Differences

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--- vedirect_lorawan [2020-05-28 08:31] – mvader
+++ vedirect_lorawan [2020-09-29 09:56] – [FAQ] mvader
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 **warning: LoRaWAN Coverage**
-The LoRaWAN network is not a commercial network. Public gateways are maintained by the community and coverage can not be guaranteed.
+The "The Things Network" LoRaWAN network is not a commercial network. Public gateways are maintained by the community and coverage can not be guaranteed.
 The VE.Direct LoRaWAN (Long Range wide area network) module is essentially a radio transmitter which broadcasts data (in this instance information about the status of your Victron installation) to a nearby Internet of Things (IoT) gateway. The gateway should be within about 2km of your location if you live in a town, but could be as far away as 15km if you live in a rural location. This device uses infrastructure provided by 'The Things Network'. Their network of gateways is constantly expanding and you can check coverage in your area here: https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/map.
 **tip: Add your own gateway**
-You can even expand the IoT infrastructure to your area by establishing a new gateway. The hardware cost would be a few hundred Euro's, and you would need a power supply and an internet connection.
+You can even expand the TTN IoT infrastructure to your area by establishing a new gateway. The hardware cost would be a few hundred Euro's, and you would need a power supply and an internet connection.
 ==== Recommended LoRaWAN gateways ====
@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
   - Mount the LoRaWAN Module close to the device you wish to monitor
   - Connect the VE.Direct cable between devices
-  - Connect the DC Power (8V - 68V)
+  - Connect the DC Power (8V - 68V, looking to the module with green connector below of the module, the positive is on the left)
   - After a short wait the LED will blink green indicating that all is OK
   - Go to the VRM Portal to add your installation
@@ Line 197: / Line 197: @@
 It is not possible to connect a VE.Direct devices with a single communications port (eg MPPT or BMV) to a GX device and the LoRaWan dongle at the same time.
+**Q13 Can the unit be used with another network than TTN?**
+Quite regularly we get requests to be able to use another network, ie. another one than TTN. Because TTN is not popular in a certain area, or because there already is another strong network, like TTI (The Things Industries), and so forth. Unfortunately that is not possible. To support another network, two things need doing:
+  - Change the parameters in the VE.Direct LoRaWAN module - which is currently not possible as there is no user interface nor communications port and or protocol to change its settings.
+  - Connect our VRM back-end to the other network. For which there is no standard API, and therefore requires Victron development resources.
+The -unfortunate- conclusion is that the VE.Direct LoRaWAN module can only be used with the TTN network, and that we cannot help with with or support other networks. End of 2020 we'll launch another product, which uses the cellular LTE-M networks, and is a good alternative.