RAK RAK5005-O User manual

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RAK5005-O Quick Start Guide
This guide introduces the RAK5005-O WisBlock Base Board and how to use it.
Prerequisite
What Do You Need?
Before going through each and every step on using the RAK5005-O WisBlock Base, make sure to prepare the
necessary items listed below:
Hardware
Your choice of WisBlock Core
Your choice of WisBlock Modules
It is highly recommended to also check the dedicated Quick Start Guide that you can follow on various
WisBlock Modules. Each Quick Start Guide of these modules contains the detailed steps on how to open the
example codes and upload them to the WisBlock Core.
USB Cable
Li-Ion/LiPo battery with JST PHR-2 2 mm female connector (optional)
Solar charger (optional)
Software
Based on the choice of the WisBlock Core, select a Development Environment:
Programming via Arduino IDE
Arduino IDE for RAK4631
Arduino IDE for RAK11200
In Arduino IDE, once you installed the BSP, the examples for WisBlock Core will be automatically included on the
list of examples.
Programming via PlatformIO IDE:
PlatformIO for RAK4631
PlatformIO IDE for RAK11200
Product Configuration
Overview
To give you a better understanding of how the WisBlock Base works, the block diagram, data bus, and power
supply diagram of RAK5005-O are provided in this section.
Block Diagram
The block diagram is shown in Figure 1 that shows the internal architecture and external interfaces of the
RAK5005-O board.

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Figure 1: RAK5005-O WisBlock Base block diagram
Data Bus of RAK5005-O
Figure 2: RAK5005-O WisBlock Base Data Bus
The MCU in the WisBlock Core module offers the I2C, UART, and SPI data buses to the sensor modules. Through
these buses, the MCU can control and retrieve data from the sensors. In addition, the IO module connects to the
USB, GPIO, and ADC buses allowing you to access all of the MCU interfaces.
Some types of MCU have fewer IO pins. In such cases, not all the pins of the data bus are connected. For
example, only I2C and UART are connected. Some MCU IO pins have an alternate function. Then you can modify
its function by software or rework the hardware to redefine the function of IO. Refer to the datasheet of WisBlock
Core to get all the details.
Power Supply Diagram of RAK5005-O

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Figure 3: Power Supply Block Diagram
The RAK5005-O is designed to be powered by a battery and provides the charger circuitry for lithium batteries.
The charger circuitry can be connected to a wall outlet charger through the micro USB connector, or the specific
connector for a solar panel.
A low quiescent current LDO is used for generating 3.3 V. This 3.3 V power supply drives the consumption of the
WisBlock Core module the sensor modules, and the IO module directly. The max current supported by the 3.3 V
LDO is 750 mA.
VDD is generated by the MCU module to drive sensor and IO modules. The MCUs are usually powered by the
3.3 V, and can provide different levels of voltage: 3.3 V, 2.5 V, and 1.8 V to their IO pins through regulators in the
WisBlock Core board.
3V3_S is another 3.3 V power supply, it can be controlled by the MCU in order to disconnect the power sensors
during idle periods to save power. 3V3_S is controlled by an IO2 pin on the WisBlock Core board.
Set IO2=1, 3V3_S is on.
Set IO2=0, 3V3_S is off.
Hardware Setup
RAK5005-O WisBlock Base Board Installation Guide
RAK5005-O WisBlock Base Board is the main board that allows you to attach MCU, sensors, and IO modules
through the standardized expansion connectors. These connectors provide a data bus interconnection between
the modules attached to the RAK5005-O Base Board.
This guide shows the details related to the installation of modules into the RAK5005-O board. The following
section discusses the general concepts to manipulate the WisConnector in any WisBlock. The installation and
removal details of each type of WisBlock module: Core, Sensor, and IO are explained.
Attaching a WisConnector
The WisConnector is the interface between the RAK5005-O module and the WisBlock Core, Sensor, and IO
modules. Before connecting these modules, read the following instructions.

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📝 NOTE:
This guide uses two arrows. Refer to Figure 4 for its representation.
Figure 4: Notation within the guide
1. Align the connectors. Keep the header parallel and place it lightly in the corresponding lap joint of the socket.
Figure 5: Alignment of WisConnector
2. Fit the connector. Tilt one end of the connector (header) less than 20 degrees, while do not apply force during
this process, gently place the other end in parallel.
Figure 6: Fit the WisConnector’s header inside of the socket
3. After the above alignment steps, the header and socket are matched, but still not buckled.
Figure 7: WisConnector’s header matched inside of the socket
4. Apply forces evenly by pressing in parallel, then there will be a sound confirming the completion of the buckling.

