RAK3172LP-SIP succesor/alternative

LPWAN Modules / EVBs
1

Hi,

While browsing the forum I noticed some older posts mentioning a possible RAK3172 variant with larger memory, mainly in the context of FUOTA support, which is something I’m interested in for future firmware updates.

I’m currently designing a device around the RAK3172LP-SiP mainly because of its very small footprint and the integrated STM32WLE5 LoRa SoC.

My use case is EU868, battery-powered sensors with a lifetime of several years. Most nodes use ADR, and the network server typically configures them to DR5 with TX7, so very low TX power consumption is important for us.

I’m aware of the RAK11720, but I specifically need the SiP form factor (RAK3172LP-SiP) due to PCB size constraints.

My questions:

  • Are there any plans for a RAK3172LP-SiP version with larger memory (for FUOTA)?
  • Is there a successor or recommended alternative in a similar SiP footprint?
  • Is RAK3172LP-SiP still recommended for new designs, considering that it seems hard to source from distributors (e.g. LCSC)?

Thanks for any roadmap information.

2

The additional memory is an extra flash chip. It cannot be done with a SiP module.

  • no RAK3172-SiP with larger flash possible
  • no alternative for SiP footprint
  • RAK3172-SiP is still in production, there is no EOL announcement. It might be a temporary short.
3

Thanks for the clarification.

Do you maybe plan any future low-power (LP/ULP) modules (with lower TX power), or similar options aimed at battery-powered devices (if we ignore the SiP version)?

4

We do not have plans for new WisDuo modules at this time.
The RAK3172 with its STM32WLE5 is the MCU with LoRa transceiver with the lowest power consumption we are aware of.

5

Hi,

thank you for the clarification, I understand.

For my use case, the MCU consumption is not the main concern. What interests me more is the RF output path used in the module — specifically the use of RFO_LP instead of RFO_HF. That was actually the main reason I selected the RAK3172LP-SiP variant.

Another thing I discovered during the integration of the 3172LP-SiP is that I cannot find a correct reference schematic for it on the documentation page. I only found the schematic for the RAK3172-SiP, which I assume might have a slightly different RF or power configuration (change in supply of PA).

Is there any available documentation specifically for the RAK3172LP-SiP (schematic, reference design, or at least a description of the differences compared to the RAK3172-SiP)?

Thank you for your reply.

6

You can use the schematic and reference design of the RAK3172-SiP. There is no difference to the RAK3172-LP-SiP.
The difference is internal, the RAK3172-SiP uses RFO_HP, while the RAK3172LP-SiP uses the RFO_LP of the STM32WL SoC transceiver.