.NET nanoFramework RAK2305 – RAK4200 Library Usage (AS923 Sorted)

This post covers the usage of my RAK4200LoRaWAN-NetNF library with a RAK3205 WisBlock Wifi Interface Module on a RAK4200 Evaluation Board. This post was delayed because of the issue covered in .NET nanoFramework RAK2305 – RAK4200 Library Usage AS923 Issue. After posting in the RAKWireless formus RAKWireless support very quickly provided updated RAK4200 firmware which fixed the issue.

RAK2305 RAK4200 Evaluation Board based test rig

The RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient now reliably joins The Things Network, then sends and receives messages.

When I initially deployed the RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient the RAK4200LoRaWAN-NetNF library failed in the OtaaInitialise method. I think this was caused by the “at+set_config=lora:work_mode:0” command rebooting the RAK4200 Module. I have commented out the code but may move it to a standalone method if required.

// Set the Working mode to LoRaWAN, not/never going todo P2P with this library.
#if DIAGNOSTICS
Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} at+set_config=lora:work_mode:0");
#endif
Result result = SendCommand("Initialization OK", "at+set_config=lora:work_mode:0", CommandTimeoutDefault);
if (result != Result.Success)
{
#if DIAGNOSTICS
         Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} at+set_config=lora:work_mode:0 failed {result}");
#endif
	return result;
}

I think it would be reasonable to assume that the device is in the correct mode (the default after a reset to factory) on startup so I removed the LoRa® network work mode configuration code.

.NET nanoFramework RAK2305 – RAK3172 Library Usage

This post covers the usage of my RAK3172LoRaWAN-NetNF library with a RAK3205 WisBlock Wifi Interface Module on a RAK3172 Evaluation Board.

RAK2305 RAK3172 Evaluation Board based test rig

The first time the RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient is run the following preprocessor directives may need to be defined to configure the RAK3172 module.

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//#define ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY      // nanoff --target ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY --update 
//#define  SPARKFUN_ESP32_THING_PLUS  // nanoff --platform esp32 --serialport COM4 --update
//#define RAK_WISBLOCK_RAK2305 // nanoff --update --target ESP32_PSRAM_REV0 --serialport COM4
#define DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET
//#define FACTORY_RESET
//#define PAYLOAD_BCD
#define PAYLOAD_BYTES
#define OTAA
//#define ABP
//#define CONFIRMED
#define UNCONFIRMED
#define REGION_SET
#define ADR_SET
//#define SLEEP
namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN
{
Visual Studio Debug output for RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient full configuration

Once the RAK3172 Module is the RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient can be run with only PAYLOAD_BCD or PAYLOAD_BYTES defined

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//#define ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY      // nanoff --target ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY --update 
//#define  SPARKFUN_ESP32_THING_PLUS  // nanoff --platform esp32 --serialport COM4 --update
//#define RAK_WISBLOCK_RAK2305 // nanoff --update --target ESP32_PSRAM_REV0 --serialport COM4
//#define DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET
//#define FACTORY_RESET
//#define PAYLOAD_BCD
#define PAYLOAD_BYTES
//#define OTAA
//#define ABP
//#define CONFIRMED
//#define UNCONFIRMED
//#define REGION_SET
//#define ADR_SET
//#define SLEEP
namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN
{
Visual Studio Debug output for RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient minimal configuration

When I initially deployed ran the RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient the RAK3172LoRaWAN-NetNF library crashed in the OtaaInitialise method. I think this was caused by the RAKwireless Unified Interface V3(RUIV3) “AT+NWM=1” command rebooting the RAK3172 Module.

// Set the Working mode to LoRaWAN, not/never going todo P2P with this library.
#if DIAGNOSTICS
Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} AT+NWM=1");
#endif
Result result = SendCommand("Current Work Mode: LoRaWAN.", "AT+NWM=1", CommandTimeoutDefault);
if (result != Result.Success)
{
#if DIAGNOSTICS
	Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} AT+NWM=1 failed {result}");
#endif
	return result;
}

I think it would be reasonable to assume that the device is in the correct mode (the default after a reset to factory) on startup so I removed the LoRa® network work mode configuration code.

.NET nanoFramework RAK3172 Library Usage

After a two week “soak test” using a Sparkfun Thing Plus ESP32 WROOM and RAK3172 Breakout Board completed with no failures, this final post covers the usage of the RAK3172LoRaWAN-NetNF library in a “real-world” application.

Before a factory reset the DevEUI, JoinEUI (was AppEUI), and AppKey were values I had configured earlier

12:02:04 0 TX:AT+DEVEUI=? bytes:11--------------------------------
AT+DEVEUI=A..............1
OK

12:03:05 0 TX:AT+APPEUI=? bytes:11--------------------------------
AT+APPEUI=A..............8
OK

12:04:03 0 TX:AT+APPKEY=? bytes:11--------------------------------
AT+APPKEY=C..............................F
OK

After a factory reset the DevEUI, JoinEUI (was AppEUI), and AppKey were default values

12:00:21 0 TX:AT+DEVEUI=? bytes:11--------------------------------
AT+DEVEUI=0000000000000000
OK

12:01:09 0 TX:AT+APPEUI=? bytes:11--------------------------------
AT+APPEUI=0000000000000000
OK

12:01:48 0 TX:AT+APPKEY=? bytes:11--------------------------------
AT+APPKEY=00000000000000000000000000000000
OK

I then ran the RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient with the following preprocessor directives defined to reconfigure the RAK3172 module.

