Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin!

Our latest bulletin highlights new gateways, field testing tools, and deployment resources designed for real-world IoT network operations. Whether you're planning a new deployment or optimizing an existing network, these updates focus on faster setup, better coverage visibility, and more reliable long-term performance.

Let’s dive in.

New Gateways for LoRaWAN, Devices & Deployment Solutions

WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit for Meshtastic: Real Long-Range, Two-Way Performance

Long range only matters if communication works both ways.

The WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit for Meshtastic networks is built to deliver reliable two-way long-range performance, not just bigger numbers on a spec sheet.

For mesh deployments in the field, a stable uplink alone is not enough. Devices need to send and receive reliably across distances, especially in environments where terrain, interference, and infrastructure limitations affect performance.

Build your long-range mesh network

Build your long-range mesh network

BACnet Gateway RAK7437: Connecting Sensors for LoRaWAN to BACnet-Based BMS

The BACnet Gateway for LoRaWAN RAK7437 connects wireless sensors to BACnet-based Building Management Systems, making it easier to integrate them into existing building infrastructure.

Key features include:

• Unified LoRaWAN and BACnet management
• Automatic BACnet point generation
• Persistent point mapping for easier device replacement
• Protocol-level BACnet security
• Reliable performance under high-frequency polling

Built for smart buildings, factories, and facility operations, the RAK7437 helps scale wireless sensing without adding wiring complexity.

BACnet Gateway for LoRaWAN RAK7437

Simplify LoRaWAN to BACnet integration

WisGate Connect Outdoor RAK7393/RAK7393C: Flexible Outdoor Connectivity for Serious Deployments

Another major launch was the WisGate Connect Outdoor RAK7393/RAK7393C, a new outdoor gateway for LoRaWAN built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.

Designed for scalable outdoor deployments, it brought together:

• Up to 16 LoRa channels
• Ethernet, WiFi, and optional LTE backhaul
• IP67 enclosure for harsh environments
• PoE and power monitoring support
• Built-in GPS for geolocation and synchronization
• RAKPiOS with Docker support for edge services

This launch positioned the RAK7393 as a strong fit for smart cities, industrial IoT, and remote infrastructure projects that required both flexibility and industrial-grade reliability.

WisGate Connect Outdoor RAK7393/RAK7393C

Deploy flexible outdoor LoRaWAN connectivity

WisBlock HAT for Raspberry Pi RAK6421: A Modular IoT Hub for Pi Builders

We also introduced the WisBlock HAT for Raspberry Pi RAK6421, designed for Raspberry Pi 4, 5, and Pi Zero 2W.

The RAK6421 made it easier to connect WisBlock modules directly to a Raspberry Pi without requiring an extra baseboard. With support for LoRa^®, GNSS, sensors, and IO modules, plus HAT+ compliance and plug-and-play integration, it opened the door to cleaner and more scalable prototyping.

WisBlock HAT for Raspberry Pi RAK6421

Start building with WisBlock on Raspberry Pi

Field Tester Pad RAK7590: Better Visibility for On-Site LoRaWAN Testing

To round out the recent hardware releases, we launched the Field Tester Pad RAK7590 for LoRaWAN.

Built for installers and engineers making gateway placement decisions on site, the Field Tester Pad helped visualize signal quality more clearly with:

• A large screen for easier location tagging
• Heatmap visualization for faster analysis
• Test report viewing and download for comparison

In challenging indoor, industrial, and urban environments, this new tool aimed to reduce guesswork and improve deployment planning.

Field Tester Pad RAK7590

Improve your on-site LoRaWAN testing

Deployment Tools, Tutorials & Technical Guides

Field Tester Plus (RAK10701-Plus): Indoor Coverage Testing, Range Testing, and Firmware Upgrade

Field testing remained a major focus, with several posts and tutorials centered around Field Tester Plus.

Watch this video to learn how to use Field Tester Plus with a WisGate gateway for indoor coverage testing, including extension installation, built-in LNS configuration, and live RSSI/SNR viewing.

Watch Video

Watch this step-by-step tutorial showing how existing RAK10701-P users could upgrade to Field Tester Plus (RAK10701-Plus) using WisToolBox. You’ll be guided through downloading firmware, flashing the device, and unlocking advanced features, such as:

• Indoor and outdoor testing
• Real-time RSSI, SNR, and PLR analysis
• Tag positioning and data export
• Easier LNS connectivity

Watch Video

Want a tutorial focused on running a LoRaWAN range test with Field Tester Plus? This video includes test mode, manual point labeling, Force Uplink, and CSV export for post-test analysis.

Watch Video

WisGateOS 2 Tutorials: Practical Features for Long-Term Gateway Operations

We also published several new WisGateOS 2 video tutorials focused on everyday gateway operations.

This video explains Automatic Log Rotation, showing how it helped prevent storage overflow, reduce SD card slowdowns, and keep gateways running smoothly over long periods in the field.

Watch Video

Another covered Auto Add Device (OTAA), demonstrating how users could automatically register compatible LoRaWAN devices when they sent a join request, reducing manual work during deployment.

Watch Video

A third tutorial walked through Multi-WAN Backup, explaining how WisGateOS 2 could automatically switch between Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Cellular connections to maintain uptime during outages.

Watch Video

Early FUOTA Demo on RAK3172 with ChirpStackOS

We also shared a step-by-step FUOTA demo on the RAK3172 using RUI3 v5 and ChirpStackOS.

The video showed the full process, from application creation and OTAA join to multicast-based firmware fragment delivery in Class C. Since this feature was still in early beta, the demo was positioned as a learning and testing resource rather than a production-ready workflow.

Watch Video

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Platform Updates & Resource Improvements

WisDM: Documentation Reorganized Around Real User Workflows

One of the important platform updates was the restructuring of WisDM documentation.

Rather than organizing content mainly by feature, the new structure followed a more user-driven path from onboarding to deployment and ongoing management. It introduced a clearer sequence and expanded support for tasks such as:

• Location management
• Organization management
• Device pre-provisioning
• API integration in an operational context

This update reflected a broader shift toward making documentation easier to navigate based on what users were trying to accomplish, not just what features existed.

View WisDM documentation

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WisBlock Accelerator: A New Resource Hub for Faster Prototyping

We launched the WisBlock Accelerator page, a new resource hub designed to help IoT developers move faster from idea to working prototype.

The collection brought together practical materials such as:

• Step-by-step how-to guides
• Tutorials using RAK modules
• Integration guides with Blues Notecard
• Technical references and implementation examples

For engineers validating ideas, building proof-of-concepts, or preparing for production, the WisBlock Accelerator created a more focused starting point for development.

Explore WisBlock Accelerator

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Strategy, Operations & Industry Conversations

LoRaWAN Scalability in 2025: Why Operations Mattered

Last month, our CEO Ken Yu shared a message about an important reality: scaling LoRaWAN sustainably requires operational maturity, not just more endpoints.

The post highlighted how network growth brings new demands around reliability, remote management, troubleshooting, and automation. It also reflected on progress made during 2025, including a stronger WisDM foundation, a more stable WisGateOS 2, and operational extensions shaped by field experience.

Read CEO’s message

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Gavin Brown Joined the Things Conference Conversation

At The Things Conference, our very own VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner, Gavin Brown, joined Marc Pous, Developer Relations at Edge Impulse, for a discussion on the state of LoRaWAN, modular IoT hardware, and the future of private wireless networks.

The conversation touched on several themes that matter deeply to the RAKwireless community, including:

• The importance of modular design
• Cost-effective and reliable gateway infrastructure
• Mesh networking in real-world deployments
• Use cases across smart buildings, agriculture, and energy

Listen via YouTube

Listen via Spotify

Listen via Apple Podcast 

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A Practical Look at Solar-Powered Gateway Deployments

Carl Rowan, our Technical Marketing, shared a practical product highlight focused on solar-powered gateway deployments.

The post explored a common challenge in the field: securing reliable power for gateway installations, especially in remote or temporary setups. It pointed to solar-compatible options using WisGate Edge Pro and Soho Pro with Battery Plus, and highlighted capabilities such as cold-weather tolerance, multi-day runtime under limited sunlight, safe-temperature charging, and remote monitoring through WisDM.

Check out Carl’s LinkedIn Post

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Opening a Conversation Around Modbus Polling in Real Projects

Our Product Manager, Ting Ma, also started an industry conversation around a practical engineering question: how many scheduled Modbus polling tasks do users actually need in real projects?

Using the Bridge IO series as context, the post asked whether support for up to 200 tasks was truly valuable in the field or whether it risked becoming unnecessary complexity. The accompanying survey invited feedback from users in solar, energy, BMS, and industrial automation.

This kind of discussion helped ground product development in real deployment experience, which remained one of the strongest themes across the month.

Join the Modbus polling discussion

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The previous months highlighted practical progress: new products for smarter deployments, better tools for field testing, stronger gateway operations content, and improved resources for both developers and network operators.

From BACnet integration and outdoor connectivity to documentation updates and real-world discussions about LoRaWAN scalability, the focus stayed firmly on helping users build, deploy, and manage with more confidence.

More launches, tutorials, and product updates are on the way.

TL;DR:

• New LoRaWAN® hardware: long-range mesh kit, BACnet gateway, outdoor gateway, and Raspberry Pi IoT HAT
• Field tools improved: new Field Tester Pad + upgrades/tutorials for Field Tester Plus
• WisGateOS 2 updates: auto log rotation, auto device onboarding, multi-WAN backup
• New resources: WisDM docs redesigned + WisBlock Accelerator for faster prototyping
• Key focus: easier deployment, better testing visibility, and more reliable operations
• Industry insights: scaling LoRaWAN requires operational maturity, not just more devices

By Ken Yu, Founder & CEO of RAKwireless

This article is based on a talk I shared recently with the IoT community at the IoT Tech Expo in the UK.

After more than 20 years working in communications and IoT, the question that drives me isn’t:

“What’s the next big gadget?”

It’s something much more fundamental:

Why do so few IoT projects reach true scale, while others go on to transform industries?

At RAKwireless, we’ve worked with thousands of customers around the world. We’ve seen incredible innovation, ambitious pilots, and breakthrough ideas.

But we’ve also seen something very consistent:

Scale is rare.

And when it happens, it’s never an accident.

Today, instead of talking about a single product, I want to share what I’ve learned about the decisions and patterns that actually change outcomes in IoT, and what it really takes and how to scale IoT deployments from prototype to millions of deployed devices.

From Prototype to Scale: The Journey of IoT Device Deployment Most Projects Never Complete

When people talk about IoT scaling success, they often focus on technology.

But in reality, the hardest part of IoT isn’t building the first device.

The hardest part is building something that lasts.

Internally, we often think about IoT customers in three stages:

• POC (Proof of Concept)
• MOC (Meaningful Operation)
• Scale (Hundreds of thousands, even millions, of devices deployed)

Most companies can build a proof of concept.

Some make it into a meaningful operation.

But the truth is:

Scale customers are rare.

That’s why we spend so much time studying them, not just what technology they use, but how they think, what decisions they make early, and what they do differently.

Because hidden inside those stories are lessons the entire industry can learn from.

A Customer Story That Changed My Perspective: Halter

One of the most impressive examples I’ve seen is a company called Halter.

Last year, they raised over $150 million, and they are clearly one of the most successful IoT companies today.

They use LoRaWAN^®, a Low-power wide-area network technology, but what impressed me most was not the wireless technology.

It was something much deeper:

They were designing for scale from the very beginning.

When they finished their proof of concept, they weren’t celebrating the pilot.

They were already preparing for mass deployment.

One simple example stayed with me:

They standardized tower heights across deployments.

That might sound like a small operational detail.

But that decision dramatically reduced complexity later, in installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and after-sales support.

And that is often what scaling is really about:

Winning through operational clarity, not just technical novelty.

Halter also openly shares their early experiments, including the many POCs that came before success.

Their story is proof that scaling isn’t a straight line.

But the key takeaway for me is this:

They did not stop investing after POC success.

They kept building.

The Hard Truth: IoT Is a Full-System Challenge

Halter succeeded because they didn’t treat IoT as a device problem.

