RAK WisBlock RAK19012 User manual

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RAK19012 Quick Start Guide
Prerequisite
What Do You Need?
Before going through each and every step on using the RAK19012 WisBlock USB LiPo Solar Power Slot Module,
make sure to prepare the necessary items listed below:
Hardware
RAK19012 WisBlock USB LiPo Solar Power Slot Module
Your choice of WisBlock Base board with Power Slot
Your choice of WisBlock Core
Li-Ion/LiPo battery
Solar charger
Software
Arduino
Download and install the Arduino IDE .
To add the RAKwireless Core boards to your Arduino Boards Manager, install the RAKwireless Arduino BSP .
Product Configuration
Hardware Setup
RAK19012 should be attached to the power slot connector of WisBlock Base board with power slot. It is a power
board that provides the same features and interfaces that standard WisBlock Base boards provide - USB C
connector, battery and solar panel connector, LED indicators, and reset button.
⚠ WARNING
RAK19012 only supports WisBlock Base boards with Power Slot. It is not compatible with all WisBlock
Base boards.
For more information about RAK19012, refer to the Datasheet.
RAK19012 Connection to WisBlock Base board with
Power Slot

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-
+
Figure 1: RAK19012 pinout and connector assignments
📝 NOTE
The voltage of the battery must not exceed 4.3 V.
Assembling and Disassembling of WisBlock Modules
Assembling Procedure
RAK19012 module can be mounted on the power slot of the WisBlock Base board, as shown in Figure 2. Also,
always secure the connection of the WisBlock module by using compatible screws.
Figure 2: RAK19012 mounting connection to WisBlock Base module
Disassembling Procedure
The procedure in disassembling any type of WisBlock module is the same.
1. First, remove the screws.

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Figure 3: Removing screws from the WisBlock module
2. Once the screws are removed, check the silkscreen of the module to find the correct location where force can
be applied.
Figure 4: Detaching silkscreen on the WisBlock module
3. Apply force to the module at the position of the connector, as shown in Figure 5, to detach the module from the
baseboard.
Figure 5: Applying even forces on the proper location of a WisBlock module
📝 NOTE
If you will connect other modules to the remaining WisBlock Base slots, check on the WisBlock Pin
Mapper tool for possible conflicts.
Battery and Solar Panel Connector

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M1 M4
M2 M3
+
-
-
+
Figure 6: Battery and solar panel connectors polarity
Rechargeable Battery
RAK19012 can be powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion/LiPo battery via the dedicated connectors, as shown in
Figure 6. The matching connector for the rechargeable battery wires is a JST PHR-2 2 mm pitch female . A
cable assembly for the rechargeable battery connector is also available for purchase in RAK store .
⚠ WARNING
Battery can cause harm if not handled properly.
Only 3.7-4.2 V Rechargeable LiPo batteries are supported. It is highly recommended not to use other
types of batteries with the system unless you know what you are doing.
Make sure the battery wires, both rechargeable and non-rechargeable, match the polarity on the
RAK19012 board. Not all batteries have the same wiring.
Solar Panel Connection
The battery can be recharged, as well, via a small Solar Panel, as shown in Figure 6. The matching connector for
the solar panel wires is an JST ZHR-2 1.5 mm pitch female . A cable assembly for the solar panel connector is
also available for purchase in RAK store .
⚠ 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 match the polarity on the RAK19012 board.

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Software Setup
There is no software required to use RAK19012. But to control the two user LEDs and monitor the battery voltage,
they must be attached to a WisBlock Base and WisBlock Core.
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. The two user LEDs of RAK19012 can be accessed
using macrodefinitions LED_GREEN / PIN_LED1 for the green LED and LED_BLUE / PIN_LED2 for the blue
LED. For the battery voltage reading, WB_A0 is used.
Last Updated: 7/18/2022, 6:55:21 AM

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RAK19012 WisBlock USB LiPo Solar Power Slot
Module Datasheet
Overview
Description
RAK19012 WisBlock USB LiPo Solar Power Slot Module is a power board that comprises a USB C connector,
battery connector with an onboard charger, solar panel connector, LED indicator for charge status, two user-
configurable LEDs, a reset button, and a power connector that can connect with the WisBlock Base board. This
power board allows debugging and uploading of firmware to the WisBlock Core via the USB C connector.
Features
USB C connector for Programming and Debugging of WisBlock Core
Compatible with LiPo rechargeable battery
Solar panel connector for battery charging
On-board battery charger chip
LED for charging status and user-configurable LEDs
Module size: 30 X 20 mm
Specifications
Overview
Board Overview
Figure 1: RAK19012 WisBlock Power Module top (left) and bottom (right) view
Mounting
The RAK19012 module can be mounted on the power slot of the WisBlock Base board with power slot. Figure 2
shows the mounting mechanism of the RAK19012 on a WisBlock Base module, such as the RAK19010.
⚠ WARNING
RAK19012 only supports WisBlock Base boards with power slot. It is not compatible with all WisBlock
Base boards.

