Pycom LoPy

Pycom LoPy Module with OpenChirp

The LoPy from Pycom is a great module that mates an ESP32 processor running Python with LoRa, WiFi and BLE radios. Its super easy to quickly get going with the ability to send an receive using an onboard Python interpreter. This page describes how to setup and install a board with OpenChirp. Its worth noting that while this is an easy way to get going quickly its unclear how power efficient the ESP32 running Python is in its current form. We are doing some testing, but its likely not as efficient as boards that are optimized specifically for power. Below is a photo of the LoPy with a standard I/O expansion kit for connecting to GPIO.

Setup your LoPy

1. Download the pycom software from pycom's website to update the LoPy firmware (optional)
2. Install ATOM as described in the LoPy Install Instructions

Setup the Firmware on the LoPy

In Atom, More -> Get serial ports Settings -> Global settings -> Device address (Paste your device address here!) Connect

To figure out the DevID, copy and paste the following into an empty document (File -> New File)

from network import LoRa
import binascii

# Initialize LoRa in LORAWAN mode.
lora = LoRa(mode=LoRa.LORAWAN, adr=True, public=True, tx_retries=0)

print("Mac ", binascii.hexlify(lora.mac()))

Simply, Run. Write this down as you will need this to setup the device on OpenChirp (copy & paste doesn't work with this terminal).

Get the LoPy on OpenChirp

The examples project can be cloned from this repo.

1. File -> Add Project Folder
2. Update pymakr.conf with your device address (get from More -> Get serial ports)
3. Open main.py, update your application eui and key
4. Write program to flash (Packages -> Pymakr -> Synchronize project or Upload)

Note: you can safely disconnect your serial communication by selecting the up/down chevron on the far right hand side of the pycom console.

Lopy can comes with 1 of the 3 useful companion boards:

Expansionboard:

Note: you will need this to upgrade the firmware of your lopy.

Pytrack:

Pysense:

Skip to Step 3 in the LoRa Device Tutorial to walk through setting it up on OpenChirp. Remember that we need the DevID from your node and you have to generate a AppEUI and AppKey for your devices.