They treated it as a system problem.

Whether the connectivity layer is cellular, WiFi, or LPWAN, scale depends on how the entire system is designed.

They built a large team.

They focused on one device, one solution.

And they controlled the full chain:

• Hardware
• Network
• Deployment
• Troubleshooting
• Operations

This is an important truth:

IoT is hard.

And when you scale, controlling the full system becomes critical for IoT network scalability.

At small scale, you can improvise. At large scale, improvisation becomes failure.

What We Believed When We Started RAKwireless

In many ways, RAKwireless was shaped by the same realization.

When we started the company, we had three core beliefs that still guide us today.

1. 1. Deployment Experience Matters

   Many people on our team came from large-scale networking backgrounds.

   We understood what it takes to ship millions of devices, and that experience taught us that scaling is not only about engineering.

   It is about logistics, support, maintenance, and repeatability.

2. 2. Democratization Would Be the Future

   Early on, we saw a clear long-term trend.

   Instead of closed, chip-on-board solutions, the future would belong to modular platforms designed for developers.

   We chose a different path.

   Make IoT more accessible, more open, and more buildable.

3. 3. Deployment Knowledge Should Become Tools

   We did not want to build hardware alone.

   We wanted to turn our deployment experience into toolchains — systems that help others scale faster.

   Because in IoT, tools often matter more than features.

Building More Than Hardware: A Complete Experience

Over time, these beliefs shaped our product philosophy.

Our strategy is simple to explain, but hard to execute:

• On one axis, we go deeper into real vertical applications
• On the other axis, we build dedicated toolchains

That includes:

• Gateways
• Network management
• Diagnostics
• Maintenance
• Provisioning
• Deployment support

We don’t just sell open hardware.

We try to deliver a complete experience.

WisBlock is one example of this thinking: modular building blocks designed not only for prototypes, but for scalable systems.

Why LoRaWAN’s Real Strength Is the Ecosystem

One of the strongest things about LoRaWAN is not only the spectrum.

It’s the ecosystem.

In our view, democratization equals an open ecosystem.

LoRaWAN reminds me of Wi-Fi in its early days:

• Interoperable devices
• Shared standards
• Faster innovation
• Lower barriers to entry

An open ecosystem allows more builders to participate — and that is how industries grow.

Small Details That Decide Whether Projects Scale

A small but very practical example is our partnership with The Things Industries.

Together, we launched zero-touch provisioning.

It sounds like a small feature. But for IoT solution builders, it saves enormous amounts of time and reduces deployment risk. And in the real world, scaling is often decided by small operational details like this.

Not by headlines.

Not by hype.

But by removing friction from deployment.

Our Goal: Helping Create the Next Halter

With all our investments in platforms, tools, products, and partnerships, our goal is simple:

To help create the next Halter.

To help more solution builders go beyond POC.

To help more companies reach meaningful operations.

And to help more IoT ideas become real, scalable networks that impact the world.

So when we say “IoT Made Easy,” it’s not just a tagline.

We believe that anyone with a good idea should have a real chance to take it from prototype to deployment to global scale.

Thank you for reading.

TL;DR

• Scaling IoT is rarely about building the first prototype. It is about designing the full system early, from deployment and operations to maintenance and ecosystem support. The companies that succeed at scale think beyond technology and focus on repeatable decisions that reduce complexity over time.
• At RAKwireless, our mission is to help more solution builders move from POC to meaningful operation and eventually global deployment, through modular tools, open ecosystems like LoRaWAN, and partnerships that remove friction from real-world scaling.

Hello RAKwireless Community,

Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin.

The end of last year and the beginning of 2026 focused on real-world connectivity: expanding local availability in Europe, deeper education around Meshtastic and high-power LoRa^® design, milestone growth across WisDM, and hands-on tutorials to keep gateways running reliably. From modular starter kits to ecosystem partnerships and practical how-to content, here’s a look at what happened.

Let’s dive in.

Newly Launched: WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit for Real Long-Range Meshtastic

Introducing the WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit.

This newest kit is one of the very few true 1 watt Meshtastic kits designed for reliable, two-way communication.

Most boards on the market run at just 100–200 mW. Some boost transmit power, but overlook receiver performance. This kit is different.

What sets it apart:

• One of the few complete, true 1W Meshtastic kits available
• Professionally engineered RF filter and PA chain
• Works right out of the box, no tuning, soldering, or DIY mods
• Better range, fewer dropped packets, stronger reception

Designed for:

• Outdoor adventurers who need dependable off-grid tracking
• Field professionals managing teams, assets, or remote sites

If reliable long-range performance matters, this is the node built for it.

For customers in the US, check our partner Rokland for local availability and shipping.

International customers can also purchase through AliExpress.

Want the technical deep dive?

WisDM Gateway Registrations Nearly Doubled in 2025

WisDM crossed a major milestone, growing from approximately 20,000 to nearly 40,000 registered gateways within the year.

This growth reflected increasing demand for:

• Centralized gateway monitoring
• Real-time operational insights
• Simplified network management at scale

The milestone highlighted how organizations worldwide rely on WisDM to keep LoRaWAN^® networks visible, reliable, and easier to manage.

Discover how WisDM can streamline your gateway management.

Strengthening the LoRaWAN Ecosystem at CES 2026

At CES 2026, leadership meetings took place with Semtech’s senior team and our VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner, Gavin Brown. It included talks around long-term collaboration, ecosystem maturity, and scaling reliable LoRaWAN deployments globally.

These conversations reinforced:

• RAKwireless’ role as a serious LoRaWAN partner at scale
• Closer collaboration with both Semtech and the LoRa Alliance
• Continued momentum following the new Contributor status within the LoRa Alliance

The discussions reflected strong alignment around where the industry is headed next.

Meet RAKwireless at Embedded World 2026

Embedded World 2026 takes place March 10–12 at NürnbergMesse in Nürnberg, Germany, and we will be there.

Stop by Hall 3, Booth 3-500 to explore how LoRaWAN and IoT solutions can help accelerate product development and deployment, and to see end-to-end IoT building blocks, from gateways to modular hardware.

For deeper technical and partnership discussions, book a 1:1 meeting with our team members:

Gavin Brown

VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner

Ting Huang

Product Owner

Xose Pérez

Product Owner

See you there!

Understanding RAKwireless Model Numbers

Our new educational guide broke down how to read RAKwireless model numbers, turning confusing product codes into meaningful information.

The guide explained:

• Product family identification
• Core computing silicon selection
• Connectivity and radio capabilities

For anyone working with WisBlock, WisDuo, or RAK modules, this cheat sheet helped reveal the modular IoT vision embedded in every product code.

Designing LoRaWAN for Real-World Scale

RAKwireless’s VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner, Gavin Brown, was invited to join The Business of LoRaWAN podcast to unpack why proper system design matters as much as hardware selection.

Discussions covered:

• RF performance and hardware considerations
• End-to-end system design
• Business thinking required to scale LoRaWAN deployments successfully

The conversation reinforced a core principle: when LoRaWAN is designed correctly, results follow.

Monitoring GPS Health in WisGateOS 2

Our new step-by-step video tutorial demonstrated how to monitor:

• GPS lock status
• PPS signal output
• Satellite count directly from the WisGateOS 2 dashboard

The guide explained what each indicator means, how to interpret satellite counts, and how to identify common installation issues. This helps ensure accurate timing and synchronization.

Fixing SD Card Errors in WisGateOS 2

Another hands-on tutorial focused on the SD Card Health Check feature in WisGateOS 2.

Viewers learned how to:

• Access SD card status
• Interpret Normal, Not Detected, and Abnormal indicators
• Troubleshoot common issues before data corruption occurs

Automatic checks and early detection were highlighted as key advantages for maintaining long-term gateway reliability.

Building Faster with WisBlock Modular Hardware

Our Technical Marketing, Carl Rowan, conducted a comprehensive WisBlock training session:

• The WisBlock ecosystem and modular architecture
• Core, Base, Sensor, and Enclosure building blocks
• Module selection strategies for different IoT applications
• Avoiding pin conflicts using the Pin Mapper tool

Real-world use cases, from smart agriculture to industrial monitoring, demonstrated how modular hardware accelerates prototyping and deployment without starting from scratch.

Faster Local Availability in Poland

Product availability in Europe expanded further through trusted distribution partners.

In Poland, Soyter Components began offering the WisGate Edge Lite 2 (RAK7268CV2) gateway from local stock, giving customers faster delivery and regional support for LoRaWAN projects.

This marked another step in making RAKwireless hardware easier to access worldwide through local channels.

Stay tuned for more hardware releases, deeper technical content, and continued ecosystem collaboration in the months ahead.

IoT Made Easy,
The RAKwireless Team

TL;DR:

• New launch: WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit — a true 1W Meshtastic node built for reliable, two-way long-range performance.
• Platform milestone: WisDM grew from ~20K to nearly 40K registered gateways in 2025.
• What’s next + new resources: Meet us at Embedded World 2026 (Mar 10–12, Hall 3, Booth 3-500), plus new WisGateOS 2 tutorials, WisBlock training, and expanded EU availability in Poland via Soyter.

As we look back on 2025, I’d like to share one clear takeaway from the field:

LoRaWAN^® scalability isn’t defined by how fast you can deploy a network. It’s defined by how efficiently you can operate and maintain it over the long term.

In the early days of IoT, most conversations focused on coverage, penetration, and device power consumption. Those topics remain important. But as LoRaWAN networks scale from dozens of gateways to thousands of endpoints across multiple sites and business units, a new reality becomes unavoidable:

The real cost of IoT is not in installation. It’s in operations.

Troubleshooting, monitoring, remote management, standardization, and the ability to scale without adding headcount are what determine whether a project can move from PoC to long-term, profitable deployment.

This insight shaped our work in 2025. Not only in what we built, but also in how we measured progress.

2025: Building the Toolchain for Scale

At RAKwireless, we continue to follow our “Come to the Field” mindset, listening closely to what customers face after deployment, when the network becomes part of real operations.

This year, our focus was on closing the operational gap: helping customers reduce long-term maintenance cost, improve reliability, and scale with confidence.

That focus led to meaningful progress across our platforms, software, and ecosystem.

WisDM in 2025: Management That Fits Real Operations

WisDM continues to evolve into a management platform designed for long-term IoT operations, not just device onboarding.

In 2025, development focused on making WisDM more stable, usable, and operationally efficient for customers managing live LoRaWAN networks at scale.

A key milestone was the release of API Key support in November 2025, enabling deeper integration and automation for advanced operational workflows.

As networks scale, automation and integration are no longer “nice to have.” They become a requirement. WisDM API Key support is an important milestone in that direction.

WisGateOS 2: Continuous Releases, Stronger Stability

A scalable LoRaWAN deployment requires stable, dependable gateway operations in real environments.

In 2025, WisGateOS 2 continued its steady release cadence:

• v2.2.11 — February 14
• v2.2.13 — May 18
• v2.2.14 — July 28
• v2.2.15 — October 22

Our focus has been clear: improving stability, operational consistency, and real-world usability. This way, gateways remain reliable, manageable, and resilient as deployments grow.

Extensions: Turning Field Experience into Operational Tools

In 2025, we also expanded our WisGateOS 2 Extensions ecosystem because scalability depends on giving users operational tools, not just core functionality.

These tools address the realities of large-scale networks: diagnosing connectivity, improving stability, supporting remote access, and enabling smarter field operations.

When operations teams can solve problems faster and more independently, IoT becomes easier to scale and much easier to trust.

“IoT Made Easy” Is About Reducing Friction

Our vision of “IoT Made Easy” is not only about making devices easy to connect.

It is about making the entire lifecycle easier:

• easier to deploy
• easier to maintain
• easier to troubleshoot
• easier to standardize
• easier to scale

That is why, beyond our platforms, we also invested heavily in improving user-facing resources and product clarity.

In 2025, we:

• released 40 new products
• updated 102 product pages
• published 22 YouTube videos and 10 YouTube Shorts

Better product information and clearer learning resources may seem simple. But in the field, they directly reduce operational friction and shorten the time from purchase to deployment success.