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Figure 2: RAK19012 mounting mechanism on a WisBlock Base module
Hardware
The hardware specification is categorized into six parts. It discusses the interfacing, pinouts, and their
corresponding functions and diagrams of the module. It also covers the electrical, mechanical, and environmental
characteristics that include the tabular data of the functionalities and standard values of the RAK19012 WisBlock
LiPo Solar Power Slot Module.
Interfaces
RAK19012 WisBlock LiPo Solar Power Slot Module provides the following interfaces:
1 WisBlock power module
2 Pin battery interface
2 Pin solar interface
3 LEDs
1 Reset button
M1 M4
M2 M3
Figure 3: RAK19012 part labels
Battery and Solar Panel Connector
Figure 4 shows the polarity of battery and solar panel connectors.

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M1 M4
M2 M3
+
-
-
+
Figure 4: Battery and solar panel connector polarity
LEDs
Three LEDs are used to indicate the operating status. Below are the functions of the LEDs:
🔴 Red LED - Connected to the charger chip to indicate the charger status. When the battery is charging, this
red LED is on. When the battery is full, this LED is weak light or off.
 Green LED - Connected to the MCU module, controlled by MCU defined by the user.
🔵 Blue LED - Connected to the MCU module, controlled by MCU defined by the user.
RESET Push Button
The Reset Push Button, as shown in Figure 3, is connected to the MCU module. When pushed, it resets the MCU.
Pin Definition
The RAK19012 module has a 40-pin WisConnector that is compatible with the WisBlock Power Slot. The pin order
of the connector and the pinout definition is shown in Figure 5.
📝 NOTE
VBAT, 3V3, RESET, LED1, LED2, ADC_VBAT, and GND are connected to the WisIO connector.

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Figure 5: RAK19012 pinout diagram
Electrical Characteristics
Absolute Maximum Ratings
The Absolute Maximum Ratings of the device are shown in the table below. The stress ratings are the functional
operation of the device.
⚠ WARNING
1. If the stress rating goes above what is listed, it may cause permanent damage to the device.
2. Exposure to maximum rating conditions may affect the device reliability.
Battery Specification
The RAK19012 USB LiPo Solar Power Slot Module can be powered by a battery, connected to the J4 connector.
The nominal operating voltage of the battery should be within the range shown in the following table.
A suitable Li-Ion battery should have the following parameters as shown in the table below:
Ratings Maximum Value Unit
Battery voltage (VBAT) –0.3 to 4.3 V
Solar panel voltage (VIN) –0.3 to 5.5 V
IOs of WisBlock Connector –0.3 to VDD+0.3 V
Minimum Typical Maximum Unit
3.3 3.7 4.3 V

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📝 NOTE
When using a solar panel, you can't use a non-rechargeable battery.
Mechanical Characteristic
Board Dimensions
The mechanical dimensions of the RAK19012 module are shown in Figure 6 below.
Figure 6: RAK19012 mechanical dimensions
WisConnector PCB Layout
Parameter Value
Standard voltage 3.7 V
Charging voltage 4.2 V
Capacity As required
Discharge current At least 500 mA

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Figure 7: WisConnector PCB footprint and recommendations
Environmental Characteristics
The table below lists the operation and storage temperature requirements of RAK19012:
Schematic Diagram
Figure 8 shows the schematic of the RAK19012 USB LiPo Solar Power Slot Module.
Parameter Minimum Typical Maximum
Operational temperature range –35 ºC +25 ºC +75 ºC
Extended temperature range –40 ºC +25 ºC +80 ºC
Storage temperature range –40 ºC +25 ºC +80 ºC

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Figure 8: RAK19012 USB LiPo Solar Power Slot Module schematics
Last Updated: 7/18/2022, 6:55:21 AM