Get Started with MeshCore on SenseCAP Solar Node

note

When the device is in the states below, please don't manually reboot or turn off it. Or else the device can be dead.

1. Not finishing the message transmission process
2. Being configured

Firmware Flashing

Method1 via Web Flasher

Connect your device with a USB cable to the computer. Please make sure the cable supports data transmission.

warning

Please keep the USB cable connected while the data transmission, or else the device can be damaged.

Go to the Meshcore Web Flasher.

Choose Seeed Studio SenseCAP Solar in the Community Firmware group.

Choose Repeater. If you want to flash other firmware, please click here to see the tutorial.

Flash Erase

Click Enter DFU Mode, choose the serial port named "Solar Node" or "TinyUSB serial". Then click Erase Flash and choose the serial port.

If you have clicked Erase Flash but there is no response, click Enter DFU again and then click Erase Flash to make sure you have successfully entered DFU.

If you see "Flashing erase firmware:100%", the device has been successfully erased.

Flash Firmware

Select the firmware version.

Click Enter DFU Mode, choose the serial port named "P1 Pro" or "TinyUSB" serial. Then click Flash and choose the serial port.

If you have clicked Flash but there is no response, click Enter DFU again and then click Flash to make sure you have successfully entered DFU.

When the progress bar is completely filled, it indicates that Flash has completed. Then the device will automatically reboot.

Method2 Drag and Drop

Connect your device with a USB cable to the computer. Please make sure the cable supports data transmission.

warning

Please keep the USB cable connected while the data transmission, or else the device can be damaged.

Go to the Meshcore Web Flasher.

Choose Seeed Studio SenseCAP Solar in the Community Firmware group.

Choose Repeater. If you want to flash other firmware, please click here to see the tutorial.

Flash Erase

Download the UF2 file.

Double click the RST button to manually enter DFU mode. You can see a disk named Xiao-Boot or Solar Node will pop out after 10~15 s.

Drag the downloaded UF2 file to the pop-out disk.

The disk will disappear after the firmware is successfully flashed. At this point there is no firmware in the device, so the device will NOT automatically reboot.

Flash Firmware

Choose the latest firmware version.

Download the UF2 file.

Double click the RST button to manually enter DFU mode. You can see a disk named Xiao-Boot or Solar Node will pop out after 10~15 s.

Drag the downloaded UF2 file to the pop-out disk.

The disk will disappear after the firmware is successfully flashed. At this point there is no firmware in the device, so the device will NOT automatically reboot.

Get Started

Before formal deployment, please test and configure the node first.

Installation

Assemble the Device

note

Since the device will be used outdoors for extended periods, please avoid installing the panel in a horizontal position. A tilted or diagonal installation is recommended to prevent water accumulation. Additionally, ensure that all screws are securely tightened and the cover is properly installed. For enhanced waterproof protection, you may also consider applying extra sealing measures.

• Part List

• Step1: Connect part 1 to the bottom of the device using washers and screws.

• Step2: Connect the universal joint(part 2) and the bracket(part 3) with screws.

• Step3: Connect the RF cable(part 4) and antenna(part 5) .

• Step4: Install the hoop ring in the appropriate position.

• Step5: Connect the universal joint bracket.

• Step6: Loosen the screws, adjust the universal joint to the appropriate position, and then tighten the screws.

• Step7: Connect the antenna to the device.

Install Battery and GPS Module(Optional)

tip

When you need to install or replace the battery, use Button-top 18650(3.6V) battery.

P1-Pro version has built-in battery and GPS module, for P1 version, user needs to install the battery and GPS module manually if needed.

• Step 1: Remove all the screws and the cover.

• Step 2: Install battery and the GPS module.

• Step 3: Assemble the shell.

note

Ensure that the shell is properly mounted and the screws are firmly tightened to maintain the device’s waterproof integrity.

(Optional) Upgrate atenna

• You can replace the antenna with a fiberglass one by watching this video.

If you need an antenna with higher gain, we recommend the 860-930MHz 3dBi fiberglass antenna and the 902-928MHz 5.8dBi fiberglass antenna.

Power on the device

The device needs to be activated by connecting the USB cable. The blue Mesh LED will light on for about 3s, it means that the device has been successfully turned on.

The blue mesh LED light will not turn on until it send advert.

tip

If the device doesn't respond when you insert the USB cable, please charge it first. Do not use the fast-charging charger.

Configuration

• Step1 Initial Configuration

When MeshCore is flashed onto a LoRa device is for the first time, it is necessary to set the server device's frequency to make it utilize the frequency that is legal in your country or region.

Click here to configure the repeater.

Change the LoRa region and save setting. Then Reboot the device, or else the setting will not take effect.