AI and the Next Generation of Operations

AI is changing the world. And it is also changing how humans interact with systems.

In 2025, we continued exploring how AI can reduce workload, improve decision-making, and simplify operations for our users and our teams. We are preparing to introduce our first AI-powered tool, RAKu, and we see AI not as a “feature,” but as an operational capability.

However, we also learned an important lesson:

AI works only when the foundation is structured.

That’s why over the past two years we focused on “AI-ready” groundwork:

• modular documentation structures
• rebuilt WisDM and WisGate OS documentation
• standardized product and customer databases for future analysis and automation

As RAKu evolves, these foundational improvements will allow AI to deliver real value: faster answers, better support, and more scalable operations.

WisNode in 2025: Industrial Devices Built for Operational Scale

In parallel, WisNode development in 2025 focused on strengthening industrial readiness and operational scalability.

Across Bridge Interface, WisToolBox, and IO.Box, the emphasis was on:

• expanding industrial I/O support
• improving configuration efficiency
• enabling repeatable, large-scale deployments aligned with real field operations

A Company Milestone: 11 Years of Real-World Installations

2025 also marked RAKwireless’s 11th anniversary.

Over the years, we have seen our solutions deployed across real environments worldwide: from campuses and rural areas to solar power sites, from Asia and Oceania to Africa and Central Asia.

What makes us proud is not just the number of deployments but the fact that LoRaWAN is becoming deeply embedded in how industries operate and how cities manage sustainability, compliance, and efficiency.

This is what gives us long-term confidence: the transformation is real, and the need is growing.

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Looking Ahead to 2026: From Management to Scalable Operations

In 2026, our focus will remain consistent: helping customers scale with lower maintenance cost and stronger operational confidence.

Here are a few highlights we’re excited about:

1) WisDM Metrics - Visibility at Scale

We plan to expand WisDM’s operational observability, helping users monitor network health, system performance, and operational metrics more effectively.

2) Remote Install & Manage - Standardizing Deployments

We are working toward enabling more scalable remote installation and management workflows, reducing the complexity of managing distributed fleets and multi-site deployments.

3) BACnet Gateway - Expanding beyond LoRaWAN into Building Automation

We’re also excited about our upcoming BACnet Gateway, which will help us expand into smart building and building automation markets. This is an area where operational simplicity and long-term reliability matter even more.

And beyond that, we continue to explore strategic directions including security, eSIM integration, industrial applications, and sustainable energy scenarios such as solar and off-grid connectivity.

Thank You

To our customers and partners, thank you for your trust, your feedback, and your willingness to build with us.

IoT is not only about technology. It is about operations, trust, and long-term value creation.

In 2025, we learned that scalability is ultimately determined by maintenance cost and operational clarity. And we’re committed to building the toolchain (platforms, extensions, documentation, and AI-ready foundations) that help you scale with confidence.

We look forward to building the next chapter of scalable IoT with you in 2026.

Warm regards,

Ken Yu
CEO, RAKwireless

TL;DR:

• LoRaWAN scalability = operations. Long-term monitoring, troubleshooting, and standardization matter more than initial deployment speed.
• 2025 focus: WisDM improvements (including API Keys, Nov 2025), steady WisGateOS 2 releases, and more operational Extensions.
• Looking ahead to 2026: More metrics/observability, better remote install & manage, and expansion into BACnet. Plus AI groundwork for RAKu.

If you spend any time in the Meshtastic community, whether on Discord, Reddit, or the project forums, you will notice a recurring theme: everyone is obsessed with range. Screenshots of record-breaking links, maps of cross-valley hops, and “I can hear a node from 18 km away” stories appear almost daily. It is part hobby, part engineering challenge, and part proof that your mesh setup is truly dialed in.

This enthusiasm naturally leads users toward one of the most coveted upgrades in the Meshtastic ecosystem.

A true 1-watt LoRa radio.

But why exactly is 1 watt such a big deal? And why do so many users go out of their way to build or buy high-power nodes?

For many builders, the real question becomes how to identify the best 1-watt LoRa radio for Meshtastic—one that delivers real-world reliability, not just higher numbers on a spec sheet.

Let’s break down the reasons and also clarify why only certain regions can legally take advantage of them.

The Meshtastic Community’s Fascination With Long-Range Links

Pushing the limits of range has become a defining part of the community’s culture. It is both a technical challenge and a shared obsession, and it inspires countless experiments, field tests, and friendly competitions across the world. At the center of this experimentation is the LoRa radio Meshtastic uses to form and maintain long-distance links between nodes.

1. Longer Range Means Fewer Nodes and Larger Coverage

Higher transmit power allows each node to reach farther, which reduces the number of hops required to move messages across the network. This leads to more stable communication, especially in areas with difficult terrain. For users who are building neighborhood meshes or regional coverage, extended range is not just a fun metric. It is the difference between a dependable network and one that frequently drops messages.

2. Distance Is the Community’s Version of a High Score

Meshtastic users love to share their long-distance achievements. Posts like “I hit 21 km over two ridgelines today” or “My backyard node is reaching the next town” appear constantly in community channels. A 1 watt radio makes these achievements much more attainable, which helps fuel the sense of accomplishment and exploration that keeps the community engaged.

3. Real-World Environments Often Demand Higher Power

The landscapes where people deploy Meshtastic are rarely ideal RF environments. Users operate in forests, canyons, dense suburbs, urban high-rise zones, mountain trails, and other areas with significant obstructions or interference. A stronger transmitter helps maintain stable connections in these challenging environments, ensuring that messages continue to move across the network even when conditions are less than perfect.

Use Cases That Benefit Most From 1 Watt

Although Meshtastic performs well at low power, certain situations benefit significantly from a true 1 watt radio. These scenarios highlight why high-power nodes have become so valuable within the community and why users often view them as essential infrastructure rather than optional upgrades.

Outdoor Adventures and Hiking Groups

When groups spread out over miles with no cell service, a 1-watt node helps maintain reliable links across hills, forests, and varied terrain. This is especially true for long-range Meshtastic nodes for U.S. trails, where legal 30 dBm operation allows fewer nodes to cover larger wilderness areas reliably.

Off-Grid Communication for Remote Locations

In cabins, campsites, and wilderness stations, a high-power node acts as the central hub, improving message delivery even for users in low or moving positions.

Overlanding and Vehicle-to-Vehicle Networks

Convoys often stretch out over large distances. A 1-watt mobile node on a vehicle provides strong, steady connectivity for location sharing and coordination.

Community Mesh Coverage and Neighborhood Relays

For home relays supporting local mesh networks, a 1-watt node becomes a reliable anchor point, expanding neighborhood coverage and improving network stability. As these relays multiply, they form the backbone of a larger Meshtastic long-range network that extends well beyond a single neighborhood or deployment site.

Emergency and Disaster Communications

During storms, wildfires, or outages, high-power nodes greatly extend the reachable area, helping emergency teams maintain communication when other systems fail.

The Backbone Node Mentality

Within every active Meshtastic network, a small number of nodes serve as the primary infrastructure that keeps the entire system connected. These nodes operate consistently, maintain long-distance links, and provide stability even when other devices move, shut down, or drop out of range. They function as the structural pillars of a mesh network rather than casual, portable devices.

Backbone nodes typically share several defining characteristics:

• They run continuously with a reliable power source
• They are placed in elevated locations such as rooftops, attics, hills, towers, or masts
• They are configured specifically to support long-range, high-reliability communication

A true 1 watt radio significantly enhances this role. Higher transmit power strengthens both uplink and downlink performance, increases the ability to hear weak or distant nodes, and reduces the number of hops required for messages to travel across the mesh. This leads to a more stable network with wider coverage and greater resilience in challenging environments.

Because these nodes determine how well and how far a local mesh can operate, many community builders rely on at least one high-power backbone node when establishing regional coverage. The result is a more dependable mesh that remains functional even when other nodes are intermittent or mobile.

Why Only U.S. Users Can Legally Operate True 1-Watt LoRa Devices

Only users in the United States can operate true 1 watt LoRa hardware because FCC Part 15.247 permits up to 30 dBm of conducted transmit power for systems like LoRa, provided they meet emission limits. Most other regions restrict power far below this level. Europe typically allows 14 dBm and at most 27 dBm in limited cases. Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and many additional regions also enforce low ERP limits that prohibit 1 watt operation. As a result, high-power Meshtastic devices can only be sold where regulations permit them.

Users outside the United States can still build highly capable long-range nodes, but within the lower power limits defined by their local regulations. Even without 1 watt transmit capability, improvements in receiver sensitivity, filtering, and antenna placement often deliver substantial real-world gains. The goal is always the same: achieve the best possible performance while remaining fully compliant in each region.

Why an Integrated RF Filter Is the Only Way to Build a True 1-Watt LoRa Radio

When people hear “1 watt,” they usually think of raw transmit power and assume more power automatically means more range. In reality, long-range performance is governed by both transmit strength and the ability to hear weak signals. Boosting only the transmit side solves only half of the problem and often creates new ones.

More Power Helps You Shout, Not Hear

A radio link has two sides:

• Transmit (TX): how far you can send
• Receive (RX): how far you can hear

Most DIY 1 watt boosters and PA-only modules improve only the transmit side. This allows the node to shout louder, but it does nothing to improve its ability to hear replies. The result is a classic RF failure mode where a node can reach a distant device but cannot receive its response. This leads to broken links, unidirectional communication, unstable mesh behavior, and the illusion of long-range performance without the reliability that a true mesh network requires.

Long-Range Links Require Balance, Not Just Power

Effective long-distance communication requires a balanced link budget. Transmit power must increase alongside receiver sensitivity; otherwise, the system becomes lopsided. Boosting only the transmit power is like adding a megaphone while wearing earplugs. It looks impressive on paper but fails in real-world conditions where reliable two-way packet exchange is essential.

Why Filtering Matters

Power amplifiers introduce harmonics, noise, and spurious emissions that can degrade or even overwhelm the receiver front end. Without a proper band-pass RF filter, these unwanted byproducts pollute the signal chain. The receiver becomes less sensitive, more easily overloaded, and worse at hearing weak LoRa packets. This is why many community-built PA-only setups perform worse in practice than expected, even though the transmit number looks higher.

The Role of a Dedicated RF Filter Stage

A real 1 watt LoRa radio must include three specialized components working together:

• A power amplifier to boost transmit strength
• A low-noise amplifier to enhance receive sensitivity
• A band-pass RF filter to remove noise and protect the radio chain

The RF filter is the key to stability and compliance. It cleans the transmitted signal, protects the receiver from overload, and ensures the device meets regional emissions requirements. With proper filtering, the system delivers a true long-range bidirectional link. Without it, the radio becomes unstable at high power levels and cannot achieve reliable performance.

Why the RAK13302 Architecture Works So Well

At this point, it becomes clear why simply adding more transmit power is not enough. To create a true 1 watt LoRa solution that actually improves both range and reliability, the hardware must be engineered as a complete RF system. This is exactly why the WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit exists, and why its core module, the RAK13302, is central to the entire design.

The RAK13302 brings together three critical components that allow high-power operation without sacrificing receive sensitivity or stability:

• The Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver
• The SKY66122 front-end module with PA and LNA
• A carefully tuned band-pass RF filter

These pieces are not simply stacked together. They are engineered to work as a cohesive signal chain that stays clean, stable, and compliant at 1 watt output.

The Architecture Behind a True 1-Watt System

The SX1262 provides the high sensitivity needed for long-range LoRa, ensuring the radio can still hear weak signals even during high-power transmission. The SKY66122 adds efficient amplification and an integrated LNA, strengthening both transmit and receive paths. A dedicated RF filter keeps the system clean, protecting the receiver and maintaining regulatory compliance at 30 dBm.

Together, these elements create a balanced, reliable 1-watt design that offers:

• Stronger links in both directions
• Improved sensitivity in noisy or obstructed areas
• More stable mesh behavior
• Fewer retries and dropped packets
• Clean spectral output that meets emissions requirements

This engineered combination is what makes the RAK13302 the foundation of the WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit—delivering real 1-watt performance without the compromises of PA-only or DIY booster setups.

