WisMesh Board ONE Evaluate: Compact, Expandable, Photo voltaic-Powered

When you’ve been following our Meshtastic {hardware} evaluations, you have seemingly seen our current protection of the WisMesh Board ONE Pocket – RAK’s handheld Meshtastic machine. Immediately, we’re analyzing the center of that system: the WisMesh Board ONE naked board itself.

Unboxing and Preliminary Impressions

The WisMesh Board ONE arrives in easy however safe packaging. Inside, you may discover:

• The principle WisMesh Board ONE baseboard
• 1 LoRa antenna (FPC base antenna)
• 1 high-quality USB cable

Relying in your configuration, you may also obtain:

• Optionally available OLED 1.3″ show (pre-mounted or individually)
• Optionally available RAK12500 GNSS module

The board itself makes a right away impression with its considerate format and compact type issue. At simply 60.8 x 22.9 x 9.85 mm, it packs spectacular performance right into a small footprint. The PCB high quality is great, with clear traces and strong element mounting.

Options Overview

The WisMesh Board ONE comes with a number of notable options:

• RAK4631 Core: Based mostly on Nordic nRF52840 (ARM Cortex-M4F CPU, 1MB Flash, 256KB RAM)
• Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver
• 1 WisBlock sensor slot for expandability (occupied if GPS module put in)
• Optionally available 1.3″ OLED show – noticeably bigger than widespread 0.96″ screens
• Improved BMS (Battery Administration System) with NTC for safer charging and discharge
• Photo voltaic & Battery connector – strategically positioned for optimum enclosure design
• Three mounting holes for safe set up
• Exterior iPEX connector – for antenna upgrades
• USB-C for energy and programming

What makes this board significantly fascinating is the way it improves upon RAK’s earlier RAK19007 design with particular optimizations for solar-powered and glued deployments.

Configuration Choices & Pricing

The WisMesh Board ONE is on the market in a number of configurations:

• Base Board Solely: $29.97
• With RAK12500 GNSS Module: $50.97
• With GNSS Module & OLED Show: $52.97

This tiered pricing lets you choose solely the parts wanted on your particular mission.

Flashing the Firmware

The machine comes preflashed with Meshtastic model 2.5.20, however if you wish to replace it, here is the method:

Erase the Current Firmware:

1. Navigate to the Meshtastic Net Flasher.
2. Choose RAK WisBlock 4631 from the machine choices.
3. Click on on the trash image subsequent to the flash button to erase the prevailing firmware.
4. You may must enter DFU mode (Machine Firmware Replace mode) to proceed.

Getting into DFU Mode:

• Possibility one: Double press the button on the best (the one used for reset) and a USB drive ought to present up in your pc
• Possibility two: Click on on Enter DFU Mode (After Clicking on Flash and Proceed), choose the right COM Port, then click on Join.

Erase the Flash in DFU Mode:

1. As soon as in DFU mode, the WisMesh Board ONE Pocket will seem as a drive in your pc.
2. Obtain the Flash Erase UF2 file and duplicate it to the DFU drive. After transferring, the drive will disappear.
3. As soon as the machine is completed rebooting, return to the net flasher and click on on Open Serial Monitor, choose the right COM Port, then click on Join.
4. Give it a pair seconds and it ought to say achieved as soon as it’s achieved formatting.

Flashing the New Firmware:

1. After erasing the prevailing firmware, return to the Net Flasher and select the newest firmware model obtainable.
2. Choose Flash, and you will have to enter DFU mode once more (repeat the earlier step).
3. As soon as in DFU mode, obtain or copy the UF2 file for the brand new firmware onto the DFU drive.
4. The machine will routinely reboot as soon as the switch is full and can begin working the brand new firmware.

Detailed Comparability: WisMesh Board ONE vs. RAK19007

For Meshtastic fans and photo voltaic node builders, the RAK19007 has been a preferred selection since its launch. I used to be desperate to see how the WisMesh Board ONE improved upon this basis. Here is a complete comparability of those two solar-optimized boards:

Core Specs Comparability

Whereas the core specs stay related, the WisMesh Board ONE introduces three vital design enhancements that handle particular ache factors skilled with the RAK19007:

1. Reimagined OLED Show Placement

On the RAK19007, the OLED show connector was positioned 90 levels to the board. This created one most important downside:

• The display screen was at an angle that made studying info troublesome

The WisMesh Board ONE fully reimagines this association, mounting the OLED show 180/0 diploma/s to the board. This redesign:

• Improves display screen readability when mounted in a case

2. Strategic Battery and Photo voltaic Connector Orientation

The RAK19007’s battery and photo voltaic connectors had been positioned on the highest face of the board. Whereas practical, this association created constant complications for enclosure design:

• Cables needed to bend awkwardly, including pointless peak
• Pressure on connectors elevated with compact enclosures

The WisMesh Board ONE addresses this instantly by repositioning these connectors to the facet fringe of the board, which:

• Permits a lot flatter enclosure designs (doubtlessly decreasing case thickness by 5-10mm)
• Creates a pure cable path that reduces connector pressure

3. Enhanced Battery Administration System

The RAK19007’s battery administration was practical however primary. The WisMesh Board ONE considerably upgrades this with:

• NTC thermistor on the board for simplified builds
• Assist for exterior NTC connection for batteries with built-in temperature sensors
• Higher safety in opposition to overcharging in variable photo voltaic circumstances

Efficiency

Battery Life: Actual-World Issues

The board’s energy consumption is according to what you’d anticipate from nRF52840-based units. It is vital to notice that including the optionally available OLED show does enhance energy consumption considerably, making it much less best for pure energy effectivity.

