ESPKnack ESP32C6 LoRa Isolated I/Os RS485 5-60V 4-20mA Relay

ESPKnack

ESP32-C6 based LoRa | Isolated I/Os | RS485 | ADC | 5-60V | 4-20mA Current Loop | Relays | DIN SDK

This latest project is an extension to my expanding range of LoRa and ESP32-C6 supported STEM Boards, based on the ESPRanger

Supporting STEM Electronic Internet of Things & Home Automation Technology for Smart Energy Monitoring

Updates

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Feature Overview

What is ESPKnack?

TheESPKnack follows on from the popular ESPRanger and includes the following:

• Espressif ESP32-C6 U.FLWiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Thread
• EByte E22-900M22S LoRa SX1262 module for 850 MHz through to 930 MHz
• Chipanalog CA-IS2092Industry Standard Galvanic Isolated RS-485 interface
• RTC DS3231SN5V to 3V3 DC SMPS
• 4-20mA Current LoopHCNR200-500E - Galvanic Isolation
• ADC ADS111516bit 4 Channels
• TI TMP102Digital Temperature
• FET 2N7002DWPWM/GPIO Output Galvanic Isolation
• Relays SRD-05VDC-SL-CC15A 250VAC SPDT - CO - Galvanic Isolation
• Siproin SSP94815 to 60V DC SMPS for wide ranging power input, providing a stable 5V
• OnSemi NCP167BMX3305V to 3V3 DC SMPS
• EEPROM P24C64C64Kbit storageTwo EEPROMs are included, one for ATGM336H and one for the ESP32-C6.

Where can ESPKnack be used?

The ESPKnack board can be used in a wide range of projects and installations such as:

- Agriculture

- Automation

- Commercial

- Emergency Response

- Factories

- Farms

- Greenhouses

- Homes

- Industry

- Livestock Monitoring

- Makers

- Off Grid Systems

- Robotics

- Scientific Research

- Security

- Shipping

- Smart systems

- Solar Farms

- STEM Education

- Surveillance

- Wind Farms

Features (Preliminary)

Radio and U.FL

ESPKnack main MCU is the ESP32-C6 which includes a powerful radio module, opening up a range of IoT applications that include:

Wi-Fi 6

• 2.4 GHz (2400 ~ 2483.5 MHz)
• 802.11ax (20 MHz bandwidth)
• 802.11b/g/n (20/40 MHz bandwidth)
• CE Max EIRP 19.81 dBm

Bluetooth

• 2.4 GHz (2400 ~ 2483.5 MHz)
• Bluetooth LE
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Bluetooth Mesh
• CE Max EIRP 18.46 dBm

Thread 1.4

• 2.4 GHz (2405 ~ 2480 MHz)
• 802.15.4
• Thread Mesh
• CE Max EIRP 10.29 dBm

Zigbee 3.0

• 2.4 GHz (2405 ~ 2480 MHz)
• 802.15.4
• Zigbee Mesh
• CE Max EIRP 10.40 dBm

Zigbee and mesh are expanding in an range of home, farming and industrial applications, so will be interested to see how this develops over time.

LoRa and LoRaWAN

The main focus of the ESPKnack board was sensor flexibility and the ability to send this data to the outside world. LoRa provides a Long Range wireless communication technology.

The ESPKnack includes an EByte E22-900M22S LoRa module, with Semtech SX1262. This module covers 850 to 930MHz, so allowing the ESPRanger to work in many countries around the World.

Example bands:

• AS923 (AS1) band (920-923 MHz) in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore
• AS923 (AS2) band (915–928 MHz) in Asia
• AU915 band (915–928 MHz) in South America
• CN779 band (779-787 MHz) in China
• EU868 band (863–870 MHz) in Europe
• IN865 band (865-867 MHz) in India
• KR920 band (920-923 MHz) in Korea
• RU864 band (864-870 MHz) in Russia
• US915 band (902–928 MHz) in North America

LoRa networks supported include TTN,Helium,SkyNet,Meshtastic,MeshCore and ChirpStack.

LoRa IoT to Satellite

The LoRa radio module in ESPKnack, operates from 850 MHz through to 930 MHz, so providing worldwide capability. This uses the LoRa module E22-900M22S, incorporating the Semtech SX1262.

This LoRa Wireless includes the expanded Satellite IoT range, enabling direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity.

Suitable circular polarized antenna will be required.

This is really exciting, especially for those who wish to have really remote site monitoring and explore the available technology options.

LoRa Local Networks

A LoRa network can be local and self contained. This includes 'private' networks for company or farm usage. Examples are:

• ChirpStack (Open-source LoRaWAN)
• Meshtastic (Open source, Off-grid, Decentralized, Mesh network)
• MeshCore (Open source, Multi Platform System)

ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server, providing a private network. or an integrated network with the wider LoRaWAN such as TTN.

Meshtastic provides a way to connect nodes and propagate messages across an off-gride network.

Coverage Examples:

• TTN
• Helium
• SkyNet
• ThingsIX
• Meshtastic
• Chirpstack

An U.FL antenna connector is provided to allow internal or external antennas to be fitted.

RS-485

To interfacing to other devices shich Smart Meters, Devices and Smart Batteries which have an RS-485 MODBUS interface, the ESPKnack includes a standard industry interface which allows you to collect, or control, other devices on the RS-485 bus, using the Galvanic Isolation from the CA-IS2092.

This Galvanically Isolated RS-485 interface could also be used to control local CCTV on remote installations, or even send data from the ESPKnack board over a single twisted pair, up to around 1, 200 meters (4, 000 feet), in distance. Ideal for farms and remote installations.

In addition to RS485, it is possible to use this interface for Lighting Controller or Analyser/monitor control through DMX, or DMX512.

Outline Features and Specifications

Full features to be updated.

Programming and Development

Development is primarily supported through Visual Studio Code (VSCode and PlatformIO) and Arduino IDE. This also includes platforms like Home Assistant via ESPHome.

A range of libraries are already available which support the devices on the ESPKnack such as the:

• ESP32-C6
• E22-900M22S (SX1262)
• EEPROM J1424C64
• ADS1115
• TCA6408
• OLED Display
• RS485
• TMP102
• WS2812

Code support is available in my existing GitHub code.

This is a worldwide community project and is able to be integrated in so many systems.

Further Information

Additional information, and other technical details on this project, maybe found in the related repository pages.

Repository Folders

• Code(Code examples for Arduino IDE, PlatformIO)
• Datasheets and Information(Component Datasheets, Schematics, Board Layouts, Photos, Technical Documentation)
• Certification(Related Repository Project or Part, Certification Information)

Repository Tabs

• Wiki(Related Repository Wiki pages and Technical User Information)
• Discussions(Related Repository User Discussion Forum)
• Issues(Related Repository Technical Issues and Fixes)

We value our Customers, Users of our designs and STEM Communities, all over the World. Should you have any other questions, or feedback to share to others, please feel free to:

• Visit the related Project plus the relatedDiscussions and Wiki Pages. See tab in each separate repository.
• Project Community Information can be found at https://www.hackster.io/DitroniX
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• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DitroniX
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• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/g8puo/

Dave Williams, Maidstone, UK.

Electronics Engineer | Software Developer | R&D Support | RF Engineering | Product Certification and Testing | STEM Ambassador

STEM

Supporting STEM Learning