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v7.0
Connectivity
11.2. Connections
Every packet sent contains a Source Address byte and Destination Address byte in its payload field. The module supports only
8-bit addresses. For every node, a unique 8-bit Source Address (Node Address) must be chosen by the user and assigned each
time the module is powered on. This address can be set and read with the functions explained in chapter “Node Parameters”.
The LoRa module supports Unicast and Broadcast transmissions.
11.2.1. Unicast
Unicast is used to send a packet to one specific node in a network through its Node Address. Unicast always performs control
time mechanisms (time-out) to prevent perpetual waiting for a packet. Unicast mode is the only one that supports additional
services for more robust communication like:
1 - ACK confirmation:
if the developer uses functions like
sendPacketTimeoutACK()
and
receivePacketWithTimeoutACK()
,
receiving modules will send an ACK (packet which aim is to confirm the packet was correctly received) to the transmitter.
Figure: ACK confirmation diagram
Unicast mode with ACK example:
www.libelium.com/development/waspmote/examples/sx-03a-tx-lora-ack
2 - Retries:
this option is only available with ACK confirmation. If the transmitting module does not receive the ACK, it will re-
send the packet up to the configured number of times or until the ACK is received.