Raspberry Pi PoE LoRa Gateway

October 5, 2020 | Karen Schultz

Gumstix is unveiling the Gumstix Pi Conduit LoRa® Gateway.

The new board is powered by PoE with Ethernet over USB and a connector for the RAK wireless RAK2247 gateway and concentrator module. When used with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module and the RAwireless RAK2247 gateway module, it can deliver long-range communications over LoRaWAN between the internet and LoRa devices.

NOTE: Raspberry Pi Compute Module and RAKwireless RAK2247 sold separately.

(Three Quarter View) Gumstix Pi PoE LoRa Gateway powered by PoE with Ethernet over USB and a connector for the RAKwireless RAK2247 gateway and concentrator module.

POE has many applications, but the three key areas are:

  • Wireless – Wifi and Bluetooth APs and RFID readers are commonly PoE-compatible, to allow remote location away from AC outlets, and relocation following site surveys. The new Gumstix Pi PoE LoRa Gateway serves this market.
  • VoIP phones – the original POE application. Using POE means phones have a single connection to a wall socket, and can be remotely powered down, just like with the older analog systems.
  • IP cameras – POE is now ubiquitous on networked surveillance cameras, where it enables fast deployment and easy repositioning.
(Top View) Designed in the Geppetto web based electronics design platform, the Gumstix LoRa Raspberry Pi PoE Gateway template can be copied and customized in minutes to your exact specifications.

Why use POE?

Specifying Power over Ethernet brings many advantages to an installation:

  • Scalability – having power available on the network means that installation and distribution of network connections is simple and effective.
  • Flexibility – without being tethered to an electrical outlet, devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points can be located wherever they are needed most, and repositioned easily if required.
  • Time and cost savings – by reducing the time and expense of having electrical power cabling installed. Network cables do not require a qualified electrician to fit them, and can be located anywhere.
  • Safety – POE delivery is intelligent, and designed to protect network equipment from overload, underpowering, or incorrect installation.
  • Reliability – POE power comes from a central and universally compatible source, rather than a collection of distributed wall adapters. It can be backed-up by an uninterruptible power supply, or controlled to easily disable or reset devices.

Get started with the Raspberry Pi PoE LoRa Gateway here.