Heltec LoRa32 V4 Development Board User Manual

1. Introducció i finalview

The Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4 is an advanced development board designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, offering robust wireless communication capabilities. This version is a comprehensive upgrade from its predecessors, incorporating an ESP32-S3R2 microcontroller, an SX1262 LoRa chip, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and a 0.96-inch OLED display. It features enhanced transmit power, optimized power management, and improved expandability, making it suitable for a wide range of projects including smart cities, agricultural monitoring, smart homes, industrial control, security systems, and wireless meter reading.

The board is designed to provide developers with a more efficient and flexible development experience for creating mesh network solutions.

2. Què hi ha a la caixa

The Heltec LoRa32 V4 package typically includes the following components:

• Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4 Development Board
• Lithium Battery (3000mAh, 3.7V)
• 3D Printed Shell (Black and Green parts)
• Antena LoRa
• Capçaleres de pins
• Cargols per al muntatge
• Petit tornavís
• Cables de connexió

3. Muntatge i muntatge

Follow these steps to assemble your Heltec LoRa32 V4 development board with its protective shell and connect the necessary components:

1. Connecteu l'antena: Carefully connect the LoRa antenna cable to the IPEX connector on the development board.
2. Connecteu la bateria: Plug the lithium battery connector into the designated battery port (SH1.25*2 Pin) on the board.
3. Insert Board into Shell: Place the development board into the bottom part of the 3D printed shell, ensuring it sits securely.
4. Secure the Board: Use the provided screws and screwdriver to fasten the development board to the shell.
5. Position the Battery: Place the lithium battery into the top part of the 3D printed shell.
6. Close the Shell: Carefully align and close the two halves of the shell around the board and battery.
7. Connecteu l'antena externa: Screw the external LoRa antenna onto the connector protruding from the assembled shell.
8. Finalització del muntatge: Use the remaining screws to secure the two shell halves together.

3.1. Connecting to Meshtastic App

The Heltec LoRa32 V4 is compatible with the Meshtastic application for mesh networking. To connect and configure your device:

1. Choose a Device: Select your Heltec LoRa32 V4 from the available device options within the Meshtastic app.
2. Flash and Configure: Flash your device with the latest version of Meshtastic firmware and configure it according to your needs. You can find the flasher tool at https://flasher.meshtastic.org/.
3. Connect and Communicate: Connect your device via any of the Meshtastic clients to start sending and receiving messages over the mesh network.

4. Instruccions de funcionament

The Heltec LoRa32 V4 is designed for various IoT applications. Once assembled and programmed, its operation will depend on the specific firmware loaded. Common applications include:

• Agricultura intel·ligent: Monitoring environmental conditions, controlling irrigation systems.
• Remote Meter Reading: Collecting data from utility meters wirelessly.
• Wireless Alarm Systems: Detecting intrusions or environmental hazards.
• Sensors ambientals: Deploying sensors for air quality, temperature, humidity, etc.

4.1. Botons i indicadors

The board features several buttons and LEDs for interaction and status indication:

• Botó PRG: Program button, often used for entering BootLoader mode.
• Botó RST: Reset button, used to restart the device.
• Button USER: Un botó programable per l'usuari.
• LED blanc: General purpose LED, often programmable.
• LED taronja: Charging indicator LED.

5. Característiques

• Based on ESP32-S3R2 & SX-1262, supports Wi-Fi b/g/n, BLE, and LoRa communication.
• Equipped with 2MB PSRAM and 16MB external Flash, enhancing suitability for UI and complex system designs.
• High-power version with LoRa transmission power increased to 28 ±1dBm.
• Maintains form factor and pin compatibility with WiFi LoRa 32 V3 for easy migration.
• Features a PC casing that protects the screen and integrates an FPC 2.4G antenna.
• Includes an SH1.25-2P solar panel interface for solar power integration.
• Optimized lithium battery management for efficient power usage.
• Added SH1.25-8Pin GNSS interface for GPS capabilities.
• USB Type-C interface with integrated voltage regulation, ESD protection, short-circuit protection, and RF isolation design.
• Achieves low power consumption, less than 20μA in deep sleep mode.

6. Especificacions

7. Consells d'usuari

• Connector de bateria: The battery socket type is SH1.25 x 2. Ensure you use compatible batteries and connectors.
• V3 and V4 Compatibility: While V3 and V4 boards are largely compatible in terms of pin layout and OLED, the increased transmit power in V4 may require adjustments to transmit power settings in existing code.
• 2.4GHz Antenna Configuration: The default 2.4G FPC antenna is integrated into the plastic screen bracket. If you intend to use an external IPEX-connected 2.4G antenna, you must modify the board by removing the inductor marked '①' and adding a 0-ohm resistor (or other conductive material) at position '②' to connect to the IPEX interface. Refer to the troubleshooting section for a diagram.

8. Solució De Problemes

8.1. Failed to Upload Code

If you encounter issues uploading code to your Heltec LoRa32 V4 board, try the following steps:

1. Comproveu el cable USB: Try using a different USB cable. A faulty or charge-only cable can prevent data transfer.
2. Enter BootLoader Mode: The board needs to be in BootLoader mode for code upload. There are two methods to achieve this:
• Manteniu premuda la PRG button, then connect the USB-C cable. Release the PRG button after connecting.
• Connect the USB-C cable, then hold down the PRG button. While holding PRG, premeu RST button once, then release the PRG botó.

9. Disseny de pins

Understanding the pin layout is crucial for connecting peripherals and custom circuits. The Heltec LoRa32 V4 provides extensive hardware expansion interfaces.

10. Resources and Documentation

For more detailed information, libraries, and schematic diagrams, please refer to the official Heltec resources. You can access these by scanning the QR codes provided in the product documentation or visiting the Heltec weblloc.

• Manual d'usuari
• Heltec ESP (ESP32 & ESPs 266) framework
• Heltec library
• Diagrama esquemàtic
• Downloadable resources

11. Garantia i Suport

For warranty information, technical support, or further inquiries, please contact the manufacturer or your point of purchase. Ensure you retain your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.