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Difference between RF69 and LORA?

Difference between RF69 and LORA?

14

PostNov 27, 2017#1

In the demo projects I see the following:

Code: Select all

/* You need to configure the Whisper Node Version */
#define T2_WPN_BOARD T2_WPN_VER_RF69
//#define T2_WPN_BOARD T2_WPN_VER_LORA

#if T2_WPN_BOARD == T2_WPN_VER_RF69
#include <RH_RF69.h>
RH_RF69 myRadio;
#elif T2_WPN_BOARD == T2_WPN_VER_LORA
#include <RH_RF95.h>
RH_RF95 myRadio;
#endif
However, I'm not exactly sure what the difference is? I have the high-power LoRa boards, but they seem to work fine with the software using RF69. At least, they work fine on my bench!

Can you clarify when one should use RF69 and LORA?

Many thanks

Mark
1885
1885

PostNov 28, 2017#2

Hi Mark,

Interesting finding. I wouldn't expect the RF69 driver to work with the RF95 hardware (module). I'll definitely try it.

Now, the RF69 and RF95 are basically two different radios. RF69 is based on uses the SX1231 chip and RF95 is based on SX1276 chip, both from Semtech manufacturer.

The RF69 supports 2 modulation OOK and FSK, while the RF95 supports FSK but also LoRa modulation (CSS).

Although RF95 supports FSK modulation, I haven't see it being actively used in this module/chip as the LoRa radio is slightly more expensive exactly because it implements LoRa - which should provide a more sophisticated modulation and better range.

Saying that, both ICs as manufactured by the same company, Semtech, and it wouldn't surprise me if they re-use part of the FSK modulation from SX1231 (RF69) in the SX1276 (RF95)... now for the RF69 driver to work on both, the registers addresses would need to match as well.
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