This is the first board of the TellMee IoT project, specially designed for IoT projects. It has a host controller, inputs, outputs, external memory, WiFi and LoRa modules. It can be powered by a single lithium-ion battery or connected to the mains.

 

For the SW development I am using the STM32CubeIDE with C language + FreeRTOS. Internal 5 pins connector available to connect the STLink flash/debug interface.

The host controller interfaces via AT commands to the WiFi and LoRa modules.

Block Diagram

Main Functions

  • Two possible power supplies (assembly option), both reverse polarity protected:
    Line Supply: input voltage range from 6V to 32V, with a Buck converter to 3.3V;
    Battery Supply: input voltage range from 1.8V to 5.5V, with a Buck-Boost converter to 3.3V;
  • STM32 Arm Cortex M4 32bits, L4 family, low power uC, with 128kB Flash and 64kB SRAM (LQFP48, different uC variants are available in the family);
  • Three Digital Inputs, configurable for High or Low active (assembly option);
  • Two Analog Inputs, configurable for measuring positive voltage or resistance for temperature sensor (assembly option);
  • Two Analog Inputs, configurable for measuring positive voltage or 4-20mA sensor signal (assembly option);
  • Two Digital Outputs in open drain configuration, suitable for inductive loads, with max. current of 150mA @24V or 300mA @12V (assembly option);
  • One channel serial line RS485, half duplex;
  • WiFi communication, according to the standard 802.11 b/g/n, performed by the ESP8266-12F module. Internal PCB antenna;
  • LoRaWAN communication, Class A, B and C according to LoRaWAN specification 1.0.3, performed by the RAK3172 module. Supported bands: IN865, EU868, AU915, US915, KR920, RU864, and AS923 (configured via SW). Ipex 1 antenna connector for external antenna;
  • Onboard precision Temperature (+/- 0.2°C) and Humidity (+/- 2% RH) sensor, performed by the SHTC3 sensor;
  • 8kbit serial EEPROM for system configuration;
  • 8Mbit serial flash memory for data logging and firmware update process;
  • Buzzer for acoustic warnings, typ. 2.7kHz frequency;
  • Three LEDs for visual interface and warnings.

PCB

FR4 two layers, single side SMD assembly, 90 x 60 mm

Assembled Samples

WiFi option only and WiFi + LoRa, working as a gateway for a private LoRaP2P network

The following block was not tested yet:

  • SPI Flash Memory

14/Jul/2024

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