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//#define ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY      // nanoff --target ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY --update 
#define ESP32_WROOM   // nanoff --target ESP32_REV0 --serialport COM17 --update
#define DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET
//#define FACTORY_RESET
///#define PAYLOAD_BCD
#define PAYLOAD_BYTES
#define OTAA
//#define ABP
//#define CONFIRMED
#define UNCONFIRMED
#define REGION_SET
#define ADR_SET
//#define SLEEP
namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN
{
...
Visual Studio Debug output for RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient full configuration

I could then run the RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient with only PAYLOAD_BCD or PAYLOAD_BYTES defined

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//#define ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY      // nanoff --target ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY --update 
#define ESP32_WROOM   // nanoff --target ESP32_REV0 --serialport COM17 --update
//#define DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET
//#define FACTORY_RESET
///#define PAYLOAD_BCD
#define PAYLOAD_BYTES
//#define OTAA
//#define ABP
//#define CONFIRMED
//#define UNCONFIRMED
//#define REGION_SET
//#define ADR_SET
//#define SLEEP
namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN
{
...
Visual Studio Debug output for RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient minimal configuration
public static void Main()
{
	Result result;

	Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.RAK3172LoRaWANDeviceClient starting");

	try
	{
		// set GPIO functions for COM2 (this is UART1 on ESP32)
#if ESP32_WROOM
		Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO17, DeviceFunction.COM2_TX);
		Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO16, DeviceFunction.COM2_RX);
#endif

		Debug.Write("Ports:");
		foreach (string port in SerialPort.GetPortNames())
		{
			Debug.Write($" {port}");
		}
		Debug.WriteLine("");

		using (Rak3172LoRaWanDevice device = new Rak3172LoRaWanDevice())
		{
			result = device.Initialise(SerialPortId, 115200, Parity.None, 8, StopBits.One);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Initialise failed {result}");
				return;
			}

			MessageSendTimer = new Timer(SendMessageTimerCallback, device, Timeout.Infinite, Timeout.Infinite);
					
			device.OnJoinCompletion += OnJoinCompletionHandler;
			device.OnReceiveMessage += OnReceiveMessageHandler;
#if CONFIRMED
			device.OnMessageConfirmation += OnMessageConfirmationHandler;
#endif

#if FACTORY_RESET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} FactoryReset");
			result = device.FactoryReset();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"FactoryReset failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Device EUI");
			result = device.DeviceEui(Config.devEui);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"DeviceEUI set failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if REGION_SET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Region{Band}");
			result = device.Band(Band);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Band on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if ADR_SET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ADR On");
			result = device.AdrOn();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"ADR on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif
#if CONFIRMED
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Confirmed");
			result = device.UplinkMessageConfirmationOn();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Confirm on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif
#if UNCONFIRMED
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Unconfirmed");
			result = device.UplinkMessageConfirmationOff();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Confirm off failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if OTAA
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} OTAA");
			result = device.OtaaInitialise(Config.JoinEui, Config.AppKey);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"OTAA Initialise failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if ABP
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ABP");
			result = device.AbpInitialise(Config.DevAddress, Config.NwksKey, Config.AppsKey);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"ABP Initialise failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join start Timeout:{JoinTimeOut:hh:mm:ss}");
			result = device.Join(JoinTimeOut);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Join failed {result}");
				return;
			}
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join started");

			Thread.Sleep(Timeout.Infinite);
		}
	}
	catch (Exception ex)
	{
		Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
	}
}

One of the major differences between the RAK4200 and RAK3127 libraries is the way a LoRaWAN network join is handled. The RAK4200 library Join method blocks until it succeeds of fails, the RAK3172 library Join method returns immediately then an EventHandler is called with the result.

private static void OnJoinCompletionHandler(bool result)
{
	Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join finished:{result}");

	if (result)
	{
		MessageSendTimer.Change(MessageSendTimerDue, MessageSendTimerPeriod);
	}
}

The new RAK Wireless LoRaWAN modules use the RUI3 AT Commands so the RAK3172 library will most probably be retired and uses as the basis for a generic RUI3 library.

.NET nanoFramework RAK3172 LoRaWAN library ABP Join

After getting my RAKwireless RAK3172 module to reliably connect to The Things Network(TTN) using Over The Air Activation(OTAA) the next step was to built an Activation By Personalisation(ABP) sample application.

SparkFun Thing Plus – ESP32 WROOM, RAK3172 Breakout board

I modified the NetworkJoinOTAA sample(based on the asynchronous version of BreakOutSerial) to send the required sequence of AT commands and displays the responses.

namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK3172
{
	using System;
	using System.Diagnostics;
	using System.IO.Ports;
	using System.Threading;
#if ESP32_WROOM
	using global::nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32; //need NuGet nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32
#endif

	public class Program
	{
#if ESP32_WROOM
		private const string SerialPortId = "COM2";
#endif
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
		private const string SerialPortId = "COM6";
#endif
		private const string DevEui = "...";
		private const string DevAddress = "...";
		private const string NwksKey = "...";
		private const string AppsKey = "..."; 
		private const byte MessagePort = 1;
		private const string Payload = "A0EEE456D02AFF4AB8BAFD58101D2A2A"; // Hello LoRaWAN

		public static void Main()
		{
			Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK3172.NetworkJoinABP starting");

			try
			{
				// set GPIO functions for COM2 (this is UART1 on ESP32)
#if ESP32_WROOM
				Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO17, DeviceFunction.COM2_TX);
				Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO16, DeviceFunction.COM2_RX);
#endif

				Debug.Write("Ports:");
				foreach (string port in SerialPort.GetPortNames())
				{
					Debug.Write($" {port}");
				}
				Debug.WriteLine("");

				using (SerialPort serialPort = new SerialPort(SerialPortId))
				{
					// set parameters
					serialPort.BaudRate = 115200;
					serialPort.Parity = Parity.None;
					serialPort.DataBits = 8;
					serialPort.StopBits = StopBits.One;
					serialPort.Handshake = Handshake.None;
					serialPort.NewLine = "\r\n";
					serialPort.ReadTimeout = 1000;

					serialPort.DataReceived += SerialDevice_DataReceived;

					serialPort.Open();

					serialPort.WatchChar = '\n';

					serialPort.ReadExisting(); // Running at 115K2 this was necessary

					// Set the Device EUI
					Console.WriteLine("Set Device EUI");
					serialPort.WriteLine($"AT+DEVEUI={DevEui}");

