RNode Firmware

This is the firmware for RNode, a very flexible LoRa-based Open Communications Device.

An RNode can function as a:

• General purpose long-range data radio module
• Network adapter for Reticulum
• LoRa interface for your computer (or any device with a USB or serial port)
• Generic LoRa-based network adapter
• Packet sniffer for LoRa networks
• LoRa-based KISS-compatible TNC for amateur radio and AX.25 applications
• Flexible platform for experiementing with LoRa technology

To install this firmware on homebrew RNodes and other supported boards, use rnodeconf, the RNode Config Utility. For guides and tutorials on how to get started with making your own RNodes, visit unsigned.io.

Get Started

You can download and flash the firmware to all the supported boards using the RNode Config Utility. All firmware releases are now handled and installed directly through the rnodeconf utility, which is inclueded in the rns package. It can be installed via pip:

# Install rnodeconf via rns package
pip install rns --upgrade

# Install the firmware on a board with the install guide
rnodeconf --autoinstall

Supported Boards & Devices

The RNode Firmware supports the following boards:

• Handheld v2.x RNodes from unsigned.io
• Original v1.x RNodes from unsigned.io
• LilyGO T-Beam v1.1 devices
• LilyGO LoRa32 v2.0 devices
• LilyGO LoRa32 v2.1 devices
• Heltec LoRa32 v2 devices
• Homebrew RNodes based on ATmega1284p boards
• Homebrew RNodes based on ATmega2560 boards
• Homebrew RNodes based on Adafruit Feather ESP32 boards
• Homebrew RNodes based on generic ESP32 boards

Supported Transceiver Modules

The RNode Firmware supports all transceiver modules based on Semtech SX1276 or Semtech SX1278 chips, that have an SPI interface and expose the DIO_0 interrupt pin from the chip.

Latest Release

The latest release, installable through rnodeconf, is version 1.55. This release brings the following changes:

• Added the RNode Bootstrap Console to all WiFi-capable RNodes. All such RNodes now contain a complete repository of information, software, guides and tools for replicating the RNode desing, and creating more RNodes.
• RNodes can now supply other RNodes with firmware images, with allows creating RNodes and bootstrapping communication networks, even if the Internet is unavailable.
• Improved RGB LED handling.
• Improved power management and charge status handling.
• Improved Bluetooth handling.

You must have at least version 2.1.0 of rnodeconf installed to update the RNode Firmware to version 1.55. Get it by updating the rns package to at least version 0.4.7.

Operating Modes

RNode can operate in two modes, host-controlled (default) and TNC mode:

• When RNode is in host-controlled mode, it will stay in standby when powered on, until the host specifies frequency, bandwidth, transmit power and other required parameters. This mode can be enabled by using the -N option of this utility. In host-controlled mode, promiscuous mode can be activated to sniff any LoRa frames.

• When RNode is in TNC mode, it will configure itself on powerup and enable the radio immediately. This mode can be enabled by using the -T option of this utility (the utility will guide you through the settings if you don't specify them directly).

Programming Libraries

Have a look in the "Libraries" folder for includes to let you easily use RNode in your own software.

Here's a Python example:

from RNode import RNodeInterface

def gotPacket(data, rnode):
	print "Received a packet: "+data

rnode = RNodeInterface(
	callback = gotPacket,
	name = "My RNode",
	port = "/dev/ttyUSB0",
	frequency = 868000000,
	bandwidth = 125000,
	txpower = 2,
	sf = 7,
	cr = 5,
	loglevel = RNodeInterface.LOG_DEBUG)

rnode.send("Hello World!")

Promiscuous Mode and LoRa Sniffing

RNode can be put into LoRa promiscuous mode, which will dump raw LoRa frames to the host. Raw LoRa frames can also be sent in this mode, and have the standard LoRa payload size of 255 bytes. To enable promiscuous mode send the "Promiscuous" command to the board, or use one of the programming libraries. You can also use the example program LoRaMon for an easy to use LoRa packet sniffer.

Support RNode Development

You can help support the continued development of open, free and private communications systems by donating via one of the following channels:

• Monero:

  84FpY1QbxHcgdseePYNmhTHcrgMX4nFfBYtz2GKYToqHVVhJp8Eaw1Z1EedRnKD19b3B8NiLCGVxzKV17UMmmeEsCrPyA5w
  

• Ethereum

  0x81F7B979fEa6134bA9FD5c701b3501A2e61E897a
  

• Bitcoin

  3CPmacGm34qYvR6XWLVEJmi2aNe3PZqUuq
  

• Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/markqvist

License & Use

The RNode Firmware is Copyright © 2022 Mark Qvist / unsigned.io, and is made available under a dual GPL+commercial license.

Unless otherwise noted, the source code and binaries in this repository and related release sections is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. The source code includes an SX1276 driver that is released under MIT License, and Copyright © 2018 Sandeep Mistry / Mark Qvist.

Permission is hereby granted to use the RNode Firmware in binary form from this repository for any and all purposes, so long as no payment or compensation is charged or received for such distribution or use. Binary copies of the firmware obtained from this repository (or via the rnodeconf utility) are explicitly licensed under these conditions.

If you distribute or modify this work, you must adhere to the terms of the GPLv3, including, but not limited to, providing up-to-date source code upon distribution, displaying appropriate copyright and license notices in prominent positions of all conveyed works, and making users aware of their rights to the software under the GPLv3.

If you want to charge money (or similar) or receive compensation for providing the firmware to others, use the firmware in your own commercial products, or make and sell RNodes, you simplify commercial deployment by purchasing a commercial license, which is cheap and easy.

I provide a range of convenient tools and resources for anyone who wants commercially produce RNodes or provide services based on RNode, so just get in contact with me to get started.