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Figure 8: Apply forces to buckle the heard to the socket
5. In the process of buckling and applying force, avoid the application of uneven force on both sides.
Figure 9: Avoid applying uneven forces
6. When the buckling process is completed, check that the header and socket are kept in parallel.
Figure 10: Correct way to buckle the WisConnector’s header to the socket
7. If after buckling, the header and socket are not in a parallel state (not fully assembled in one place), then press
the even force on both sides of the long side to complete the correct buckling.
Figure 11: WisConnector’s header is not parallel to the socket
8. When the aforementioned steps are not completed yet, do not apply force to buckle. Otherwise, there will be a
risk to damage the connector. When the connector cannot be smoothly buckled down, repeat the alignment
step.
Detaching a WisConnector
1. To disconnect the header from the socket, pull-out in parallel with even forces.

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Figure 12: Correct way: Applying even forces to detach the header from the socket
2. Avoid pulling out the header asymmetrically in the long-side direction.
Figure 13: Wrong way: Applying uneven forces to detach the header from the socket
3. The short-side of the connector can be pulled out asymmetrically, but apply the force vertically and avoid
rotating the header.
Figure 14: Wrong way: Do not rotate the header
4. Avoid applying forces in a single corner.
Figure 15: Wrong way: Do not apply force in a single corner of the header
Assembling a WisBlock Module
WisBlock Core
A WisBlock Core module is designed to be installed on the CPU slot of the RAK5005-O Base Board. As shown in
Figure 16, the location is properly marked by silkscreen. Follow carefully the procedure defined in attaching a
WisConnector section in order to attach a Core module.
Once attached, fix the module with one or more pieces of M1.2 x 3 mm screws depending on the WisBlock Core.

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Figure 16: WisBlock Core silkscreen on the RAK5005-O Base Board
WisBlock Sensor
📝 NOTE:
The RAK1910 GPS module must be installed only on the front side of the RAK5005-O Base Board. The
RAK1910 is a full-length module that uses the space of two WisBlock IO modules.
A WisBlock Sensor module is designed to be installed on the Sensor slot of the RAK5005-O Base Board. There
are four (4) available sensor slots in the RAK5005-O Base Board, two (2) on each side of the Base Board. As
shown in Figure 17, the location of the slots is properly marked by silkscreen.
Follow carefully the procedure of the section ,attaching a WisConnector, to attach a WisBlock Sensor module.
Once attached, fix the module with an M1.2 x 3 mm screw.
Figure 17: WisBlock Sensor silkscreens on the RAK5005-O Base Board
WisBlock IO

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A WisBlock IO module is designed to be installed on the IO slot of the RAK5005-O Base Board. There is a single
IO slot in the RAK5005-O Base Board. As shown in Figure 18, the location is properly marked by silkscreen.
Follow carefully the procedure of the section, attaching a WisConnector, to attach a WisBlock Sensor module.
Once attached, fix the module with three pieces of M1.2 x 3mm screws.
Figure 18: WisBlock IO silkscreen on the RAK5005-O Base Board
Disassembling a WisBlock Module
1. The procedure to disassemble any type of WisBlock modules is the same. As shown in Figure 19, first, remove
the screws.
Figure 19: Removing screws from the WisBlock module
2. Once the screws are removed, on the PCB of a WisBlock module, there is a silkscreen that shows the correct
location where force can be applied. By applying even force under the marked area, the module can be
detached from the Base Board. See Figure 20 and Figure 21.
Figure 20: Detaching silkscreen on the WisBlock module

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Figure 21: Applying even forces on the proper location of a WisBlock module to detach the module from the Base Board
Battery Connection
RAK5005-O can be powered via the USB cable or Li-Ion/LiPo battery via the dedicated connectors, as shown in
Figure 22. The matching connector for the battery wires is an JST PHR-2 2 mm pitch female .
Figure 22: Battery Connection
The battery can be recharged as well via a small Solar Panel, as shown in Figure 22. The matching connector for
the solar panel wires is an JST ZHR-2 1.5 mm pitch female . The GND pin of Battery Connector is located on
edge of the board.
⚠ WARNING
Only 3.7-4.2 V Rechargeable LiPo batteries are supported. Do not use other types of batteries with the
system.
Make sure the battery wires are matching the polarity on the RAK5005-O board. Not all batteries have
the same wiring.
Solar Panel Connection

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Figure 23: Solar Panel Connection
⚠ WARNING
Only 5 V solar panels are supported. Do not use 12 V solar panels. It will destroy the charging unit and
eventually other electronic parts.
The GND pin of the Solar Panel Connector is located on edge of the board. Make sure the Solar Panel
wires are matching the polarity on the RAK5005-O board.
The full specification of the Solar Panel Connection can be found on the datasheet of the WisBlock Base.
Software Setup
The WisBlock Core is designed to be interfaced with other WisBlock Modules like sensors, displays, and other
interfaces. To make useful devices, you need to upload a source code to the WisBlock Core. Before you continue,
you should have either an Arduino BSP or PlatformIO already setup.
WisBlock Examples Repository
To quickly build your IoT device with less hassle, example codes for WisBlock Core are provided.
You can access the codes on the WisBlock Example code repository . The example codes on folder common
are compatible with RAK4631 and RAK11200 WisBlock cores.
Last Updated: 11/15/2021, 11:46:55 AM