SudoMaker's "Next-Gen" LoShark LoRa Debugging Tool Is Much More Than a USB Dongle
Booting mainline Linux on a MIPS32 core, this self-contained computer is programmable in JavaScript — or another language of your choice.
Embedded hardware specialist SudoMaker has launched a "next-gen" debug tool for those working with LoRa radio networks, the LoShark — and despite looking like a simple USB dongle it runs mainline Linux directly on its own system-on-module.
"The LoShark is a USB key-sized device, designed with a keen focus on offering robust LoRa connectivity and debugging capabilities," the company explains of its latest launch. "It's engineered to operate both independently and in conjunction with a PC, opening up a versatile range of use-cases. Designed with a USB key form factor, LoShark can be easily plugged into a PC or operate independently when connected to a USB power bank."
At its simplest, the LoShark can act as a USB radio for LoRa networks — but it's actually an entirely self-contained single-board computer (SBC) built around SudoMaker's X1501 Pico system-on-module. That means an Ingenic X1501 MIPS32r2 processor core running at 1GHz, 8MB of LPDDR RAM, and the ability to boot mainline Linux directly on-device. It's this which gives the gadget the ability to work as a stand-alone device, connected to nothing but power and a suitable antenna.
"The LoShark's primary strength is its ability to execute JavaScript (ES2015) through our runtime, Resonance," SudoMaker claims. "This feature enables users to program specific tasks, serving as a powerful tool for LoRa debugging, such as capturing packets and sending LoRa messages either manually or programmatically, at minimal delay."
As a Linux system, though, the JavaScript support is optional: the company promises that the LoShark can also run bare-bones Linux applications, written in any language that can output a MIPS32 executable. Programs can be saved in the choice of 256MB or 4GB of storage — connected over an eight-pin Secure Digital interface.
The board design also features a HJSIP HJ-68LR LoRa module, based on the Semtech SX1262 transceiver, for LoRa connectivity, and the option to have 8MB of additional pseudo-static RAM (PSRAM) and a real-time clock with supercapacitor backup fitted.
More information on the project is available on SudoMaker's Hackster.io page, while hardware is available to order on the SudoMaker website starting at $49.99 for the 256MB variant without PSRAM and RTC. Schematics and software are also available on the company's GitHub repository,