					// Set the Working mode to LoRaWAN
					Console.WriteLine("Set Work mode");
					serialPort.WriteLine("AT+NWM=1");

					// Set the Region to AS923
					Console.WriteLine("Set Region");
					serialPort.WriteLine("AT+BAND=8");

					// Set the JoinMode
					Console.WriteLine("Set Join mode");
					serialPort.WriteLine("AT+NJM=0");

					// Set the DevAddress
					Console.WriteLine("Set Device Address");
					serialPort.WriteLine($"AT+DEVADDR={DevAddress}");

					// Set the Network Session Key
					Console.WriteLine("Set NwksKey");
					serialPort.WriteLine($"AT+NWKSKEY={NwksKey}");

					// Set the Application Session Key
					Console.WriteLine("Set AppsKey");
					serialPort.WriteLine($"AT+APPSKEY={AppsKey}");

					// Set the Confirm flag
					Console.WriteLine("Set Confirm off");
					serialPort.WriteLine("AT+CFM=0");

					// Join the network
					Console.WriteLine("Start Join");
					serialPort.WriteLine("AT+JOIN=1:0:10:2");

					// Wait for the +EVT:JOINED

					while (true)
					{
						Console.WriteLine("Sending");
						serialPort.WriteLine($"AT+SEND={MessagePort}:{Payload}");

						Thread.Sleep(300000);
					}
				}
			}
			catch (Exception ex)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
			}
		}

		private static void SerialDevice_DataReceived(object sender, SerialDataReceivedEventArgs e)
		{
			SerialPort serialPort = (SerialPort)sender;

			switch (e.EventType)
			{
				case SerialData.Chars:
					break;

				case SerialData.WatchChar:
					string response = serialPort.ReadExisting();
					Debug.Write(response);
					break;
				default:
					Debug.Assert(false, $"e.EventType {e.EventType} unknown");
					break;
			}
		}
	}
}

The NetworkJoinABP application assumes that all of the AT commands succeed.

TTN Console live data tab connection process
Visual Studio Output windows displaying connection process and a D2C message
TTN Console live data tab connection process with a couple of D2C messages
Visual Studio Output windows displaying connection process and a couple of C2D messages

The Activation By Personalisation(ABP) sample was a bit more fragile than I expected. The The Things Network(TTN) Live Data Tab updates were often delayed or required a page refresh to be displayed (July 2022).

.NET nanoFramework RAK4200 Library Usage

After a two week “soak test” using a Sparkfun Thing Plus ESP32 WROOM and RAK4200 Breakout Board completed with no failures, this final post covers the usage of the RAK4200LoRaWAN-NetNF library in a “real-world” application.

Discovery kit with STM32F769NI MCU and RAK4200 Breakout Board test rig

After a factory reset the DevEUI, JoinEUI (was AppEUI), and AppKey were reset, but the rest of the configuration appeared to be retained.

OK Work Mode: LoRaWAN
Region: AS923
MulticastEnable: false
DutycycleEnable: false
Send_repeat_cnt: 0
Join_mode: OTAA
DevEui: 0000000000000000
AppEui: 0000000000000000
AppKey: 00000000000000000000000000000000
Class: A
Joined Network:false
IsConfirm: unconfirm
AdrEnable: true
EnableRepeaterSupport: false
RX2_CHANNEL_FREQUENCY: 923200000, RX2_CHANNEL_DR:2
RX_WINDOW_DURATION: 3000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_1: 1000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_2: 2000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_1: 5000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_2: 6000ms
Current Datarate: 5
Primeval Datarate: 5
ChannelsTxPower: 0
UpLinkCounter: 0
DownLinkCounter: 0

I then ran the RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient with DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET (devEui from label on the device), OTAA to configure the AppEui and AppKey and the device connected to The Things Network on the second attempt (typo in the DevEui).

public static void Main()
{
	Result result;

	Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient starting");

	try
	{
		// set GPIO functions for COM2 (this is UART1 on ESP32)
#if ESP32_WROOM
		Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO16, DeviceFunction.COM2_TX);
		Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO17, DeviceFunction.COM2_RX);
#endif

		Debug.Write("Ports:");
		foreach (string port in SerialPort.GetPortNames())
		{
			Debug.Write($" {port}");
		}
		Debug.WriteLine("");

		using (Rak4200LoRaWanDevice device = new Rak4200LoRaWanDevice())
		{
			result = device.Initialise(SerialPortId, 9600, Parity.None, 8, StopBits.One);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Initialise failed {result}");
				return;
			}

#if CONFIRMED
			device.OnMessageConfirmation += OnMessageConfirmationHandler;
#endif
			device.OnReceiveMessage += OnReceiveMessageHandler;

#if FACTORY_RESET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} FactoryReset");
			result = device.FactoryReset();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"FactoryReset failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Device EUI");
			result = device.DeviceEui(Config.devEui);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"ADR on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if REGION_SET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Region{Region}");
			result = device.Region(Region);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Region on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if ADR_SET
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ADR On");
			result = device.AdrOn();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"ADR on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif
#if CONFIRMED
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Confirmed");
			result = device.UplinkMessageConfirmationOn();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Confirm on failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif
#if UNCONFIRMED
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Unconfirmed");
			result = device.UplinkMessageConfirmationOff();
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Confirm off failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if OTAA
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} OTAA");
			result = device.OtaaInitialise(Config.JoinEui, Config.AppKey);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"OTAA Initialise failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

