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Modules, Boards & Gateways · Hardware

Radio-only LoRa Module (EM-NL-433)

Coming soonModel code: EM-NL-433

A measured LoRa radio path, connected to the MCU of your choice over SPI.

Request information Specifications
EM-NL-433 radio-only LoRa module: 14 × 20 mm, 2×8 castellated pads, nickel shield and u.FL

Overview

The problem. Some Elmes products (crane receivers/transmitters, the RT152 data transmitter family) already have an MCU that is not going to change; all they need is a LoRa radio. Today that gap is filled by imported off-the-shelf radio modules: single source, closed design, pinouts that change between revisions and no documentation in Turkish. Designing around a bare SX1268 instead means repeating the matching network and measurements for every product.

The solution. EM-NL-433 takes the radio section of the EM-G0L-433 module and makes it a separate castellated module: SX1268 + 32 MHz TCXO + RF switch (controlled by DIO2) + matching and harmonic filter + u.FL/antenna pin. The interface is plain SPI + BUSY/DIO1/NRESET with 3.3 V logic. The driver is open and platform-independent.

Variants. The same PCB takes LLCC68 (EM-NK-433) and SX1262 (868/915 MHz) versions. In Elmes products it replaces the imported off-the-shelf module; for other manufacturers it offers a “take the radio, keep your MCU” option.

EM-NL-433 soldered onto a host board: SPI traces run to the host MCU, the antenna line to an edge SMA
In use

This product is in development or field testing. Contact us for technical information, pilot use and a preliminary quotation.

Features

  • Shared RF design: the same radio path as EM-G0L-433; 868 MHz (SX1262) and LLCC68 versions with a single validation and a single BOM change.
  • Driver support: common SX126x/LLCC68 API; the host HAL needs only 5 functions.
  • On-module TCXO and DC-DC: no crystal or regulator needed on the host side.
  • Production test: RF power and frequency measurement on the programming/test fixture; no host MCU needed, the fixture drives SPI directly.
  • TargetHost examples: example projects for STM32, ESP32 and PIC24 (RT152 migration).
  • TargetSeparate TX/RX pins: pads reserved to replace the RF switch in a future high-power PA version.
  • TargetPortable protocol core: the host MCU joins the EM network (same NetID/addressing as EM-G0L-433 nodes).

Variants

Variants
Model codeRadioBandNoteRequest information
EM-NL-433SX1268433 MHzMain memberRequest information: EM-NL-433
EM-NK-433LLCC68433 MHzLow-cost versionRequest information: EM-NK-433
EM-NL-868 / -915SX1262868 / 915 MHzBand variantRequest information: EM-NL-868 / -915

Specifications

Values marked “Target” are design targets, next-generation values or chip-vendor data; they are updated as measurement and certification are completed.

