Project Overview
The SparkFun Digi X-ON Kit for LoRaWAN® was designed to let non-LoRaWAN experts deploy a working, end-to-end LoRaWAN IoT system in minutes, with no code required.
At the center of the kit is the SparkFun IoT Node for LoRaWAN®, a developer-friendly sensor node built around the Digi XBee® LR module and tightly integrated with the Digi X-ON™ IoT Platform. The node is paired with a Digi HX15 LoRaWAN Gateway and Qwiic-connect sensors to deliver a true plug-and-go IoT experience.
My role focused on system architecture, node-level requirements, software integration strategy, and ecosystem alignment, ensuring the IoT Node delivered immediate value out of the box while remaining extensible for custom applications and production designs.
Design Goal: LoRaWAN in Minutes, Not Weeks
Traditional LoRaWAN development requires:
RF and regional configuration knowledge
Network server setup
Device provisioning
Firmware development
Cloud integration
This project intentionally removed those barriers.
What the IoT Node Enables
No LoRaWAN expertise required
No firmware development required
No cloud setup required
No code required to see live data
Users can go from sealed box → live sensor data in the cloud in minutes.
Out-of-the-Box Experience (Zero Code)
The SparkFun IoT Node ships with pre-installed firmware that automatically:
Connects to the Digi X-ON cloud
Joins the LoRaWAN network via XBee® LR
Detects attached Qwiic sensors
Publishes telemetry data automatically
Typical workflow:
- Power the Digi HX15 Gateway
- Register via Digi X-ON Scan-and-Go
- Attach antenna and Qwiic sensor to the IoT Node
- Power the node
Live data appears in the cloud — no coding, flashing, or configuration required.
IoT Node Architecture
The SparkFun IoT Node for LoRaWAN® was architected to reflect real-world IoT system design, not a disposable demo board.
Core Hardware
Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller
Digi XBee® LR LoRaWAN module (US915 / EU868)
Qwiic connector for plug-and-play sensors
LiPo battery support with onboard charging
Fuel gauge circuitry
USB-C power and data
microSD expansion
RGB LED and user button
The XBee® LR module is pre-activated on Digi X-ON, eliminating manual LoRaWAN provisioning — one of the most common failure points for new users.
Optional Custom Development (When You Want It)
While the default experience is zero-code, the IoT Node was intentionally designed to support progressive customization.
Arduino, MicroPython, and Pico SDK support
Open-source reference firmware
Serial console configuration
Direct control of the XBee® LR module
Developers can start with plug-and-go, then evolve into:
Custom sensor logic
Edge preprocessing
Optimized power profiles
OEM-specific applications
Software Enablement & Libraries
To ensure portability and long-term viability, the IoT Node leverages standardized XBee software interfaces, including my open-source libraries:
XBee C Library
https://github.com/felixgalindo/xbee_c_libraryXBee Arduino Library
https://github.com/felixgalindo/XBeeArduino
These libraries abstract LoRaWAN complexity while preserving direct, production-aligned control of the XBee® LR module.
Qwiic Sensor Ecosystem
A key design choice was full integration with SparkFun’s Qwiic ecosystem, allowing sensors to be added with no wiring, soldering, or pin mapping.
Included kits ship with:
ENS160 Air Quality Sensor
BME280 Temperature, Humidity, and Pressure Sensor
This allows users to:
Attach sensors in seconds
Immediately stream meaningful environmental data
Swap sensors without firmware changes
Regional Availability
The SparkFun Digi X-ON Kit for LoRaWAN® is available in multiple regions, supporting local LoRaWAN frequency plans.
North America (US915)
https://www.sparkfun.com/sparkfun-iot-node-lorawan-gateway-kit-north-america.html
Europe (EU868)
https://www.sparkfun.com/sparkfun-iot-node-lorawan-gateway-kit-europe.html
Both kits deliver the same plug-and-go IoT Node experience, with region-appropriate gateways and XBee® LR modules.
System-Level Impact
Enabled LoRaWAN demos in minutes
Removed protocol and RF complexity for new users
Accelerated evaluation of Digi’s LoRaWAN ecosystem
Provided a realistic on-ramp from prototype to production
Strengthened developer adoption and ARR funnel
Reference Links
SparkFun IoT Node for LoRaWAN®
https://www.sparkfun.com/sparkfun-iot-node-lorawan.html- Hackster.io Coverage: SparkFun Partners with Digi to Deliver a Quick-Start Board for LoRaWAN IoT Development
- SparkFun Product Showcase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm2b66uQSEk
SparkFun Digi X-ON Gateway Kit
https://www.sparkfun.com/sparkfun-iot-node-lorawan-gateway-kit-north-america.htmlDigi XBee® LR Module
https://www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-x-on/digi-xbee-lr-for-lorawanDigi HX15 Gateway
https://www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-x-on/hx15-gatewayDigi X-ON IoT Platform
https://www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-x-onQwiic Ecosystem
https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic
Why This Project Matters
This project wasn’t about building another development board.
It was about collapsing the cognitive and technical overhead of LoRaWAN into a single, approachable IoT Node experience — one that works immediately, scales cleanly, and reflects how real systems are built.
That combination is what makes the SparkFun Digi X-ON Kit genuinely useful, not just impressive on paper.