MikroTik KNOT LR8 Kit

The MikroTik KNOT LR8 Kit, part number RB924iR-2nD-BT5&BG77&R11e-LR8, is a versatile and powerful IoT gateway designed to meet the demanding needs of modern IoT applications. Combining multiple connectivity options and robust hardware, this kit is ideal for smart city implementations, industrial automation, and agricultural monitoring. We all know the struggle of managing so many devices with different interfaces and communication protocols. You keep adding new solutions to your setup to keep up, but the older devices are still too good to let them go. How do you integrate all of them into a single system that will serve you right? Easy – you “tie” them together by using the KNOT!

The KNOT LR8 Kit is a great tool for various outdoor cabinet IoT applications, featuring a DIN rail mount for easy integration into diverse setups. It is suitable for agriculture, asset tracking, cold chain monitoring, industrial manufacturing, and more. The device's robust design and extensive connectivity options make it perfect for the most remote or challenging areas, providing flexible, low-cost connectivity.

In addition, KNOT LR8 kit is an out-of-the-box IoT Gateway solution for LoRa® technology. It uses Narrow Band and CAT-M technology. Because of the low cost, low bandwidth cellular connection, it is supported by countless mobile operators around the globe. This kit contains a pre-installed UDP packet forwarder to any public or private LoRa® servers. With the support of 8 different channels, Listen Before Talk (LBT) and spectral scan features this product will astound you with its enticing price point.

Built on the reliable MIPSBE architecture, the KNOT features a QCA9531 CPU with a single core operating at a nominal frequency of 650 MHz. This efficient processor ensures smooth data processing and reliable performance. The device uses the QCA9531 switch chip, which supports efficient data handling across its networking interfaces. It is equipped with 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of NAND storage, providing ample memory and storage capacity for running RouterOS and storing necessary configurations and data. The robust design is capable of withstanding extreme conditions, with an operating temperature range from -40°C to 70°C and a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of approximately 200,000 hours at 25°C.

The KNOT LR8 Kit features a 2.4 GHz wireless interface with a maximum data rate of 300 Mbit/s, utilizing 802.11b/g/n standards and 2 chains. The QCA9531 wireless chip ensures robust Wi-Fi 4 connectivity with an antenna gain of 1.5 dBi. It includes two 10/100 Ethernet ports for wired network connections, a Nano SIM slot for modem connectivity, and a microUSB type AB port with a maximum current of 1A. The device also features one MiniPCI-e slot, enhancing its versatility for various IoT applications. The kit contains a pre-installed UDP packet forwarder to any public or private LoRa® servers, supporting 8 different channels, Listen Before Talk (LBT), and spectral scan features.

The KNOT LR8 Kit is designed for extensive IoT functionality, including monitoring onboard GPIOs, converting Modbus protocol to TCP, and forwarding Bluetooth packets to a TCP/IP network via HTTPS and MQTT. It can serve as a TCP bridge for wired Modbus sensors, sending readings to a Modbus server and providing wireless connectivity to wired sensors like electricity meters and relays. The device can also be used as a backup connection for Ethernet or as a management channel for your network, offering a cost-effective alternative to LTE plans. With the KNOT, you can manage a vending machine with temperature and moisture sensors using only a few megabytes per day.

With Bluetooth version 5.2, the KNOT supports asset tracking and telemetry based on Bluetooth advertisement packets. It is compatible with any BLE tag that sends advertisement data, including iBeacon, Eddystone, or any other format. Powerful filters allow for forwarding only relevant packets while ignoring others, enhancing its efficiency and functionality.

The KNOT LR8 Kit supports three types of DC inputs: MicroUSB, DC jack, and PoE-IN, with input voltages ranging from 12-57 V. It can also be powered via 802.3af/at PoE in, with input voltage options of 18-57 V. The device has a maximum power consumption of 23 W, and 5 W without attachments, making it energy-efficient for various applications. It includes a PoE-out port on Ether2, supporting 802.3af/at with a maximum output of 650 mA (18-30 V input) or 450 mA (30-57 V input).

The KNOT LR8 Kit runs on RouterOS, providing extensive networking features and capabilities with a RouterOS license level 4. This operating system offers a range of advanced networking functionalities, making it suitable for complex IoT deployments. The KNOT can integrate devices that are no longer in production, devices that came out this year, or even custom solutions by your technician – it can handle them all.