Catena 4801

Modbus/M-Bus LoRaWAN® Technology Node

How to Buy

Pricing starts at $39/unit.
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The MCCI Catena® 4801 RS-485 Node for LoRaWAN® technology networks is a complete open-source single-board IoT device that can monitor and control remote Modbus, M-Bus and other industrial devices.

Based on the Murata CMWX1ZZABZ-078, the Catena 4801 is a great platform for RS-485/Modbus based LoRaWAN investigation and deployment. It works well with The Things Network, or any LoRaWAN 1.02 or 1.1 network in the 865 to 923 MHz range.

As a Modbus controller, the Catena 4801 can control a large number of Modbus devices and communicate results via the LoRaWAN network, limited only by system memory and polling rate. As a Modbus device, the Catena 4801 can bridge an existing Modbus controller to the LoRaWAN network.

Specifications and Features

Murata LoRaWAN module

  • Semtech SX1276 LoRa radio
  • STM32L082 CPU (Cortex M0+, 32 MHz, 192K flash, 20K RAM)
  • High quality RF engineering
  • Certified for US and EU
  • Compatible with IN866, AS923, AU921 bands

Additional Features

  • RS-485 transceiver for connecting to Modbus, M-bus, or other RS-485 networks.
  • Laid out to accept screw terminals for to field wiring to the RS-485 network, and for connecting to additional external sensors or providing local control (pulse, analog or digital).
  • Processor-controlled power switches for the RS-485 transceiver, the external sensors, FRAM and flash ICs, allowing very low standby current.
  • 8K bytes FRAM for LoRaWAN provisioning info and frame counters — power can be removed completely without requiring a new join to the network, and without losing uplink and downlink count values (required for LoRaWAN 1.1)
  • 1M byte SPI Flash for bulk data storage, future FoTA firmware storage, etc.
  • Switchable boost converter for powering from disposable batteries (such as 2x AAA cells) — input range 1.8V to 3.3V. Processor can disable boost converter when regulated 3.3V is not required, for additional power savings. (Note: in contrast to the Catena 4450 and Catena 4610, there is no charger in this model.)
  • Standby current < 10 uA.
  • SWD for download and debug
  • UART port for provisioning and logging.
  • Arduino-compatible
  • Designed for use with The Things Network (open-source, user-owned IoT network based on LoRaWAN); but can be used with any LoRaWAN-compatible network
  • Whip, u.FL, or SMA antenna
  • Battery termination: rising cage screw terminals, 20 to 30 AWG.
  • Size: 0.9″ x 2.0″.
  • Open source hardware and software (https://github.com/mcci-catena)
  • Hardware is configured to support the Sigfox FSK stacks (however, Sigfox support has not been tested).

MCCI provides a full Arduino board-support package, available here.

MCCI also provides libraries to allow rapid prototyping and experimenting, including an open-source LoRaWAN stack that supports the EU868, US915, AS923, AU921 and IN866 regional plans.

ST Micro tools may also be used.

Volume discounts and custom variants are available. Contact MCCI via email (sales@mcci.com) for assistance.

RS-485 is a simple, low-speed physical layer for half-duplex serial communication often used in factories and meters. Modbus and M-bus are communication protocols over RS-485; Modbus is used for factory automation, and M-bus is intended for utility meters (water and gas meters, for example). Like most general-purpose protocols, they’ve been used for other purposes; for example, Modbus is often used in electrical power meters.