Why This Matters for Meshtastic Users

Meshtastic depends on reliable two-way communication, not just long transmit range. A radio must hear weak signals as well as it can send strong ones, or the mesh becomes unstable and inconsistent. A properly engineered 1 watt design, like the RAK13302, strengthens both sides of the link, resulting in fewer dropped packets, more dependable backbone nodes, and better performance in real-world terrain and noise. In short, balanced RF performance creates a stronger and more resilient community mesh.

How RAKwireless Engineers a True 1-Watt RF System (With Real, Measurable Performance Gains)

Once you understand why filtering, sensitivity, and balanced RF design matter, the next question becomes obvious:

So how does RAKwireless actually build a 1-watt system that works in the real world without the downsides of DIY boosters?

The answer is the RF architecture inside the WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit, built around the RAK13302 module. This design doesn’t simply amplify the SX1262. It reconstructs the entire RF chain so both transmit and receive performance improve together.

To make that easier to understand, here's what RAKwireless actually engineered into the system:

Each block plays a specific role, and the order is intentional.

This is how the system achieves stable 1-watt output without degrading sensitivity.

Conclusion

The WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit is just the beginning.

What we’ve done here is lay the foundation for a new class of Meshtastic hardware—one that’s more capable, more robust, and more suitable for real-world, long-distance communication than anything the community has had before.

As Meshtastic grows from a hobby project into a true grassroots communication network, the hardware needs to grow with it. That means stronger backbone nodes, more reliable repeaters, outdoor-ready installations, and solutions that can support wide-area community coverage. Our upcoming 1-watt ecosystem is designed exactly for that purpose.

For builders planning permanent infrastructure, Meshtastic 1-watt radios provide the consistency and range needed to support those larger networks.

Whether it’s a high-power home relay, a solar-powered trail repeater, or a vehicle-mounted mobile node, the idea is the same: give people the tools to build bigger, more resilient, and more useful mesh networks—without the compromises or instability of DIY booster setups.

And most importantly, we want this evolution to happen with the community, not outside it. The creativity, testing, feedback, and field experience from Meshtastic users all over the world are what guide these products. We’re committed to building hardware that reflects how people actually use Meshtastic: outdoors, off-grid, in motion, and in ways that truly matter.

If the WisMesh 1W Booster Kit represents the first step, then the full 1-watt ecosystem represents the path forward.

TL;DR

• The Meshtastic community prioritizes range because fewer hops, stronger links, and better coverage create a more reliable Meshtastic long-range network.
• A true 1 watt LoRa radio improves performance only when transmit power, receive sensitivity, and RF filtering are engineered together.
• Many DIY boosters fail because they amplify TX power without improving RX, leading to unstable links.
• Hardware like the RAK13302, used in the WisMesh 1W Booster Starter Kit, combines the SX1262 long-range transceiver, SKY66122 LoRa amplifier, and proper filtering to deliver clean LoRa 30 dBm performance.
• For backbone infrastructure, outdoor relays, and long-range Meshtastic nodes for U.S. trails, properly designed Meshtastic 1-watt radios offer the most consistent real-world results.

Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin – December 2025 Edition.

Over the past month, we launched new hardware, expanded our device management platform, published in-depth technical guides, and connected with many of you at events around the world. From Meshtastic-ready hardware to hybrid networks and smarter city deployments, it’s been a packed month.

Let’s dive in!

New Products: Built for Real-World Deployments

RAK3112: A Reminder for Teams Building Beyond LoRa-Only Designs

As more developers revisit their wireless architectures, we’ve seen renewed interest in the RAK3112, and for good reason. Many LoRaWAN builders still run into the same limits across the industry:

• Single-protocol modules
• Older chipsets
• Designs that require pairing multiple boards just to add WiFi or BLE

The RAK3112 sidesteps these issues entirely.

With its ESP32-S3 + SX1262 architecture, generous memory, and unified development support, the RAK3112 gives teams a practical path to projects that need LoRaWAN together with WiFi and BLE in one module. If your prototypes have been constrained by legacy LoRa-only parts or extra hardware stacks, this is a good moment to take another look.

WisDuo LoRa + WiFi Module | RAK3112

View Product

At the same time, we know many of you, especially from the Meshtastic community, have been looking for hardware that does not require flashing, soldering, or case mods just to get a node running in the field. You can now explore the WisMesh RAK3312 Starter Kit, a plug-and-play, enclosure-ready Meshtastic device built for real deployments rather than ongoing modifications.

WisGate Soho Lite RAK7266: A Practical Indoor Gateway for LoRaWAN

The WisGate Soho Lite RAK7266 gained attention this month as a budget-friendly, dependable indoor gateway for:

• Labs & classrooms
• Early prototyping
• Small indoor deployments

Its simplicity made it a go-to device for LoRaWAN newcomers and educators.

WisGate Soho Lite LoRaWAN Gateway | RAK7266

Explore RAK7266

Remote Reboot Switch for LoRaWAN

We showcased the Remote Reboot Switch for LoRaWAN, designed to remotely restart or power-cycle equipment such as LTE routers, gateways, cameras, and WiFi access points.

Key features:

• True remote reboot. No LTE/WiFi required
• Solar-ready with Battery Plus
• 12V/5V controllable outputs
• Durable PMMA enclosure for outdoor use

It proved especially useful in remote sites, solar-powered setups, and industrial installations.

Remote Reboot Switch for LoRaWAN | RAK9105U

See the Remote Reboot Switch

WisMesh Board ONE: Designed with the Meshtastic Community

We introduced WisMesh Board ONE, a board co-created with the Meshtastic community through months of feedback, field testing, and iteration.

Built for makers and field users alike, it helped developers:

• Build more reliable long-range mesh devices
• Start Meshtastic projects faster
• Modify and experiment with a highly modular design

WisMesh Board ONE

Check out WisMesh Board ONE

Product Update

All-in-One. 5G Now Supports the EU n78 Band

We have added support for the n78 band, making the All-in-One. 5G fully ready for European private 5G and IoT deployments. This update removes the last barrier for teams in Europe who need a single device that can handle cellular, WiFi, and LoRaWAN in one system.

The All-in-One. 5G combines 4G, 5G, LoRaWAN, WiFi 6, and Open5GS in a single device so you can deploy faster and future-proof your indoor network. It is designed for factories, labs, campuses, and smart city pilots where flexible connectivity and controlled environments matter.

What is new:

• Added n78 band for EU
• Ideal for factories, labs, campuses, and smart city pilots
• Choose from n48 or n78 models

Models:

• M310: 4G + LoRa
• M320: 4G + 5G + LoRa

Starting at $1,299

Easier Sourcing: RAK Modules on LCSC

RAK3112 & RAK11160 Available via LCSC + JLCPCB

RAK3112 and RAK11160 are now available through LCSC, enabling:

• Faster prototyping
• Lower-cost PCBA
• Seamless transitions from design to assembly

Compliance, Security & Platform Updates

RED 2025 + EN 18031: RAKwireless Fully Assessed & Ready

We completed assessments confirming full compliance with RED 2025, including the newly introduced EN 18031 cybersecurity requirements.

Highlights:

• Third-party assurance through UL Verification of Compliance
• CRA-ready architectures designed with 2027 requirements in mind
• Strong security posture: ISO 27001, GDPR readiness, OTA updates, SBOMs

WisDM Subscription Tiers Expanded (10→500 Devices)

To support growing deployments, we expanded WisDM subscription tiers to cover fleets from 10 up to 500 devices, offering:

• More flexible growth paths for small teams
• Cost-efficient scaling
• Smoother pilot-to-production transitions

RF Spectrum Scanner Extension for WisGateOS 2

The RF Spectrum Scanner Extension continued to gain traction, enabling gateway users to:

• Visualize live RSSI heatmaps
• Analyze channel occupancy
• Detect RF interference
• Export data for audits and site surveys

Guides, Blogs & Technical Deep Dives

Monitoring Vehicle Health with CAN Bus, LoRaWAN & NB-IoT

We shared a technical guide by Harold Duarte on vehicle diagnostics using:

• CAN bus
• LoRaWAN or NB-IoT
• RAK WisBlock + Blues Notecard

The guide covered real CAN signals, simulated inputs, hardware setup, and cloud workflows.

Updating Device Settings Using RUI3 LoRaWAN Downlinks

This tutorial walks users through remotely modifying device settings using RUI3 via LoRaWAN downlinks.

Covered topics:

• Encoding RUI3 API commands
• Using base64 in ChirpStack
• Confirming execution with uplink responses

Smart Streetlights with Urbana Smart Solutions

Together with Urbana Smart Solutions, we shared how the RAK3172-SiP Module powered an energy-efficient smart streetlighting system using LoRaWAN + Zhaga Book 18.

The result:

• 6–7 km urban coverage
• Strong RF performance in tight enclosures
• Lower maintenance costs for cities

Behind the WisMesh Tag: A Community-Built Meshtastic Tracker

We published a behind-the-scenes deep dive covering the creation of the WisMesh Tag, co-developed with MOKOSMART and refined with community input.

Upgrades included:

• Stronger buttons
• +200 mAh battery boost
• Improved antenna
• IP66 enclosure
• CE, FCC, Telec certification

RAKwireless Video Tutorials

7-Step LoRaWAN PCB Design with RAK3172 (No MCU Required)

A complete KiCad v9 tutorial walked through building a custom RAK3172-based LoRaWAN device:

• Adding libraries
• Schematic + PCB design
• Generating Gerbers
• Uploading to manufacturers

Field Tester Plus Tutorials: Indoor Testing, Signal Maps, Upgrades

We released several Field Tester Plus videos covering:

• Indoor coverage testing
• Live signal mapping
• Using manual test points
• Exporting CSV signal reports
• Upgrading RAK10701-P to RAK10701-Plus

These tutorials helped teams validate their signal before sensor installation.

Check out tutorials:

Gateway Setup via WiFi AP Mode

Watch our short video tutorial demonstrating how to configure RAK gateways wirelessly using WiFi AP Mode and access the Web UI via 192.168.230.1. It’s ideal for setups without Ethernet.

WisGate Edge, WisGateOS & WisDM: Deploy & Manage Gateways

A deep-dive session covered:

• WisGate Edge lineup
• WisGateOS capabilities
• Remote fleet management via WisDM
• Best practices for indoor/outdoor deployments

Events & Community

IoT Conference Philippines 2025

At the IoT Conference Philippines, Carl Erick Rowan led a LoRaWAN Masterclass breakout session, helping participants deepen their LPWAN understanding and deployment strategies.

H2O – Accadueo: Water Technology & IoT Connectivity

At H2O – Accadueo, Gavin Brown, our VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner, met with partners and innovators exploring:

• Smarter water management
• IoT for harsh and remote environments
• Future collaborations

Smart Buildings Show 2025 – London

Gavin Brown also joined the Smart Buildings Show 2025, where attendees discussed:

• Sustainable and connected buildings
• LPWAN for automation and analytics
• Next-gen building infrastructure

The Things Conference Argentina

At TTC Argentina, Harold Duarte, our Business Development IoT Solutions representative in LATAM, delivered both:

• A keynote: Connecting the World of IoT
• A WisBlock hands-on workshop: Build an IoT Node in 50 Minutes

The sessions showcased modular, plug-and-deploy architectures tailored for emerging markets.

Smart City Expo World Congress: WisGate Connect for mioty® + LoRaWAN

At Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, we partnered with the mioty alliance to showcase the WisGate Connect for mioty®, the first hybrid mioty + LoRaWAN gateway based on CM4.

Visitors at Hall 2 – A83:

• Saw hybrid connectivity demos
• Discussed large-scale urban deployments
• Met with Product Owner Xose Pérez

CES 2026 – LoRa Alliance Pavilion (Las Vegas)

We’re excited to join the LoRa Alliance at CES 2026 as part of the LoRaWAN in Action Pavilion in the North Hall, Stand 10349.