#if ABP
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ABP");
			result = device.AbpInitialise(Config.DevAddress, Config.NwksKey, Config.AppsKey);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"ABP Initialise failed {result}");
				return;
			}
#endif

			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join start Timeout:{JoinTimeOut:hh:mm:ss}");
			result = device.Join(JoinTimeOut);
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Debug.WriteLine($"Join failed {result}");
				return;
			}
			Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join finish");

			while (true)
			{
#if PAYLOAD_BCD
				Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Send Timeout:{SendTimeout:hh:mm:ss} port:{MessagePort} payload BCD:{PayloadBcd}");
				result = device.Send(MessagePort, PayloadBcd, SendTimeout);
#endif
#if PAYLOAD_BYTES
				Debug.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Send Timeout:{SendTimeout:hh:mm:ss} port:{MessagePort} payload Bytes:{BitConverter.ToString(PayloadBytes)}");
				result = device.Send(MessagePort, PayloadBytes, SendTimeout);
#endif
				if (result != Result.Success)
				{
					Debug.WriteLine($"Send failed {result}");
				}

				Thread.Sleep(new TimeSpan(0, 5, 0));
			}
		}
	}
	catch (Exception ex)
	{
		Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
	}
}

After configuring my Discovery kit with STM32F769NI MCU and RAK4200 Breakout Board test rig the RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient application could successfully connect to The Things Network with just ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY, PAYLOAD_BCD or PAYLOAD_BYTES and CONFIRMED or UNCONFIRMED defined.

Visual Studio Debug output for RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient minimal configuration connection
The Things Network “Live Data” for RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient minimal configuration connection

One of my client’s products has a configuration mode (button pressed as device starts) which enables a serial port (headers on board + FTDI module) for in field configuration of the onboard RAK4200 module.

.NET nanoFramework RAK4200 Factory Reset

The RAKwireless RAK4200 module has a really useful “reset to factory” AT Command

at+set_config=lora:default_parameters

To see what settings were erased I modified the BreakOutSerial application to send additional AT commands and display the responses.

public static void Main()
{
...
	Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK4200 BreakoutSerial starting");

	try
	{
		// set GPIO functions for COM2 (this is UART1 on ESP32)
#if ESP32_WROOM
		Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO16, DeviceFunction.COM2_TX);
		Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO17, DeviceFunction.COM2_RX);
#endif

		Debug.Write("Ports:");
		foreach (string port in SerialPort.GetPortNames())
		{
			Debug.Write($" {port}");
		}
		Debug.WriteLine("");

		using (_SerialPort = new SerialPort(SerialPortId))
		{
			// set parameters
			_SerialPort.BaudRate = 9600;
			//_SerialPort.BaudRate = 115200;
			_SerialPort.Parity = Parity.None;
			_SerialPort.DataBits = 8;
			_SerialPort.StopBits = StopBits.One;
			_SerialPort.Handshake = Handshake.None;
			_SerialPort.NewLine = "\r\n";

			//_SerialPort.ReadBufferSize = 128; 
			//_SerialPort.ReadBufferSize = 256; 
			_SerialPort.ReadBufferSize = 512; 
			//_SerialPort.ReadBufferSize = 1024;
			_SerialPort.ReadTimeout = 1000;

			//_SerialPort.WatchChar = '\n'; // May 2022 WatchChar event didn't fire github issue https://github.com/nanoframework/Home/issues/1035

#if SERIAL_ASYNC_READ
			_SerialPort.DataReceived += SerialDevice_DataReceived;
#endif

			_SerialPort.Open();

			_SerialPort.WatchChar = '\n';
...
			for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
			{
				string atCommand;
				atCommand = "at+version";
				//atCommand = "at+set_config=device:uart:1:9600";
				atCommand = "at+get_config=lora:status";
				//atCommand = "at+get_config=device:status";
				//atCommand = "at+get_config=lora:channel";
				//atCommand = "at+help";
				//atCommand = "at+set_config=device:restart";
				//atCommand = "at+set_config=lora:default_parameters";
				Debug.WriteLine("");
				Debug.WriteLine($"{i} TX:{atCommand} bytes:{atCommand.Length}--------------------------------");
				_SerialPort.WriteLine(atCommand);

				Thread.Sleep(5000);
			}
		}
		Debug.WriteLine("Done");
	}
	catch (Exception ex)
	{
		Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
	}
}

#if SERIAL_ASYNC_READ
private static void SerialDevice_DataReceived(object sender, SerialDataReceivedEventArgs e)
{
	SerialPort serialPort = (SerialPort)sender;

	switch (e.EventType)
	{
		case SerialData.Chars:
			break;

		case SerialData.WatchChar:
			string response = serialPort.ReadExisting();
			Debug.Write(response);
			break;
		default:
			Debug.Assert(false, $"e.EventType {e.EventType} unknown");
			break;
	}
}
#endif
...
}

After configuring my Sparkfun Thing Plus ESP32 WROOM + RAK42000 Breakout Board test rig the RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient application could successfully connect to The Things Network .

The thread '' (0x2) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK4200 BreakoutSerial starting
0 TX:at+get_config=lora:status bytes:25--------------------------------
OK Work Mode: LoRaWAN
Region: AS923
MulticastEnable: false
DutycycleEnable: false
Send_repeat_cnt: 0
Join_mode: OTAA
DevEui:  6..............9
AppEui: 7..............4
AppKey: A.............................9
Class: A
Joined Network:false
IsConfirm: unconfirm
AdrEnable: true
EnableRepeaterSupport: false
RX2_CHANNEL_FREQUENCY: 923200000, RX2_CHANNEL_DR:2
RX_WINDOW_DURATION: 3000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_1: 1000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_2: 2000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_1: 5000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_2: 6000ms
Current Datarate: 5
Primeval Datarate: 5
ChannelsTxPower: 0
UpLinkCounter: 0
DownLinkCounter: 0

I then reset the RAK4200 device to “factory defaults”

The thread '<No Name>' (0x2) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK4200 BreakoutSerial starting
Ports: COM5 COM6

0 TX:at+set_config=lora:default_parameters bytes:37--------------------------------
OK

The testrig would no longer connect as the device and network settings were invalid.

