Easiest and most secure LoRaWAN module?

[Lazyboy]

Hi, Im Tomislav from Onethinx. We are a small company and we have developed a LoRaWAN module, for which we believe to be the easiest and most secure. We would like to know your opinion regarding our module. Your honest opinion? Would you use it? Is security important to you? Price?

Here are some specs:

Here is a bit about the Onethinx module:

• PSoC 6 dual ARM core microcontroller
• ARM M0+ core runs certified locked stack
• ARM M4 core runs users application (free to program)
• Integrated Secure Element
• Semtech SX1261 radio
• integrated omnidirectional antenna
• Small Form factor: 24.5x20 mm
• CE and FCC certified
• PSA level 1 certified
• LoRa Alliance certified stack (transferable certification)
• Bluetooth 5 (no antenna)
• Easy to use API (few functions to get going)

Range we got: 13km
Average range people get: 11km

Ultra Low power mode current: 2uA

Here are some of the main differentiators of our module compared to most other LoRaWAN modules
1. Immediately ready to use: ultra short time-to-market.
2. LoRa Alliance Certification by Similarity
3. Implement ARM® PSA® in your LoRaWAN™ device
4. The Onethinx core module uses the PSoC® 64 SecureBoot MCU with secure element functionality.
5. The combination of the new SX126x LoRaWAN™ radiochip together with the highly efficiënt integrated antenna ensures robust LoRaWAN functionality and longest battery life.
 

Few functions to get going:

• coreStatus_t LoRaWAN_Init(coreConfiguration_t* coreConfigurationPtr)
• coreStatus_t LoRaWAN_Join(bool waitTillFinished)
• coreStatus_t LoRaWAN_Send(uint8_t* buffer, uint8_t length, bool waitTillFinished)
• coreStatus_t LoRaWAN_GetRXdata(uint8_t* buffer, uint8_t length)
• coreStatus_t LoRaWAN_GetStatus()
• errorStatus_t LoRaWAN_GetError()

Our current prices are(excl. VAT):
•         <1000    pieces:  €18.75
•         1000+    pieces:  €17.75
•         5000+     pieces:  €16.95

https://www.onethinx.com/module.html

What is your opinion on our module?

[Lazyboy]

Got a new datasheet: https://www.onethinx.com/Content/downloads/Onethinx_Core_Specification_revC-final.pdf

[jeremy]

Looks neat. Price is unfortunately getting more important by the day in these sensors as more come out, and this is more than double the cost of the murata module (in ~200pcs) which works with the semtech stack. To be brutally honest, it looks like something I would try out, but then be forced into using the murata module anyway by cost pressures.

Range measurements are misleading as they depend on the frequency plan you use (maximum EIRP, DR0 hogs the gateway badly, so it isn’t realistically used) and antenna configuration (ground plane size, etc), but I don’t blame you for posting them as everyone else is doing it  it is definitely refreshing to see the sleep current, rather than the usual “device will last for 50 years on tiny coin cell no problems* (*transmission once per year using ideal batteries as the battery model)”.

I think you should consider a breadboard adapter version of your dev kit.

[Phoenix]

You have stated that you have fcc approval but I can't find any details in the datasheet. Also, I was under the understanding that an fcc certified module must be shielded.

Have you got approval on a newer prototype than the one shown? I looked at renders on the website and datasheet and what looks like a photo and none had a shield or allowance for.

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk

[Lazyboy]

Price is unfortunately getting more important by the day in these sensors as more come out, and this is more than double the cost of the murata module (in ~200pcs) which works with the semtech stack. To be brutally honest, it looks like something I would try out, but then be forced into using the murata module anyway by cost pressures.

Firstly, we have used murata before in our applications, but we had strong reasons why we shifted to develop our own module. I understand that the price might be an issue, but I suggest you look at it from different angle:

• Our module is used as a microcontroller. PSoC 6x are dual core microcontrollers, With Onethinx Core module, one core runs our stack, while the other is free for users application
• Integrated omnidirectional antenna, you do not have to design an antenna or be an RF expert
• Integrated secure element, allows for secure boot and secure firmware upgrade, all security implemented, you do not have to be a security expert http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/2340.html
• Bluetooth 5 available on module
• Simple API calls (with 3 functions you can start sending data)
• Small 20x24.5mm size
• Two-silicon solution and thereby has the potential to scale very well in high-volume projects
• ...and many more....

Range measurements are misleading as they depend on the frequency plan you use (maximum EIRP, DR0 hogs the gateway badly, so it isn’t realistically used) and antenna configuration (ground plane size, etc)

We understand that the range depends on multiple factors. We are using multiple channels. The range of 13 km we got is not official, but it was measured from a basement of a building (our office) to the farthest gateway available (13km) using DR0. Our range (unofficially) closely follows these values:

it is definitely refreshing to see the sleep current, rather than the usual “device will last for 50 years on tiny coin cell no problems* (*transmission once per year using ideal batteries as the battery model)”.

Thank you!

I think you should consider a breadboard adapter version of your dev kit.

Planned for future!

In addition, just to show, this is a picture of our latest POC device (14x3.5cm), the Agriculture sensor (Soil moisture, soil temperature, air temperature, light intensity):

[Lazyboy]

You have stated that you have fcc approval but I can't find any details in the datasheet. Also, I was under the understanding that an fcc certified module must be shielded.

Have you got approval on a newer prototype than the one shown? I looked at renders on the website and datasheet and what looks like a photo and none had a shield or allowance for.

FCC still in progress.