Why would anyone build a LoRaWAN gateway when you can buy one? Because sealed gateways lock you out of the software, and Brightix wants to fix that with LoraReach, an open source carrier board for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.
What does LoraReach actually give you?
It is a board, not a finished box. The CM4 supplies the Linux brain, and two mini-PCIe slots hold the parts that talk to the world: an SPI LoRaWAN concentrator in one, and an optional 4G modem with a SIM slot in the other. Add Gigabit Ethernet, a microSD slot, a GPS receiver with a patch antenna for timing, and a built-in supply that takes 120 to 240 VAC. The whole thing draws under 10 W and measures 146 x 118 x 50 mm.
How does the software side work?
The gateway runs standard Linux with Semtech’s packet forwarder, so it can feed The Things Network, Loriot, or ChirpStack. Because you own the OS, you can also log sensor readings locally, run diagnostics, or filter packets before they leave the building. Schematics and the bill of materials are open, which means you can read exactly how the SPI lines reach the concentrator. The tricky part for students is the parts list: the CM4, concentrator, modem, and card are sold separately, and pricing and launch dates are still unannounced.
Can you try the idea before the board ships?
Yes. A Raspberry Pi 4 plus an SX1302-based HAT already makes a working gateway, and a PHP 1,000 to 2,000 ESP32 LoRa board can act as the node sending temperature or soil readings every 10 minutes. Set the radio to the AS923 band used in the Philippines, register the gateway in ChirpStack, and watch uplinks arrive. If nothing shows up, check that the node and gateway use the same frequency plan first, since a mismatch looks exactly like a dead antenna.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does LoraReach use to talk to LoRaWAN devices?
An SPI-based LoRaWAN concentrator module in a mini-PCIe slot, paired with Semtech’s packet forwarder running on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.
What do I need to buy separately for a LoraReach gateway?
The CM4, the LoRaWAN concentrator, an optional 4G modem, and a microSD card. Brightix has not yet announced pricing or the crowdfunding date.
What will I learn if I build this?
You will learn LoRaWAN frequency plans, SPI wiring between a Linux board and a radio concentrator, gateway setup with ChirpStack or The Things Network, and how to log IoT sensor data locally.