At CES, attendees will see how LoRaWAN powers real, large-scale deployments across 170+ countries, with live demonstrations from more than a dozen Alliance member companies.

Visitors will be able to explore technologies behind:

• Smart buildings & energy monitoring
• City infrastructure and public services
• Industrial operations & process optimization
• Scalable, carrier-grade sensor networks

Gavin Brown, our VP of Strategic Growth & Design Partner, will also be onsite.

If you’d like to discuss partnerships, design-in support, or strategic IoT innovation, you can book a meeting with Gavin via LinkedIn to explore collaboration opportunities and upcoming RAKwireless technologies.

Social & Store Updates

Follow the New RAKwireless Store Pages (LinkedIn & X)

We officially launched dedicated store pages so you can get:

• Early product announcements
• Smart bundle ideas
• Timely store updates

Stay tuned for more hardware launches, software updates, and solution releases in the months ahead.

Whenever I visit customers and show them our products, they always ask me at some point:

“Why do your products’ names always start with RAKXXXX, like RAK3172 or RAK11160? What do those numbers mean?”

It may sound like a simple curiosity, but for us at RAKwireless, it is much more than that. These names are not just random codes or technical IDs. They are the reflection of our systematic way of thinking about modular IoT—a language we’ve created to capture our vision that computing, connectivity, and sensing can be combined like building blocks to meet any IoT challenge.

And since so many people have shown such genuine interest, we thought it would be the right time to write this blog. This article will walk you step-by-step through each digit of a RAK model number and show how you can instantly read what the module does, as well as understand why it matters for the future of IoT.

Modular Vision for IoT: The RAKwireless Approach

Before we dive into naming, it’s important to first look at our modular vision for IoT, the philosophy that inspired our entire product family.

RAK was founded on three core beliefs:

• the interconnectedness of everything,
• a commitment to transparency through a community-driven model,
• and the importance of diversity in making IoT accessible for software developers.

Our mission is to simplify the interaction between application developers and hardware by creating modular systems that accelerate IoT innovation.

Unlike the mobile industry, where hardware is highly standardized, IoT hardware is incredibly diverse, shaped by the unique requirements of each application. This diversity often complicates both production and long-term support. To solve this, we decided to standardize the fundamental building blocks of IoT devices: Sensor, Compute, and Connectivity. These blocks use common interfaces like I²C, SPI, and UART, and with WisIO sockets we extended support to industrial standards such as RS485, Analog, Digital, and 4–20mA.

Just like Lego bricks, these three blocks can exist on their own or be combined in endless ways:

• a standalone Connectivity module,
• a Compute + Connectivity two-in-one,
• or even two Compute units combined with Connectivity.

This is how we defined different Wis families:

• WisDuo – dual-function combinations,
• WisTrio – triple combinations,
• WisLink – connectivity extensions.

In other words, every RAK model number is more than a product ID. It’s a building block in the greater world of modular IoT.

Building a System, Not Just Products

It’s tempting to compare IoT modularity with Lego bricks, but the reality is far more complex. Our vision at RAK goes beyond helping developers build prototypes. We want our modular IoT system to be commercial-ready, just as reliable and accessible as IKEA’s model for furniture.

IoT may look like Lego, but the foundation is different: our “bricks” are chips. Compute, connectivity, and radio silicon are the elemental units of any device, so we begin by standardizing chip families as canonical building blocks and aligning them to consistent interfaces.

Equally important, we anchor everything to strict physical standards—form factors like Raspberry Pi, CM4, Arduino shields, PCIe, M.2 and 96Boards—plus our own WisIO socket conventions. In other words, to create a system “like Lego,” you must first define a small set of core elements and precise dimensional rules.

The Logic Behind RAKwireless Model Numbers

This is the basis of the RAKwireless product naming guide: each model encodes (1) the family it belongs to (WisBlock, WisDuo, WisTrio, WisLink…), (2) the core computing silicon, and (3) the form-factor/connector choices. So, customers can read the product’s intent at a glance.

We began our journey with a set of simple principles: define the core elements (Compute, Connectivity, Sensor), establish standardized building blocks, and align with strict form factors. But as we applied these rules in practice, we quickly discovered that modular IoT has no ready-made blueprint. There was no existing model to copy. We had to learn, adapt, and innovate step by step.

That’s how our naming system evolved. We started with what seemed obvious: every product name begins with RAK. Just like ESP32 begins with “ESP” to signify Espressif, “RAK” is our identity. It’s the mark of our company.

From there, the first digit after RAK was defined as the product family. Each number represents one of our Wis series:

• 1 → WisBlock
• 2 → WisNode
• 3 → WisDuo
• 4 → WisTrio
• 5 → WisLink
• 6 → WisHat / WisDuino
• 7 → WisGate
• 8 → Kits
• 9 → Accessories
• 0 → Reserved

So when a customer picks up a RAK3172, the “3” immediately tells them: this is part of the WisDuo family—a product that combines two essential functions into one, perfectly illustrating the logic behind RAK WisDuo decoding.

Lessons from the RAK4630

No system is perfect from the start. Customers sometimes ask:

“If RAK4630 is a WisDuo, why does it start with a 4?”

The answer is simple: in 2020, when we introduced the RAK4630, we defined it as a combination of two connectivity units plus one computing unit. In our early thinking, that felt like a WisTrio, so we placed it under the “4” series. At the time, it made sense. But looking back, we realized it was a mistake.

The logical process should always have been:

1. Create the WisDuo module number.
2. Derive a RAK WisBlock model number from that WisDuo.
3. Assign numbers for Breakout or Evaluation Boards from the WisDuo number.

In other words, the foundation of every WisBlock Core is always a WisDuo module. By starting directly with a WisBlock number, as we did with products like the RAK11720 and RAK11160, we broke our own logic and made the system harder to follow.

The lesson was clear: naming in a modular ecosystem isn’t just about categories, it’s also about sequence. If the sequence is inconsistent, the system becomes confusing, no matter how well the categories are defined.

The Second Digit: Form and Function

If the first digit tells you the family, the second digit begins to describe the form. Different customers have different needs:

• Some need a pure module, something they can solder directly into their end product.
• Others prefer a Breakout Board, which makes it easier to run quick experiments and test new ideas.
• And still others require a full EVB (Evaluation Board), which provides a complete environment for validation and integration.

The Third Digit: The Core Computing Unit

While the first digit defines the family, and the second digit reflects the form, the third digit identifies the core computing unit, the actual chip at the heart of the module. Because every IoT building block ultimately depends on silicon, each number represents not only a processor, but also the RAKwireless modular ecosystem around it.

Here’s how we map them:

• 1 → ESP32
• 2 → STM32L071
• 3 → STM32L151
• 4 → SAMR34
• 5 → nRF52832
• 6 → nRF52840
• 7 → STM32WL
• 8 → Apollo3
• 9 → ASR6601
• 0 → Reserved

This system allows us to quickly signal both the silicon choice and the ecosystem a product belongs to. For example, a “7” tells you immediately that the module is built on STM32WL, and therefore sits squarely in the LoRa ecosystem.

Of course, just as with the RAK4630 story, we’ve also had naming quirks along the way. One example is the RAK11720. By our own rules, it really should have been called RAK11820 to reflect its true core. But because the model number had already been tied to certifications, we decided to “continue as is” rather than disrupt existing approvals.

The Fourth Digit: Connectivity and Radio

If IoT is about connecting the unconnected, then connectivity is its heartbeat. That’s why in our naming system, we always reserve a digit specifically for the radio. The fourth digit tells you which connectivity core or radio technology is inside the module:

• 1 → SX1276
• 2 → SX1262
• 3 → SX1280
• 4 → SAMR34 internal
• 5 → LoRa-Internal
• 6 → STM32WLE5
• 7–9 → Reserved
• 0 → No LoRa

This makes the fourth digit one of the most critical in the entire model number, because it signals how a product will actually communicate. Whether it’s a classic LoRa transceiver like the SX1276, a highly integrated chip like the STM32WLE5, or even a device without LoRa at all, this digit ensures customers can identify the radio capability at a glance.

The Fifth Digit: Antenna and Form Factors

Finally, the last digit in our model numbers is reserved for something very practical: how the product physically connects to the outside world. In most cases, this means the antenna type:

• 0 → None / IPEX
• P → Pin-out
• S → SMA

But in other cases, especially for evaluation boards, this digit is also used to indicate the form factor standard the board follows. Remember earlier when we talked about the second digit distinguishing between a module, breakout board, or EVB? Once you step into evaluation territory, the design usually inherits an open ecosystem standard, such as:

• Pi HAT form factor
• Arduino Shield form factor
• 96Boards style

These form factors are not just cosmetic. They make it possible for developers to plug our evaluation boards directly into familiar ecosystems and start experimenting right away.

That’s why RAK11160 reads like a miniature novel:

• “1” = WisBlock
• Next “1” = Module form factor
• Next “1” = ESP32 brain
• “6” = STM32WLE5 as a second brain, with LoRa radio
• “0” = Antenna option

Final Thoughts

From the first digit that signals a product family, to the final digit that encodes antennas and form factors, every RAK model number is more than a label. It is part of a language we’ve built for modular IoT. Each number reflects our belief that IoT should be as structured as Lego yet as practical as IKEA: standardized, expandable, and ready for real-world use.

This RAK module naming explained system is not just about classification. It is about discipline, sequence, and a vision for scalability because building an IoT ecosystem requires more than great hardware; it requires a framework that makes sense to everyone.

So the next time you see RAK3172, RAK4630, or RAK11160, you’ll know they are not random codes. They are coordinates in a modular universe we’re building together. And now that you know how to read RAK model number, which model is your favorite piece of the puzzle?

Be part of the discussion, share your projects, and connect with other IoT builders in the RAKwireless Forum.

Explore the latest LoRaWAN gateways and sensors to full IoT kits from RAKwireless.

Cities nowadays want more from their streetlights than simple illumination. They expect them to last for years by saving energy and even act as part of wider smart city services. However, the reality often looks different when large projects roll out. Thousands of controllers need to work together and still face problems with reliability, compatibility across different lighting systems, and network congestion. This is because so many devices cannot connect in the same area.

Maintenance teams also struggle because replacing or fixing devices is expensive and takes up too much time. These issues make it difficult for cities to achieve their smart goals. The industry clearly sees the promise of smart lighting, but what it needs is a solution that finally makes it simple and dependable at scale.

Adaptive IoT Lighting Breakthrough

Cities are still moving forward with the vision of smart lighting despite these complications. They are looking toward IoT-driven solutions and open standards like Zhaga^® and LoRaWAN^® to bring compatibility and scalability into one system. This change in the market has introduced a new variety of solutions that can finally meet the long-term needs of urban lighting.

The practical difficulties become even more visible as more cities adopt smart lighting. The problems that emerge in real-world deployments range from device reliability to network congestion and highlight how complex large-scale smart lighting can be. Next, we will explore the key challenges that the industry faces and why solving them is critical for being successful.

Urbana’s Smart Lighting Controllers

Cities needed a solution that worked reliably at scale. Urbana Smart Solutions, an IoT technology company, creates solutions that help cities manage connected infrastructure with ease. Existing controllers often failed in reliability or could not adapt to different setups. Therefore, Urbana stepped into the market with its smart controller solution and developed its own hardware. 

Urbana’s innovation combines hardware and platform into a full-stack solution. A smart lighting controller decides when and how lights turn on or off and adjusts brightness accordingly. This is how the new solution ensures energy is used efficiently. It acts like the brain of the streetlight that connects to other lights and systems and coordinates actions across a city.

Urbana’s controller goes beyond basic light control in the following ways:

1. It is engineered to survive extreme temperatures for over a decade, handle complex lighting logics, and connect with many types of LED drivers.
2. It uses the Zhaga standard to fit most streetlights and integrates LoRaWAN for long-range and low-power communication.
3. Unlike ordinary controllers, Urbana’s solution can manage thousands of devices in a city efficiently, avoid network congestion, and allow remote monitoring and control through a platform.
4. It offers point-to-point control for precise energy savings and performance optimization. Point-to-point means each streetlight can be controlled on its own rather than in a group.
5. It connects with the Urbana IoT platform, which supports easy installation through the Urbana Toolkit mobile app.
6. It includes a lighting management module that lets city teams set scenarios, track energy use, and check service levels.
7. The controllers also allow quick response to failures, which helps reduce maintenance costs.