Radio
Frequency band410–525 MHz (SX1268); Elmes channel plan 433.05–434.79 MHz
Channels8 (same as EM-G0L-433); the host can define its own channel plan
Output power+22 dBm (SX1268 PA), adjustable −9…+22 dBm
Receiver sensitivity−129 dBm @ SF11/BW125 (chip datasheet)
ModulationLoRa SF5–SF12, (G)FSK
Data rateLoRa 0.018–62.5 kbps; FSK 300 kbps
Frequency reference32 MHz TCXO (powered from DIO3)
TCXO stability±2 ppm class (depending on part selection)Target
Antenna connectionu.FL and antenna pin, 50 Ω; selected with a 0 Ω jumper or as a build option
Interfaces
Host interfaceSPI (≤ 16 MHz), NSS, BUSY, DIO1 (IRQ), NRESET; 3.3 V logic; DIO2 (RF switch) on the module
Reserved padsDIO2 output, TXEN/RXEN (for a future PA version)Target
Range
Open field≥ 2000 m (SF9, 2 dBi dipole, 2 m height) — same test as EM-G0L-433Target
Industrial / indoor≥ 300 mTarget
Communication & security
Encryption / addressingIn the host protocol; AES-128-CCM, NetID + 16-bit address with the portable EM-SDK coreTarget
Systems on the same site≥ 8 (channel × NetID, host protocol)Target
Performance & fail-safe
TX start-up (sleep → RF)< 5 ms class (TCXO + PLL; from chip datasheet values)Target
Fail-safe on link lossDefined by the host application
Power
Supply3.0–3.6 V; DC-DC (internal) or LDO mode, selected in the driver
Consumption TX / RX / sleep~118 mA @ 22 dBm / ~5 mA (DC-DC) / < 1 µA (sleep, TCXO off) — chip datasheet
Mechanical & environmental
Pad count / pitch2×8 castellated, 1.27 mm (edge aligned with EM-G0L-433): VCC, GND×3, SCK, MISO, MOSI, NSS, BUSY, DIO1, NRESET, ANT + 4 reserved pads
Dimensions≤ 14 × 20 mmTarget
MountingCastellated SMD; keep-out area on the antenna side
Operating / storage temperature−40…+85 °C / −40…+105 °CTarget
Humidity5–95 %, non-condensing
Warranty & service
Warranty2 yearsTarget
Spare-parts support5 years
ProductionAnkara

Applications

  • Adding LoRa to an existing MCU
  • Crane receiver/transmitter boards
  • Analog/digital data transmitters
  • ESP32, RP2040, PIC designs
  • Split-architecture control systems
  • 868/915 MHz export products

In Elmes products. The same radio design as EM-G0L-433 and EM-G0LW-433; split-architecture versions of the Wireless Crane Control receiver/transmitter and of the RT152 family of the Wireless Analog & Digital Data Transmitter (PIC24 host); a second-revision option for MOD-M0 (the EM-NL-433 RF section in place of the off-the-shelf radio module).

External sales. Integrators with their own MCU (ESP32, RP2040, PIC, other STM32 families) and 868/915 MHz export products (EM-NL-868 / -915).

Compliance & documentation

In the first phase it is supplied with the note “OEM integrator responsibility”; no module-level certificate has been issued yet. It is the second module in line for certification, after EM-G0L-433.

  • End-product CE/RED conformity
    OEM integrator responsibility in the first phase
    Out of scope
  • CE – RED 2014/53/EU: EN 300 220-2 (radio), EN 301 489-1/-3 (EMC)
    If the radio-only module is certified, antenna/gain and supply conditions are fixed in the certificate; derivative products that meet these conditions do not repeat the radio tests (subject to an accredited lab's opinion).
    Target
  • RoHS / REACH declaration
    Target
  • EM-NL-868 / -915: separate EN 300 220 testing
    Target

Frequently asked questions

Is it a drop-in replacement for the off-the-shelf radio module I use (e.g. DRF1268T)?

No; footprint compatibility was not a design goal. New board designs use the EM-NL-433 footprint.

Which MCUs does it work with?

Any MCU with SPI; the driver is written in C and is platform-independent. STM32, ESP32 and PIC24 examples are planned.

Does the module have firmware?

No; the host MCU drives the radio IC. The driver and protocol core are open (EM-SDK Open, Apache-2.0 planned).

Can it work in the same network as EM-G0L-433 nodes?

Yes, if the host runs the EM protocol core (same NetID, addressing and encryption).

Is there an 868 MHz version?

Yes, the SX1262-based EM-NL-868 on the same PCB; the ETSI duty-cycle rules are in the SDK.

Is there a lower-cost version?

EM-NK-433 (LLCC68): no SF12; apart from the longest SF, the range is the same.

Can I increase the output power?

The maximum is +22 dBm (SX1268). Reserving TXEN/RXEN pads for an external PA is under consideration.

Does it have CE/RED certification?

Certification is being done in phases; the radio-only certificate is planned so that it can carry over to derivative products. In the first phase it is supplied under OEM integrator responsibility.

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