The thread '<No Name>' (0x2) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK4200 BreakoutSerial starting
Ports: COM5 COM6

0 TX:at+get_config=lora:status bytes:25--------------------------------
OK Work Mode: LoRaWAN
Region: AS923
MulticastEnable: false
DutycycleEnable: false
Send_repeat_cnt: 0
Join_mode: OTAA
DevEui: 0000000000000000
AppEui: 0000000000000000
AppKey: 00000000000000000000000000000000
Class: A
Joined Network:false
IsConfirm: unconfirm
AdrEnable: true
EnableRepeaterSupport: false
RX2_CHANNEL_FREQUENCY: 923200000, RX2_CHANNEL_DR:2
RX_WINDOW_DURATION: 3000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_1: 1000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_2: 2000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_1: 5000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_2: 6000ms
Current Datarate: 5
Primeval Datarate: 5
ChannelsTxPower: 0
UpLinkCounter: 0
DownLinkCounter: 0

To “restore” the device configuration I ran the RAK4200LoRaWANDeviceClient application with DEVICE_DEVEUI_SET, OTAA, UNCONFIRMED, REGION_SET and ADR_SET defined.

The thread '<No Name>' (0x2) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK4200 BreakoutSerial starting
Ports: COM2 COM3

0 TX:at+get_config=lora:status bytes:25--------------------------------
OK Work Mode: LoRaWAN
Region: AS923
MulticastEnable: false
DutycycleEnable: false
Send_repeat_cnt: 0
Join_mode: OTAA
DevEui: 6..............9
AppEui: 7.............4
AppKey: A.............................9
Class: A
Joined Network:false
IsConfirm: unconfirm
AdrEnable: true
EnableRepeaterSupport: false
RX2_CHANNEL_FREQUENCY: 923200000, RX2_CHANNEL_DR:2
RX_WINDOW_DURATION: 3000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_1: 1000ms
RECEIVE_DELAY_2: 2000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_1: 5000ms
JOIN_ACCEPT_DELAY_2: 6000ms
Current Datarate: 5
Primeval Datarate: 5
ChannelsTxPower: 0
UpLinkCounter: 0
DownLinkCounter: 0

The testrig would then successfully connect to The Things Network. When the testrig was power cycled the device the configuration was retained.

.NET nanoFramework RAK4200 LoRaWAN library ABP Join

After getting my RAKwireless RAK4200 module to reliably connect to The Things Network(TTN) using Over The Air Activation(OTAA) the next step was to built an Activation By Personalisation(ABP) sample application.

I modified the NetworkJoinOTAA sample(based on the asynchronous version of BreakOutSerial) to send the required sequence of AT commands and display the responses.

namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.nanoFramework.RAK4200
{
   using System;
   using System.Diagnostics;
   using System.IO.Ports;
   using System.Text;
   using System.Threading;
#if ESP32_WROOM
   using global::nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32; ///need NuGet nanoFramework.Hardware.Esp32
#endif

   public class Program
   {
#if ST_STM32F769I_DISCOVERY
      private const string SerialPortId = "COM6";
#endif
#if ESP32_WROOM
      private const string SerialPortId = "COM2";
#endif
      private const string DevEui = "...";
      private const string AppEui = "...";
      private const string AppKey = "...";
      private const byte MessagePort = 1;
      private const string Payload = "01020304"; // Is AQIDBA==

      public static void Main()
      {
         string response;

         Debug.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.Rak4200.NetworkJoinOTAA starting");

         try
         {
#if ESP32_WROOM
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO16, DeviceFunction.COM2_TX);
            Configuration.SetPinFunction(Gpio.IO17, DeviceFunction.COM2_RX);
#endif

            Debug.Write("Ports:");
            foreach (string port in SerialPort.GetPortNames())
            {
               Debug.Write($" {port}");
            }
            Debug.WriteLine("");

            using (SerialPort serialDevice = new SerialPort(SerialPortId))
            {
               // set parameters
               serialDevice.BaudRate = 9600;
               //_SerialPort.BaudRate = 115200;
               serialDevice.Parity = Parity.None;
               serialDevice.StopBits = StopBits.One;
               serialDevice.Handshake = Handshake.None;
               serialDevice.DataBits = 8;

               serialDevice.ReadTimeout = 10000;
               //serialDevice.ReadBufferSize = 128; 
               //serialDevice.ReadBufferSize = 256; 
               serialDevice.ReadBufferSize = 512;
               //serialDevice.ReadBufferSize = 1024;

               serialDevice.NewLine = "\r\n";

               serialDevice.DataReceived += SerialDevice_DataReceived;

               serialDevice.Open();

               serialDevice.WatchChar = '\n';

               // clear out the RX buffer
               serialDevice.ReadExisting();
               response = serialDevice.ReadExisting();
               Debug.WriteLine($"Response :{response.Trim()} bytes:{response.Length}");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the Working mode to LoRaWAN
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:work_mode:0");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+set_config=lora:work_mode:0");
               Thread.Sleep(1500);

               // Set the JoinMode
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:join_mode");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+set_config=lora:join_mode:0");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the Class
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:class");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+set_config=lora:class:0");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the Region to AS923
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:region");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+set_config=lora:region:AS923");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the devEUI
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:dev_eui");
               serialDevice.WriteLine($"at+set_config=lora:dev_eui:{DevEui}");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the appEUI
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:app_eui");
               serialDevice.WriteLine($"at+set_config=lora:app_eui:{AppEui}");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the appKey
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:app_key");
               serialDevice.WriteLine($"at+set_config=lora:app_key:{AppKey}");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Set the Confirm flag
               Debug.WriteLine("lora:confirm");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+set_config=lora:confirm:0");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               Debug.WriteLine("lora:adr");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+set_config=lora:adr:1");
               Thread.Sleep(500);

