All advanced settings for wireless communication between the sensors and the control unit are located on the FarmWatch Pro device. To access them, go to Settings -> Advanced -> LoRa Configuration. Below, we explain what each option is for.
1. Communication channel (Region: Europe vs. the U.S./Asia)
Our system can operate worldwide, but due to telecommunications laws, radio waves function differently in different countries. Simply select the region where your farm is physically located from the drop-down list:
- Europe: The devices operate on European frequencies and are programmed to pause briefly during transmission to prevent them from interfering with each other.
- U.S./Asia: The devices operate on different radio bands and use different methods to avoid interference in the air.
Selecting the appropriate region ensures that the equipment will operate reliably and in full compliance with local laws wherever it is installed.
Note for users in Canada:
If your farm is located in Canada, select “USA/Asia” from the list . Both countries use the same radio bands, so this setting will ensure that the sensors operate legally and reliably.
2. Available radios (Radio 0 and Radio 1) and the SF parameter
The FarmWatch Pro control unit provides two separate monitoring channels: Radio 0 and Radio 1. For each channel, you can set the SF parameter (available values range from 7 to 12). This parameter determines the relationship between range and transmission speed:
- Lower values (e.g., 7 or 8): The signal travels very quickly. The range is slightly shorter, but the sensors conserve battery power.
- Higher values (e.g., 10, 11, or 12): The signal is slower, but it has much better range and penetrates the walls of buildings on the farm more easily.
Tip: You can configure each radio differently! For example, you can set Radio 0 to a longer range (e.g., SF 10) for distant buildings, and Radio 1 to faster reception (e.g., SF 8) for sensors located close to the control panel.
3. Requires an ACK (Acknowledgment)
This is a key feature that ensures the reading will definitely reach you.
When this option is enabled, after sending data, the sensor waits for an acknowledgment from the FarmWatch Pro control unit confirming that the information has been received safely. If it does not receive such confirmation (e.g., due to temporary interference), it will automatically resend the reading using a backup radio channel.
4. Transmission Power (TX Power)
This parameter determines the strength with which the FarmWatch Pro control unit sends signals back to the sensors (e.g., when sending the acknowledgments mentioned above). By default, this value is set to 10 dBm, which is exactly the same as in the sensors. You can enter a higher value here (e.g., 12 or 14 dBm) if the sensors are located very far from the base station and have trouble receiving acknowledgments.