Region List

Region Code	Description	Frequency Range (MHz)	Duty Cycle (%)	Power Limit (dBm)
UNSET	Unset	N/A	N/A	N/A
US	United States	902.0 - 928.0	100	30
EU_868	European Union 868MHz	869.4 - 869.65	10	27

Refer to LoRa Region by Country for a more comprehensive list.

info

EU_868 has to adhere to an hourly duty cycle limitation of 10%, calculated every minute on a rolling 1-hour basis. Your device will stop transmitting if you reach it, until it is allowed again.

Now that you have set the LoRa region on your device, you can continue with configuring any LoRa Configs to suit your needs.

• Step2 Send Advert

Click "send advert" to enable other Meshcore devices to see this repeater. Then the repeater can be seen in the device list.

After the initialization setting, click

• Step3(Optional) Admin Log in

The default admin password to a repeater is password.

After logging in, you can see the configuration page. You can now adjust the configuration for the repeater.

If you want to show the position of the repeater, you can enable the GPS.

Also, you can adjust the advert broadcast interval. The interval range of auto zero hop advert is 60-240 mins. The interval range of auto flood advert is 3-168 hours.

Set Path

Before adding the repeater to your route, you may need to use the repeater to send advert first. Repeater will automatically send automatically at regular intervals. This interval can be multiple hours (default 3 hours). So you need to manually send advert or else you need to wait.

You can manually set the message sending path. Connect you Bluetooth companion device to your phone APP. Open a private message window. Then you can choose the discovered repeater to form your path.

After setting the path, the transmission method will be changed to "n hop". For example, if you add 1 repeater in your route, it will change to 1 hop.

FAQ

Boot Loop

• Reason

This is usually caused by the firmware flashing failure. When flashing the firmware, please maintain a stable connection.

• Troubleshoot

Click here to re-flash the firmware.

Device bricked

Description

The device not responding, no LED, can not pair with your App.

1) Device can still enter the DFU mode, then try to flash the bootloader.

Flash the Bootloader

• Bootloader download

note

When you are flashing the bootloader, please make sure the cable connection is stable and DO NOT disconnect it during the flash process.

Step1: Adafruit-nrfutil Installation

Prerequisites

• Python3
• pip3

Installing from PyPI

This is recommended method, to install latest version:

pip3 install --user adafruit-nrfutil

Installing from Source

Use this method if you have issue installing with PyPi or want to modify the tool. First clone this repo and go into its folder.

git clone https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_nRF52_nrfutil.git
cd Adafruit_nRF52_nrfutil

Note: following commands use python3, however if you are on Windows, you may need to change it to python since windows installation of python 3.x still uses the name python.exe

To install in user space in your home directory:

pip3 install -r requirements.txt
python3 setup.py install

If you get permission errors when running pip3 install, your pip3 is older or is set to try to install in the system directories. In that case use the --user flag:

pip3 install -r --user requirements.txt
python3 setup.py install

If you want to install in system directories (generally not recommended):

sudo pip3 install -r requirements.txt
sudo python3 setup.py install

To generate a self-contained executable binary of the utility (Windows and MacOS), run these commands:

pip3 install pyinstaller
cd Adafruit_nRF52_nrfutil
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
cd Adafruit_nRF52_nrfutil\nordicsemi
pyinstaller __main__.py --onefile --clean --name adafruit-nrfutil

You will find the .exe in Adafruit_nRF52_nrfutil\nordicsemi\dist\adafruit-nrfutil ( with .exe if you are on windows). Copy or move it elsewhere for your convenience, such as directory in your %PATH%.

Step2: Check your port number

Connect your device to your PC, and check the port number.

Example:

Step3: Flash the bootloader

In the terminal or command prompt, navigate to the directory where you downloaded the bootloader zip package and execute the following command, replacing the correct port for your device:

• For Windows:

adafruit-nrfutil --verbose dfu serial --package xiao_nrf52840_ble_bootloader.zip -p COMXX -b 115200 --singlebank --touch 1200

• For others:

adafruit-nrfutil --verbose dfu serial --package xiao_nrf52840_ble_bootloader.zip -p /dev/tty.SLAB_USBtoUART -b 115200 --singlebank --touch 1200

When you have completed the above steps, then you can flash the application firmware.

Signal Quality

• SNR reflects the quality of the communication link. Normal device usually operates above -7 dB. Device with a SNR lower than -10 dB indicates poor performance.

• RSSI is determined jointly by the device and its surrounding environment. Normal device usually operates above -110 dBm. Device with an RSSI lower than -115 dBm is considered to have poor performance.

  To achieve the best signal effect, please use the device in an open, unobstructed area with minimal interference for use.

Charging Current

The Xiao nRF-52840 Plus maximum charging current is 200 mA. The charging management chip CN3165 is 0.99A. So the maximum charging current is 1A.

Resource

• Solar Node Battery Life Calculation Table