               // Join the network
               Debug.WriteLine("at+join");
               serialDevice.WriteLine("at+join");
               Thread.Sleep(10000);

               byte counter = 1;
               while (true)
               {
                  // Send the BCD messages
                  string payload = $"{Payload}{counter:X2}";
                  Debug.WriteLine($"at+send=lora:{MessagePort}:{payload}");
                  serialDevice.WriteLine($"at+send=lora:{MessagePort}:{payload}");

                  counter += 1;

                  Thread.Sleep(300000);
               }
            }
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
            Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message);
         }
      }

      private static void SerialDevice_DataReceived(object sender, SerialDataReceivedEventArgs e)
      {
         SerialPort serialPort = (SerialPort)sender;
         string response;

         switch (e.EventType)
         {
            case SerialData.Chars:
               break;

            case SerialData.WatchChar:
               response = serialPort.ReadExisting();
               Debug.Write(response);
               break;
            default:
               Debug.Assert(false, $"e.EventType {e.EventType} unknown");
               break;
         }
      }
   }
}

The NetworkJoinABP application assumes that all of the AT commands succeed.

TTN Console live data tab connection process
Visual Studio Output windows displaying connection process and a D2C message

I have been using at+set_config=lora:default_parameters set the WisDuo RAK4200 back to factory settings so I can figure out what settings are persisted by a “at+set_config=device:restart” and which ones need to be set every time the application is run.

.NET Core RAK811 LoRaWAN library Part3

The massive refactor

After refactoring my RAK3172 device library I have applied a similar approach to code on my RAK811 device library. My test-rig is a RaspberryPI 3B with a PI Supply RAK811 pHat and external antenna.

PI Supply RAK811 LoRaWAN pHat

In the new code a Thread reads lines of text from the SerialPort and processes them, checking for command responses, failures and downlink messages.

Unlike most of the devices I have worked with the RAK811 Join and Send commands are synchronous so return once the process has completed. The RAK811 responses also have quite a few empty, null prefixed or null suffixed lines which is a bit odd.

public void SerialPortProcessor()
{
	string line;

	while (CommandProcessResponses)
	{
		try
		{
#if DIAGNOSTICS
			Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ReadLine before");
#endif
			line = SerialDevice.ReadLine().Trim('\0').Trim();
#if DIAGNOSTICS
			Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ReadLine after:{line}");
#endif
			// consume empty lines
			if (String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(line))
			{
				continue;
			}

			// Consume the response from set work mode
			if (line.StartsWith("?LoRa (R)") || line.StartsWith("RAK811 ") || line.StartsWith("UART1 ") || line.StartsWith("UART3 ") || line.StartsWith("LoRa work mode"))
			{
				continue;
			}

			// See if device successfully joined network
			if (line.StartsWith("OK Join Success"))
			{
				OnJoinCompletion?.Invoke(true);

				CommandResponseExpectedEvent.Set();

				continue;
			}

			if (line.StartsWith("at+recv="))
			{
				string[] payloadFields = line.Split("=,:".ToCharArray());

				byte port = byte.Parse(payloadFields[1]);
				int rssi = int.Parse(payloadFields[2]);
				int snr = int.Parse(payloadFields[3]);
				int length = int.Parse(payloadFields[4]);

				if (this.OnMessageConfirmation != null)
				{
					OnMessageConfirmation?.Invoke(rssi, snr);
				}
				if (length > 0)
				{
					string payload = payloadFields[5];

					if (this.OnReceiveMessage != null)
					{
						OnReceiveMessage.Invoke(port, rssi, snr, payload);
					}
				}
				continue;
			}

			switch (line)
			{
				case "OK":
				case "Initialization OK":
				case "OK Wake Up":
				case "OK Sleep":
					CommandResult = Result.Success;
					break;

				case "ERROR: 1":
					CommandResult = Result.ATCommandUnsuported;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 2":
					CommandResult = Result.ATCommandInvalidParameter;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 3": //There is an error when reading or writing flash.
				case "ERROR: 4": //There is an error when reading or writing through IIC.
					CommandResult = Result.ErrorReadingOrWritingFlash;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 5": //There is an error when sending through UART
					CommandResult = Result.ATCommandInvalidParameter;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 41": //The BLE works in an invalid state, so that it can’t be operated.
					CommandResult = Result.ResponseInvalid;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 80":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaBusy;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 81":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaServiceIsUnknown;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 82":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaParameterInvalid;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 83":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaFrequencyInvalid;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 84":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaDataRateInvalid;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 85":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaFrequencyAndDataRateInvalid;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 86":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaDeviceNotJoinedNetwork;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 87":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaPacketToLong;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 88":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaServiceIsClosedByServer;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 89":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaRegionUnsupported;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 90":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaDutyCycleRestricted;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 91":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaNoValidChannelFound;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 92":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaNoFreeChannelFound;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 93":
					CommandResult = Result.StatusIsError;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 94":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaTransmitTimeout;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 95":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaRX1Timeout;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 96":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaRX2Timeout;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 97":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaRX1ReceiveError;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 98":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaRX2ReceiveError;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 99":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaJoinFailed;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 100":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaDownlinkRepeated;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 101":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaPayloadSizeNotValidForDataRate;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 102":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaTooManyDownlinkFramesLost;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 103":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaAddressFail;
					break;
				case "ERROR: 104":
					CommandResult = Result.LoRaMicVerifyError;
					break;
				default:
					CommandResult = Result.ResponseInvalid;
					break;
			}
		}
		catch (TimeoutException)
		{
			// Intentionally ignored, not certain this is a good idea
		}

		CommandResponseExpectedEvent.Set();
	}
}

After a lot of testing I think my thread based approach works reliably. Initially, I was having some signal strength issues because I had forgotten to configure the external antenna. I need to add some validation to the metrics and payload field unpacking (though I’m not certain what todo if they are the wrong format).