This makes it a complete and dependable smart lighting solution rather than just a single device.

Live Analytics for Improved Oversight

Urbana controllers give city teams a clear view of how every streetlight performs. They show which devices are online or offline, any errors, and the current lighting intensity. They also track temperature, power usage, and dimming patterns over time. 

The dashboards also record and visualize energy consumption to help teams understand usage trends and spot inefficiencies. These insights help city managers make smart decisions and allow maintenance teams to act quickly when issues arise.

These insights let city managers see how every light and device performs. They can act quickly when a problem appears and keep the network functioning consistently. This helps save energy and guarantee reliable lighting for everyone.

Key Market Gaps Behind This Innovation

Deploying smart lighting at the city scale is not as simple as it seems. Cities want smart lighting that lasts for years and works efficiently. Standard controllers often fail to meet these demands. Urbana set out to solve several real problems to make urban projects reliable and practical. The points below show the challenges and market gaps that led to the creation of this new lighting solution.

1. Lack of reliable suppliers
   There are very few trusted providers who can deliver this type of lighting controller, especially one that works in both stand-alone mode and as part of a fully connected platform.
2. Need for long product life
   Streetlights typically last around 10 years, so the controller must match that lifespan. Many existing options fail to meet this durability requirement.
3. Complex control requirements
   Modern streetlights require advanced lighting logics to adjust brightness and performance efficiently. Creating a controller that can handle this complexity was a real challenge, and Urbana found a way to address it.
4. Compatibility with many LED drivers
   Even though DALI 2.0 is the standard, each LED driver brand implements it differently. There is a need for controllers in the market that can work across many variations without running into problems.
5. Large-scale deployments
   Cities often deploy thousands of devices in the same area. This creates a need for controllers that manage the network efficiently and prevent bandwidth overload.
6. Need for broad industry compatibility
   Cities need controllers that follow the Zhaga Book 18 standard. Many streetlight products cannot connect properly without such devices. This leaves a gap in the market for compatible lighting controllers.
7. Lack of integrated solutions
   There is a need for controllers that combine reliable hardware with a simple and user-friendly IoT platform. Most existing options fail to offer both in one system.

These challenges show why cities cannot rely on standard controllers. Urbana had to create a controller that combines durability, smart logic, and wide compatibility. This ensures smart lighting works reliably on a large scale and makes life easier for cities and maintenance teams.

Performance at Scale with RAKwireless

Streetlight controllers are deployed in dense clusters, where thousands of nodes must communicate through only a few gateways over distances of 6-7 km. Any weakness in the antenna or module would compromise the entire system. For the smart lighting hardware to succeed, connectivity had to be flawless. 

Hence, Urbana opted to collaborate with the RAK3172-SiP module for LoRaWAN and used RAKwireless’s antenna design services.

The result was a device that:

• Delivers strong RF performance even in crowded city environments.
• Connects thousands of devices reliably without network failures.
• Works consistently under extreme temperatures from cold winters to hot summers (60~65°C and -10~15°C for months).

With the latest RAKwireless IoT at its core, Urbana controllers became a consistent and proven solution that supports city-scale deployments.

Global Opportunities & Partnerships

Although Europe remains the most mature market for Zhaga and LoRaWAN smart lighting solutions, Urbana sees global demand in the US, GCC, APAC, India, and Brazil.

To bring this solution to more cities worldwide, Urbana is actively looking for local partners and distributors. Urbana is ready to expand its solution on the global smart city ecosystem with RAKwireless as a trusted technology ally. This joint vision sets the stage for smarter and more connected cities across the world.

About RAKwireless

RAKwireless is a leading provider of private network solutions. The global technology company helps businesses scale their IoT solutions, from small-scale projects to enterprise-level deployments.

Visit the RAKwireless website
Connect with RAKwireless on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook

For more information, contact: press@rakwireless.com

About Urbana Smart Solutions

Urbana Smart Solutions is a technology company specializing in IoT-based urban infrastructure. It develops smart lighting and connected solutions that help cities operate more efficiently, save energy, and improve service reliability. Urbana’s mission is to simplify smart city management through durable hardware and scalable platforms that work seamlessly with open standards like Zhaga and LoRaWAN.

Visit the Urbana Smart Solutions website
Email: info@urbanasmart.com

Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin – October 2025 Edition.

In this edition, we’re unveiling the new WisMesh Tag, a compact, rugged, and ready-to-use Meshtastic tracker designed for adventurers, conservationists, and IoT makers who demand reliability in the field.

Alongside this launch, we continue our 11 Years, 11 Deployments series with six more real-world use cases: from farms in Namibia to airports in Asia.

We also highlight WisGateOS 2 Extensions that turn common deployment challenges into simple, configurable features, share insights from CEO Ken Yu on open-source IoT, and provide hands-on guides to help you move from prototype to production.

Let’s dive into the updates!

New WisMesh Tag: Compact, Rugged, and Ready

The new WisMesh Tag is a pre-flashed Meshtastic tracker built for the outdoors and real-world reliability. Designed for adventurers, professionals, and makers, it delivers endurance, stability, and ease of use right out of the box.

• 1000 mAh Battery: Up to 2–3 days of runtime in the field.
• Stable Bluetooth: Reliable pairing. No random disconnects.
• Dedicated Reset Button: Simple updates and troubleshooting.
• IP66 Casing: Weather-resistant and dustproof durability.
• Globally Ready: Now you can buy and use a Meshtastic tracker across Europe with confidence.

Use Case Highlights: 11 Years, 11 Real Deployments

Last month, we shared five real-world use cases showcasing how RAKwireless technology powers operations across agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. This month, we’re continuing the series with six more deployments.

Use Case #6: From Holiday Tables to High-Tech Barns

Commercial farms are using RAKwireless gateways for LoRaWAN to track power, temperature, humidity, feed, and water conditions, ensuring consistent production and healthier flocks, all year round.

Learn more

Use Case #7: Desert Lions of Namibia - Technology at the Edge of the Wild

RAK solar-powered gateways and mesh networking bring real-time location and health tracking to endangered desert lions, deep in cellular dead zones. This enables silent, uninterrupted data for conservation.

Learn more

Use Case #8: Enhancing Farm Security and Management in Namibia

Sprawling rural farms use WisGate Edge Prime RAK7240V2 to monitor for intrusions, protect livestock, and manage water and pump systems. This reduces patrol time while increasing security and operational control.

Learn more

Use Case #9: Water Is Life on the Farm, And LoRaWAN Keeps It Flowing

In remote paddocks across Australia and New Zealand, solar-powered gateways for LoRaWAN® help monitor tanks and troughs in real-time. The deployment setup alerts farmers instantly to leaks or dry spells. The result? 70% less travel time and saved lives during extreme heat.

Learn more

Use Case #10: Seamless Smart Self-Check-In for Urban Co-Living in Seoul

A 15-story co-living building uses RAK gateways and LoRa-enabled locks to automate guest check-in for 177 rooms. Residents scan a QR code, complete verification, and unlock their door. No front desk required.

Learn more

Use Case #11: Smarter Indoor Environments with LoRaWAN at Hong Kong International Airport

Environmental sensors powered by RAK gateways for LoRaWAN deliver real-time data to facility teams from terminals to SkyPier. The system improves passenger experience, supports carbon-neutral goals, and builds smarter buildings from the inside out.

Learn more

WisGateOS 2 Extensions: Global Compliance, Smarter Gateways

Deployment issues shouldn't require shell access and custom scripts.

WisGateOS 2 Extensions turn common field problems into modular, configurable features, letting you adapt, recover, and scale faster with just a few clicks.

Leadership & Community Voices

Ken Yu on Meshtastic

RAKwireless CEO, Ken Yu, talks to the Meshtastic team about open-source IoT, the 120km island-to-island network in the Philippines, Meshtastic’s power outage rescue in Portugal, and what’s next for WisBlock and AI at the edge.

Tutorials & Hands-On Guides

WisGateOS 2: Auto Data Recovery

Learn how to cache LoRaWAN packets when your gateway goes offline. Prevent data loss during outages or connectivity drops.

WisBlock Enclosures: The Missing Link Between Prototype and Deployment

Discover the universal IP67-rated enclosures for WisBlock and other hardware. Perfect for pole mounting, DIN rails, or rugged outdoor installs.

Stay tuned for more hardware launches, software updates, and solution releases in the months ahead.

Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin – September 2025 Edition.

This month, we’re highlighting real deployments, breakthrough modules, and major industry events. Our technology is driving real-world impact — from solar-powered gateways for LoRaWAN^® that irrigate remote farms to WisGateOS extensions that tackle everyday challenges in the field.

Let’s dive into the updates!

New Hardware: Powerful Modules, Smarter Devices

RAK3112 WisDuo Module for Edge AI with LoRa: The Next-Gen IoT Building Block

We’re excited to launch the RAK3112 WisDuo Module for Edge AI with LoRa, a new module built around the ESP32-S3 and SX1262 LoRa transceiver. It offers:

• LoRa + WiFi + BLE connectivity
• Edge ML support via TensorFlow Lite Micro
• GUI-ready display integration
• WisBlock compatibility for plug-and-play builds
• 16MB Flash + 8MB PSRAM for large apps and OTA
• Meshtastic MUI support

Whether you're building wearable communicators, intelligent sensors, or GUI-powered devices, this new module delivers more compute, memory, and flexibility.

Use Case Highlights: 11 Years, 11 Real Deployments

As we celebrate our 11th year, we're commemorating our journey by showcasing real-world use cases.

Use Case #1: Smarter Livestock Farming in Rural Regions

In the rural regions of Australia and New Zealand, the RAK7285 Full-Duplex Gateway delivers stable LoRaWAN connectivity across remote pastures, supporting better livestock management and healthier herds.

Use Case #2: Building the Backbone for Smarter Farming

Across vineyards in Spain and New Zealand, over 1,000 solar-powered WisGate gateways ensure long-range coverage for stem sensors, weather stations, and more without relying on grid power.

Use Case #3: Smart Oilfield Monitoring in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan and beyond, our Solar Gateways support leak detection and equipment health in extreme conditions where uptime is critical.

Use Case #4: Smart Irrigation in Gansu, China

In the hills of Gansu, potato farms are watered through the night using smart controllers with RAK3172 STM32WLE5 Module for LoRaWAN and WisGate Edge Pro RAK7289V2. A true blend of automation, efficiency, and long-range communication.

Use Case #5: A Small Gateway, A Global Goal

From the UK to Brazil, our WisGate Edge Pro RAK7289V2 and RAK Battery Plus RAK9155 are helping utility providers tackle leak detection, enable smart metering, and modernize water systems for climate resilience.

More use cases coming soon. Follow us on LinkedIn so you don’t miss a story.

Video Guide

RAK11160 Dual-Core Module for LoRaWAN Deep Sleep Power Test

We measured the RAK11160 Dual-Core Module for LoRaWAN from active (262mA) to deep sleep (6.8µA). This real-time power profiling demo is perfect for:

• Low-power IoT builds
• Battery project optimization
• Understanding ESP32 vs STM32 behavior

Where to Meet Us

IoT Sparks 2025 in Valencia, Spain, October 7

RAKwireless is a proud sponsor of IoT Sparks by LORIOT, one of Europe’s key events for LPWAN. This one-day summit brings together developers, innovators, and enterprise decision-makers shaping the future of smart cities, industrial IoT, and environmental sensing.

We’ll be showcasing our latest WisBlock modules, gateways, and use case demos. You can meet Xose Pérez, our Product Owner, to get hands-on insights and technical advice.

The Things Conference 2025 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Sept 23–24

We’re heading back to The Things Conference, the world’s largest LoRaWAN event hosted by The Things Network. This year, we’ll be at Booth A13, where our team will unveil the newest tools in our IoT ecosystem: hardware, software, and integration flows that take you from prototype to production.

