Catena 4618

Integrated LoRaWAN® Technology Node SH31-DIS-F Temperature/Humidity and Si1133 Light Sensors

Product

Pricing starts at $54.80/unit.
The MCCI Catena 4618 is a complete single-board IoT device and sensors for LoRaWAN projects.

Based on the Murata CMWX1ZZABZ-078, and designed to be compatible with the MCCI Catena 44xx and 46xx family and the Adafruit Feather family of development boards and accessories, the Catena 4618 is a great platform for LoRaWAN investigation and deployment. It works well with The Things Network, or any LoRaWAN 1.0 or 1.1 network in the 865 to 923 MHz range.

Lightweight and small (roughly 2″ by 0.9″), the 4618 needs no external components to measure and send temperature, humidity, and incident light, powered from USB or two AAA cells.

Because of the embedded FRAM, the Catena 4618 fully meets the requirements of LoRaWAN 1.1, without worrying about EEPROM wear-out or wear-leveling, both for ABP and OTAA.

Specifications and Features

Murata LoRaWAN module

  • Semtech SX1276 LoRa radio
  • STM32L082 CPU (Cortex M0+, 32 MHz, 192K flash, 20K RAM)
  • High quality RF engineering
  • Certified for US and EU
  • Tested and compatible with IN866, AS923, AU915, and KR920 bands

Integrated sensors

  • Temperature and Humidity (Sensirion SHT31-DIS-F with IP66-rated protection membrane)
  • Incident Light (Silicon Labs Si1133, measuring IR, white light, and UV)

Additional Features

  • 8K bytes FRAM for LoRaWAN provisioning info and frame counters — power can be removed completely without requiring a new join to the network, and without losing uplink and downlink count values (required for LoRaWAN 1.1)
  • 1M byte SPI Flash for bulk data storage, download storage for FUOTA (Firmware Update Over The Air), etc.
  • Low power standby operation, as low as 22 μA when boost converter is disabled.
  • Boost converter for powering 3.3V external sensors from disposable batteries (such as 2x AAA cells) (Note: in contrast to the Catena 4450 and Catena 4610, there is no charger in this model. A different JST connector is used, so you can’t accidentally plug in Adafruit LiPo batteries.)
  • USB or SWD for download and debug
  • Arduino-compatible programming
  • Pin-compatible with MCCI Catena 4612.
  • Pin-compatible with MCCI Catena 4610 modules, apart from different battery system
  • Pin-compatible with Adafruit Feather M0 family of boards, apart from different battery system (some limitations because the of functional differences between the Murata module and the Atmel SAMD21 CPU used in the Feather M0)
  • Compatible with the MCCI Catena 4450 IoT device, apart from different battery system
  • Designed for use with The Things Network (open-source, user-owned IoT network based on LoRaWAN); but can be used with any LoRaWAN-compatible network
  • Provisions for screw terminals for field wiring to pulse, analog or digital I/O
  • Whip, u.FL, or SMA antenna
  • Open source hardware and software (https://github.com/mcci-catena)

MCCI provides a full Arduino board-support package, available here.

MCCI also provides libraries to allow rapid prototyping and experimenting. Libraries include:

In addition to the Arduino environment, ST Micro tools may also be used.

The Catena 4618 works well with and is tested with The Things Network (an open-source, user-owned IoT network based on LoRaWAN); but can be used with any LoRaWAN-compatible network.

Pricing and Availability

The Catena 4618 is available now via the MCCI on-line store. MCCI offers several variants.

  • The basic board (“BASIC”) has a U.FL connector for an external antenna. It ships with 12 and 16-pin terminal strips, unassembled. User attaches antenna (and terminal strips if desired). A whip antenna suitable for 915 MHz operation is supplied. (It will also work well with 868 and 866 MHz bands, with slightly reduced efficiency.
  • The DIY developer board (“DIY”): same as BASIC (with terminal strips and antennas), adding screw terminals, AAA battery clip, and two industrial AAA batteries. Works with US, Europe, Asia-923, India, Korean, and Australian regional plans.
  • The environmental monitoring system (“M102”): assembled unit for monitoring one or more external Dallas Semiconductor “One Wire” sensors and/or a soil humidity/temperature sensor, with screw terminals, 2xAAA battery clip, and whip antenna; for mounting in Stephenson screen (not included).

For assembled units, variant codes select dedicated antennas for US915/AS923/AU915/KR920, EU868, or IN866 operation. Some models are available with U.FL or SMA connectors for use with external antenna. Contact us for more details.

Volume discounts and custom variants are available. Contact MCCI via email (sales@mcci.com) for assistance.