RAK3172LoRaWAN-NetCore on Github

The source code for a late beta version of my .Net Core C# library for RAK3172 modules is now available on GitHub.

Using SerialDataReceivedEventHandler was causing memory management problems so the core command processor now runs in its own Thread.(Though I worry about the continuous System.TimeoutExceptions)

A sample application which shows how to connect using Over the Air Activation(OTAA) or Activation By Personalisation(ABP) then send and receive byte array/hexadecimal messages.

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Copyright (c) September 2021, devMobile Software
//
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.
//
// Must have one of following options defined in the project\build definitions
//    PAYLOAD_BCD or PAYLOAD_BYTES
//    OTAA or ABP
//
// Optional definitions
//    CONFIRMED For confirmed messages
//		DEVEUI_SET
//
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
namespace devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.NetCore.RAK3172
{
	using System;
	using System.IO.Ports;
	using System.Threading;


	public class Program
	{
		private const string SerialPortId = "/dev/ttyS0";
		private const LoRaClass Class = LoRaClass.A;
		private const string Band = "8-1";
		private const byte MessagePort = 10;
		private static readonly TimeSpan MessageSendTimerDue = new TimeSpan(0, 0, 15);
		private static readonly TimeSpan MessageSendTimerPeriod = new TimeSpan(0, 5, 0);
		private static Timer MessageSendTimer ;
		private const int JoinRetryAttempts = 2;
		private const int JoinRetryIntervalSeconds = 10;
#if PAYLOAD_BCD
		private const string PayloadBcd = "48656c6c6f204c6f526157414e"; // Hello LoRaWAN in BCD
#endif
#if PAYLOAD_BYTES
		private static readonly byte[] PayloadBytes = { 0x48, 0x65 , 0x6c, 0x6c, 0x6f, 0x20, 0x4c, 0x6f, 0x52, 0x61, 0x57, 0x41, 0x4e}; // Hello LoRaWAN in bytes
#endif

		public static void Main()
		{
			Result result;

			Console.WriteLine("devMobile.IoT.LoRaWAN.NetCore.RAK3172 RAK3712LoRaWANDeviceClient starting");

			Console.WriteLine($"Serial ports:{String.Join(",", SerialPort.GetPortNames())}");

			try
			{
				using (Rak3172LoRaWanDevice device = new Rak3172LoRaWanDevice())
				{
					result = device.Initialise(SerialPortId, 9600, Parity.None, 8, StopBits.One);
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"Initialise failed {result}");
						return;
					}

					MessageSendTimer = new Timer(SendMessageTimerCallback, device,Timeout.Infinite, Timeout.Infinite);

					device.OnJoinCompletion += OnJoinCompletionHandler;
					device.OnReceiveMessage += OnReceiveMessageHandler;
#if CONFIRMED
					device.OnMessageConfirmation += OnMessageConfirmationHandler;
#endif

#if DEVEUI_SET
					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} DevEUI {Config.devEui}");
					result = device.DeviceEui(Config.devEui);
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"DevEUI failed {result}");
						return;
					}
#endif

					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Class {Class}");
					result = device.Class(Class);
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"Class failed {result}");
						return;
					}

					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Band {Band}");
					result = device.Band(Band);
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"Region failed {result}");
						return;
					}

					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ADR On");
					result = device.AdrOn();
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"ADR on failed {result}");
						return;
					}

#if CONFIRMED
               Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Confirmed");
               result = device.UplinkMessageConfirmationOn();
               if (result != Result.Success)
               {
                  Console.WriteLine($"Confirm on failed {result}");
                  return;
               }
#else
					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Unconfirmed");
					result = device.UplinkMessageConfirmationOff();
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"Confirm off failed {result}");
						return;
					}
#endif

#if OTAA
					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} OTAA");
					result = device.OtaaInitialise(Config.JoinEui, Config.AppKey);
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"OTAA Initialise failed {result}");
						return;
					}
#endif

#if ABP
               Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ABP");
               result = device.AbpInitialise(Config.DevAddress, Config.NwksKey, Config.AppsKey);
               if (result != Result.Success)
               {
                  Console.WriteLine($"ABP Initialise failed {result}");
                  return;
               }
#endif

					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join start");
					result = device.Join(JoinRetryAttempts, JoinRetryIntervalSeconds);
					if (result != Result.Success)
					{
						Console.WriteLine($"Join failed {result}");
						return;
					}
					Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join started");

					Thread.Sleep(Timeout.Infinite);
				}
			}
			catch (Exception ex)
			{
				Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
			}
		}

		private static void OnJoinCompletionHandler(bool result)
		{
			Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Join finished:{result}");

			if (result)
			{ 
				MessageSendTimer.Change(MessageSendTimerDue, MessageSendTimerPeriod);
			}
		}

		private static void SendMessageTimerCallback(object state)
		{
			Rak3172LoRaWanDevice device = (Rak3172LoRaWanDevice)state;

#if PAYLOAD_BCD
			Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} port:{MessagePort} payload BCD:{PayloadBcd}");
			Result result = device.Send(MessagePort, PayloadBcd );
#endif
#if PAYLOAD_BYTES
			Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} port:{MessagePort} payload bytes:{Rak3172LoRaWanDevice.BytesToBcd(PayloadBytes)}");
         Result result = device.Send(MessagePort, PayloadBytes);
#endif
			if (result != Result.Success)
			{
				Console.WriteLine($"Send failed {result}");
			}
		}

#if CONFIRMED
		private static void OnMessageConfirmationHandler()
      {
			Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Send successful");
		}
#endif

		private static void OnReceiveMessageHandler(byte port, int rssi, int snr, string payload)
		{
			byte[] payloadBytes = Rak3172LoRaWanDevice.HexToByes(payload); // Done this way so both conversion methods tested

			Console.WriteLine($"{DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} Receive Message RSSI:{rssi} SNR:{snr} Port:{port} Payload:{payload} PayLoadBytes:{BitConverter.ToString(payloadBytes)}");
		}
	}
}

I have added XML Documentation comments which will need some rework, after I have “soak tested” the code for at least a week.

