Unlock Compact Connectivity with RAK3172 & RAK11720 LoRa® Modules
At Alpha Micro, we’re excited to spotlight two compact yet powerful LoRa® modules from RAKwireless – the RAK3172 and RAK11720 – both designed for seamless integration into low-power and long-range IoT applications.
These modules offer a perfect balance of performance, size and flexibility, making them an ideal fit for developers looking to implement reliable LPWAN connectivity in embedded systems, smart sensors and industrial IoT devices.
RAK3172 – Compact and Optimised for Efficiency
Measuring just 15 x 15.5 mm, the RAK3172 is a compact surface-mounted LoRa® module powered by the STM32WLE5CC SoC, combining an ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller and a Semtech SX1262 LoRa® transceiver in one.
Key Features:
- Based on STM32WLE5CC SoC (LoRa® + MCU)
- Ultra-low power consumption for battery-powered applications
- Supports LoRaWAN® 1.0.3 and 1.0.4 protocols
- Comes preloaded with RUI3 firmware for fast prototyping and deployment
- Simple AT command interface for configuration
- Dimensions: 15 x 15.5 mm
Ideal for remote sensor nodes, smart agriculture, asset tracking and building automation, the RAK3172 delivers reliable connectivity in space-constrained environments.
The RAK3172 Breakout Board offers all essential I/O access via standard headers, enabling quick development and hardware testing without the need for custom PCBs.
RAK11720 – Advanced MCU Integration with Apollo3
The RAK11720 builds on the foundation of the RAK3172, but swaps in an Ambiq Apollo3 MCU for enhanced computing performance and ultra-low power consumption. Also sized at 15 x 15.5 mm, it’s a pin-to-pin compatible option for developers needing more processing headroom.
Key Features:
- Combines SX1262 LoRa® transceiver with Ambiq Apollo3 MCU
- Integrated BLE 5.0 capability for dual wireless connectivity (via Apollo3)
- Preloaded with RUI3 firmware, enabling full control via AT commands or RUI API
- LoRaWAN® 1.0.3 compliant
- Dual UARTs and flexible GPIO options
- Dimensions: 15 x 15.5 mm
The RAK11720 Breakout Board provides accessible I/O, a micro USB interface and debug ports – perfect for evaluating performance and building prototypes.
Seamless Development with RUI3 Firmware
Both modules are powered by RAKwireless’ RUI3 firmware platform, which simplifies development and speeds up time to market. Whether you’re building an end device or deploying at scale, RUI3 enables rapid configuration, OTA updates and custom firmware development with support for C APIs and a powerful IDE.
Available Now at Alpha Micro
Alpha Micro are proud to offer these cutting-edge modules and their breakout boards, with full technical support and stock available via our LoRa Products page.
Whether you’re building agricultural sensors, industrial monitors or smart city infrastructure, the RAK3172 and RAK11720 provide the reliability and scalability required for your LoRaWAN® application.