Vary & Connectivity: Upgradable and Adaptable

The included FPC antenna offers fairly stable vary from 800-1000 meters in the event you angle in the direction of your receiving node. it’s was actually aggressive with one thing like Sensecap T1000E. When you plan to construct a small smooth node, it could undoubtedly carry out properly, however the actual power lies within the improve path:

• The iPEX connector permits for connecting any LoRa antenna through an adapter cable
• With a high quality exterior antenna, vary extends dramatically

This flexibility makes it appropriate for each city and rural deployments. This upgradability provides the WisMesh Board ONE a big benefit over fixed-antenna designs just like the T1000-E.

WisBlock Sensor Slot: Restricted However Helpful

One key distinction from the RAK19007 is that the WisMesh Board ONE consists of only a single WisBlock sensor slot (in comparison with 4 on the RAK19007). This modular enlargement system means that you can:

• Add environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, strain)
• Monitor air high quality
• Add many different capabilities by way of the in depth WisBlock ecosystem

The plug-and-screw design makes sensor swapping extremely simple – only one screw secures the module in place.

Market Positioning: The nRF52 Board Panorama

the marketplace for naked boards based mostly on nRF52, we are able to see a number of choices, every with their very own tradeoffs:

• Heltec T114: After their current high quality management points, person belief has eroded considerably
• Wio Tracker 1110 Dev Equipment for Meshtastic: Enormous measurement with no photo voltaic help
• XIAO nRF52840 & Wio SX1262 Equipment: Pretty new and with no full BMS; nonetheless, with time it would begin supporting the enlargement boards used for XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit that provides BMS, display screen, and groove connectors for sensors

On this panorama, the WisMesh Board ONE hits a really candy spot throughout the RAK ecosystem. Each the RAK19007 and WisMesh ONE are priced the identical, however they serve totally different wants:

RAK19007 Strengths

For photo voltaic nodes that want a number of sensors (like climate stations), the RAK19007 presents extra enlargement slots. Whereas you do not get the NTC function, it’s field-tested with good reliability total regardless of occasional points.

WisMesh Board ONE Strengths

The WisMesh Board ONE shines as a flexible board for:

• Extremely-compact photo voltaic nodes with actually good BMS, NTC capabilities
• Small handheld units with correctly built-in shows – one thing RAK was lacking with the 19007 because of display screen orientation points

Product Positioning: The place It Suits

At $29.97 for the bottom board, the WisMesh Board ONE is priced identically to the RAK19007, but presents fewer enlargement slots. So what is the worth proposition?

The WisMesh Board ONE seems to be focusing on a selected area of interest: optimized type issue and improved energy administration for standalone solar-powered deployments or very small and smooth handheld builds, particularly the place a low-profile enclosure is desired. It trades enlargement slots for:

• A extra considerate bodily format optimized for enclosure design
• Higher battery administration for photo voltaic purposes
• Devoted display screen connector with improved positioning
• General slimmer profile for compact enclosures

This makes it significantly well-suited for fastened installations/builds the place a clear, dependable deployment is extra vital than having a number of sensors. For deployments that want a number of sensors, the RAK19007 stays the higher selection regardless of its design limitations.

Closing Ideas: Market Positioning and Worth Proposition

The WisMesh Board ONE represents an fascinating evolution in RAK’s Meshtastic board lineup, with some clear enhancements over the RAK19007 but additionally some vital tradeoffs.

Enhancements Value Noting

• Higher BMS with NTC help: Enhanced battery administration makes photo voltaic deployments safer and extra dependable
• Optimized connector positioning: Higher angled photo voltaic and battery connectors cut back enclosure thickness
• Correctly oriented show: The 180/0-degree display screen mounting considerably improves usability
• Compact, low-profile PCB: At simply 60.8 x 22.9 x 9.85 mm, it is best for space-constrained deployments

The Main Tradeoff

Regardless of these enhancements, the WisMesh Board ONE reduces enlargement functionality from 4 WisBlock sensor slots to only one – but maintains the identical $29.97 worth level because the RAK19007. This creates a curious scenario the place you are paying the identical quantity for much less expandability, albeit with higher design.

design“>The Technique Behind the design

This product’s positioning turns into clearer when contemplating RAK’s market observations. The RAK19007 unexpectedly grew to become common for handheld builds regardless of its photo voltaic connections and awkwardly angled display screen – many builders merely averted utilizing the show altogether. RAKwireless seems to have acknowledged this sample and created a board particularly optimized for 2 use circumstances:

• Extremely-compact photo voltaic nodes with minimal sensor necessities
• Small handheld units with correctly built-in shows

Advice

For customers with very particular necessities matching these use circumstances, the WisMesh Board ONE is a wonderful match. Nevertheless, for general-purpose deployments, we won’t broadly advocate it over the RAK19007:

• For photo voltaic nodes: The RAK19007 presents extra enlargement slots in the event you want a number of sensors
• For handhelds with screens: The WisMesh Board ONE stands alone as the one dependable NRF52-based choice with correct display screen help and high quality BMS (particularly since Heltec’s status suffered after current high quality points with T114)

Finally, the WisMesh Board ONE fills a distinct segment however vital hole available in the market. Slightly than seeing it as a alternative for the RAK19007, it is higher seen as a specialised various for particular deployment situations the place its design enhancements outweigh the discount in enlargement functionality.

If somebody had been to design an enclosure that’s wider moderately than taller, the place we are able to use the RAK19007 with the display screen oriented the right means, would the WisMesh Board ONE nonetheless be a focal point? Are the smaller footprint of the PCB design, NTC capabilities, and higher oriented plugs alone sufficient to sacrifice the enlargement slots? Tell us your ideas within the feedback under.