As a valued member of our community, you can claim complimentary tickets to attend and join us at the event!

Community & Partnerships

Halter Raises $165M to Scale Smart Farming

Our long-time partner Halter, which uses solar collars and LoRa-based towers to manage cattle, just raised $165M in Series D. Their impact? More efficient farming, better animal care, and scalable global deployments.

Stay tuned for more hardware launches, software updates, and solution releases in the months ahead.

The ESP32 ecosystem has become a cornerstone in the world of Internet of Things (IoT). It’s praised for its flexibility, affordability, and the massive support from developers around the world. Featuring WiFi, Bluetooth, and low-power operation, the ESP32 enables applications from basic sensors to advanced, multi-layered IoT architectures.

As the demand for more intelligent, efficient, and powerful devices continues to rise, the need for even more capable solutions becomes clear. Enter the RAK3112 WisDuo Module for Edge AI with LoRa^®, a high-performance LoRa module built on the ESP32-S3. This powerful module is set to push the boundaries of what edge computing and mesh networking can achieve. By combining ESP32-S3’s AI capabilities with the long-range communication of the SX1262 LoRa transceiver, the RAK3112 is the perfect fit for next-generation IoT devices.

From RAK11200 to RAK3112: Evolution in WisBlock Ecosystem

RAK11200 – A Strong Start

The WisBlock ecosystem began with the WiFi and BLE Espressif ESP32-WROVER RAK11200, which offered a solid foundation for ESP32-based IoT projects. The RAK11200 was a reliable and compact LoRaWAN module that brought the flexibility of ESP32’s connectivity to the table. However, it had certain limitations, particularly in terms of computing power and memory. These became apparent in more demanding applications like edge AI or complex mesh networks.

RAK3112 – The Next Generation

The RAK3112 WisDuo Module for Edge AI with LoRa takes everything that was good about the RAK11200 and amplifies it significantly. With the addition of the ESP32-S3 processor, the RAK3112 unlocks powerful features that make it a true edge AI solution. The RAK3112 is equipped with 16MB of Flash and 8MB of PSRAM, offering far greater memory capacity than its predecessors. This allows for running lightweight neural networks directly on the device, filtering sensor data locally, and making decisions on the fly without needing to rely on the cloud.

The RAK3112’s enhanced computational capabilities make it perfect for applications requiring real-time, intelligent data processing and local decision-making.

Unlocking Edge Computing with the RAK3112

What is Edge AI and Why It Matters

Edge computing brings intelligence closer to where data is generated. This allows devices to process information locally without needing constant communication with the cloud. It also reduces latency, enhances privacy, and saves valuable bandwidth. In edge AI, lightweight neural networks run directly on devices, making them capable of interpreting sensor data, detecting patterns, and even making decisions autonomously.

RAK3112’s Role in Edge AI

The RAK3112 is the perfect hardware for edge AI applications. Thanks to its ESP32-S3 processor with AI acceleration and its substantial memory capacity, developers can run machine learning models directly on the device. For example, you can run AI-powered sensors that detect motion, temperature fluctuations, or even specific audio and visual cues. This enables devices to take action locally, triggering commands based on the analysis of incoming data, all while saving battery and reducing the need for cloud dependency.

Imagine a camera-based security system that recognizes faces or a sensor detecting anomalies in a factory environment - all powered by the RAK3112 and running the AI models locally.

Running Camera, Audio, and More with RAK3112

With the RAK3112, you can take advantage of ESP32-S3’s built-in camera and audio support. Whether it’s running real-time image recognition, processing audio streams, or sending data only when necessary, the module offers the power you need for a wide variety of edge applications.

Meshtastic – Empowering Decentralized Communication

Meshtastic Ecosystem Overview

Meshtastic is an open-source project that enables off-grid, decentralized communication using ESP32 and LoRa. It provides an excellent solution for areas without cell service, enabling devices to communicate over long distances using mesh networking. It’s perfect for use in remote locations, such as outdoor adventures or industrial settings where cellular networks are unreliable or unavailable.

Why RAK3112 is the Perfect Fit for Meshtastic

The RAK3112 is ideally suited for Meshtastic due to its powerful computational capabilities and larger memory size. Unlike other modules, which might struggle with handling multiple devices or complex user interfaces, the RAK3112 is built for demanding tasks. Its 8MB PSRAM supports multiple simultaneous devices and more advanced functionalities, while the increased Flash storage ensures the smooth operation of firmware updates and larger data sets.

With the RAK3112, you can build a more robust, interactive Meshtastic network that can manage multiple nodes, provide real-time user interfaces, and handle more complex mesh networking setups.

Strategic Product Series for WisBlock & ESP32 Ecosystems

RAK3112 as a Strategic Product

The RAK3112 is a cornerstone product that bridges the WisBlock ecosystem with the wider ESP32 ecosystem. The combination of the ESP32-S3’s AI capabilities and SX1262’s long-range communication offers developers a powerful tool for creating smarter IoT devices. By offering 16MB Flash and 8MB PSRAM, it sets a new standard in the WisBlock ecosystem, allowing developers to easily integrate advanced edge AI and mesh networking features into their projects.

The Future of WisBlock and ESP32

The RAK3112 represents just the beginning of a new series of powerful, flexible modules for the WisBlock ecosystem. Over time, more products will be introduced, each expanding the capabilities of edge computing, mesh networking, and IoT. These products will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in IoT, offering developers even more tools to create cutting-edge, next-gen solutions.

Final Thoughts: The RAK3112 as the Gateway to Advanced IoT and Edge AI

The RAK3112 WisDuo Module for Edge AI with LoRa opens a new world of edge AI and decentralized communication. By integrating ESP32-S3’s AI capabilities with LoRa’s long-range communication and increased memory capacity, the RAK3112 enables the development of smarter and more efficient IoT devices. Whether it’s for edge AI, real-time data processing, or large-scale mesh networks, the RAK3112 is designed to meet the growing demands of modern IoT applications.

As the first of many powerful modules in the WisBlock ecosystem, the RAK3112 sets the stage for future innovations. Developers can look forward to more solutions that integrate edge computing, IoT, and mesh networking in a compact, versatile form factor.

Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin – August 2025 Edition.

This month’s roundup focuses on tools and insights from the field. Learn how engineers are solving real deployment challenges with WisGateOS 2 Extensions, explore new episodes of the Meshtastic Designer series, and see how a smart filtration network scaled from manual checks to global deployment. Plus: our WisGate Connect gateways are now officially listed by the mioty alliance.

Let’s jump into the updates!

Product Update

WisGate Connect for mioty^®

Our WisGate Connect for mioty^® industrial and mioty^® industrial-LoRaWAN^® hybrid are now officially listed by the mioty alliance. Both devices offer low‑power, long‑range connectivity via mioty, and the hybrid model adds a LoRaWAN^® concentrator for dual‑protocol flexibility. Rugged enclosures and multiple backhaul options (Ethernet, WiFi, PoE or optional LTE) make them ready for harsh environments.

Check out these gateways on the mioty alliance website:

Video Tutorials & Guides

Meshtastic Designer Series Episode 4 – From Prototype to Production

In the finale of the series, Prateek and Ken go beyond selection and show how to turn an idea into a product. They cover firmware, software integration and scalable manufacturing, proving that hardware selection is just the start.

Meshtastic Designer Series Episode 3 – IoT Customization Made Easy

Ready to build a device without studying datasheets? Episode 3 shows how Meshtastic Designer replaces technical jargon with plain‑language goals like “GPS tracking” or “air quality monitoring.” You’ll see Prateek’s frustration with traditional spec sheets, get a step‑by‑step demo from Ken Yu and hear ideas for future features like Modbus support and on‑screen dimensioning.

Field Insights & Edge Tools

Why WisGateOS 2 Extensions Matter in the Field

Field deployments aren’t theoretical, they face real issues like dropped LTE, frozen WiFi, and noisy LED indicators. WisGateOS 2 Extensions aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential.

Common workarounds like:

• Scripts to reboot LTE when it fails
• Cron jobs to restart WiFi
• Manual LED configuration

…are no longer needed. These daily challenges are now solved with clean, optional modules directly in the WisGateOS 2 interface—no SSH, no firmware mods.

Current highlights include:

• Failover Reboot: auto-restart LTE when all links fail
• WiFi Reboot: restart WiFi based on ping or HTTP checks
• Solar Battery: monitor battery health
• LED Control: suppress LED noise, show only critical alerts

Currently, 11 extensions are available, and more are on the way.

Success Stories & Use Cases

Smart Filtration: From Manual Checks to Real‑Time Data

An industrial air‑filtration provider in the UK replaced long‑distance service calls with a smart network built on RAK3172 nodes and RAK7268V2 gateways. Each node connects up to three pressure sensors and sends data to a cloud dashboard via LTE or Ethernet. Today, more than 30 sites with over 400 devices operate autonomously, and the solution is expanding internationally.

• Challenge: technicians had to visit sites to determine if filters needed replacing
• Solution: deploy battery-powered RAK3172 sensor nodes and RAK7268V2 gateways to send data to AWS IoT Core and a custom dashboard
• Outcome: automated alerts, fewer service trips, reduced waste and expansion to Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the USA

Community & Partnerships

Hexaspot – Your Gold Partner in the Netherlands

Hexaspot stocks WisBlock modules, Meshtastic kits and RAK Hotspot V2 miners in the Netherlands, organized by base boards, cores, sensors, interfaces and kits. Local inventory means faster shipping, local currency pricing and regional support.

Not in the Netherlands?

Stay tuned for more hardware launches, software updates, and solution releases in the months ahead.

In today’s increasingly connected world, regulatory compliance is a central topic in every customer conversation and is no longer a back-office concern. Consumers are now mindful not just of what a product can do, but also whether it meets essential safety and cybersecurity standards outlined in the Radio Equipment Directive cybersecurity Delegated Regulation as well as CRA compliance standards. At RAKwireless, we acted early to guarantee that our IoT solutions meet all aspects of RED compliance 2025 long before it became mandatory. 

Traditionally, RED required products to meet four main categories of compliance:

• RF – Radio Frequency performance
• EMD – Electromagnetic compatibility
• SAFETY – Electrical and physical safety
• HEALTH – Protection from harmful exposure

As of August 1, 2025, RED now includes a fifth pillar, Cybersecurity. Therefore, we completed a full technical assessment of our wireless products and gateway devices against the EN 18031 certification standards. This assessment confirmed that RAKwireless fully meets the RED compliance 2025 standards outlined in the RED Delegated Regulation. 

Here is a breakdown of our conformity status by requirement:

Following this confirmation, we began issuing updated EU CE Marking Declarations of Conformity (DoCs) that reflect our full compliance, including cybersecurity. Our most in-demand products, such as the RAK7289V2 Gateway, now carry refreshed technical documentation and DoCs available upon request.

To further strengthen our compliance, we are also pursuing RED DA certification through an accredited Notified Body, which we expect to complete by September 2025.

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) Compliance

Many of our clients are also asking about the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). CRA is another key regulation that introduces mandatory cybersecurity rules for digital products. This includes wireless devices, wired-connected products, standalone software, and parts like processors sold within the EU. Although mandatory CRA compliance enforcement begins in 2027, the emphasis on built-in IoT security is clear.

We have reviewed our portfolio and expect our devices to fall under the “non-critical” category. This classification may allow us to assess our own compliance with the CRA, rather than having to obtain certification from an external organization. However, we are not waiting. Our teams are already following updated steps in product development and quality checks to meet the requirements of CRA compliance.

We actively engage with EU regulatory discussions and monitor updates on harmonized standards and conformity procedures. RAK has already established strong internal systems that will quickly align with CRA requirements once enforcement starts.

RAKwireless has also embedded cybersecurity practices in every stage of its product lifecycle. We prioritize IoT security standards from the very first idea of a product to the moment it reaches customers and even after that. Each device goes through careful checks to make sure it can resist attacks and keep data safe. Our approach to cybersecurity is implemented in these measures:

• Conducting structured risk assessments before product release.
• Applying secure-by-design principles in architecture and engineering.
• Performing regular vulnerability testing.
• Maintaining incident response protocols.
• Documenting Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs).
• Keeping audit-ready records of all development and security actions.

