====== Meshtastic Mesh Device Nano Edition ====== == - Optimized RF Design for Maximum Coverage == [[http://uniteng.com|Neil Hao]] Starts from 2022/Mar/16 to ~~LASTMOD~~ (Last Modification) **Nano G1 had been upgraded to Nano G1 Explorer, the old model has been discontinued. Nano G1 Explorer features a new internal wideband Lora antenna that supports frequencies from 815 Mhz to 940 Mhz. A wideband antenna combined with an optimized wideband LoRa RF front-end circuit allows the Nano G1 Explorer to work with LoRa bands in most regions of the world without changing the antenna. The device has also been designed taking into account the potential impact of the human body on its antenna performance, ensuring optimal RF performance even when carried in a pocket. ** **More information about the new model: https://wiki.uniteng.com/en/meshtastic/nano-g1-explorer** :?: [[https://wiki.uniteng.com/en/meshtastic|Edition Comparisons between our Meshtastic Products]] ===== Overview ===== {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_overview.jpg?nolink&400|}} The Nano Edition series is a compact Lora device with high efficiency internal compact Lora PCB Antenna, ultra-low noise figure amplifier and internal GPS module. This series aims to balance the RF performance, size, rugged construction and power consumption. For the firmware, all Nano Edition devices come with pre-installed Meshtastic firmware[1]. Meshtastic Mesh Device Nano Edition G1 also had been supported by the official meshtastic repository on Github. More detials could be found in the [[meshtastic:nano#the_latest_firmware|The Latest Firmware]] section. Meshtastic can send off-grid message using inexpensive hardware to create your personal mesh. The coverage of this credit card size Lora device was tested in the urban area which full of more than 150m skyscraper towers. In the experiment (TX:20dBm, Freq:915Mhz, Medium/Slow), 773m communication distance had been tested, no timeout or re-transmitting occurred. According to the link budget, this system could reach far further than 773m. More details are illustrated in the [[meshtastic:nano#real_world_testing|Real World Testing Section]] of this document. ====Dimension==== ^ Item ^ Description ^ | Size |10cm*5.8cm*1.6cm| |Color |Black| |Weight|~80g| ====Typical RF Performance==== ^ Item ^ Description ^ | Lora Operation Frequency |915 MHz| |Lora Max RF Output Power|20 dBm (Nano Edition G1)| |Lora External RX Ultra-Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) |Gain = 15.64 dB, Noise Figure = 0.8dB (Nano Edition G1)| |VSWR of Lora PCB Antenna|< =1.5 @ 915 MHz| |Impedance Bandwidth of Lora PCB Antenna|882 MHz to 935 MHz for VSWR < = 2 | |Positioning And Navigation Module|Build-in GPS Module, LNA and patch ceramic antenna. GPS, BDS and GLONASS are supported| ---- ===== Hardware ===== ====Schematics==== |Schematics for Nano Edition G1|{{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_17_mar_2022.pdf |}}|Version: 21 Jan 2022| ====PCB (Nano Edition G1) ==== {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_pcb.jpg?direct&440|}} ^ No. ^ Description ^ |1| ESP32 WROOM | |2| Active Buzzer | |3| Semtech SX1276 Lora Transceiver | |4| USB Type C Socket | |5| CH9102F USB to UART Bridge | |6| Ultra-Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) | |7| RF Switch ([[rfmeasurement:testing_fixture_6_lead_qfn_spdt_rf_switch|RF Performance Measurement]]) | |8| 915Mhz Lora PCB Antenna | |9| ATGM336H-5N-71 Whole Constellation Positioning and Navigation Module | |10| GPS Ceramic Patch Antenna | |11| User Button | |12| 1.3 Inch OLED Screen | ---- ====Mechanical Design==== {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_mechanical_design.jpg?direct&500|}} The strategy for the mechanical design is balancing the initial cost and the case BOM cost. The Plastic case has not been chosen due to relative high initial cost on Plastic Injection Mold. Plastic case usually require a large volume of sales to dilute the mold cost. Metal cases have relative low initial cost but not easy to deal with the internal antenna. Thus, the case is constructed by stacking up PCB boards.This method offers a good balance of cost and mechanical strength. {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_mechanical_design_case.jpg?direct&900 |}} Front Side and Bottom Side of the case. ---- ====RF Design - Lora (Nano Edition G1)==== ===TX Circuit and Antenna=== ==Conduction Test== __Instrument Setup and Device Under Test (DUT) configuration__ {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_conduction_test.jpg?direct&900 |}} Click to Enlarge For conduction test, an IPEX connector needs to be soldered on P1, 0 Ohm 0402 resistor R8 also needs to be moved to the place of R9. For Instrument Setup, RF Explorer 6G Combo PLUS Spectrum Analyzer and 30 dB Attenuator (:!: [[https://shop.uniteng.com/product/rf-attenuator-2w/|Order Yours Today]]) was used to measure the RF transismission power. __Measurements__ {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_conduction_test_14dbm.png?direct&900 |}} When TX set to 14dBm, according to above result, the RF output power was -14.5+30=15.5 dBm {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_conduction_test_20dbm.png?direct&900 |}} When TX set to 20dBm, according to above result, the RF output power was -10.5+30=19.5 dBm __Summary for Conduction Test__ ^TX Setting ^Measured Output Power^ |14 dBm|15.5 dBm| |20 dBm|19.5 dBm| ==Antenna Measurement== __Instrument Setup and Device Under Test (DUT) Configuration__ {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_antenna_measurement.jpg?direct&900 |}} Click to Enlarge For Antenna Measurement, an IPEX connector needs to be soldered on P1, additional one 0 Ohm 0402 resistor also needs to be soldered on the place of R9. C15 need to be removed. For Instrument Setup, low cost Nano VNA is already sufficient for this measurement. All metal around the antenna will have a notable effect on the antenna performance, so the DUT should be suspended in the air during the measurement. During the test, the antenna must be installed inside the product, as close as possible to the final use state, because the product casing also affects the antenna parameters. The calibration plane of the VNA should be at least at the IPEX connector, port extension may be used for VNA calibration. __Measurements__ {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_antenna_measurement_s11_vswr.png?nolink&835 |}} S11 and VSWR for the internal compact Lora PCB Antenna. __Summary for Antenna Measurement__ ^Item ^Measured Value^ |S11 @ 915.35 MHz|-16.17 dB | |S11 @ 907.91 MHz|-18.61 dB | |VSWR @ 915.35 MHz|1.368 | |Impedance Bandwidth|882 MHz to 935 MHz for VSWR < = 2 | |S1P File| {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_antenna_measurement_s11.zip |}}| ===RX LNA=== An Ultra-Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) is placed in the RX link for Receiver Sensitivity improvement. More details about this concept could be found in the WIKI of our previous project, [[loramessenger:project#ultra-low_noise_amplifier_lna_design|Compact Lora Messenger]]. The typical noise figure is 0.8dB for this LNA design. The fixture (right hand side) was designed for LNA evaluation. {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_lna_fixture.jpg?nolink&835 |}} __Measurements__ {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_lna_s11_s21.png?nolink&835 |}} __Summary for RX LNA Measurement__ ^Item ^Measured Value^ |S11 @ 915.5MHz |-15.25 dB | |S21 @ 915.5MHz |15.64 dB | ====RF Design - GPS==== {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_gps.jpg?nolink&300|}} Positioning and Navigation circuit is designed based on ATGM336H-5N high performance whole constellation positioning and navigation module with AT2659 LNA and patch ceramic antenna. The datasheet of ATGM336H-5N could be downloaded at the [[meshtastic:nano#datasheet |datasheet section]] of this document. A VIA structure for RF signal chain was designed for connecting the GPS module and the Patch Antenna. The Patch Antenna needs to be connected to the module by using microstrip line on the bottom layer since for microstrip line on the top layer, hard to control the distance between the patch ceramic antenna and the PCB below it.The distance affects the impedance of microstrip. __Measurements for the VIA__ {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_gps_via_measurement.png?direct&900 |}} Click to Enlarge Measurement: left hand side; Top layer: upper right; Bottom layer: lower right. __Summary for the VIA Measurement__ ^Item ^Measured Value^ |S11 @GPS L1 band (1575.42 MHz) |-22.13 dB| |S21 / Insertion Loss @GPS L1 band (1575.42 MHz) |-0.1982 dB| |Impedance @GPS L1 band (1575.42 MHz) |44.481-j*4.9| ---- ====Notification Circuit==== {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_notification_circuit.png?nolink&900 |}} An active buzzer is connected to the ESP32's IO13. ===== The Latest Firmware ===== Meshtastic Mesh Device Nano Edition G1 had been supported by the official meshtastic repository on Github from [[https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-device/releases/tag/v1.2.62.3ddd74e|firmware version 1.2.61]]. Thus, the latest firmware could be downloaded from the meshtastic project’s releases page: https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-device/releases Firmware file: firmware-nano-g1-1.x.x.bin The Fimware may also be updated by using [[https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-gui-installer|Meshtastic GUI Installer]]. Meshtastic GUI Installer is a cross platform, easy to use GUI for installing Meshtastic firmware. More Information about the official firmware support: https://meshtastic.org/docs/hardware/devices/nano-g1/ ===== Firmware Less Than Or Equal To Meshtastic 1.2.59 ===== For the old firmwares less than or equal to Meshtastic 1.2.59, Meshtastic firmware[1] can be ported to this design with minor modification. __Unless there are special reasons, it is not recommended to use old firmwares, these firmwares may not be compatible with the latest version of mobile APP or other PC softwares.