RAK WisBlock Devices

RAK3172/RAK3372

RAK3172/RAK3372 - STM32WLE5

info

This core module does not include BLE or Wi-Fi.

• MCU:
  • STM32WLE5CCU6
    • Arm Cortex-M4, 256 kB flash, 64 kB RAM
• LoRa Transceiver:
  • STM32WL integrated sub-GHz radio (Semtech SX126x-based)
• Frequency Options:
  • 433 MHz
  • 470 MHz
  • 868 MHz
  • 915 MHz
  • 923 MHz
• Connectors:
  • U.FL/IPEX (MHF1) antenna connector for LoRa
  • On -SM-NI modules the connector is replaced by an RF solder pad

The RAK3172 is a castellated SMD module for embedding an STM32WL node into a product. The RAK3372 is the same module on a WisBlock Core form factor, and requires a base board.

Ordering information

RAK3172 part numbers follow the pattern RAK3172[-T | -TE | -F]-<band>-SM-<I | NI>.

Field	Value	Meaning
Oscillator	(none)	32 MHz crystal only
	-T	±2.5 ppm TCXO, wider temperature range
	-TE	±0.5 ppm TCXO
	-F	TCXO plus 512 kB external SPI flash
Band	-8	EU868, RU864, IN865
	-9	US915, AU915, KR920, AS923
	-43	EU433
	-47	CN470
Antenna	-SM-I	U.FL/IPEX (MHF1) connector
	-SM-NI	RF solder pad only

Representative orderable variants:

Part number	Band	Oscillator	Antenna
RAK3172-8-SM-I	EU868	Crystal	IPEX
RAK3172-9-SM-I	US915	Crystal	IPEX
RAK3172-T-8-SM-I	EU868	±2.5 ppm TCXO	IPEX
RAK3172-T-9-SM-NI	US915	±2.5 ppm TCXO	Solder pad
RAK3172-TE-8-SM-I	EU868	±0.5 ppm TCXO	IPEX
RAK3172-43-SM-I	EU433	Crystal	IPEX

Meshtastic builds with TCXO_OPTIONAL, so both TCXO (-T/-TE/-F) and crystal-only modules work. Whether a module ships with RAK's RUI3 firmware or bare LoRaWAN firmware does not matter once Meshtastic is flashed.

Flashing

• Flashing over SWD
• Flashing over UART

Resources

• Firmware file: firmware-rak3172-X.X.X.xxxxxxx.bin (the RAK3372 uses the same rak3172 firmware)
• Further information on the RAK3172 can be found on the RAK Documentation Center.
• Purchase Links:
  • International
    • RAKwireless Store

RAK11200

RAK11200 - ESP32

info

This core module does not contain a LoRa transceiver, which needs to be added separately in the form of the RAK13300 LPWAN module. This occupies the IO Port of the base board.

• RAK11200
  • MCU:
    • ESP32-WROVER
      • Bluetooth 4.2
      • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
      • High power consumption (relative to nRF52)

Flashing the RAK11200

To flash the RAK11200, you need to manually place it into Espressif’s firmware download mode. Unlike other ESP32 boards, the RAK11200 does not support automatic boot mode selection. You must force it into download mode before flashing Meshtastic.

warning

Do not proceed unless an antenna is connected to avoid possible damage to the device's radio.

The following process will manually place the device into Espressif Firmware Download mode:

1. Ensure the device is powered on and connected via USB.
2. Locate the BOOT pin on the J10 header of the WisBlock Base Board (RAK19007 / RAK5005-O).
3. Connect BOOT to GND (the GND pin is adjacent to BOOT on the J10 header).
   Diagram

   
4. Briefly tap the reset button.

Once the device is in Espressif Firmware Download mode, you can proceed with flashing using one of the supported flashing methods. It’s generally recommended to use the Web Flasher, selecting the appropriate RAK11200 firmware.

note

If the device does not enter download mode, double-check the BOOT to GND connection before attempting again.

Resources

• Firmware file: firmware-rak11200-X.X.X.xxxxxxx.bin
• Further information on the RAK11200 can be found on the RAK Documentation Center.