We also maintain ISO 27001 ISMS certification under ISO/IEC 27001:2013. This is verified annually by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) to ensure our information security management systems meet global standards. This certification confirms that our internal processes, infrastructure, and third-party partnerships meet strict information security benchmarks.

In addition, we uphold GDPR Article 32 compliance standards to protect customer data. We use strong access controls and encryption to keep data safe while it’s being transferred and when it’s stored.

IoT Gateway Security Guides Our Strategy

Security at RAKwireless doesn’t stop with compliance checklists. It extends to the device firmware, cloud infrastructure, design updates, and support systems.

• We deliver Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates across all RAK gateways with regular security patching schedules. This helps us react quickly to new threats.
• Configuration data and system state are encrypted and stored securely on the device to block unauthorized access.
• LoRaWAN security ensures that data in transit is protected via industry standard TLS 1.2 encryption. This protects the communication path between gateways and network servers.
• All cloud-based data handled through our platforms, including WisDM, is protected by AES-256 encryption on AWS servers. This ensures strong WisDM data protection for critical IoT data.
• WisDM does not store or log payloads exchanged between gateways and end devices. Your data remains yours, end-to-end.

Our global security team monitors all systems in real-time and stands ready with structured incident protocols to act immediately when needed.

Advanced Security Beyond RED Compliance 2025

At RAKwireless, we see security as a shared responsibility and a strategic advantage. Cybersecurity is built into our product development from day one. We design for it, test for it, and remain accountable to it. This is not because the regulations say so, but because it is the right thing to do.

RAKwireless will continue to update documentation and certifications to maintain RED Compliance 2025 and CRA Compliance as the legal framework develops. If you need formal documentation or compliance reports, we are here to assist.

When you build with care, compliance follows and trust stays. 
That is why we go beyond regulatory adherence.

Ken Yu

CEO, RAKwireless

How Did This Little Badge Begin?

At first glance, the WisMesh Tag might look like just another badge-style tracker: thin, credit-card sized, designed to hang off a backpack or sit discreetly in a pocket.

But look closer, and you’ll find a deeper story behind its shape and purpose. Its development involved extensive user feedback, engineering decisions, and collaboration between two companies and the Meshtastic community.

Where It All Began: RAK × MOKOSMART - A Shared Vision for Smarter Tracking

It was the spring of 2023 when MOKOSMART first introduced their badge-style tracker, a slim, minimal device designed for LoRaWAN-based asset tracking. At the time, Meshtastic was an emerging technology with a growing user base.

Fast forward to spring 2024, RAKwireless and MOKOSMART sat down to explore a new idea to adapt the sleek form factor into a fully functional Meshtastic node, suitable for various carrying options.

Something light enough to fit in a pocket?

Maybe a wallet?

Or even a keychain?

The idea resonated with both teams. This collaboration leveraged RAKwireless's experience in open-source community engagement and radio technology with MOKOSMART’s manufacturing and form factor expertise.

Over the course of a year, the two teams collaborated on firmware, hardware, antenna design, power optimization, and usability improvements.

The result: The WisMesh Tag, the first badge-style device in the WisMesh Meshtastic-compatible lineup, debuting in August 2025 via RAKwireless Store. If you're in the US, you can also get the WisMesh Tag from our local distributor, Rokland. Check their website for availability now.

MOKOSMART: A Specialist in Tracking Technologies

When it comes to tracking, MOKOSMART is a quiet powerhouse.

Over the years, they’ve developed over 100 tracker form factors, across technologies like BLE, LoRa, and UWB. They understand what it takes to build location-aware devices at scale, and more importantly, to keep them small, efficient, and rugged.

The WisMesh Tag builds on one of MOKOSMART’s existing badge designs, but it’s not just a rebrand. It’s a full-scale adaptation and optimization process, informed by the unique needs of the Meshtastic community.

Community Voices: The Real Driver Behind This Co-Creation

We’ve been following the Meshtastic community for a long time. Watching experiments unfold, talking with builders, and asking questions. The enthusiasm and commitment from the Meshtastic community significantly influenced our engagement in this space.

From early conversations with top community members, it was clear that the badge form factor was loved:

• Small and lightweight
• Easy to attach to gear
• Minimal maintenance

But there were pain points, too:

• Buttons that were hard to press
• Batteries that didn’t last long enough
• Range limitations in outdoor environments

This feedback served as critical design input. And it helped us and MOKOSMART make an important decision:

Let’s make this better. Let’s build something not just compatible with Meshtastic but worthy of it.

Refinement in Action: Turning a Badge into Serious Hardware

With feedback in hand and a strong base to build on, we worked closely with the MOKOSMART engineering team to bring real, tangible improvements to the badge platform. Improvements were guided by Meshtastic community needs and hardware product standards.

Key improvements included:

• The buttons were reengineered for greater reliability and a more satisfying, tactile click.
• The buzzer logic was optimized, keeping alert functionality while eliminating false triggers.
• The battery was upgraded to 1000mAh, paired with an IP66-rated enclosure, making it water and dust resistant, suitable for demanding environments.
• The antenna system was retuned and re-matched to optimize RF performance specifically for Meshtastic mesh networking scenarios.

A rigorous pre-production testing process was conducted to validate these improvements in real-world conditions.

Together with MOKOSMART, we conducted an extensive series of reliability and durability tests, including:

• Thermal shock
• Cyclic damp heat
• High-temperature/high-humidity operational and storage conditions
• Low-temperature operation and storage
• Salt spray corrosion resistance
• Waterproof sealing
• Drop testing
• Tumble barrel endurance
• UV resistance
• Acid and alkali chemical resistance
• Laser engraving durability under abrasion

The tests confirm the WisMesh Tag's durability and functionality.

To further support that goal, the product is also undergoing global certification processes, including FCC, CE, and Telec, so that it can be trusted and deployed worldwide.

The result is something more than just another badge. It’s a field-grade mesh device.

A More Capable Mesh Network - Built with Heart

The WisMesh Tag is a functional Meshtastic device designed for use in various real-world scenarios, including hiking, volunteering, and coordination.

The hardware durability and design consistency reflect RAKwireless's and MOKOSMART's commitment to commercial-grade products that perform reliably in diverse environments.

This platform also offers opportunities for future development by the Meshtastic community, including:

• Use cases like backpack tracking, group communication, outdoor safety, and emergency response.
• Applications that sync with phones, manage node behavior, and support broader ecosystem integrations.

You’re Invited to Build with Us

If you’re part of the Meshtastic community, or curious about joining, we welcome your feedback, ideas, and field experience to shape the next chapter of the WisMesh Tag.

Join us:

• Community Discord
• Meshtastic Reddit forum

Let’s keep building, together.

Welcome to the RAKwireless Bulletin – July 2025 Edition.

This month, we're excited to introduce next-gen hardware, new tutorials, and more ways for you to buy RAK products locally. In this round of updates, you’ll learn more about smarter gateways for smarter deployments, expanding sensor networks, and estimating cellular data costs.

Let’s dive in!

New Products: Smarter, Smaller, More Flexible

RAK11160 Module: Triple-Protocol Power in One Compact Package

Introducing the RAK11160, a fully integrated module combining Espressif’s ESP32-C2 and ST’s STM32WL, supportingLoRa^® , WiFi, and Bluetooth^®, all in one board.

Why choose RAK11160?

Most IoT applications rely on ESP32 for MQTT forwarding, while many clients also deploy the RAK3172 (STM32WLE5-based) with a separate ESP32 module for connectivity. Now, we’ve packaged it all into a single integrated solution.

Starting at just $6.90 USD, this dual-core module is more affordable, more compact, and easier to use.

Field Tester Plus: Accurate Coverage Testing for Indoor & Outdoor Environments

The Field Tester Plus has been redefining how LoRaWAN networks are tested since its release.

Unlike tools that rely on GPS alone, this solution runs an on-device application within WisGateOS 2 to compute signal quality metrics like rolling packet loss and downlink responsiveness.

As a result, it provides structured, local signal reports with full indoor support. No cloud needed.

• Supports indoor and outdoor testing without needing GPS.
• Provides both uplink and downlink analysis for complete network insight.
• Perfect for fine-tuning coverage in complex environments like factories, campuses, and warehouses.

Already own a Field Tester? Just upgrade your firmware and enable the Plus Extension through our blog below.

WisGate Edge Lite 2: New Variants for More Flexibility

Need an external LTE antenna for enhanced reception? Powering your gateway from a 9–24V source? The new variants of WisGate Edge Lite 2 are built to adapt.

Now you can deploy in more rugged, flexible, or low-infrastructure scenarios without workarounds.

How-To Guides & Tutorial Updates

How Much Data Do WisGate Edge and Soho Gateways Use? We Measured It.

One of the top questions from users: How much will cellular data cost me if I use a WisGate Edge or Soho gateway with a SIM card?

We did the testing for you. Here’s what we measured:

• Impact of WisDM remote monitoring (ON vs. OFF)
• Effects of log sharing
• Debug mode vs. normal log levels and their data usage

If you're planning a deployment using LTE backhaul, this guide helps you estimate data consumption and optimize your setup.

How to Connect a 4–20 mA Water Pressure Sensor to the RAK2560 Sensor Hub

If you’re using the RAK2560 Sensor Hub and want to connect a third-party sensor like a water pressure sensor that outputs a 4–20 mA signal, this guide walks you through the process.

What You’ll Need:

• RAK2560 Sensor Hub
• Generic Probe IO adapter
• 4–20 mA water pressure sensor (like the Huamo RG20201170)
• Power supply (12–24 VDC)
• Smartphone with WisToolBox and NFC
• The sensor’s datasheet (this is crucial!)

How to Integrate an RS485 Soil Sensor with the RAK2560 Sensor Hub

Need to connect a Modbus/RS485 sensor like the VEMSEE SN-3002 to the RAK2560 Sensor Hub? This guide walks you through wiring, setting communication parameters, and configuring data registers in WisToolBox. You’ll also learn how to create a reusable sensor profile for easier multi-unit deployments, ideal for environmental monitoring and smart agriculture.

Where to Meet the RAKwireless Team

The Things Conference 2025

RAK is attending The Things Conference 2025 in Amsterdam on September 23–24. We’ll be at Booth A14. Stay tuned for more information about our product showcases. Follow us on social media for updates and announcements as the event approaches.

IoT Sparks 2025

We’re proud sponsors of IoT Sparks 2025 in Valencia on October 7. Meet and network with Xose Pérez, our Product Owner for WisBlock, who will be attending. See you there!

RAKwireless Strengthens Ties with the LoRa Alliance

 RAKwireless Upgrades LoRa Alliance Membership to ‘Contributor’

We’ve officially upgraded our LoRa Alliance membership from Adopter to Contributor. As long-time members, this milestone reflects our growing role in shaping LoRaWAN technology. The Alliance welcomed us as a key player, and we’re now contributing to working groups and task forces to help drive the ecosystem forward.

Expect to see more RAK collaborations with the Alliance at upcoming events and in our ecosystem contributions. 

Join the LoRa Alliance - List RAKwireless as Your Referrer

The LoRa Alliance offers unmatched opportunities for IoT companies, like access to technical resources, global networking, and certification. If you’re considering joining, make sure to list RAKwireless as your referrer to support our work and help us grow the ecosystem together.

RAKwireless Now on Amazon India + More Local Channels

RAKwireless Products Are Now Available on Amazon India!

This expansion marks another step toward making it easier for customers worldwide to access our hardware, with faster shipping, local pricing, and simplified logistics. 

Expanding Global Access through Local Distributors

Through our “Buy from Local” initiative, we’re continuing to establish strategic partnerships across regions, especially in Europe, so developers, makers, and businesses can:

• Purchase WisBlock and other RAK products from trusted local distributors
• Save on customs and reduce shipping times
• Get support in local time zones and languages

Stay tuned for more hardware launches, software updates, and solution releases in the months ahead.