7431 Networking Applications
RAK7431 can convert the data of RS485 devices into LoRaWAN™ that can be sent
to the cloud via a standard LoRaWAN™ Gateway. Cloud servers can also actively
send data to RS485 terminals to achieve two-way data transmission. Using
RAK7431, what used to be a costly and time-consuming cable line network
deployment can be transformed into a rapid and cost-efficient wireless network
deployment.
An example would be using the RAK7249 LoRaWAN™ Gateway coupled with the RAK
WisDM cloud management platform, in order to realize an end-to-end industrial
field data acquisition and control system. Using the built-in LoRa® Server,
that comes standard with any RAK LoRaWAN™ Gateway, one could seamlessly
achieve transmission of the end device data to any application server.
Furthermore, the MQTT integration allows for a high level of security and
efficiency. 
RAK7431 can work in polling mode in order to send query instructions to RS485
nodes, and convert the data returned into LoRa® frames to be relayed to the
application server via a LoRaWAN™ Gateway. 
RAK7431 can store a maximum of 32 query instructions in polling mode, each of
which has a maximum length of 128 bytes. Polling time interval and waiting
time can be adjusted as required.
RAK7431 converts the data returned by RS485 nodes into LoRa® packets that can
be sent to LoRaWAN™ Gateway in two ways: transparent or packet.
- In transparent mode, RS485 data is encapsulated in the payload of LoRa® frames as it is.
- In packet mode, RS485 data is encapsulated in LoRa® frames with the addition of a header and verification.
No matter whether polling mode is enabled or not, the server can actively send
commands to query the RS485 nodes through the LoRaWAN™ Gateway via the
RAK7431. The commands issued and the returned data can also be transmitted in
transparent mode or in packet mode. 
Interfaces
Power supply and configuration interface:
RAK7431 can be powered by its DC terminal or via its Micro USB port.
The DC terminal accepts 8-48V DC input, and the rated power of the device is
1W. Pay attention to the positive and negative pole directions when crimping
the terminal. Vin is connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and
GND is connected to the negative pole of the power supply.
The Micro USB port can also be used for powering the device (5V / 500mA DC).
At the same time, the Micro USB port can be used as the configuration
interface of the device. Connect it to a PC and use the RAK Serial Port Tool
to open a COM port. The default baud rate is 115200. There is a standard set
of AT commands that can be used to configure the RAK7431.
Data interface:
When connecting to RS485 nodes, please connect 485A and 485B on the data
interface of RAK7431 with the A and B lines of the RS485 bus. Connect the GND
terminal to the GN line of the RS485 devices The RS485 bus carrying capacity
of RAK7431 goes up to 16 RS485 terminals at the same time.
The Vout on the data interface can supply power to the RS485 terminals (only
valid when using the DC input interface power supply, USB power supply is
invalid). The Vout output voltage is the same as DC input voltage Vin
.
Reset key and indicator LED:
| Reset Key | Press the reset key shortly to restart the system |
|---|---|
| Red LED | Power indicator (Only valid when using the USB power) |
| Green LED | System working indicator, flashing when there is data transmission |
RAK7431 Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| LoRaWAN™ Protocol | LoRaWAN™ 1.0.2 | |
| LoRa Frequency | RU864, IN865, EU868, US915, AU915, KR920, KR923 | Different |
models support different frequency bands
LoRaWAN™ Mode| Class A / Class C|
LoRa® Antenna interface| SMA MALE, External omnidirectional Antenna|
RS485 Data Rate| Configurable 9600 -115200bps|
RS485 Carrying Capacity| 16 Nodes|
RS485 Protection| 18KV HBM protection
13KV IEC61000-4-2 contact discharge 4KV IEC61000-4-4 fast transient burst
|
Input Voltage| 8-48V| 5V for Micro USB
Rated Power| Maximum 1W|
Output Voltage| 8-48V|
Configuration Interface| Micro USB|
Indicator LED| Power LED, Data LED|
Housing Material| Metal|
Dimension| 93.6 x 100.3 x 24mm|
Protection Grade| IP31|
Installation| Wall mounting, DIN rail installation, magnetic mounting|
Magnetic mounting requires optional accessories
Working Temperature| -30°C ~ 65°C|
Storage Temperature| -40°C ~ 85°C|
Installation
RAK7431 allows for three installation methods: wall mounting, DIN rail
installation and magnetic mounting. The wall installation and DIN rail
installation is the standard installation mode (screw holes). The accessories
required for magnetic mounting are optional.
FCC Caution:
Any Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment .This equipment should be installed and operated with
minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& your body.
Revision History
| Revision | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Initial version | 2019-10-09 |
| 1.1 | Add detailed parameters | 2019-12-27 |
| 1.2 | Product naming and image update, naming errors, some inaccuracy in table | |
| data values | 2019-01-13 |
Document Summary
Prepared by Checked by Approved by
Terry
| ****
&
| ****
Penn
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Terry
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&
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Vladislav
About RAKwireless:
RAKwireless is a pioneer in providing innovative and diverse Cellular and
LoRaWAN connectivity solutions for both Edge and Gateway IoT devices. We
believe that through easy to use and modular designs we can accelerate the
time to market for various IoT Applications in order to optimize system
deployment in both Developer and Commercial settings.
www.RAKwireless.com
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