I have also added a method so the DevEUI can be set (intended for use after device firmware has been updated), fixed up my mistake with Binary Coded Decimal(BCD) vs. Hexadecimal strings.

I will also go back and apply the “learnings” from this refactoring to my other LoRaWAN module and platform libraries

.NET Core RAK3172 LoRaWAN library Part5

The massive refactor

After getting Activation By Personalisation(ABP) and Over The Air Activation(OTAA) working on my RAK3172 test rig I was looking at the code and SerialDataReceivedEventHandler was really ugly.

Raspberry Pi3 with Grove Base Hat and RAK3172 Breakout (using UART2)

After some experimentation in the BreakOutSerial project I decided to reimplement the RAK3172 command processing. In the new code a Thread reads lines of text from the SerialPort and processes them. I have replaced the Join and Send(Confirmed) methods with ones that block only while the command are sent to the RAK3172. Then, when completed the OnJoinCompletion or OnMessagesConfirmation event handlers are called.

private Result SendCommand(string command)
{
	if (command == null)
	{
		throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(command));
	}

	if (command == string.Empty)
	{
		throw new ArgumentException($"command cannot be empty", nameof(command));
	}

	serialDevice.WriteLine(command);

	this.CommandResponseExpectedEvent.Reset();

	if (!this.CommandResponseExpectedEvent.WaitOne(CommandTimeoutDefaultmSec, false))
	{
		return Result.Timeout;
	}

	return CommandResult;
}

private void SerialPortProcessor()
{
	string line;

	while (CommandProcessResponses)
	{
		try
		{
#if DIAGNOSTICS
			Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ReadLine before");
#endif
			line = serialDevice.ReadLine();
#if DIAGNOSTICS
			Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ReadLine after:{line}");
#endif

			// See if device successfully joined network
			if (line.StartsWith("+EVT:JOINED"))
			{
				OnJoinCompletion?.Invoke(true);

				continue;
			}

			// See if device failed ot join network
			if (line.StartsWith("+EVT:JOIN FAILED"))
			{
				OnJoinCompletion?.Invoke(false);

				continue;
			}

			// Applicable only if confirmed messages enabled 
			if (line.StartsWith("+EVT:SEND CONFIRMED OK"))
			{
				OnMessageConfirmation?.Invoke();

				continue;
			}

			// Check for A/B/C downlink message
			if (line.StartsWith("+EVT:RX_1") || line.StartsWith("+EVT:RX_2") || line.StartsWith("+EVT:RX_3") || line.StartsWith("+EVT:RX_C"))
			{
				// TODO beef up validation, nto certain what todo if borked
				string[] metricsFields= line.Split(' ', ',');

				int rssi = int.Parse(metricsFields[3]);
				int snr = int.Parse(metricsFields[6]);

				line = serialDevice.ReadLine();

#if DIAGNOSTICS
				Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:HH:mm:ss} UNICAST :{line}");
#endif
				line = serialDevice.ReadLine();
#if DIAGNOSTICS
				Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:HH:mm:ss} Payload:{line}");
#endif
				// TODO beef up validation, nto certain what todo if borked
				string[] payloadFields = line.Split(':');

				byte port = byte.Parse(payloadFields[1]);
				string payload = payloadFields[2];

				OnReceiveMessage?.Invoke(port, rssi, snr, payload);

				continue;
			}

#if DIAGNOSTICS
           Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ReadLine Result");
#endif
			line = serialDevice.ReadLine();
#if DIAGNOSTICS
             Debug.WriteLine($" {DateTime.UtcNow:hh:mm:ss} ReadLine Result:{line}");
#endif
			switch (line)
			{
				case "OK":
					CommandResult = Result.Success;
					break;
				case "AT_ERROR":
					CommandResult = Result.AtError;
					break;
				case "AT_PARAM_ERROR":
					CommandResult = Result.ParameterError;
					break;
				case "AT_BUSY_ERROR":
					CommandResult = Result.BusyError;
					break;
				case "AT_TEST_PARAM_OVERFLOW":
					CommandResult = Result.ParameterOverflow;
					break;
				case "AT_NO_NETWORK_JOINED":
					CommandResult = Result.NotJoined;
					break;
				case "AT_RX_ERROR":
					CommandResult = Result.ReceiveError;
					break;
				case "AT_DUTYCYLE_RESTRICTED":
					CommandResult = Result.DutyCycleRestricted;
					break;
				default:
					CommandResult = Result.Undefined;
					break;
			}

			CommandResponseExpectedEvent.Set();
		}
		catch (TimeoutException)
		{
			// Intentionally ignored, not certain this is a good idea
		}
	}
}

After a lot of testing I think my thread based approach works reliably. I also had to modify the code to shutdown the command processor thread and free any non managed resources.

/// <summary>
/// Ensures unmanaged serial port and thread resources are released in a "responsible" manner.
/// </summary>
public void Dispose()
{
	CommandProcessResponses = false;

	if (CommandResponsesProcessorThread != null)
	{
		CommandResponsesProcessorThread.Join();
		CommandResponsesProcessorThread = null;
	}

	if (serialDevice != null)
	{
		serialDevice.Dispose();
		serialDevice = null;
	}
}

I need to add some validation to the metrics and payload field unpacking (though I’m not certain what todo if they are the wrong format) and review the handling of multi-line event messages.