Connecting to RAK 7204 with Mac

LPWAN Nodes RAK7204
1

Issue: Instructions given to interface with 7204 using Windows, not Mac

Setup:

Server:

Details: I am following these instructions to get my RAK7204 on the Helium network. https://dev.to/makahernandez/connect-a-rak7204-to-helium-and-forward-its-data-to-ubidots-55ch.
I have a Mac and when I get to the instructions that refer to this link (https://docs.rakwireless.com/Product-Categories/WisNode/RAK7204/Quickstart/#interfacing-with-the-rak7204-wisnode-sense-home), I don’t know how to connect with a Mac. The instructions are only for Windows. Any links on how to get my RAK 7204 up and running on Helium network with a Mac?

2

Hello @LeeBee,

Rak Serial Port is a tool that allows sending commands to the device via serial ports in an intuitive way. However, there are different options available for this on Mac. The one I can recommend is CoolTerm.

For more information about the AT commands, refer to this manual.

I hope this helps!

3

If you need a CoolTerm tutorial, check out Serial Terminal Basics - SparkFun Learn

If you are a Terminal user:

screen /dev/cu-usbXXXXX 115200

will do the job nicely - it’s what I use when I just need to monitor what a module is doing. Replace the

cu.usbXXXXX

with the name that appears when you plug it in - ls /dev/cu* will list devices plugged in.

Now we have the new DFU serial tool, I only boot my Windows machine when I need to use Atmel Studio!

2 Likes
4

I’m in the same boat (using a Mac) and these tips were helpful. However, I am only able to see the output from the device in the terminal. When I type an AT command (at+version) and hit enter it does not return anything. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

5

If you are using coolterm with macOS, ensure that you have the right serial port and comm settings.

image

And on the ‘Enter Key Emulation’, you should select CR+LF

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you should see something like this.

image
image686×556 46.7 KB

6

Thanks @carlrowan. I double checked my settings and they match what you describe. However when I send an AT command there is just no response. When I push a button I see the output.! Appreciate any tips.
Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 9.37.03 AM|690x477

7

I’m normally using this for RAK811/RAK4200/RAK4260 - I’ve got my RAK7204 from the kitchen but its battery is flat which is a bit sad after only 14,035 uplinks, so I’ll finagle a replacement and see what happens.

8

OK, got a new battery wired in. And for some reason, it had wiped it’s settings, but that was a quick fix.

@carlrowan did a demo with a RAK811, presumably a WisDuino, which has a CH340G USB to serial chip.

The RAK7204 uses a CP2102 chip so you’ll need to install the driver for that before you can access it - on my iMac it shows up as SLAB_USBtoUART.

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I should have mentioned I’m using a RAK7201 (LoraWAN button) and was hopeful it would be the same as 7204. I tried the driver you suggested and holding down button one that someone suggested unlocks the serial port. I now get a response from the device, but it is simply:
at+version
AT Command ERROR

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I also looked at drivers for the CH340G, but read that:
Do not install if you have the current macOS Mojave 10.14 or later. macOS Mojave 10.14 (released in October 2018) includes a CH34x driver by Apple. If both Apple’s and the OEM driver are installed, they will create conflicting non-functional serial ports. Steps 1 to 3 below can be useful to remove the conflicting OEM drivers.

11

No sensors, only buttons, different serial chip and a part number I’ve not seen - is this the RAK612?

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Where are steps 1 to 3 below?

13

It looks the same as the RAK612, but but labeled as RAK7201 on the back and is on 915Mhz. Got it here: https://www.amazon.com/New-LoRa-RAKWireless-7201-Programmable/dp/B084CZ9CY9

missing instructions are from here:

Thanks again for the help. May end up just having to find a windows machine somewhere.

14

Hei @whereisseanm, @nmcc,

FYI, the RAK7201 button is not the same as either RAK7204 or RAK612, different in both hardware and firmware.

Regards
Vladislav

15

Thanks @Hobo. Do you know what chipset it uses for serial/usb?

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Hei @nmcc,

I believe it is an CH340E.

Regards
Vladislav

17

Here is the linux log, when RAK7201 is plugged, just for information

Blockquote[ 87.687650] usb 2-2: new full-speed USB device number 3 using ohci-pci
[ 88.016868] usb 2-2: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523, bcdDevice= 2.63
[ 88.016871] usb 2-2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[ 88.016873] usb 2-2: Product: USB2.0-Serial
[ 89.015785] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
[ 89.016271] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
[ 89.028618] usbcore: registered new interface driver ch341
[ 89.028686] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for ch341-uart
[ 89.028747] ch341 2-2:1.0: ch341-uart converter detected
[ 89.049107] usb 2-2: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0

1 Like
18

I think you mean @whereissean …

19

Hi @whereissean Before use the AT commands, please hold down the number 1 key for a few seconds. All four LEDs will go blue. This is the config mode. Now you can use the AT commands. RAK7201 is based on the RAK4270 module.

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@velev Thanks for the tip. I read this somewhere and tried holding the key 1, but what happens for me is that the light next to button 4 turns red (instead of all buttons blue). When attached to serial console the message I see is lowpower mode set to either 0 or 1, so it seems that my device buttons are mapped differently. Any other ideas for how to put it in config mode?

@alnunez Thanks for the linux idea. Actually I do have a few raspberry pi laying around somewhere, so that may be the next thing I try…stupid Mac. :wink: