RAK WisBlock RAK19011 User manual

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RAK19011 Quick Start Guide
This guide introduces the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot and how to use it.
Prerequisite
What Do You Need?
Before going through each and every step on using the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot,
make sure to prepare the necessary items listed below:
Hardware
Your choice of WisBlock Base Power Module
RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot
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.
Software
Based on the choice of the WisBlock Core, select a Development Environment:
Programming via Arduino IDE
RAKwireless BSP support for Arduino
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:
RAKwireless WisBlock modules in PlatformIO
Product Configuration
Overview
To give you a better understanding of how the WisBlock Base works, the block diagram RAK19011 is provided in
this section.
Block Diagram
The block diagram shown in Figure 1 shows the internal architecture and external interfaces of the RAK19011
board.

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Figure 1: RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot block diagram
The MCU in the WisBlock Core module offers the I2C, UART, and SPI data buses to the sensor and IO modules.
Through these buses, the MCU can control and retrieve data from the sensors. The RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO
Base Board with Power Slot board connects all these modules.
Hardware Setup
RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot
Installation Guide
RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot is the main board that allows you to attach MCU, Power
modules, sensors, and IO modules through the standardized expansion connectors. These connectors provide a
data bus interconnection between the modules attached to the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with
Power Slot.
This guide shows the details related to the installation of modules into the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base
Board with Power Slot.
Attaching a WisConnector
The WisConnector is the interface between the RAK19011 module and the WisBlock Core, Wisblock Power,
Sensor, and IO modules. Before connecting these modules, read the following instructions:
📝 NOTE:
This guide uses two arrows. Refer to Figure 2 for its representation.
Figure 2: Notation within the guide
1. Align the connectors. Keep the header parallel and place it lightly in the corresponding lap joint of the socket.

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Figure 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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.
Figure 6: 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.

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Figure 7: Avoid applying uneven forces
6. When the buckling process is completed, check that the header and socket are kept in parallel.
Figure 8: Correct way to buckle the WisConnector’s header to the socket
7. After buckling, if the header and socket are not in a parallel state (not fully assembled in one place), press with
even force on both sides of the long side to complete the correct buckling.
Figure 9: 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.
Figure 10: Correct way: Applying even forces to detach the header from the socket
2. Avoid pulling out the header asymmetrically in the long-side direction.

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Figure 11: 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 12: Wrong way: Do not rotate the header
4. Avoid applying forces in a single corner.
Figure 13: 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 RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base
Board with Power Slot. As shown in Figure 14, 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 14: WisBlock Core silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
WisBlock Power
A WisBlock Power module is designed to be installed on the Power slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base
Board with a Power Slot. As shown in Figure 15, 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.
Figure 15: WisBlock Power silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
WisBlock Sensor
A WisBlock Sensor module is designed to be installed on the sensor slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base
Board with Power Slot. There are six (6) available sensor slots in the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board
with Power Slot. As shown in Figure 16, 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.

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Figure 16: WisBlock Sensor silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
WisBlock IO
A WisBlock IO module is designed to be installed on the IO slot of the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board
with Power Slot. There are two (2) IO slots in the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot. As
shown in Figure 17, the location is properly marked by silkscreen. Follow carefully the procedure of the section,
attaching a WisConnector, to attach a WisBlock IO module. Once attached, fix the module with three pieces of
M1.2 x 3 mm screws.
Figure 17: WisBlock IO silkscreen on the RAK19011 Base Board
Disassembling a WisBlock Module
1. The procedure to disassemble any type of WisBlock module is the same. As shown in Figure 18, first, remove
the screws.
Figure 18: 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

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detached from the Base Board. See Figure 19 and Figure 20.
Figure 19: Detaching silkscreen on the WisBlock module
Figure 20: Applying even forces on the proper location of a WisBlock module to detach the module from the Base Board
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 already set up either an Arduino BSP or PlatformIO .
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, RAK11200, and RAK11310 WisBlock cores.
Last Updated: 7/29/2022, 10:17:19 PM

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RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot
Datasheet
WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot Overview
RAK19011 is a WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot board that connects WisBlock Core, Wisblock Power, and WisBlock
Modules. It has one slot reserved for the WisBlock Core module, one slot for the Wisblock Power module, two IO slots, and six sensor slots A to F
for WisBlock Modules. Also, there are two 2.54 mm pitch headers that expose all key input-output pins of the WisBlock Core including UART, I2C,
SPI, and many IO Pins.
WisBlock Modules are connected to the RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot via high-speed board-to-board connectors.
They provide secure and reliable interconnection to ensure the signal integrity of each data bus. A set of screws are used for fixing the modules,
which makes it reliable even in an environment with lots of vibrations. Additionally, it has a user-defined button.
If you can't find a module that fits your IoT requirements, use the standard connectors of WisBlock to develop your specific function module.
WisBlock supports open-source hardware architecture and you can find tutorials showing how to create your own Awesome WisBlock module.
Main Features
Flexible building block design, which enables modular functionality and expansion
High-speed interconnection connectors in the WisBlock Base board to ensure signal integrity
Multiple headers and modules slots for WisBlock modules
One (1) Core slot
One (1) Power slot
Two (2) IO slots
Six (6) sensor (A to F) slots
All key input-output pins of WisBlock Core are exposed via headers
Access to various communication bus via headers: I2C, SPI, UART, and USB
One user-defined push button switch
Size
60 x 67 mm
Specifications
Overview
Board Overview
Figure 1: RAK19011 WisBlock Base top (left) and bottom (right) view
Block Diagram
The block diagram in Figure 2 shows the internal architecture and external interfaces of the RAK19011 board.

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Figure 2: RAK19011 WisBlock Base block diagram
Hardware
The hardware specification is categorized into six parts. It discusses the interfacing, pinouts, and their corresponding functions and diagrams. It
also covers the electrical, mechanical, and environmental parameters that include the tabular data of the functionalities and standard values of the
RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot.
Interfaces
RAK19011 WisBlock Dual IO Base Board with Power Slot provides the following interfaces, headers, a button, and WisConnectors:
1 WisBlock Core module
1 WisBlock Power module
2 IO slots for WisBlock modules
6 Sensor slots A-F for WisBlock modules
2 Headers for complete access to BOOT, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and IO pins
1 User-defined button
Figure 3: RAK19011 part label
J19 and J20 Headers (Core IO Pins)
On the WisBlock Dual IO Base board with power slot, there are a total of 40 2.54 mm pitch headers for IO access and extension. These IO pins
are distributed to J10 and J15 pin headers with the corresponding label at the back of the board. The arrangement of the pins is based on the 40-
pin WisConnector of the WisBlock Core.

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📝 NOTE
BOOT pin is used on startup configuration or sequence of the WisBlock Core connected to it. It is commonly used for uploading the
bootloader and/or application firmware. The requirements of the state of the BOOT pin depend on the specific model of the WisBlock Core
used.
Figure 4: J19 and J20 pin header label in top side
J21 and J18 Headers (I2C and UART)
A dedicated header is available as well to have access to commonly used serial interfaces I2C and UART.
Figure 5: J21 and J18 (I2C and UART) pin header label in bottom side
User Programmable Push Button
The User Programmed Push Button shown in Figure 3 is connected to the SW1 pin of the WisBlock Core.
Pin Definition
Connector for WisBlock Core
The WisCore module connector is a 40-pin board-to-board connector. It is a high-speed and high-density connector, with an easy attaching
mechanism.
Figure 6: WisBlock Core module 40-pin connector
The table below shows the pinout of the 40-pin MCU module connector:
Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base
1 VBAT 2 VBAT
3 GND 4 GND
5 3V3 6 3V3

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Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base
As for the following table, it shows the definition of each pin of the WisBlock Core connector:
Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
7 USB+ 8 USB–
9 VBUS 10 SW1
11 TXD0 12 RXD0
13 RESET 14 LED1
15 LED2 16 IO8
17 VDD 18 VDD
19 I2C1_SDA 20 I2C1_SCL
21 AIN0 22 AIN1
23 BOOT0 24 IO7
25 SPI_CS 26 SPI_CLK
27 SPI_MISO 28 SPI_MOSI
29 IO1 30 IO2
31 IO3 32 IO4
33 TXD1 34 RXD1
35 I2C2_SDA 36 I2C2_SCL
37 IO5 38 IO6
39 GND 40 GND
1 VBAT S Power supply from battery
2 VBAT S Power supply from battery
3 GND S Ground
4 GND S Ground
5 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
6 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
7 USB+ I/O USB D+
8 USB– I/O USB D–

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Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
9 VBUS S USB VBUS
10 SW1 I/O Switch signal for customer's control
11 TXD0 I/O MCU UART0 TX signal
12 RXD0 I/O MCU UART0 RX signal
13 RESET I Connected to the reset switch, for MCU reset
14 LED1 I/O LED for battery charging indication
15 LED2 I/O LED for custom usage
16 LED3 I/O LED for custom usage
17 VDD S Generated by MCU module for power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
18 VDD S Generated by MCU module for power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
19 I2C1_SDA I/O The first set of I2C data signal
20 I2C1_SCL I/O The first set of I2C clock signals
21 ADC_VBAT A Analog input for ADC (Connected to a battery)
22 AIN1 A Analog input for ADC
23 BOOT0 I For ST MCU only. The MCU will enter boot mode if this pin is connected to VDD.
24 IO7 I/O Not connected
25 SPI_CS I/O SPI chip select signal
26 SPI_CLK I/O SPI clock signal
27 SPI_MISO I/O SPI MISO signal
28 SPI_MOSI I/O SPI MOSI signal
29 IO1 I/O General purpose IO
30 IO2 I/O Used for 3V3_S enable
31 IO3 I/O General purpose IO
32 IO4 I/O General purpose IO
33 TXD1 I/O MCU UART1 RX signal
34 RXD1 I/O MCU UART1 RX signal
35 I2C2_SDA I/O The second set of I2C data signal
36 I2C2_SCL I/O The second set of I2C clock signal

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Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
Connector for WisBlock Power Module
The WisPower module connector is a 40-pin board-to-board connector. It is a high-speed and high-density connector, with an easy attaching
mechanism.
Figure 7: WisBlock Core module 40-pin connector
The table below shows the pinout of the 40-pin Power module connector:
Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base
37 IO5 I/O General purpose IO
38 IO6 I/O General purpose IO
39 GND S Ground
40 GND S Ground
1 VBAT 2 VBAT
3 GND 4 GND
5 3V3 6 3V3
7 USB+ 8 USB–
9 VBUS 10 VBUS
11 NC 12 NC
13 RESET 14 LED1
15 LED2 16 NC
17 3V3 18 3V3
19 I2C1_SDA 20 I2C1_SCL
21 AIN0 22 AIN1
23 NC 24 NC
25 SPI_CS 26 SPI_CLK
27 SPI_MISO 28 SPI_MOSI
29 NC 30 NC

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Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base Pin Number Function Name of WisBlock Base
As for the following table, it shows the definition of each pin of the WisBlock Power slot connector:
Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
31 NC 32 NC
33 NC 34 NC
35 I2C2_SDA 36 I2C2_SCL
37 IO5 38 IO6
39 GND 40 GND
1 VBAT S Power supply from battery
2 VBAT S Power supply from battery
3 GND S Ground
4 GND S Ground
5 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
6 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
7 USB+ I/O USB D+
8 USB– I/O USB D–
9 VBUS S USB VBUS
10 VBUS I/O USB VBUS
11 NC NC Not connected
12 NC NC Not connected
13 RESET I Connected to the reset switch, for MCU reset
14 LED1 I/O LED for battery charging indication
15 LED2 I/O LED for custom usage
16 NC NC Not connected
17 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
18 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
19 I2C1_SDA I/O The first set of I2C data signal
20 I2C1_SCL I/O The first set of I2C clock signal

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Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
Connectors for WisBlock Sensor
The WisBlock sensor module connector is a 24-pin board-to-board connector.
⚠ WARNING
The WisBlock 24-pin connectors have the same connections for 3V3_S, GND, I2C, and SPI. However, UART and IO pins are not the
same for all slots.
21 AIN0 A Analog input for ADC
22 AIN1 A Analog input for ADC
23 NC NC Not connected
24 NC NC Not connected
25 SPI_CS I/O SPI chip select signal
26 SPI_CLK I/O SPI clock signal
27 SPI_MISO I/O SPI MISO signal
28 SPI_MOSI I/O SPI MOSI signal
29 NC NC Not connected
30 NC NC Not connected
31 NC NC Not connected
32 NC NC Not connected
33 NC NC Not connected
34 NC NC Not connected
35 I2C2_SDA I/O The second set of I2C data signal
36 I2C2_SCL I/O The second set of I2C clock signal
37 IO5 I/O General purpose IO
38 IO6 I/O General purpose IO
39 GND S Ground
40 GND S Ground

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Figure 8: WisBlock 24-pin module connector
Pinout definition for standard size slot (A-D):
DCBAPin
Number
Pin
Number ABCD
Pinout definition for double-size sensor slot (E and F):
Connector F Connector E Pin Number Pin Number Connector E Connector F
NC NC NC TXD0 1 2 GND GND GND GND
SPI_CS SPI_CS SPI_CS SPI_CS 3 4 SPI_CLK SPI_CLK SPI_CLK SPI_CLK
SPI_MISO SPI_MISO SPI_MISO SPI_MISO 5 6 SPI_MOSI SPI_MOSI SPI_MOSI SPI_MOSI
I2C1_SCL I2C1_SCL I2C1_SCL I2C1_SCL 7 8 I2C1_SDA I2C1_SDA I2C1_SDA I2C1_SDA
VDD VDD VDD VDD 9 10 IO2 IO1 IO4 IO6
3V3_S 3V3_S 3V3_S 3V3_S 11 12 IO1 IO2 IO3 IO5
NC NC NC NC 13 14 3V3_S 3V3_S 3V3_S 3V3_S
NC NC NC NC 15 16 VDD VDD VDD VDD
NC NC NC NC 17 18 NC NC NC NC
NC NC NC NC 19 20 NC NC NC NC
NC NC NC NC 21 22 NC NC NC NC
GND GND GND GND 23 24 RXD0 NC NC NC
TXD1 TXD0 1 2 GND GND
SPI_CS SPI_CS 3 4 SPI_CLK SPI_CLK
SPI_MISO SPI_MISO 5 6 SPI_MOSI SPI_MOSI
I2C1_SCL I2C1_SCL 7 8 I2C1_SDA I2C1_SDA
VDD VDD 9 10 IO3 IO5
3V3_S 3V3_S 11 12 IO4 IO6
NC NC 13 14 3V3_S 3V3_S
NC NC 15 16 VDD VDD

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Connector F Connector E Pin Number Pin Number Connector E Connector F
As for the following table, it shows the pin name and description of each pin in the 24-pin WisBlock module connector.
Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
NC NC 17 18 NC NC
NC NC 19 20 NC NC
NC NC 21 22 NC NC
GND GND 23 24 RXD0 RXD1
1 TXD1 I/O UART TX signal
2 GND S Ground
3 SPI_CS I/O SPI chip select signal
4 SPI_CLK I/O SPI clock signal
5 SPI_MISO I/O SPI MISO signal
6 SPI_MOSI I/O SPI MOSI signal
7 I2C1_SCL I/O I2C clock signal
8 I2C1_SDA I/O I2C data signal
9 VDD S Generated by CPU module. Used to power sensor board if MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
10 IOx I/O General purpose IO pin. When 3V3_S is used, this pin cannot be used as an interrupt input.
11 3V3_S S 3.3 V power supply. This power pin is controlled by IO2 from the WisBlock Core module.
12 IOx I/O General purpose IO pin. When 3V3_S is used, this pin cannot be used as an interrupt input.
13 NC NC Not connected
14 3V3_S S 3.3 V power supply. This power pin is controlled by IO2 from the WisBlock Core module.
15 NC NC Not connected
16 VDD S Generated by CPU module. Used to power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V.
17 NC NC Not connected
18 NC NC Not connected
19 NC NC Not connected
20 NC NC Not connected
21 NC NC Not connected

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Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
Connector for WisBlock IO Slot
The WisBlock Module IO Slot connector, as shown in Figure 9, is a 40-pin board-to-board connector.
📝 NOTE
The two WisBlock 40-pin connectors have the same connections for all IO, signal, and serial pins (UART, SPI, I2C).
Figure 9: WisBlock IO slot connector
Pinout definition for IO slot:
Connector B Connector A Pin Number Pin Number Connector A Connector B
22 NC NC Not connected
23 GND S Ground
24 RXD1 I/O UART RX signal
VBAT VBAT 1 2 VBAT VBAT
GND GND 3 4 GND GND
3V3 3V3 5 6 3V3_S 3V3_S
USB+ USB+ 7 8 USB– USB–
VBUS VBUS 9 10 SW1 SW1
TXD0 TXD0 11 12 RXD0 RXD0
RESET RESET 13 14 LED1 LED1
LED2 LED2 15 16 LED3 LED3
VDD VDD 17 18 VDD VDD
I2C1_SDA I2C1_SDA 19 20 I2C1_SCL I2C1_SCL
AIN0 AIN0 21 22 AIN1 AIN1
NC NC 23 24 NC NC
SPI_CS SPI_CS 25 26 SPI_CLK SPI_CLK
SPI_MISO SPI_MISO 27 28 SPI_MOSI SPI_MOSI
IO1 IO1 29 30 IO2 IO2

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Connector B Connector A Pin Number Pin Number Connector A Connector B
As for the following table, it shows the pin name and description of the WisBlock IO module connector.
Pin Number Pin Name Type Description
IO3 IO3 31 32 IO4 IO4
TXD1 TXD1 33 34 RXD1 RXD1
I2C2_SDA I2C2_SDA 35 36 I2C2_SCL I2C2_SCL
IO5 IO5 37 38 IO6 IO6
GND GND 39 40 GND GND
1 VBAT S Power supply from battery
2 VBAT S Power supply from battery
3 GND S Ground
4 GND S Ground
5 3V3 S 3.3 V power supply
6 3V3_S S 3.3 V power supply. Can be shut down by a CPU module.
7 USB+ I/O USB D+
8 USB– I/O USB D–
9 VBUS S 5 V input for USB
10 SW1 I/O Switch signal for custom used
11 TXD0 I/O MCU UART0 TX signal
12 RXD0 I/O MCU UART0 RX signal
13 RESET I Connected to the reset switch, for MCU reset
14 LED1 I/O LED for battery charge indicator
15 LED2 I/O LED for custom used
16 LED3 I/O LED for custom used
17 VDD S Generated by CPU module - Used for power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V
18 VDD S Generated by CPU module - Used for power sensor board if the MCU IO level is not 3.3 V.
19 I2C1_SDA I/O The first set of I2C data signal
20 I2C1_SCL I/O The first set of I2C clock signals