easySwitchBox – The long-range LoRa® wall switch

easySwitchBox by easySensors is a long-range LoRa® wall switch powered by coin cells and the Arduino IDE. easySwitchBox enables you to remote control your appliances from long distance as easy as the push a a button.

The easySwitchBox does one simple thing – it sends on\off signals to any relay, actuator, or other project. It can be used to trigger any event wirelessly and from a distance (even up to a couple kilometers using LoRa®). It’s easy to program using the Arduino IDE, and communication is secured by an authentication chip. The easySwitchBox not only makes your project more effective, it also looks more professional.

Features & Specifications

• IDE Control: Fully compatible with the Arduino IDE
  • Enumerates as an Arduino Pro Mini @ 8 MHz
  • Compatible with all RFM 69 \ 95 compatible open source libraries available
• Radio Transceivers: Three transceiver options are available
  • HopeRF RFM95 LoRa® 433/868/915 MHz (long-range version)
  • HopeRF RFM69-HCW 433/868/915 MHz (mid-range version)
  • HopeRF RFM69-CW 433/868/915 MHz (low power consumption version)
• Security: On-board Atmel/Microchip ATSHA204A crypto-authentication chip
  • Provides secured handshakes
• Antennas: Tuned PCB antenna options that are soldered to the main board
  • 915 MHz – United States, Canada, Australia
  • 868 MHz – Europe
  • 433 MHz – Europe
• Interface: Long-run soft-touch buttons similar to high-quality home switches
  • Each button has a built-in LED for message delivery confirmation
• Power: Utilizes two CR2032 coin cell batteries
  • On-board coin cell holders
  • Reverse polarity protection
  • High-efficiency power converter
  • Batteries can last as long as two years with daily use
• Mounting: Two options are provided for mounting
  • Pre-applied adhesive tape on the back
  • Screws through holes in the back plate
• Open Source Hardware: For all your hacking desires

Nano Radio Shield

Some easySwitchBox kits ship with an Arduino Nano radio shield that allows you to easily receive signals from easySwitchBox using an Arduino Nano. This shield:

• Will come with the same radio configuration as the easySwitchBox you order (RFM69-CW/HCW, RFM95)
• Allows jumper wire access to all Nano pins, even with the Nano installed
• Contains an Atmel/Microchip ATSHA204A crypto authentication chip (as does easySwitchBox)
• Has an SMA connector for antenna (antenna is included)
• Has an on-board 5 V to 3.3 V level converter for the radio and Flash
• Features a microSD card slot

Quality and Versatility

RFM 95 has miles of coverage. RFM 69 is great for indoor use (for example: RFM69CW can easily cover large 5-story building). Since easySwitchBox is 100% compatible with Arduino IDE, anyone who loves Arduinos can use it in their projects. The easySwitchBox also comes with example code, to help get you started.

Finely-Tuned and Tested

Each easySwitchBox is tested and tuned while inside the enclosure and with a hand in front of it so that the resonance and Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) can account for these blockages.

Easy to Program

It has both open source hardware and software parts. The project is based on popular RFM 69/95 radios. There are lots of open source drivers and software available for RFM 433/868/915 MHz radios. It is easily programmable, using the popular ATmega328P, and is Arduino IDE compatible.

The project is live on CrowdSupply and has 22 days to go with pledges starting from 31 USD.

Please follow and like us: