I’m planning to create a LoRa gateway and I’d like to keep the setup as simple as possible. I’m currently using a Jetson Orin (but open to suggestions for other single-board computers). My goal is to build an application that runs on this board, allowing me to manage LoRa communication effectively.

I’m based in India, so I want to ensure my setup complies with local frequency regulations (typically 865-867 MHz).

Here’s what I have in mind so far:

Hardware: Jetson Orin (or alternative SBC) + LoRa module (e.g., RFM95, SX1276).

Software: Planning to use Linux (probably Ubuntu) on the Orin and work with Python/C++ for the application.

Goal: Build a basic LoRa gateway to receive data from LoRa nodes and possibly forward it to a cloud service.

Questions:

1. What are the essential components I need to set up a LoRa gateway?

2. Are there any recommended LoRa modules that work seamlessly with the Jetson Orin?

3. What open-source libraries or frameworks would help with LoRa communication?

4. Any India-specific challenges I should be aware of regarding frequency usage or legal compliance?

5. Suggestions for optimizing performance for long-range, low-power communication?

I’m looking for advice, experiences, or even links to existing tutorials! Thanks in advance for your help.

I’m planning to create a LoRa gateway and I’d like to keep the setup as simple as possible. I’m currently using a Jetson Orin (but open to suggestions for other single-board computers). My goal is to build an application that runs on this board, allowing me to manage LoRa communication effectively.

I’m based in India, so I want to ensure my setup complies with local frequency regulations (typically 865-867 MHz).

Here’s what I have in mind so far:

Hardware: Jetson Orin (or alternative SBC) + LoRa module (e.g., RFM95, SX1276).

Software: Planning to use Linux (probably Ubuntu) on the Orin and work with Python/C++ for the application.

Goal: Build a basic LoRa gateway to receive data from LoRa nodes and possibly forward it to a cloud service.

Questions:

1. What are the essential components I need to set up a LoRa gateway?

2. Are there any recommended LoRa modules that work seamlessly with the Jetson Orin?

3. What open-source libraries or frameworks would help with LoRa communication?

4. Any India-specific challenges I should be aware of regarding frequency usage or legal compliance?

5. Suggestions for optimizing performance for long-range, low-power communication?

I’m looking for advice, experiences, or even links to existing tutorials! Thanks in advance for your help.

• gateway
• nvidia-jetson
• lora
• jetson-xavier

1 Answer 1

Not sure you need something as powerful, a Raspberry Pi or clone could do the trick. I have 3 different setups, which both work well.

• Raw LoRa

Devices with sensors send a packet every XX minutes. A device at home picks up the packets, connected to an RPi 4 via USB. A Python script reads them, processes them, and uploads the data to a dashboard. Simple and efficient.

• LoRaWAN

Similar setup, but the sensor devices work as LoRaWAN devices. My LoRaWAN gateway uploads the data to TheThingNetwork, which bounces the data to an MQTT broker. Another RPi receives the data: the Python script gets JSON from TTN. Processing, storage, upload to a dashboard.

The v2 bypassed TTN and sent the data to my Chirpstack instance, allowing the data to stay local. LoRaWAN --> Chirpstack --> MQTT --> Python script.

• Meshtastic

Sensor devices are preset to send environment & altri data on a fixed schedule. Station at home receives data, and forwards it to a private MQTT broker. Which I host on a small Linux device. This is where it gets fun. The JSON is parsed and cleaned up by a Python script (eg the ID of the device sending the data is supplemented with the device's humanly readable name; timestamps are converted to date-time, etc). The data is bounced back to the same MQTT broker, different topic. Meanwhile, a map is updated to locate the devices (useful when doing distance tests and the devices are on the move). And the environment data is plotted in charts, for each device. Maps and charts are hosted on an external server for easy access.

There's really a lot you can do, and it all depends on how much time and money you have to tinker with all this. The device you connect to the home base should have either an AT firmware (easiest to handle), or should be programmable to upload your own firmware (lots more work though).

In all cases I have a crontab script that makes sure the Python script is alive, and if not restarts it.