__ ==== Pre-compiled Firmware ==== ^Version ^Date ^Download ^Description^ |1.2.59 |25-Mar-2022 |{{ :meshtastic:firmware_neil_nano_g1-1.2.59.bin.zip |}} |[[https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-device/releases/tag/v1.2.59.d81c1c0|Source Code]]| |1.2.57 |13-Mar-2022 |{{ :meshtastic:firmware_neil_nano_g1-1.2.57.bin.zip |}} |Initial Release| ==== Porting from the source code ==== The firmware is ported based on the source code of tbeam with minor modification. The porting process is briefly described in the following section. __1.[[https://meshtastic.org/docs/developers/firmware/build|Creating a build environment (Meshtastic's Official Document)]]__ Note: You may want to use 1.2-legacy branch for less bugs. __2. In the file tbeam/variant.h__ Modify #define BUTTON_PIN 38 // The middle button GPIO on the T-Beam To #define BUTTON_PIN 36 // The middle button GPIO on the T-Beam Comment out the line #define AXP192_SLAVE_ADDRESS 0x34 __3.In the file configuration.h__ Uncomment the line #define USE_SH1106 ===== Software ===== ==== Android ==== The Android APP could be downloaded and installed from the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.geeksville.mesh APP Source Code: https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-Android/releases ==== iOS ==== The iOS APP could be downloaded and installed from following URL: https://meshtastic.org/docs/category/apple-apps ==== JS/Python/Web Interface ==== Javascript, Python, Web Interface are also supported by the Meshtastic. More information: https://meshtastic.org/docs/software ===== Advanced Topics ===== Please be aware, the operations described in this section are dangerous because invalid options can physically damage or destroy your hardware. Ensure that you fully understand the schematic for your particular device before trying this. Use at your own risk. ==== Setting TX Power to 20 dBm ==== ===For Meshtastic Firmware 2.x.x=== Execute following command by using [[https://meshtastic.org/docs/software/python/cli|Meshtastic CLI]] which supports Firmware 2.x.x: meshtastic --set lora.tx_power 20 Output: Connected to radio Set lora.tx_power to 20 Writing modified preferences to device ===For Meshtastic Firmware 1.2.x=== Execute following command by using [[https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-python/releases/tag/1.2.95|Meshtastic CLI 1.2.95]] which supports Firmware 1.2.x: meshtastic --ch-set tx_power 20 --ch-index 0 Output: Connected to radio Set tx_power to 20 Writing modified channels to device ==== Enabling ext_notification_plugin ==== ===For Meshtastic Firmware 2.x.x=== You will be alerted by the Active Buzzer when receiving an incoming message. Execute following command by using Meshtastic CLI: meshtastic --set external_notification.enabled true Output: Connected to radio Set external_notification.enabled to true Writing modified preferences to device Execute following command by using Meshtastic CLI: meshtastic --set external_notification.alert_message true Output: Connected to radio Set external_notification.alert_message to true Writing modified preferences to device Execute following command by using Meshtastic CLI: meshtastic --set external_notification.output_ms 100 Output: Connected to radio Set external_notification.output_ms to 100 Writing modified preferences to device Execute following command by using Meshtastic CLI: meshtastic --set external_notification.active true Output: Connected to radio Set external_notification.active to true Writing modified preferences to device Re-power the device, the incoming new message will result in 100ms alert. More details: https://meshtastic.org/docs/settings/moduleconfig/external-notification ===== Real World Testing ===== ==== TX:20dBm, Freq:915Mhz, Medium/Slow ==== The coverage of this credit card size Lora device was tested in the urban area which full of more than 150m skyscraper towers. In the experiment (TX:20dBm, Freq:915Mhz, Medium/Slow), 773m communication distance had been tested, no timeout or re-transmitting occurred. According to the link budget, this system could reach far further than 773m. The user experience of the Medium/Slow option was very close to IM software, with no noticeable communication delays. === Screenshots and Photos === {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_real_world_testing.png?nolink&900 |}} ==== TX:20dBm, Freq:915Mhz, Long/Slow ==== The coverage of this credit card size Lora device was tested in the urban area which full of more than 150m skyscraper towers. In the experiment (TX:20dBm, Freq:915Mhz, Long/Slow), 2000m communication distance had been tested. At the distance of 1800 meters, the device was completely normal. At the distance of 2000 meters, the function of sending messages was still normal, but the device status and location information could not be updated normally. The Long/Slow option had significant communication delays. === Screenshots and Photos === {{ :meshtastic:meshtastic_mesh_device_nano_edition_g1_real_world_testing_long_slow.jpg?direct&950 |}} ===== Datasheet ===== ^Part No.^Datasheet^Description^ |ATGM336H-5N|{{ :meshtastic:atgm336h-5n.pdf |}}|High performance whole constellation positioning and navigation module| ===== Reference ===== - Meshtastic-device . Retrieved Mar 17, 2022, from https://github.com/meshtastic/Meshtastic-device